Evening star., 1939-03-15
Relief Opinions vs.. Facts

In his special message to Congress
on the relief situation, President
Roosevelt stated the Government is
confronted with "a condition and
not theory" The condition, he
said, is that about a million and a
quarter persons must be dropped
from the Works Progress Administra-
ton rolls in the immediate future
unless Congress grants an additional
one hundred and fifty million dollars
for relief. This is the amount which
an economy minded Congress cut
from the VI. P. A. deficiency appro-
priation and which Mr.. Roosevelt
promptly insisted should be restored.
Congress had in mind another con-
dition-not a theory-when it re-
duced the w. P. A. deficiency fu1id
from the $875 100000 requested by
the President to the $725, 100000
deemed adequate by the House and
Senate. The condition was that some
w. P. A. money was not being used
to the best advantage-that dollars
intended for hungry men and women
were being diverted into wasteful
channels and that relief money had
even been used for political purposes.
In trimming the w. P. A. appropria-
ton, Congress served notice on the
administration that this intolerable
condition was confirmed by incon-
testable evidence, and indicated it's
belief that if the condition were cor
rected, there would be sufficient
money to take care of every one in
actual need of Federal help.
Neither of the Presidents messages
to Congress regarding the w. P. A.
fund reduction appears to have pro-
duced the proof necessary to con-
vince Congress that the condition
which impelled it to reduce the emer-
gency relief appropriation has been
abated in the slightest degree, nor
has Mr.. Roosevelt said anything to
lessen the suspicion that his devotion
to the pump-priming philosophy
and the use Of w. P. A. money to that
ends stronger than his professed
belief in the need Of real economy.
The President tells Congress there
has been no substantial change in the
relief needs, but is 1t not true also
that there has been no substantial
change in the method of administer
ing to these needs? Congress wanted
concrete evidence of reform, but it
has received from the President in
stead his expression of personal be-
lief that with few exceptions, those
who are employed are actually in
need and are not receiving more than
they should in the form of Federal
assistance" The Presidents opinions
are, Of course, of general interest, but
the very fact that he comedies there
are at least few exceptions would
seem to justify congressional de-
mands for thorough overhauling of
the relief setup.
A report just released by an
advisory council of business and in
dustrial leaders recommends CO.
ordination of all Federal relief
activities, separation of work relief
from politics, reduction of the need
for public assistance through an in
tensive Federal economic program
to promote prosperity and lowering
Of work relief wages below prevailing
wages In industry. It pointed out
that combined Federal, State and
local relief expenditures increased
from four per cent of the national
income in 1888 to seven per cent in
1897. There is much food for thought
in this report for Congress, the Presi-
dent and the American people.