The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1937-01-01
FEDERAL WORK
RELIEF PROBLEM
Is OUTSTANDING
ONE OF MOST IMPORTANT OF
VARIOUS ISSUES TO CON-
FRONT NEW CONGRESS
THAT WILL SOON CONVENE
By BYRON PRICE
tChief OF Burean. The Associated
Press Vnshingt0nD


Press Washingtonl
With the new year and new
congress the problem of what to
do about federal work relief over
shadows all others. 1t is likely to
prove the most troublesome. too.
for depression years rooted the
philosophy of aid for the needy
deep in our economic system.
A study of the welter of rum
ors and statements dealing with
the situation indicate President
Roosevelt is trying to reconcile
two campaign pledges which at
first glance might seem to be ir-
reconciliable.
Mr.. Roosevelt said during the
fall campaigning that the needy
would be cared for. He also said
every effort would be made to
balance the budget. These ques-
tons arise from that situation.
How much of his tremendous
popular majority was rolled up be-
cause of his liberal relief policies?
No one can say. Nor can anyone
say with any degree of certainty
what effect his pledges to balance
the budget had in the total. Mr..
Roosevelt, however, has not been
blind to the Improvement in bust
ness.
Perhaps he is trying to bring re-
lief rolls into proper alignment
with absorption of workers by pri-
vate employers. That would be a
good guess.
Congress On Spot
Any way you look at it, con-
gress is on the spot. The lawmak-
ers will barely have time to settle
in their seats before
relief viii come upto harass them.
A delicate choice is in prospect.
Should they risk the ire of Mr..
Roosevelt by opposing him, or
should they bow to the many pres
sure grups which will squeeze
them from the other side? Once
before in similar situation they
bowed not to the will of the Presi-
dent, but to what the home folk
said. That was when reduction of
the civilian conservation corps was
suggested. In the end Mr.. Roose-
welt found compromise necessary.
One must remember in weighing
that congressional action that
money spent on CCC camps aided
many communities to keep afloat
during the bad years. Relief
money, too, has flowed into every
section, even more generously than
funds for CCC.
Mayors Back Workers
Last session congress appropri-
ated ST, $4,000, 900 for work re-
lief. That was to last until the end
of the fiscal year, June 80, 1887.
Two unexpected factors upset this
estimate-the severe drought in
the west and inability of private
industry to absorb workers on the
sca,e expected.
Now, with five months to go, the
fund is down virtually to the last
dollar. That makes it necessary for
Mr.. Roosevelt to act promptly. He
cannot mark time for anticipated
business Improvement.
WPA workers sensed the i'm
pending crisis in their affairs some
time ago, warned possibly by the
December order to trim 425,G00
persons from the work relief rolls.
One group appeared in Washing
ton and informed the Works Pro-
gress Administration that the
"whole policy of WAP represents,
in our opinion, betrayal of the
promises made to the American
people before November 3rd."
The workers are not alone in
their protest. Siding with them are
many mayors and civic organiza-
tons. 1t is easier to start than to
stop draining money from the fed
eral treasury.