Evening star., 1938-06-01
BY ]. A. OIEARY.

PRESIDENT Roosevelt today came to
the aid of his Senate leaders in their
effort to prevent earmarking of funds
in the s3,247, 200, 900 work relief and
pump printing bill
In letter to Senator Adams, Demo-
crat, of Colorado. in charge of the
measure, the President said the un-
employment situation has grown worse
since he sent his relief message 10
Congress six weeks ago.
For that reason, he explained, the
bill should be left flexible to provide
for expenditures on projects that can
start Immediately rather than next
winter or spring.
The Presidents action was quickly
interpreted by administration Sen
ators as greatly strengthening their
stand against demands of Republicans
and conservative Democrats that the
funds be earmarked by assigning them
for use on specified projects.
Night Sessions Considered.
Meanwhile Majority Leader Barkley
was considering the possibility of night
sessions to expedite the measure un-
less steady progress is made on major
features today
While the President did not refer
directly to earmarking, as proposed
in several pending amendments, he
stressed his hope that the bill in final
form will put no restrictions on the
immediate starting of works projects,
and that it will make possible the se-
lection of those projects which can be
got under way most speedily"
The main earmarking efforts are
by Senator Copeland, Democrat, OF
New York to require $325, 100000 of
the P. w. A. money to be spent for
specific flood-control and river and
harbor projects, and the move of Sen
ator Bailey, Democrat, of North Caro-
lima to require P. w. A. to give pref
erence to 2,700 projects already on
the approved list of that agency.
Senator Adams has taken the view
that P. w. A should be free to pick
those projects it believes can be started
most quickly.
Text of Letter.
Mr.. Roosevelt's letter, dated yester-
day, following his return from Hyde
Park, N. Y, was addressed to My
Dear Senator Adams" 1t follows in
full:
"On my return this morning I have
held conference with representatives
of the Public Works Administration,
the Works Progress Administration
and the Treasury.
Since sent my relief message to
the Congress six weeks ago the unem-
ployment situation has grown worse,
and, therefore. If the Government
undertakes to relieve unemployment by
the measure now before Congress, the
time element is essential to success.
1T is obvious that undertaking
projects next winter or spring will not
contribute to the serious necessities of
this summer and autumn. Further
more. it is hoped that private industry
and finance, because of deferred needs
and lessening inventories, will be in
a position little later on to increase
private employment. Emergency en-
ployment, therefore, should come right
away instead of being deferred to a
time when it may synchronize with
an increase in private employment.
"It is the gap existing now that we
want to fill Therefore, greatly hope
that the emergency appropriation bill
in its final form will put no restric-
tions on the immediate starting of
works projects, and that it will make
possible the selection of those projects
which can be got under way most
speedily.
ITO this end, nexibility of actual
administration is essential. I cannot
too strongly point out that there is
unanimous agreement in the execu-
tive branch of the Government that
(See RELIEF Page A-31