Evening star., 1938-02-27
THOMAS WILL ASK
SURVEYOR j0BLESS
RELIEF NEEDS HERE
Senator Wants Immediate
Inquiry to Determine
Amount Necessary.
STREET LIGHTS LIKELY
TO GO IN GENERAL FUND
Deficit to Be Met by New Taxes
Will Hit So, 200, 900 if Road
Fund Stands Intact.

An immediate inquiry by an inde-
pendent expert to determine Wash
ington's unemployment relief needs
for the coming year and to study the
city's relief system will be proposed by
Chairman Thomas of Oklahoma when
the Senate subcommittee meets Tues
day morning to revise the 1899 Dis
trict supply bill.
As a preliminary step, the Senator
conferred yesterday with the Works
Progress Administration and the Social
Security Board, obtaining assurances
both agencies would cooperate with
whomever Congress may designate to
make the local survey.
Meanwhile. all indications still
point to placing the s765, 900 for street
lighting under the general revenue
fund, instead Of the highway fund.
With street lighting left out as q re-
suit Of the successful fight against
charging it to the highway fund, the
House bill totaled $45 5,076, 900. Restor-
alton of street lighting in the general
fund will bring the deficit to be met
by new taxes up to $2,700,000.
Exact Deficit Undetermined.
With many other changes from
House text under consideration, how
| ever, the exact amount of the deficit
and the approximate new total will re-
main uncertain until the Senate sub
committee acts Tuesday. The bill may
be reported to the Seante Wednes-
day or Thursday and taken up as soon
| as possible.
The House bill carries $4,000 to en-
able the House District Committee to
investigate the administration Of pub
lie relief in the District, but unless
that provision should be amended this
money would not become available
until July l, by which time Congress
probably will have adjourned.
Senator Thomas received from w.
P. A. ofncials yesterday, ut his re-
quest, the outline Of proposed sur
vey to find out the amount needed for
relief, as well as administrative meth
DDS. the entire study to be completed
within two months.
Would Furnish Survey in May.
Assuming the District bill can be
put through the Senate and agreed to
in conference by the middle Of March,
the Thomas survey plan would be
completed early in May. 1t is virtually
certain Congress still will be In ses-
sion at that time and could consider
in the last deficiency bill any rec
concentrations made regarding local
relief.
Senator Thomas pointed out yes
terday that If the inquiry demon
strates the need for more than the
100000 the House has allowed for
relief for the year beginning July /.
the committees of Congress would be
better fortified to present and defend
the additional appropriation, or to
sustain their position If the conclu-
sion is that the House figure is sum-
| cient.
The w. P. A. memorandum yester-
day recommended the survey be d.
rected by a disinterested person. quail
ified by social welfare experience and
having no of1icial connection with
| District agencies. Senator Thomas Is
considering a suggestion that the
director of the survey be chosen by
the chairmen of the House and Senate
Appropriations Committees, Represent
ative Taylor of Colorado and Senator
Glass of Virginia.
Cost May Come From Relief Item.
If this immediate survey Is substi-
tuted for the proposed House District
Committee investigation. the relief
item is expected to be left at $780,
900 in the pending bill until the study
| Is completed. The cost on the survey
would be left at $5.000 but may be
taken from the 100000 relief item
instead Of being made a separate ex-
penditure.
Senator Thomas has been giving Sc
rious thought to the relief problem
| since the subcommittee heard con-
flicting testimony last week on whether
the 100000 House figure should be
substantially increased or left un-
changed. Advocates of a higher ap-
preparation emphasized that the House
amount makes no provision for en-
| ployables out of work
In the Senate hearings most sup
porters of more relief recommended
the original welfare estimate of So
247,000, which would provide both for
| employables and unemployables.
The Washington Taxpayers Asso-
citation urged retention of the House
| figure. The Board of Trade recon-
mended the proposed immediate sur
vey to determine whether there would
be justification for raising the House
figure later in deficiency bill The
trade body suggested the Appropria-
tions Committee or joint select COM
mittee make the survey.
The Monday Evening Club, one Of
the agencies favoring q larger appro-
priation, suggested through its Exec
utive Board that the Social Security
Board make the relief study.
The plan Senator Thomas is pre-
pairing for subcommittee considera-
ton is combination of these sug-
gestions, since it calls for q disin-
terested expert as director, with the
relief agencies cooperating.
Sentiment is growing at the Capt.
tol for restoration of $650,000 under
the highway fund to start the new
Pennsylvania Avenue Bridge, South
east, knocked out by the House.
The fate of the traffic underpasses
for Dupont and Thomas Circles d
somewhat in doubt. They were ap-
proved by the House. and even If the
Senate should delete them, both items
would still be subject to possible
restoration in conference. If they
should be eliminated without substi-
tuition of other highway projects, the
total of the bill would be reduced by
more than a million dollars, but this
amount would remain idle in the high
way fund, without reducing the deficit
requiring new taxes, which u In the