Evening star., 1937-08-11
DISTRICT CRIPPLED
CHILDREN DENIED
u. S. AID 18M0NTHS
D. c. Organization Delay
Holds Up Benefits for
Unfortunates.
PROGRAM is EXPECTED
IN EFFECT THIS FALL
Funds to Help About 1000 Can
Be Nearly Doubled With
Federal Money.

Crippled children in the District
have been denied benefits due them
from Federal social security funds for
nearly l8 months because of DELAYS in
organizing local program to share in
the Federal grants, it was disclosed
today.
Sidetracked after it was all set 10
go INTO operation more than year
ago, the Dlstrict-Federal program now
is IN the hands of the Health Depart
ment, which hopes to put it into ef-
feet this Fall.
Assistant Health Officer Daniel L,
SecKlnger said the program would in
volVe expanded hospital facilities and
other most modern methods of care
designed to restore crippled children
to as near perfect health as possible.
DR.. Secklnger estimated there are
approximately 1000 crippled children
IN the District who might benefit by
the program. The District already is
spending about $4,000 year on their
behalf, he said This can be nearly
doubled by qualifying TO share in the
Federd funds.
S2I 1865 AppOrtioned to d. G.
Records at the Children's Bureau
OF the Department of Labor, which
administers Federal aid for crippled
children under the social security act,
show that total of S27966.74 was
apportioned to the District, but not
used, during the 1886 and 1887 fiscal
years. This is still available, but cam
not be drawn unless spending of Dis
trlCt funds matches it dollar for dol
lar. Another s24.15605 is allotted to
the District for the 1888 fiscal year.
in Federal grants.
To make use of the Federal money.
the District must set up a program for
aid to crippled children that meets re-
qulrements of the social security act
and the Childrens Bureau. Then.
Whatever money of its own the local
government spends on this program
will be matched by Federal grants.
within stipulated limits.
Numerous reasons, mostly involving
the red tape of governmental organ
lzatlons, account for the delay in get
ting an approved program actually
working in the District.
Charles w. Pimper, president Of the
Crippled Children Society, which spon-
sors an independent movement to aid
the afflicted children, said that it ap-
peared to be lust one Of those things"
with no person to blame. But I hope
they can get going soon" he added,
Tor the sooner these youngsters can
get the proper treatment the more
chance there is for improvement"
First Efforts in 1885.
First efforts to develop a local pro-
gram for sharing in the Federal
grants for the aid of crippled chill
dren began shortly after the social
security act was passed, on August
IA, 1885. The Health Department
was designated the administrative
agency and spent several months
working on plans.
Then technical obstacles arose To
administration by the Health Depart
ment. 1t was discovered that under
its direction at that time the local
program could obtain only $4,000 of
the Federal fund annually.
This was because the Health De-
partment was spending only that
amount directly for aiding crippled
children-on maintaining treatment
rooms and two physio-therapists at
the Weightman School in co-opera-
ton with the School Board.
Most of the District funds going
for the benefit of crippled children
some S25, 900 anually-Went for serv-
ices at Gallinger and Childrens Hos
pitals and the tuberculosis Sani-
tarium, which were administered by
the Public Welfare Board. And,
under the Federal regulations. the
Health Department could not claim
credit for these expenditures for
matching purposes.
| AS result, the Commissioners
transferred the proposed crippled
children's program to the Public We'll
fare Board almost at the same time
as the Children's Bureau began, on
February /. 1886, to pay out Federal
grants to States that were ready to
| cooperate.
Paul L. Kirby, assistant director of
| public welfare. said it took considerable
| time to work out details of a plan
(See CHILDREN, Page A-5)