Evening star., 1939-04-27
Roosevelt Asks
$1,477,o00,o00
For Relief
Unemployment Drive
Shows Substantial
Gains, He Says
BACKGROUND

Erer since 1887 business set
back forced President Roosevelt
to seek supplemental relief funds
this ,Dinter By Which years er-
penditures in this direction ap-
prorimdted S2,225,OOO,000, relief
has been torrid subject of con-
trouersy on Capitol Hill. Under
ray now is a House inquiry into
relief administration and pend
ing Is presidential recommended
tion to put relief program into
hands OF ney agency.
BY the Associated Press.
President Roosevelt asked Con-
gress today for relief appropria-
ton of $l,477 100000 for the r.
month period beginning next July /.
In message saying that sub
stantial gains were being made in
the drive to reduce unemployment.
Mr.. Roosevelt said his recommended
figure for the next fiscal year rep
resented reduction of third
below the approximately 50 $50 .000.-
600 he said was appropriated for the
current year.
He said $l,447, 10000 would permit
employment of slightly more than
an average Of 100000 persons
during the next. year.
Upward Employment Trend.
Barring unforeseen and unpre-
dictable developments" the Presi-
dent told Congress, I'VE are justified
in expecting an upward trend in the
volume of employment between now
and June 80. 1910. and the sum just
named represents my judgment as
to the amount that should be pro-
vided on the basis of that expecta-
ton"
With this appropriation, Mr..
Roosevelt asked that any unexpend-
ed balances left to the w. P. A. out
OF its current funds be reallocated
for use in the coming II months.
The President came out against
any major changes in the Works
Progress Administration setup. other
than those administrative revisions
which he outlined in his "Reor-
ganization Plan No. l." submitted
to Congress earlier this week.
Sees Important Economies.
1T is my opinion that the opera
tions of the Works Progress Admin
istration during the next fiscal
year" he said. should be carried
on much as at present. but with
the reduction that will be possible
because of expected increases in
private employment and a conse-
quent decline in the need for work
relief.
"Organizational changes which I
expect to be made under the au-
thority granted in the recent Reor-
ganization Act will. I anticipate,
make possible important economies
resulting from the coordination of
the operations of various Federal
agencies which are engaged in car
rying out of projects"
The President eaffirmed his stand
against payment of doles as sub
stitute for wages paid to relief work.
ers and also fatty stated opposition
to any system of relief grants by the
Federal Government to the States.
Such grants have been advocated by
many Republicans and other con-
Rressional critics of the present re-
lief set-up.
Il believe" Mr.. Roosevelt told
Congress. that such a system (of
grants has as many disadvantages
as there are local political units in
the Nation"
The Chief Executive expressed the
hope the investigation of w. P. A..
now being conducted bv a House
Committee will be guided along
constructive lines, and if this is done
I feel sure that its outcome will be
to demonstrate the wisdom of the
measures which have been adopted
to meet the needs of the unem-
ployed"
Distribution of Funds.
Regarding distribution of w. P. A.
funds, Mr.. Roosevelt said:
ANY formula that may be devised
for this purpose and written into
legislation should take in account
not only the factor of population,
but also the constantly changing
economic and unemployment condi-
tions in various sections of the
county.
ALLEGATION should be made on the
basis of jobs to be provided and not
on the local basis of funds to be dis
tributed. Furthermore. the formula
should not be too rigid and should
permit substantial amount of ad-
ministrative discretion in order to
provide sufficient f1exibility to meet
special situations and relief crises"
In the same message, the Presi-
dent requested an appropriation of
Sl23 100000 for the next fiscal year
(See RELIEF, Page A-4D