Evening star., 1938-02-15
HOUSE COMMITTEE
ASKS QUICK VOTE
ON RELIEF FUNDS
"0rastiC Change" in En-
pIoyment Brings Plea for
Speedy Approval.
$3.50, 900, 1000 TO HELP
100000 PERSONS
Without Moneys, w, P. A. Rolls
Must Be Cut by 100000 and
100000 More Denied Aid.
BACKGROUND.


Sharp business setback OF last
tau greatly increased number Of un-
employed demands for public relief
Federal funds available are appor-
toned to last until end OF fiscal
year, but increasing need made it
etdent more money Would be neceS-
sary President Roosevelt last meeh
recommended appropriation OF
s250,000,0 900 tor emergency use.
By the Associated Press
The House Appropriations Commit
tee asked the House today to ap-
prove Immediately S250.0OO, ,OCO
emergency relief appropriation for the
next four months.
1t suggested quick action because
of the drastic change which has
taken place in private employment"
since last September and indications
the situation will not improve imme-
diately.
The appropriation. if approved,
would be used to keep at least 100000
persons on relief rolls the next few
months Without it. Works Prog
reSS Administration officials said,
about 100000 persons would have to
be denied help and 100000 now on the
rolls would be laid off
Asserting that w. P. A. rosters in
creased from l,464000 in October to
100000 today. the committee told
the House:
If no additional appropriation is
provided at this time this number
must be drastically reduced to an
average of 100000 for the month of
March in order to stay within existing
funds. which would mean not only
that no more of the 100000 who
have lost employment since October
could be given work. but that 100000
of those receiving such employment as
of February Is would be deprived OF
that opportunity" -.
All to Go to W. P. A.
The entire S250,0000 900 would be
earmarked for w. P A.
The committee disclosed that 500
100000 will be taken from reserve
fund and turned over to the Farm
Security Administration, which IS
providing direct relief for 10000
families and making relief loans 10
35S.853 families.
The committee said $4,000 more
families ARE in dire need of direct
relief and another 65 900 need loans.
Aubrey Williams, acting w. P A.
administrator. told the committee the
new money was needed not only be-
cause of the sharp increase in relief
rolls, but because of the impaired
condition of city financial resources"
Questioned about the probable re-
lief appropriation for the year start
ing July /. Mr.. williams said during
hearings on the supplementary fund:
We would attempt to meet next
years situation on billion-dollar ap-
preparation, provided we could have
an understanding that we would be
free. without having any string tied
to it. as to the time it would cover
Need for Billions Seen.
Representative Bacon. Republican,
OF New York suggested. If there is no
upturn you will need at least two bill
lion in the fiscal year 1889"
I'VE will have to meet it as it
comes" Mr.. Williams replied, but in
view of the feeling in Congress that
they would like to keep this down to
a minimum amount, we could work on
the basis have outlined"
He predicted normal reductions in
the spring would reduce the relief load
to 100000 in June.
Discussing the general relief prob
lem. Mr.. Williams said:
III we ever let this works program
&C, we will saddle on this nation class
OF dependents that is really going to
be serious"
There is no part of the country
tSee RELIEF Page A5l