Evening star., 1939-03-13


BY the Associated Press.
President Roosevelt discussed with
Democratic leaders of Congress to-
day how much additional money
would be needed to operate w. P. A.
until July l.
The leaders told newsmen after
ward the President would send a
message to Congress tomorrow on
the subject. White House officials
had said earlier it was problematical
whether it would be completed by
then.
Asked whether the message would
request the full $150,000,0 900 which
Congress cut from the President S
original s875 900 900 request in Janu-
ary. Speaker Bankhead replied:
You'll have to wait and see"
Others present at the conference
were Vice President Garner, Sem
ator Barkley, the majority leader,
and Representative Rayburn, the
minority leader.
Economy Study Urged.
Meanwhile, Senator Wheeler DEM
ocrat, of Montana suggested that
special congressional committees be
created to study Government fiscal
and administrative policies with a
view to promoting economy and ef-
flciency.
1--WE as Democrats or progress
sives must admit there is a lack of
confidence on the part Of business,
both big and little" said Senator
Wheeler. 1T is caused partly by
threats OF war in Europe and the
situation in the Orient and partly
by internal conditions.
UNLESS the liberal forces Of the
country recognize the facts and seek
to regain the confidence of the peo-
Pile, we will be supplanted by a
reactionary Republican administra-
ton in 1910"
In an interview, Senator Wheeled
voiced belief that Congress should
find out for itself how much money
is necessary to cover the needs OF
the unemployed under a co-or-
dinated. well-administered agency. II
In addition to Speaker Bankhead
and the other congressional leaders
Mr.. Roosevelt today arranged to see
five Democratic Senators who re-
quested an audience to discuss gen.
eral economic conditions, including
unemployment and relief. They
were Senators Lee of Oklahoma, Ell
lender of Louisiana, Schwartz of
Wyoming, Hill of Alabama and Mead
of New York.
Discussing the administration S
program to encourage business,
Senator Wheeler said there is no
need to repeal the fundamental re-
forms" Of recent years.
But he added that waste and
extravaganza are apparent in Gov
ernment administration. He sug-
gested that efficiency could be in
creased and money could be saved
II Congress would set up commit
tees to get all the facts" about
Federal operations between now and
1910.
Senator Wheeler indorsed a bill
by Senator Byrnes, Democrat, of
South Carolina for a new depart
ment of public works to take over
the w. P. A. and other existing
relief agencies.
Right Of Way Promised.
Senator Barkley promised right OF
way for the bill on the Senate floor
but did not take a stand. for or
against it.
Friends of Senator McNary, Re-
publican, of Oregon, the minority
leader, reported he opposed setting
up a new Federal department. Many
of his followers were said to share
his view that emergency relief ac-
tivities should not be translated into
a permanent function of govern
ment.
The House Appropriations Com
mittee expects to make thorough
study of the whole relief problem
before recommending any more
money for the w. P. A.
Senator Harrison, chairman of the
Finance Committee, yesterday re-
vealed he is opposed to granting
$50, 100000 extra for relief. He said
"The sentiment in Congress is
stronger now than ever before for
economy"
Senator Harrison declared that
Congress had laid down the pat
tern" for economy in whiting Mr..
Roosevelt's s $875, ,0OOO relief request
by 10000, 900 earlier this year. The
legislators have been "very lenient"
in appropriating for relief, he added,
and existing funds should be spread
out.
Senator Taft, Republican, of Ohio
said Treasury figures showed there
was mo Justification for a supple
mental relief appropriation of more
than about $70,000,000.
While the argument over relief
funds temporarily diverted much
congressional attention from the ad-
ministrations program to encourage
business, an amendment to the
Army expansion bill furnished a
topic of controversy in business and
labor circles. The provision, to
which the National Association of
Manufacturers objected, would deny
defense contracts to persons found
to be violating national labor laws.
Lee Pressman, general counsel for
the G. I. o., took issue last night
with the associations contention
that the amendment "lends hollow
note to talk of business appease-
ment."
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