The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-04-13

according to the private rel President, is far short of ul
 In support of this they cited these significant facts: That for the first time in its history, WPA is furnishing work-relief in rural areas; that employment, instead of turning upward as usual in March, took another precipitous nose dive.
 According to WPA figures, 90,0OO were added to the idle army last month, making a total of 100000 thrown out of work since September, 1887, when the recession started. WPA experts estimate that the cOun- try now has between twelve and fifteen million wholly unem- ployed.
 In addition, there will be an added demand for relief due to the exhaustion of unenlp:oyment insurance funds.
 As a result of all this, the Presi- dent definitely has decided on two things: (D to boost the $1,000,- 100000 relief budget he recom- mended in his January message, and (2) to ask repeai Of the Woodrum Amendment requiring WPA to allocate its founds on 12-month basis.
 Elimination of the Woodrum restriction would give WPA free hand in spending its money as need required, more one month and less another.
 The big relief question still be- ing deliberated by the President is how far above S1,0O0,00O,0 900 he should go in asking for more money. WPA officials are strong ly urging an initial budget of not less than $1,5O0,000,000, though preferably $2,000, 100000. They want to boost the present month ly relief outlay to around S2OO,- 100000 a month and care for a relief roll of not cess than B. 800,0O0.
 Byrd Gets the Bird
 During the turbulent House battle over the reorganization bill, Senator Harry Byrd of Virginia escorted Mrs. Byrd and Mrs. Billy" Mitchell, widow of the famous A. E. F. aviation com- mander, to the House gallery to listen to the debate.
 Shortly afterWard, Rep. Maury Maverick of Texas, scrappy leader of the liberal block, obtained the floor and launched into vigor- ous defense of the bill. Byrd, who had led the Senate bill against the bill, listened disapprovingly.
 Finally he could stand it no longer. That's Maverick of Texas" he told his guests. Doesn't he look like a babO0n?"
 Whereupon a young woman, sitting directly in front of Byrd, turned around and said quietly: "Thas :s very snierest- ing, Senator Byrd. am sure my husband will be very glad to know what you think of him."
 It was Mrs. Maverick. with her mother, an aunt and several other relatives who had come to hear Maverick speak.
 Flushing deep red, Byrd start ed to apologize. But Mrs. Byrd had other ideas.
 That will be all, Harry" she remarked, you have said enough for one day"
 NOTE - Mavericks ancestor, Commodore Matthew Maury, ranks with Byrd's family as one of Virginia's foremost statesmen. During the Civil War, Maury was head of the coast, harbor and river defences of the Confederate states.
 Kentucky Strawberries
 Kentucky's ambitious young Governor Happy" Chandler has his shortcomings, but one of them is not modesty. With all the eclat of a White House oc- cupant, which he hopes ardenly some day to be. Happy" sonor- ously proclaimed the first week in April as National Strawberry Week."
 Kentucky was dumfounded. FIRST, as governor, Chandler has no more authority to issue a na- tional proclamation than he has to sign acts of Congress. SEC OND, and much more pertinent to the state. Kentucky strawber- ries do not become marketable un- til later in the season.
 Happy's" pronunciamento was greeted with hoots of derision throughout Kentucky and quiet inquiry was started. This was what was uncovered.