Evening star., 1939-04-30
Byrnes 10 Seek Law
To End Discretionary
Power Over Relief
Would Require States
Pay Fixed Percentage
Of Costs
BY the Associated Press.

Senator Byrnes, Democrat, of
South Carolina. said yesterday he
would press for enactment at this
session of legislation ending the ad-
ministration's discretionary power
over distribution of relief funds and
requiring the States to bear a fixed
percentage of relief costs.
Senator Byrnes expressed conf
dence, too, that his proposal would
be approved He said there was
widespread sentiment among the
legislators Ito lay down a rule for
the distribution of money"
The South Carolina Senator al
ready has proposed formula based
one-half on the population and one
half on the number of unemployed
in the various States.
President Roosevelt, in his relief
message to Congress last week, said
any formula should permit a sub
stantial amount of administrative
discretion in order to provide suff1-
cient fleXibility to meet special sit
uations and relief crises"
Automatic System Forecast.
Saying he thought the Presidents
statement did not indicate opposi-
ton to a congressionally- drafted
formula, Senator Byrnes told re-
porters he felt sure some "auto-
matte" system of relief distribution
could be enacted.
AS to local contributions for re-
lief ,>raioctc fho Conotor hoe cno-
gested that States and communities
put up at least one-third of work
relief costs. Mr.. Roosevelt has in
dicated opposition to this proposal,
but the Senator predicted some
definite percentage would be die
tated by Congress. Local contribu-
tions to w. P. A. projects now aver
age II per cent.
Senaotr Byrnes now is working on
new legislation to set up relief
distribution formula and fix the
amount of local contributions. He
incorporated such provisions in an
earlier measure to revise the entire
relief system. The bill was with
drawn, however, when Mr.. Roose-
welt proposed an overhaul of works
agencies in his first Government re-
organization plan.
S1,75O,OOO,O 900 Asked.
Members of the Senate Appropria-
tionS Committee said it was possible
that provisions covering contribu-
tions and relief distribution would
be written into the w. P. A. appro-
priation bill for the fiscal year be-
ginning July /.
The President has asked sl,750,-
100000 for work relief and related
activities. Action on the request
probably will be delayed until the
House Appropriations Committee
current investigation of the w. P. A.
The committee will resume hear
ings tomorrow with an inquiry into
w. P. A. arts and construction prof.
ects in New York cities. A group of
Governors and Mayors will testify
as to their experiences with work
relief later in the week.
Among some legislators. there was
talk of adding a new appropriation
for the Public Works Administration
to the fund Mr.. Roosevelt asked for
relief activities.
Wants Half-Billion Fund.
Senator Meade, Democrat, of New
York said he thought there should
be s500,000000 allotment for P. w.
A. and would seek to attach it to
the relief appropriation measure,
Senator Schwellenbach, Democrat,
of Washington said he would favor
this because some communities had
held bond elections and voted the
money for their share of the cost
of P. w. A. projects.
Now they naturally feel they are
entitled to P. w. A. money" he said.
In statement last night, the
Workers Alliance, union of w. P. A.
workers. said the Presidents relief
message was both encouraging and
disappointing"
1t praised the Chief Executives
defense of the principle" of the
Federal program, but described as
inadequate" his request for ST.
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