Evening star., 1939-01-18
Adams Takes Issue
With President on
W. P. A. Estimates
Senator Says Spread
Would Limit Workers
Dropped to 100000
BY the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
Senator Adams, Democrat, of
Colorado took issue today with Presi-
dent Roosevelt's contention that
more than a million w. P. A. workers
must be dropped by June l if Con-
gress votes only $725 100000 for re-
lief.
Senator Adams, chairman of a
Senate Appropriation Subcommit-
tee studying the problem, argued
that by spreading the reduction over
four months, it would be limited to
600 900 workers.
"Of course" he said, 'if the pres
ent relief load were maintained
through the winter, the cut would
reach more than a million
The President renewed his appeal
at press conference yesterday for
an 1915 100000 appropriation to op-
crate w. P A. until June 30. If the
Senate agrees to the House approved
cut of S150,000,000, he said relief
benefits would be lost by between
100000 and 100000 persons-the
families of workers thrown off w. P.
A. rolls.
Strength to Block Increase.
Two Senators said an informal
poll of Senator Adams subcommittee
showed there was sufficient strength
to block any increase or decrease in
the $725 100000 House bill.
They also said cross-section
check indicated that any adminis-
tration move to increase the appro-
priation on the Senate floor would
fail. The Presidents lieutenants,
however, were expected to take cue
from his press conference statement
and make determined fight to re-
store the fund to $875,OOO 900.
Advocates of a larger appl opria-
tion testified before Senator Adams
predominately conservative subcom-
mittee yesterday.
La Guardia Asks Increase.
Mayor La Guardia of New York
urged a s9l5, 100000 fund. He said
he pleaded and begged" the COM
mittee to provide not less than S875.-
0Oo,0O0. Mayor La Guardia, head of
the United States Conference of
Mayors, said private industry is
failing to absorb the unemployed"
1T is impossible for the cities to
absorb any more of the unemployed
with their own relief funds" he
said.
David LASER, president of the
workers Alliance, asked for a ST.
O5O,0OO,O00 appropriation, but said
that II this were not granted Con-
gress should appropriate $3.50, 900, 900
to last through February and March
Later, he said. a further ALLEGATION
could be considered.
Mr.. LASER clashed briefly with Sena-
tor Russell. Democrat, of Georgia
subcommittee member. when he
charged that members of the House
Appropriations Committee had acted
as agents of the United States
Chamber of Commerce" in reducing
the appropriation to S725 100000
Senator Russell interrupted his
testimony, contending it impugned
the motives of members of Congress.
Congress Responsible.
Mr.. LASER declared Congress would
be responsible if discharged w. A.
workers come to Washington bv
the tens of thousands and say to YOU
gentlemen, You discharged us; now
tell us how we are to live"
The committee also received a
statement from James B. Carey,
C. I. o. secretary, saying hundreds
of thousands will be thrown off
w. P. A. rolls if the cut goes
through The c. I. o. has ad-
vocated a $1,0OO,OOO,OOO appropria-
ton.
William Green, president of the
American Federation of Labor, in
letter to Senator Adams, urged
that the appropriation be restored to
the 100000 figure.
The Army of unemployed and
those dependent upon them for life
and sustenance are still tremendous
ly large" he said.