Evening star., 1938-02-20
BY DON S. WARREN.


Church, labor and private welfare
leaders will make a determined fight
to convince Congress that the Districts
relief fund for the next fiscal year
should be increased from 100000 to
$3,247,0 900, under plans laid YESTERDAY
at mass meeting at the District
Building.
The battle will be carried to the
White House, if necessary, but the
first step will be formation of a per-
manent committee TO appeal to the
District Appropriations Subcommittee
of the Senate.
Approximately $50 delegates from
many widely different groups, who at
tended the meeting at the call of Off
cials of the Citizens Committee on
Unemployment and Relief adopted
unanimously a series of resolutions
calling for great increase in the out
lay of District funds for relief of
the distressed.
d. e. Heads Criticized.
The District Commissioners were
taken to task severely for failing to
attend the meeting. and protests were
voiced by some speakers over ac-
tions by the Washington Taxpayers
Association and the Board of Trade
in regard to the relief needs.
Ross Haworth, executive assistant
to Commissioner Allen. said last night
that he was sure the Commissioner
had not been advised that the meet
ing was planned Mr.. Allen has been
away since Thursday night
Mr. HaWorth added that he himself
had not received any official notice
of the meeting.
Commissioners Hazen and Sultan
could not be reached for comment.
The attack on the Commissioners
for not participating in the meeting
was led by Clarence Phelps Dodge.
former head of the Community Chest.
Il resent bitterly that they are not
here" he said. Il think it perfectly
disgraceful that they should stay
away-since they represent the only
official voice the people of Washing
ton have in their government"
Probe by Security Board.
Canon Anson Phelps Stokes OF the
Washington Cathedral drew resound-
ing applause when he urged: IF
necessary, let us carry this fight to the
White House" adding, IF it is ques-
ton of spending 100000 for an un-
derpass for Dupont Circle or spending
nf hny,noy, nnnle fhoy4
l am for the latter
Meanwhile. the Monday Evening
Club urged in letter to Chairman
Thomas of the Senate. subcommittee
holding hearings on the District ap-
preparation bill, that a proposed in
quiry into the unemployment relief
problem here be made by the Social
Security Board instead of by the House
District Committee, as provided in the
bill passed by the House. The club
urged prompt survey, with a report
before July /.
The citizens mass meeting left de-
cision on whether larger mass meet
ing should be called as a demonstra-
tion of the concern of the general
public over relief needs to members
of the permanent committee to be ap-
pointed by George J. Cleary of the
st. Vincent de Paul Societies
5000 Must Be Cut of.
In demanding the proposed, In
crease in the relief appropriation. the
body declared acute poverty and dis
tress, with attendant illness, crime and
loss of morale among several thou
sand families, many of whose men,
bers cannot find work and many of
whom cannot work." exist in the Dis
trict. The body also insisted that the
limit of cost for administration of
relief should be raised from rs per
cent to II per cent as matter OF
economy.
The group was told that more than
l,700 cases, or nearly 5000 persons
must be cut off the direct relief list if
only 100000 is made available. and
that other decisions by the House will
mean either reduction in the MONTH
ly grants to persons receiving old age
assistance or the refusal to accept
many of the new applications which
will be received next year.
Several speakers insisted they would
(See RELIEF. Page A-30