Montana labor news., 1938-03-03
County Welfare Dept.
Operates With Slate
and Federal Agencies
Continued from Page 81

kCOnIllQeu lIOl -
Montana in 1886, the cost was di-
vided among the three branches of
government in proportions, respec-
lively as above, of one-half, one
fourth and %one-fourth. The last
Montana legislative assembly re-
duced the county portion of this
expense and increased the. state
portion.
The cost of aid to needy dependent
children is divided in proportions of
one-third each for the federal, state
and county governments. This form
of aid began in April, 1897, and re-
placed the old widows pension, the
cost of which was borne entirely by
the county. In addition to dividing
the cost of this assistance between
the three participating governments,
increased assistance to needy de
pendent children was provided.
The cost of the aid to needy blind
program is divided exactly the same
as old age assistance. This is an
entirely new branch Of assistance.
The cost of general relief is borne
entirely by the county until all of
the poor fund, a six mill levy, has
been exhausted. Then, after an
audit of the county poor fund ac-
counts has been made by the state,
and it has been determined that the
county funds were properly budget
ed and spent, the state will bear the
cost of general relief for the county.
Being strictly a federal relief pro
gram, the cost of financing WPA is
carried by the federal government,
except for stated contributions made
by agents or agencies sponsoring
work projects. AS a general rule,
the county is the most frequent
sponsor of projects and is thus the
heaviest contributor outside OF the
federal government.
From the foregoing, it will be
seen that a quite fair and equitable
distribution of relief costs is made,
placing the burden of expense most
heavily on the federal government,
next most on the state and least on
the county. However, a great
change in distribution of cost has
been made since the days of FERA,
when nearly all expense was carried
by the federal government. AT that
time, while the county bore little OF
the cost Of work and direct relief,
it had heavy obligations in the mat
ter of widows pensions and certain
other poor fund charges. The cost
of general relief was carried entire
ly by the county from July l, 1887,
to January 81, 1888, at which time
the county poor fund became ex-
hausted. Were it not for the gen
eral decline in business conditions
and the curtailment of mining oper-
ations in Butte, Silver Bow County
might well have carried general re.
lief obligations nearly through the
fiscal year, which ends June 30, ar
admittedly fine accomplishment.
The determining factor in giving
assistance to any applicant is thu
need in the case. 1t has been thu
practice of the county welfare de
partment to give assistance to al
who are in need, in a manner allow
ing the greatest possible considera
ton for the applicant and at tn
same time giving full considerable
to the fact that money for genera
relief is the money of Silver Bow
County taxpayers. Appreciation O
this practice and assistance in carry
ing it out have at all times bee
given both by those seeking aid an
by many interested organization
and individuals. Because of thl
helpful attitude generally it ha
been possible to maintain the count
welfare department as a highly eff
cient organization.