Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1939-07-06
Relief Groups Warn
Of Mass SUFFERING
In Funds Crisis
Committee Seeks
To Hasten Passage
Of D. G. Bill

In an attempt to hasten passage
OF the District appropriation bill,
the Continuing Committee of the
Citizens Relief Conference has
warned Congress that unless funds
were found Immediately for relief
payments to those on general relief
old age, dependent children and
blind assistance-there would be
mass suffering on an unprecedented
scale in the District"
Representing some so welfare
civic, religious and labor groups, the
committee met last night and point
ed out that the failure of Con-
gress to agree on the appropriation
bill had not affected the normal
functioning of any part of the Dis
trict government except in the stop
page of relief funds.
Because those on relief are help
less and have no place to turn for
aid is no reason why they should
bear the brunt of this situation
William A. Roberts. chairman of the
committee. said Funds must be
found Immediately to prevent wide
spread misery and suffering. Even
if the Social Security Board adj
vances funds for partial payments
to those eligible for social security
allowances, there would still be
more than 5000 on general relief for
whom funds must be found"
IS Gather at Center.
Meanwhile, at the Food Djstribu-
ton Center of the Public Assistance
Division OF the District. at 615 D
street S.W.. this morning about rs
persons gathered for supplies.
David w. Miller, director of the
center, said his organization was
prepared to continue meeting the
demands of all those with proper
certificates from either the Public
Assistance Division or the w. P. A
No person on relief will go hungry
despite the failure of Congress to
pass either continuing resolution
or the 1910 District supply bill, he
said. This has been assured by
action of the District Commissioners
backed up by President Roosevelt
The food center was besieged yes
terday from early morning until II
closed at $50 pm. by continuing
crowd. All were cared for. however
before the doors closed. The center
opened for business this morning
at 7:30 as usual, and began issuing
food from replenished supplies.
Two carloads of beans arrived
today, Mr.. Miller reported, and
shipments of evaporated milk, eggs
and oranges from the Federal
Surplus Commodities Corp. are en-
route.
District Commissioner George E.
Allen. in charge of relief for the
District. paid visit to the food CEN
ter yesterday about closing time to
check up on the situation. He con-
ferred with Director Miller, reiter-
ating instructions that no persons
on relief should 60 hungry despite
the Districts fiscal crisis.
Crowds Orderly.
Crowds outside the food center
varied from $50 to about $50 during
the day. They were orderly. how
ever, and waited their turns, until
their names were called out from
official lists.
Food distributed today included
raisins, butter, beans, white flour,
graham flour, whole wheat cereal,
corn meal, oranges, eggs and evap-
GRATED milk.
Although the District government
still follows the Presidents sugges-
ton to carry on" the pinch al
ready has keen felt by more than
1000 government employees draw
ing salary and pension checks.
The pensions of all of Washing
tons retired firemen and police
men and widows of such employees
have been cut off, Maj. James r.
Lusby, District disbursing officer, re-
vealed. This action affects LOIS
persons.
Early Funds Expected.
Because of a deficiency, the checks
for these pensioners were 40 per
cent short for the first half of June
For the last half of that month
there were no checks at all. Funds
for payment of these and other pen
sions are expected to be made avail
able soon, however. The President
has already signed measure TAX
ing care of back payments.
With an eye on the future, the
Retired Firemen's Association will
hold an indignation meeting to-
night at the typographical Build
Ing to add It's protest to the rebukea