Evening star., 1939-03-14
Relief
Continued From First Page)

NOoAAoAAAoSo iOllI L Al ST. dEco
women will contribute to the pros
perity OF the United States, nor do !
believe that the merchants and land
lords they are now dealing with will
become prosperous when their trade
ceases.
Therefore, the responsibility for
the situation In which all of these
people will find themselves during
the coming three months rests of
necessity within the decision of the
Congress of the United States"
The President said it was wholly
within the rights of any and all
OF us to study and work for the
greater efficiency of government"
and that additional studies were
proper. He declared however, the
Government was faced at the mo-
ment with condition not an alb
straction.
Obligation of Government.
He also said there had been alle-
cations that he would be satisfied
if no further appropriation were
made for the coming three months
Il feel that in justice to myself"
the President said, Il must make it
clear that I am not sending this
message to the Congress merely
for the purpose of going through
motions.
For more than six years, it has
been the definite policy of the Presi-
dent and the Congress that needy
persons, out of work, should not be
allowed to starve, and 1t was an
obligation of the Federal Govern
ment to give work to those able
to work and an obligation of state
and local government and of pri-
vate charities to take care of those
needy persons who are unable to
work.
THAT policy, I am more than
ever confident. is right. 1t should
not be abandoned now"
The President said approximately
100000 persons were now on work
relief and about 850,0O0 were on the
waiting" list.
He predicted substantial pickup
In employment between now and
June because of improved business
conditions, but said it was not eX-
pected this increase would absorb
more than 100000 on w. P. A. rolls.
This would leave 3,55O,0OO to be
cared for July /.
The Chief Executive added that
about 10000 aliens had been re-
moved from the rolls in accordance
with recent law and all possible
economies In administration and
operations were being sought and
will be constantly checked, but
here again the cold facts which
have been given insufficient empha-
sis require restatement."
"Out of every $10O Of Federal
funds expended by the w. P. A."
he said, "only $3.50 is for adminis-
trative overhead; Sl05O is spent for
materials, equipment and supplies;
$86 IS paid out directly in the form
of wages. AS business proposition,
1t occurs to me that some modicum
Of commendation is In order"
Without an additional appropria-
tion, the President said the w. P. A.
must issue orders within the next
week to lop off 100000 from the
rolls and another cut to 100000
the first week in May.
100000 to Be Affected.
Counting dependents, the number
affected by the reductions would
be 100000 within the next few
weeks and nearly 100000 more
later on.
ITO these" he said, must be
added the waiting list category
because it is obvious that while
people now on the rolls are being
discharged, no people can be en-
ployed from the waiting list"
The President said he believed
States, counties and municipalities
were doing in most cases "all that
their finances will permit to meet
the situation"
Il further believe he added,
"that, with few exceptions. those
who are employed are actually in
need and are not receiving more
than they should In the form of
Federal assistance"
Even before the message was re-
ceived, administration leaders in the
House had begun a quiet campaign
in support of another emergency
relief fund.
Speaker Bankhead and Majority
Leader Rayburn were busy button
holing Democrats who helped Re-
publicans force the $3.50, 1000, 900 slash
in Mr.. Roosevelt's original request
for S875, 100000.
Although the administration
hoped to switch enough votes to
win approval of the extra money.
many economy advocates were
standing by their objections to fur
ther relief appropriations. Repre-
sentative Woodrum, Democrat. of
Virginia, chairman of a House Ap-