Evening star., 1939-01-17

against political misuse OF fund
are eIpected to be in bill by time
of passage.
By the Associated Press.
Col F. c. Harrington. new chief of
the Works Progress Administration,
expressed opposition today to a pro-
vision of the House-approved relief
bill designed to prevent political
activity by w. P. A. workers.
Col. Harrington, testifying at a
closed session of Senate Appropria-
tions Subcommittee, was reported to
have said that political activity by
w. P. A. supervisory personnel
should be restricted, but that the re-
striction should not apply to relief
workers themselves
The House provision. he said,
would apply to all recipients of relief
funds and might be interpreted as
violation of civil rights.
Col Harrington reiterated today
his request for a $875 900, 900 appro-
priation to operate the w. P. A.
until June 30. This sum was asked
by President Roosevelt, but the
House cut the allotment to S725,-
100000.
La Guardia Called.
Chairman Adams of the subcom-
mittee said he hoped to conclude
hearings on the relief bill this aft
erEoon. Mayor La Guardia of New
York and David LASER, head of the
Workers Alliance, were to appear
before the group.
Chairman Glass of the Senate
Appropriations Committee and his
colleague, Senator Byrd, Democrat,
OF Virginia, were reported seeking a
reduction to s6O0,OO000O or less.
Senator Harrison, Democrat, of Mis-
sissippi was among the influential
members described as ready to back
the s600,000O0O proposal.
Thus, before administration fol-
lowers could try to restore the fund
to the S875,0O0,00O originally asked,
they had to fight for retention of
the House total. They expressed
confidence they could stop any fur
ther reduction.
Some subcommittee members pre-
dicted that proposals by Senator
Hatch, Democrat. of New Mexico, to
restrict political activities of w. P. A.
employees would not be acted on
until after the emergency relief
measure is out of the way.
1t was learned, meanwhile, that
Col. Harrington had expressed op-
position yesterday to provision in
the House bill requiring that region
al differentials in w. P. A. pay for
the same type of work be limited
to 25 per cent.
Floor Fight Predicted.
Chairman Adams of the subcom-
mittee forecast that this provision
would precipitate hot fight on the
Senate floor
At yesterdays closed session Col.
Harrington was reported to have
told the subcommittee needy per-
sons would have to be cut from re-
lief rolls unless the $875,OOO, 900
figure were authorized.
Some members of the subcom-
mittee said privately, however, un-
expended and unobligated balances
now held by the w. P. A. would
make it unnecessary to appropriate
as much as $725 100000.
Meanwhile, Mariner Eccles, chair
man of the Federal Reserve Board
continued to argue with Senator
Byrd over Federal spending in gen.
eral.
Replying to a statement in which
Senator Byrd attacked his spending
theories, Mr.. Eccles said the Senator
was trying to apply the economics
of pioneer days or of world at
peace and operating on an inter-
national gold standard to the drasti-
cally changed conditions of the
present disordered situation through
out the world"
Mr.. Eccles has been one of the
leading advocates in the admins
tration of the idea of increasing
Federal deficit spending as a means
of stimulating business when times
are difficult. He said he would
reply to Senator Byrd at more
length later