Evening star., 1938-05-24
Relief
Continued From First Page)

vate facilities without success. Un-
der the Barkley plan. which has not
yet been introduced. Public Works
Administrator Ickes would determine
whether a fair offer had been made,
the Kentuckian explained.
Senator Norris said he would con-
tinue to oppose the entire power
limitation adopted by the Appropria-
tions Committee, which provides that
no allotment could be made for an
income-producing plant that would
enter into competition with a private
utility whose rates are subject to
public regulation.
Discussing the fact that the ad-
ministrator would determine whether
fair price had been offered for the
private plant. the Nebraskan con-
tended that the utilities could still
institute injunction proceedings. AL
though he is considering Offering the
substitute plan. Senator Barkley also
indicated he would prefer to have the
issue of the bill entirely.
Senator Schwellenbach, Democrat,
of Washington joined Mr.. Norris in
announcing opposition to compromise
and an intention to fight against any
limitation on P. w. A. Other Senate
liberals are expected to take the same
view.
At the same time there are others
who will argue that the purpose of the
pending bill, to reduce unemploy-
ment, is not accomplished by using
Government funds to build a munich
pal utility project in competition with
an existing private plant, with the
probability of a resulting loss of en-
ployment in the private plant.
Vote on Vandenberg Plan.
One of the first votes today may come
on the Vandenberg plan to return ad-
ministration of relief to the States.
The Michigan Senator's amendment,
was offered yesterday as a substitute
for the w. P. A. set-up.
Senator Vandenberg defended the
proposal for two hours yesterday, con-
tending more relief could be given with
a greater degree of equality among
those in need. He argued that those in
need receive wide range of relief pay
ments under the present combination
Federal set-up of w. P. A. and P. w. A.
Senator Byrnes of South Carolina,
leading Democratic member of the
Appropriations Committee, called the
Vandenberg substitute a return to-
the dole" 1t was opposed also by
Senator Connally. Democrat, of Texas,
who said Congress should not turn
Federal funds over to the States to
spend.
Lodge Offers Amendments.
Meanwhile Senator Lodge, Republic
ran, of Massachusetts, offered two
major amendments late yesterday.
One would strike out the pump prim-
ing P. w. A. program, for which the
bill contains 1865 1000, 900, and add
$500000,000 instead to the $l,425,-
100000 w. P. A fund. The other
Lodge amendment would curb the dis
cretionary power of Works Progress
Administrator Hopkins by requiring
work relief money to be allocated to
the States and the District in pre-
portion to the number of employables
registered as seeking work at the
local United States Employment Serv-
ice offices.
Senator Lodge described the pump
priming public works phase as a
luxury the Nation cannot afford at
this time. In support of the new
method of allocating relief funds SEN
ator Lodge contended no one man
should have the power to withhold or
grant such funds.
Efforts to broaden the committee
amendment granting PARITY payments
to farmers under the new crop con-
troll law also may prolong considera-
ton of the bill. AS it came from
committee it covered payments to
cotton, wheat and corn producers out
of a $212,000,000 fund. Amendments
may be offered on the floor to in
clude other crops.
Among the committee amendments
to be acted on in connection with
w. P. A. is one to authorize domestic
service projects to train persons on
relief to obtain employment in the
private homes Of the country. The
Appropriations Committee was told
there are 100000 opportunities for
employment as domestics in the United
States, and that a survey has shown
a need for training applicants for
this work. Testimony in support of
this program was given by Edgar G.
Brown, president of the United Gov
ernment Employees, Inc. A table
printed in the Senate hearings shows
that of the 100000 possible place.
ments for domestics throughout the
country $500 were Ia the District Of
Columbia.