Evening star., 1938-10-20
D. c. RELIEF LOAD
DECLINE IS SHOWN
FOR PAST MONTH
81 Cases Are Dropped, but
Many New Applications
Are Received.
SOME ARE TURNED AWAY
BY ASSISTANCE DIVISION
Workers Unable to Find Time to
Investigate Needs, Report
Declares.

The Districts relief load diminished
slightly during the past month, when
the number of cases receiving aid was
reduced by SO from the August total,
out a larger number of new applicants
were turned away because case work.
ers could not find time to investigate
their needs, the Public Assistance Diyi-
sion reported today.
There were 5,988 cases of all kinds
receiving aid last month, representing
l2l48 persons, who received a total
payment, including relief in kind. of
slIo,2o4 or an average per case of
s2S27 per month, the division said
II was inquired that 10 per cent Of the
District population of 627, 900 received
aid
The division noted that the staff
was carrying much larger average
case load per worker than the limit
recommended by the Social Security
Board, but it made only passing ref
erence to the number of applicants
rejected, apparently for lack of suffi-
cient funds
Accusations Denied.
ihS latter reference recalled that
Hellef Investigator Burdette G Lewis
recently voiced bitter criticism for
directing attention to the number of
fe)ections each month which he held
70 oe case OF using "phoney statistics,
AZ, tne purpose of exaggeratine the
rehe1 need. Relief officials denied his
accusations, insisting that the nunher
Oh reJections never had been taken ss
a guide to the relief need ~
Inc report states, 1T Is penera,,,
agreed that even minimum standards
cannot be maintained where a vorter
ihust carry more than 100 cases in an
uhoiHerentiated load. The Socia1
security Board has recommended tba+
an investigator cannot make adeouate
nlveslleatlons on more than 20 new
apphcatlons per month, with no other
responsibilities, nor can she investigate
more than 10 applications per month
she carries the responsibility for 90
approved cases. " w
IL then stated that the AVERAGE
case load per worker, including hoth
approved grants and pending annlica-
tlons, was III at the end of September
In giving figures on applications and
reJectlons, the division said, "the total
numoer OF applicants interviewed bv
tne A. D. during September was,
In. OF which 1875 were accented and
DOL rejected. Only applications for
winch complete interview was taken
were reported; many persons were
turned away without an interview"
Decrease Declared Shown.
however, the division said, the num-
Ger OF reflections recorded showed q
decrease because, beginning September
lo' the w. P. A. interviewed for surplus
commodities all persons certified for
w. P. A. employment, these interviews
previously having been handled and
reported by the intake department Of
the P. A. D.
Meanwhile the Commissioners an
proved recommendations by welfare
omclals and District Auditor Daniel
j. Donovan, for closing of the north
west branch relief station at 1923 U
street NV, and a transfer of its
stan and cases to District-owned prop
erty at 480 Indiana avenue, effective
by November II. 1t was said TINS
would effect a saving of s27O month,
or S3240, in rent paid on the U street
quarters. 1t also had been planned TO
transfer the northeast branch sta
ton at 1858 Florida avenue NE, to
the Indiana avenue building, but it was
found there was not sufficient space.