Evening star., 1938-01-07
DISTRICT RELIEF
ROLLS FACE CUT
Reduction Likely Unless
Budget Bureau Figure
Is Increased.

Nearly one-half of the 5000 unem-
rloyable persons in the District re-
ceivins relief must be cut from the
rolls unless the House subcommittee
now conducting hearings on welfare
activities increases the relief funds
above the 5000. 900 total to which they
were cut by the Budget Bureau.
Hearings on the relief items sched-
uled to start today. were temporarily
postponed until next week to permit
other branches of work under the
Welfare Board to be considered first.
Chairman Collins of the Subcom-
mittee today called witnesses regarding
the budget recommendations for the
Industrial Home School for White and
Colored, the Home for the Aged and
1nfirm, the National Training Schools
for boys and girls and representatives
Of such institutions as St. Elizabeth's
Hospital. the Florence Crittenton
Home, Columbia Polytechnic School
for the Blind and the Municipal Lodg-
ing House.
Practically Fixed Charge.
1t was disclosed today that the re-
lief distributed to families for their
dependent children, of which there
are 2,66l, is practically q fixed charge
which would consume most of the
100000 recommended by the budget.
This is necessary in order that the
District Welfare Board maintain its
credit with the Social Security Board
for per capita allotment for dependent
children. This Federal agency would
allow Sl02.340 next year for distribu-
ton to families Of dependent children.
This would leave, according to pres
ent records, 1851 cases of unemployed
persons, most Of whom would be un-
able to work even If they could find
employment because of illness or other
reasons. and who face the prospect of
being dropped from the relief rolls.
Unable to Give Aid.
The Welfare Board, because of lack
Of funds, has been unable to give any
aid to employable persons. In its es-
Inmates to the District Commissioners,
the Welfare Board asked for 81 1922, ,750
for the care of unemployables and an
additional 81 l,25O.000 for the relief of
employables, making \ total of S3.272,-
$50 for all relief. This was cut to
100000 by the Budget Bureau. A
total of 5,962 persons received relief
last month.
The House subcommittee meanwhile
began a serious study today of the Dis
trict parole system in an effort to re-
duce the large number of 'repeaters"
In the reformatory at Lorton, Va.
Statistics given the subcommittee
by Ray L. Huff, general superintendent
of District penal institutions, show
that ~ per cent of the Lorton PAROLES
are returned for violation of parole
provisions.
Jail Addition Considered.
Aside from the proposed new parole
plan and the cost of administration
of the penal institutions, the subcom-
mittee also considered items in the
1889 budget providing for an addition
to the District Jail. and completion
of the so-called walled group" at
Lorton, where incorrigible prisoners
are ouartered.
The subcommittee devoted a major
portion of its time yesterday to plans
for relieving congestion at Gallinger
Municipal Hospital
DR.. Edgar A. Bocock, superintend-
ens of Gallinger. it was said, was
questioned particularly about the need
for So additional employees which the
budget provides. Subcommittee men,
bers pointed out there are now 507
employees at the hospital and 300 pa
tientS