Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1938-05-22
Relief
Continued From First Page.)

many changes made in committee. the
measure may take at least the entire
week, instead Of three or four days,
as originally predicted.
Conservatives and liberals probably
will line up for verbal tilt over the
question Of government in business in
connection with the utility amend
ment, which provides that no P. w. A.
allotments shall be made for any in
come producing project which will
compete with any existing privately
owned or operated public utility the
rates OF which are subject to public
regulation.
Declaring 1t is generally admitted
municipalities have the right to put
in power plants If they desire. Senator
Norris said the amendment. in effect.
would prevent it. He urged defeat CT
the amendment.
Supporters of the limitation pro-
ceeded on the theory that if a new
municipal plant. through competition,
reduced employment in an existing
plant. it would be out of harmony
with the purpose Of the relief bill to
increase employment.
Administrative Changes.
The Senate bill makes several
changes in administrative rules of
w. P. A. most important of which is
intended to equalize allotments to
rfc ~ No WV ct; y,,,
lating that w. P. A. may not allocate
for materials more than 81 a month
per man on the rolls in each State.
To take care Of any unusual emer-
gency, such as drought. w. P. A. would
have authority to exempt S25 900 900
Of its appropriation from this rule.
A relief worker would be required
to advise the authorities Of the extent
Of any outside work he may obtain.
Under the public works section, the
Senate committee enlarged the pro-
gram of Federal projects on the theory
that every dollar spent on such
project Is invested in a Government
facility. while As per cent of nom
Federal projects are grants, and IS
per cent repayable as loans.
The 4555 ratio is retained in the
Senate bill for non-F'ederal grant and
loan projects. but the Senate commit
lee struck out House section de-
signed to aid States that have con-
stitutional barriers against further
bonded debt. The House authorized
P. W. A. to put up the full cost. in
such cases. with the local authorities
agreeing to repay the equivalent of
SIS per cent of the cost in IS years.
This had been construed by some
as inviting States or cities to exceed
their debt limitations and some Senate
members felt there was sufficient dis
erection for P. w. A. to meet such
cases given in another section, which
authorizes construction and leasing
of projects, with or without the privi-
lege of purchase.
Employment Service Raise.
Smaller changes made by the Sen
ate Committee were: Increase in the
administrative allotment for P. w. A.,
from $ll 100000 to $17,5OO. 900; in
creased the Treasury appropriation to
cover bookkeeping and accounting for
w. P. A., from 1000, 900 to So, 900 900;
gave United States Employment Serv-
ice an additional $3,500,000 to CO.
operate with relief agencies: increased
the National Emergency Council fund
by 100000, and the National Re-
sources Committee by 100000.
The farm amendment provides that
the payments shall be equal to the
amount by which the average price
for a commodity is less than rs per
cent of the parity price. but not to
exceed cents q pound on cotton,
8 cents q bushel on wheat or cents
q bushel on corn.
Senator Wheeler, Democrat Of
Montana. chairman of the Interstate
Commerce Committee, declared last
night the restriction on P. w. A.
utility projects would prevent towns
without adequate power service from
establishing efficient service with
Government aid. He said he did
not favor wholesale competition with
private utilities, but that such projects