Evening star., 1939-03-14
The text of President Roosevelt's s
message on relief needs follows:

The text OF President Roosevelt &
message on relief needs follows:
At the opening of this session
advised the Congress of the number
Of needy unemployed pjersons who
were able to perform useful work.
The estimates. based on actual and
estimated figures. showed that In
the Judgment Of the executive
branch of the Government 5000 900
persons should continue to be en-
ployed during the winter months,
followed by a reduction to 2,7OO,OOO
persons during the latter part Of
the five months period ending on
June 80. 1899. The amount of
money required to supply these
needs was estimated at $875, 900, 900.
Early in February the Congress
appropriated 725,0O0,0OO, with di-
rectionS that the number of persons
on the relief rolls should not be de-
creased in number more than per
cent during February and March,
and, in effect, requesting me to re-
check the new situation thus Gre
ated and advise Congress of the
results.
Emphasizes Emergency.
On February 7 I reported to the
Congress that the reduction in the
appropriation in itself created an
emergency: that the number of per-
sons OH the relief rolls and on the
waiting list" had not decreased In
number since early January; that as
result the need of these people
was as great as before: that by con-
tinuing their employment during
February and March half of the en-
tire appropriation would be ex-
pended. leaving only the other half
OF the appropriation for the main
tenance Of relief during April, May
and June: that the amount of
money remaining after April
would make it necessary to dis
charge. between that date and June
80, nearly half of the numbers on
relief: that this, in my judgment,
would constitute definite hard
ship; and that I was advising the
Congress of this fact in order to give
sufficient time to study the condi-
tions which would result from the
curtailment of funds.
April l is approaching, and in
pursuance of the spirit of the re-
quest for further information, 1 feel
1mpelled again to call the attention
OF the Congress to the very serious
which exists. Within
about three weeks the reduction of
Works Progress Administration en-
ployment must begin. in order that
the remainder of the appropriation
may be apportioned over the months
OF April, May and June, unless
more money is appropriated quickly.
Since my messages of January and
February a careful check-up shows
that there has been no substantial
change In the conditions of unem-
On the contrary, recent
data have become available sub
stantiating the real need for an ad-
dltlonal appropriation of $3.50, 600 900.
Employment Reported Decreased.
Partly because of seasonal condi-
tions. the volume of employment
has decreased since the end OF De-
cember. This includes industrial
and agricultural employment. There
fore. the need for unemployment
relief has increased.
Due to the seasonal factors, Works
Progress Administration employ
ment was maintained in February
at an average of 1896 900 persons,
and the average for March Is be-
Ing held at approximately the same
figures.
Despite this fact. the number OF
persons now certified as being in
need and eligible for employment is
higher than 1t was month
ago. This so-called waiting list"
actually does not reflect the total
needs. because in certain States Ger
tifications of eligibility are not given
to the Federal authorities by the To-