Evening star., 1937-06-27
UNREST MOUNTING
WITH W.P.A. CUTS
Officials Watch Signs in Re-
lief CircIes-Many Pro-
tests Received.

Forced to continue mass dismissals
Of Works Progress Administration
workers in order to bring rolls down
to an estimated 1,665,477 by July Is,
as a result of administration economy,
oflcials in Washington had cause to
worry yesterday over increased signs
Of unrest In relief circles throughout
the country, one of which was seen
here IN the visit Of 81 arts project
workers from New York, Philadelphia
and Boston to protest the cuts.
Protests were being received from
| many sections as w. P. A. head
quarters indicated that the great bulk
OF dismissals would occur between
July l and July IS in preparation for
lean year. During the six weeks
period from June !, it was estimated
that 1t would be necessary to reduce
the rolls by 324,00O to reach the quota
In addition, some $4,000 workers en-
ployed on Federal projects financed
with relief funds also will have been
discharged during the period
Administrator Harry L. Hopkins
warned Congress that a l,50O 900 900
work relief bill for the new fiscal year
would necessitate the planned re-
duct1on in the rolls, but his warning
was ignored. Since the peak of last
February, when funds began getting
low, there has been a progressive re-
| duction in pay rolls that have brought
numerous protests from industrial
cities and States where the relief
burden is high.
Reaches Low Of l,980,236.
Last month the work relief rolls had
been reduced to 2,l99, 76O persons. and
BY June the number reached low
record of l,980,236
There is no expectation that the
work relief bill will emerge from Con-
gress with any more than Sl50O,00O.-
| 600, which Hopkins will have to spread
over a l2-month period in proportions
suited TO seasonal needs. Officials ex-
pressed the hope they might get by
on basis of 1,665,477 during the
Summer, but indicated this number is
by no means the minimum quota.
State and local administrators have
been advised Of the July Is goal and
urged to resort to every means to keep
within their estimated figures.
Deputy Administrator Michael J.
Cohan was quoted yesterday as saying
that about 500 W. P. A. workers here
| Will lose their jobs by the curtailment
OF funds, Federal headquarters, how
ever, seemed to take a more encour-
aging view. Officials there indicated
that the District has about reduced
its rolls to the desired quota already
and that possibly only small number
would be let out between now and
| July Is.
w. P. A. rolls in the District car
ried 6,096 on June S, and it is not
likely that the total would be reduced
much under 5000, it was said
| Gauging Public Sentiment.
Work relief officials are watching
| the signs of unrest in many sections
very carefully in order to gauge public
sentiment concerning the forced re-
! ductions.
Increased applications for relief. it
was believed, might have the effect
of causing Congress to make a large
| contribution to work relief at a later
period
Regardless Of local conditions how
ever. w. p. A. funds will be able to
provide for only limited number of
persons on work relief projects dur
ing the new fiscal year States and
local communities, consequently. will
be aided in proportion to their needs.
Improved business and industrial
conditions may help out the situation
somewhat, it was believed, as ad-
ministrators are instructed to dismiss
first those persons who have the best
chances of gaining private employ
ment.
The wedding OUT process will con-
tinue during the remaining weeks to
July Is, it was indicated on a scale
that has not yet been approached in
the w. P. A.
Emil Ludwig, German author who
is here writing a book about Presi-
dent Roosevelt, lent the Government
a hand here yesterday by helping to
paclfv the art project workers from
New York. who in addition to pro-
testing layof7s asked Aubrey Williams.
assistant relief administrator, to set
up a special review board to pass on
dismisssls. Their request was denied.
Ludwig was dining with williams
Friday, after the administrator had
had his first talk with the delegates.
The author said he didn't want to in
terfere. but wanted to get acquainted
with the project workers. He helped
foot their hotel bills Friday night and
yesterday afternoon he hired bus and,
after their conference, Williams took
tnem OH on a sightseeing tour Of