Evening star., 1938-03-01
COMPLETEREL|EF'
INQUIRY FOR D. c.
URGEDAT CAPITOL
Donovan Carries Plea to
Senators After Needs
Are Stressed.
WELFARE GROUPS CITE
INADEQUACY OF FUNDS
Impress Commissioners-Subcom.
mittee Is Expected to Decide on
House Provisions Today.

Maj. Daniel j. Donovan, District
auditor, went to the Capitol today to
ask for liberal appropriation to
defray the expenses of "a fair and
complete investigation" of relief ad-
ministration and relief needs in the
District.
The decision to send Maj. Donovan
to appear before tbs Senate District
Appropriations Subcommittee was
reached by the Commissioners late
yesterday after the Board of Public
Welfare had strongly Endorsed the
proposed relief inquiry. Earlier in the
day a similar Endorsement had been
given by the Citizens Committee on
Unemployment and Relief, whose
members also had met with the Com
miSsioners.
The welfare board members i'm
pressed on the Commissioners "the
absolute inadequacy" of the proposed
$780, 900 fund to defray relief expenses
IN the District for the next fiscal year.
Iney joined with the citizens COM
mIttee In urging that the appropria-
ton for general relief be s3,247,75O.
Sentiment for Inquiry.
On Capitol Hill there are strong
indications the Senate Appropriations
Subcommittee will recommend an i'm
mediate survey by an expert before de-
Gliding in later deficiency bill whether
TO raise the 100000 House item for
relief. Senator Thomas of Oklahoma.
chairman Of the subcommittee, is pro-
posing a wider scope for the relief in
qulry, which meets with the approval
OF the Commissioners.
The extent to which the subcom-
mittee will change House provisions
In the 1899 appropriation bill may be
agreed upon today by the subcommit-
tee. One of the major questions is
the amount needed for unemployment
relief. Other problems include wheth-
er street lighting cost be charged
against highway or general funds,
whether to restore the Pennsylvania
Avenue Bridge Southeast snd whether
TO retain the traffic underpasses at
Dupont and Thomas Circles, approved
by the House
Eager and anxious for a complete
investigation of the entire relief prob
lem, the Commissioners refused to
commit themselves in advance of a
report from such an inquiry, if and
when it is made.
commissioner Hazen, however, said
ne was in favor of an investigation
by "disinterested persons" He was
emphatic in stating that it would be
a mistake to let social workers or
prejudiced business men" conduct the
inquiry
We have found diversity Of opin-
Ion between two sound thinking groups
on this question of relief" Mr.. Hazen
said. I'VE are told on the one hand
by many citizens, church people and
agencies that we are not spending
anywhere near enough. The other
group, composed of the Board of
Trade. the Washington Taxpayers As
soclatlon and individual citizens. are
against any increase in relief expen-
ditures.
so what can We do?" asked Mr..
~>A' VIC WILL Silllply nave 10 wait
until the matter is investigated and
report made"
Want All Phases Covered.
Mr.. Hazen said the Commissioners
were 100 per cent for this investi-
CATION" He and Maj. Donovan inter-
preted liberal" appropriation for it
as meaning one sufficient to 20 thor
oughly into matters of administration
as we'll as the general relief situation
The latter thought it would REQUIRE
considerably more than the $4,000
proposed for the inquiry by the House
committee, which he said was intended
to cover only administrative phases.
1t will be necessary to start q probe
at the earliest moment, Mr.. Hazen
pointed out, if an adequate appropria-
ton for relief in the next fiscal wear
Is to be made before Congress ad-
journs.