The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1937-05-26
AMENDED BILL
UNP0PULARAT.
WHITEH0USE
Showdown Is Slated
Tomorrow as Result
Of Earmarkine
BY WILLIAM s. NEAL
international News Service

President Roosevelt may have
to intervene to halt the House
revolt over the "blank check"
provisions Of the $500, 000,0
relief hill, administration leaders
said today.
The final showdown on the
measure, riddled by earmarking
amendments, is scheduled tomor-
row.
Representative Rayburn Of
Texas, Democratic leader, served
notice that roll calls will be de-
manded on every earmarking
amendment designed to limit the
discretionary power Of President
Roosevelt end Works Progress
Administrator Harry L. Hopkins,
in handling WPA and other relief
funds. This will put Democrats
and Republicans on record either
for or AGAINST the administration,
under the plan devised to stem
the revolt.
BOIand Doubts Acceptance
I'm my opinion the bill will not
be accepted by the President in its
present FORM" declared Represent
alive Boland Of Pennsylvania,
Democratic whip.
While the House had approved
the $500 10000 figure asked by
Mr.. Roosevelt, it refused to give
either the President or Hopkins a
blank check" to administer relief
as they see fit. The House ear
marked $505 100000 Of the fund,
including an amendment taking
100000, 900 from WPA for the
Public Works Administration I'm
der Secretary Of the Interior
Ickes.
The earmarKing amendments
were $55, 900 for flood control
and small reservoirs in the Vests
dust bowl" $500 900 900 for PWA
and $150,000,0o0 for Federal aid
highways, secondary roads and
grade-croSsing elimination. The
House also adopted an amendment
prohibiting the President from
taking the $13O,OOO,OOO PWA re-
volving fund and turning it over
to WPA.
Lanham Hits LOaferS
An amendment Of Representa-
tive Lanham Cd, of Texas, would
provide that any WPA unSkilled
worker, who refuses a private job
at the equal of WPA wages, shall
be barred from relief. The amend
ment would permit WPA workers
who get temporary private jobs
to return to relief rolls. The
amendment was heavily supported
by farm belt members, who con-
tended WPA workers refuse to
accept farm jobs.
The revolt apparently was &C
complished through a coalition
of the flood control, PWA ana
highway blocs.
Representative Sirovich Cd, OF
New York, seeking an explanation
of the revolt, questioned nearly
so members of the House. He
said:
"The 50 members with whom
/ talked said the revolt and
the earmarking were due to re-
sentiment against WPA Admin
istrator Harry L. Hopkins be-
cause Of the treatment accorded
them and because of the naughty
bureaucracy he has built up;
also because Of waste and inef-
ficiency.
DENIED CONSIDERATION
"Members get complaints from
all parts of the country. They
take them to WPA. They are
denied any consideration. The
members said that they objected
to the inefficiency of the WPA
organization and that it would
be better for Congress to ear
mark funds. They thought 1t
would provide better relief"
Representative Better Cd OF
New York, leader of the PWA
bloc, said:
1--WE expect to hold our lines
Thursday. The amendments
will not deprive anyone Of re-
lief. Congress next winter can
vote more money for WPA."s
Before final action is taken, a
new battle may be Waged to re-
duce the total Of $l,500, 000, 900 to
$1,200,0OO,00o.