Evening star., 1939-01-15

Mrs. Green ana others are 1mpli.
Gated in forgery.
"For these reasons, the case should
be referred to the district attorney
at the earliest possible date, who
will indicate the further investiga-
ton necessary to prepare the case
for prosecution.
ALSO, q complete investigation
may serve to bring to the FORE
ground certain alleged improper re-
lationships and actions on the part
Of the Public Assistance Division
employees who were in position to
further such a conspiracy, especially
in view Of the fact that Mrs. Green
was q former Public Assistance Dr.
vision employe.
"The public assistance division
can be charged with gross negli-
gence Of investigation by reason OF
the fact that Caseworker Ford,
while investigating general assist
ance case No. 1886 on October 7,
1885, case Of Mrs. Green under
which Mrs. White received direct
relief at intermittent periods from
March, 1888, to February, 1895,
received information from
woman who lived in the same
apartment house as did Mrs. Green
and Mrs. White and who was q
friend Of Mrs. White, that Mrs.
White was receiving around $40
per month compensation by reason
Of deceased son, and that she
knew Mrs. White was not depend
ent upon Mrs. Green for support,
the false pretense used by Mrs.
Green to receive assistance under
this case.
mo investigation appears to have
been made by Caseworker Ford or
the succeeding caseworker, Batter,
and case was closed January 6,
1885. However, when summary of
investigation Of the old-age assist
ance application was written by
Caseworker Harper, forwarded to
the public assistance division head
quarters by Supervisor McCracken.
the foregoing information recorded
by Caseworker Ford was fully set
forth, but, notwithstanding, the
old-age assistance was approved,
and old-age assistance grants start
ed. During the time this old-age
assistance case was In the hands
OF Caseworkers WEIGH and Berglund
there Is no indication either one
ever made any statement or attempt
to ascertain whether the client re-
ceived such an income or not.
1nasmuch as caseWorkers and
supervisors are bonded and the bond
covers the faithful discharge OF
duties perhaps this case would
be a good one for the corporation
counsel to review for purpose of
giving an opinion as to liability
under the bond. as mentioned in
his memorandum to the Commits
sloners under date Of March 20
1888"
Street Weighs Suggestion.
Welfare Director Elwood Street,
informed Of the general trend of
the detailed criticism, said the sug-
gested complaint department might
prove to be a fine thing" but
ne added its creation was a matter
OF additional personnel.
Declining to discuss Mr.. McCoy's
findings in any OF the 80 alleged
fraud cases until the Welfare Board
has been furnished with the off,cial
statements, Mr.. Street said he an
ticipated he would find many sug-
gestions for improvement.
The welfare ofncial added that
the board and its agents have been
laboring under difficulties in de-
terming the proper and best pro-
cedures for handling of cases of
deception, chiseling and fraud and
would be glad to get helpful sug-
gestions." He promised careful
study would be given the entire re-
view, and to check on all cases of
alleged bad handling and to take
appropriate action.
Mr.. Street emphasized that the
Welfare Board and its agents re-
peatedly have called attention to
the overlooking of the casework
staff. Il believe that many of the
difficulties cited would not have oc-
CURED had an adequate staff been
available" he said.
Board records indicate that the
size of the administrative staff has
been reduced in the past four years
at very much greater rate than
the number of relief recipients. In