Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1937-05-09
Hopkins as the Partisan
of the Unemployed
BY OVEN L. SCOTT.


have spent $4,000, 900. His plan is
to add another $l.500,0O000O to that
total in the next twelve months, clinch-
ing the title.
With that money Mr.. Hopkins, as
generalissimo OF the Nations relief
forces, has performed stupendous tasks.
At one time, back in 1884, he was pour
ing money into the pockets of nearly
1000, 900 American families. During that
period he created 100000 jobs. Today
his Job total is down near to 1000, 900,
but expenditures still are figured in the
billions. Thus his views on the subject
OF relief take on added interest.
But first there are the figures that
command attention.
The 100000 w. p. A. Jobs provided
by Harry Hopkins for about 81, 900, 000, 900
year cover only q fraction of the
cases getting public assistance in this
year OF recovery.
Another 100000 are receiving q dole
from State and local governments. These
are the so-called "unemployables" for
whom the Federal Government assumes
no responsibility. In addition, 1,750,000
are being helped each year by federally
aided State pension plans, built up with
in the new social security program.
This brings the total near to S,250,000.
Add 100000 farm families getting loans
and grants from the Resettlement Ad-
miniStration, and the total OF destitute
families in this Nation receiving direct
governmental assistance reaches $780,
600. At the very peak Of the depression
that total was under 100000.
~ 4
Frances Perkins, Secretary Of Labor,
finds that, during this period, 100000
new Jobs have opened within those
corporations that report to her. Many
more millions of jobs have developed
In industries for which the Government
maintains no figures. In fact, the latest
estimates OF unemployment, made by
Government experts for confidential use,
show between six and seven million in
dividuals in this country able to work,
and yet unable to ind work. Relief
of one kind or another. on the basis
Of ofncial figures, must be going to
nearly all OF those families.
1t is against this background that
Harry Hopkins, with the help Of Presi-
dent Roosevelt, is maneuvering just now
to get an additional $500 900 900 to
provide jobs for fewer than 100000
out OF the 6,000,00 families still getting
governmental assistance. The 100000
other families will get along on slightly
more than 81 900, 100000 from the Fed
eral, State and local governments.
A maneuver is under way in Congress
to cut to 81 900 900 900 the money to 60
to Mr.. Hopkins in the new fiscal year
beginning July l. The w. P. A. ad-
ministrator was asked whether he could
get along on a billion.
Il could" he replied, but I do not
think that the unemployed can. When
ever there is any trouble in this coun-
try, some people think that the way
to fix it Is to take it out OF the hides
OF the people least able to give up what
they have. That usually means the I'M
employed"
Mr.. Hopkins was asked what he meant
by trouble He replied
Whenever there arises need to save
money, people get excited. They decide
that something needs to be done. Then
they decide that the way to do the
saving is to take money away from
the people who haven't anything. The
feeling is that they probably Will not
yell SO loud,
But what about w. p. A.? Is 1t re-
hecting the pickup in private employ
ment, which has been taking place in
nearly every month for the past year?
We are entering the Summer period
with between 100000 and 100000 fewer
people employed by w. P. A. than one
year ago at this time. OF that total,
about 100000 represent workers trans
ferred to the Resettlement Administra-
ton. The last figure of w. P. A. rolls
shows 208l ,593 employed. My judgment
is that around $4,000 a week will be
dropped between now and July /. That
does not mean that only $4,000 people
will leave w. P. A. We have many more
leaving, but we are replacing them
from the relief rolls of the States.
Approximately $4,000 are on local relief
who are employable and eligible, but not
employed by W. P. A."
But then is 81 500, 900 900 going to be
enough?
That depends on economic condi-
tions," Mr. Hopkins said. You are
projecting a figure substantially less
than in the present fiscal year, when
about 81 900, 100000 was expended. You
are assuming that the employment curve
will continue upward in the next year
and three months. Based on these as
SYMPTOMS, the 81 500 900 900 is enough"
++ X
A growing demand is heard in Con-
gress that States and cities should bear
a larger part of the relief cost. Senator
James F. Byrnes of South Carolina, lead
ing the economy bloc, says that $780,
100000 OF the cost could be borne by
localities. To which Mr.. Hopkins replies:
Contrary to lot of popular opinion,
the cities and States are putting up
very substantial sums of their own
money Back in 1888 they contributed
1892 900 900 for relief purposes They
put up 1910 900 900 in 1886 for the same
purposes, exclusive of P. w. A. and
social security, and are putting up sub
stantiallY more in 1887.
"As a matter of fact, while Federal
spending for relief has declined-de-
creasing IS per cent for the first three
months of 1937-the cities and States
have been spending more. Develop
ment of the social security program will
cause this trend to continue. Old-age
pensions are increasing every month
faster than the total of people on general
relief declines"
That led to discussion of W. P. A.
job costs and of the type OF work given
in return.
"A w. p A. job costs an average of
between $3.50 and $500 Of Federal money
each year. The average wage is 1892
q month. This compares with cost OF
1920 for a boy in c. c. G. camp. Re-
n {@a So hAyy k4A