Evening star., 1937-05-02

the last two weeks, striking ad-
4 ministration leaders and Re-
publcans alike, promises to. make the
unemployment relief fund for the next
fiscal year the major issue, next to
the Supreme Court fight, during the
remainder of the session.
While economy-minded solons are
talking of cutting President Roose-
velt's 81 500, 100000 relief estimate to
an even billion or less, other groups
in both bodies are girding for battle
to show the Presidents recommended
tion is too small. One suggestion
heard in the Senate is that it should
be raised to S2,200, 100000
Out Of this wide range of opinions
on how great the relief need will be
for the year beginning July has come
renewed discussion OF an unemploy-
nent census to find out officially how
many have gone back to the country's
workshops and how many are still
dependent either upon Government
or private relief agencies.
There have been several moves
under way in Congress TO obtain such
census, and no doubt they will be
strengthened by the forthcoming con-
Sideration OF the relief bill. The pros
pect Of a census being ordered, how
ever, was given setback with the
indication few days ago that the
White House does not regard such a
count necessary. With the present
Democratic maiorities in both houses
legislation which fails 70 carry the
stamp of administration approval has
an uphill road 70 travel
Hearings Soon to Start
A House appropriations supcommit-
tee presided over by Chairman Tay-
lor Of Colorado probably will start
hearings this Week-the first step in
formulation Of the relief measure.
The administration viewpoint un-
| doubtedly will prevail in the original
| drafting of the bill in the House. In
the Senate. however, the picture is
quite different, with such staunch
Democratic regulars Senator Byrnes
Of South Carolina taking the lead in
move to cut the budgets relief figure
20 81 900 00O,0 1t is understood that
Senate Majority Leader Robinson also
will support the lower figure if investi-
CATION shows it is practical
There are other members of the
Senate who would cut still deeper, as
we'll as those who think higher figure
is needed.
Senator McCarran. Democrat, of
Nevada. for example. thinks s750,0Oo.-
900 would be sufficient, if the relief
overhead could be reduced by placing
4 greater degree of responsibility for
carrying out work projects on the
small units Of State government
The other viewpoint Is shown by
the comment of Senator Nye, Repub-
lican, Of North Dakota, who, referring
to the sl.500,000, 900 estimate, says:
Il hope they will go above it. Con-
ditions out in the Northwest are tax
ing bad turn
Then there are other Senators who
have not decided what amount they
will support. They contend an unem-
termine accurately what the future
rellef needs Will be.
Until we get such a census we are
merely shaking dice on one OF the most
important questions of the day." said
Senator Vandenberg, Republican, Of
Michigan. one of those who has not
reached a conclusion on how much
the appropriation for next year
| should be.
One Of the objections heard against
Nationwide unemployment count
| is that, because of the time required,
conditions probably would change be-
| fore the results were available.
Lodge Favors Count.
Senator Lodge, Republican, of Mas
sachusetts, however, is advocating an
unemployment count in a way he be-
| lieves would bring a prompt answer,
by having the letter carriers distribute
and collect QUESTIONABLE on the sub
| ject. A regular Census Bureau count
undoubtedly would be more complete
and accurate in result, Lodge admits,
but it would of necessity require more
time, he believes
Government officials undertake to
estimate the number of persons en-
ployed in agricultural pursuits,
and relief agencies can tell you how
many are engaged on work relief
projects The United States Employ
ment Service also complies figures on
the number registered in its Offices
throughout the country for jobs. But
these various estimates and calcula-
tions do not eliminate the need for
a Nationwide count of the unem-
ployed. in the opinion of members of
Congress who are advocating such a
census
For the week ending March 27 w.
P. A. had 2ll1,833 persons on work
relief projects.
A recent report of the United States
Employment Service showed 6,ll5,443
persons registered in its active file as
applicants for employment on Feb
ruary %. This figure, however, it. was
explained, includes the two million or
more working on w. P. A. relief jobs.
It includes also some who have jobs
outside of relief agencies, but who
have registered in search of different
or better employment. Then, too. it is
pointed out that this is voluntary
register.
The American Federation Of Labor,
on the other hand, estimated the
average number Of unemployed during
1886 at 10,1l2,172. On April II Of this
year the federation estimated there
are still 9,722,000, and predicted the
total cannot be reduced below an av-
erage of $4,000 during the fiscal year
1898, even If the rapid employment
gains of last year continue. On this
assumption the federation Is urging a
works program to provide for an esti-
mated 100000 Of those in need.
Variation Emphasized.
| The wide variation in private and
semi-of1icial unemployment estimates
was further emphasized in the recent
exchange of correspondence between
Senator Vandenburg and Department
] of Labor officials. In this instance,