The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1940-05-31
INADEQUATE WORK
RELIEF PROGRAMS
THREAT TO SAFETY
Survey Offers Evidence of Breakdown
of General Relief in Many States
and Communities in Country.

GfanQ RaplQS, MlcE. NILNio ODs
for all who are able to work SHOULD
be a first concern in program of ma
tional Defense" the annual delegate
conference of the American Associa-
tion of Social Workers here was told
Inadequate general relief and seri-
Gus gaps in public work, social Sc
curity, and social insurance systems
are a threat to national safety and a
defense problem as much as lack OF
armament, a report submitted to the
conference asserted.
among the principal victims of the
inability of local communities to
carry the general relief burden
shifted upon them by federal and
state governments, are large numbers
of able-bodied unemployed workers
and their families" Walter West, ex-
ecutive secretary of the association,
said in commenting on the report,
which is based on information re-
ceived from 38 chapters in 27 states
and territories.
Relief Situation Dangerous"
"Failure to use the productive ca
pacities of these workers, denying the
necessities of life to them, their fam
lilies, and many other groups not COW
cred by federal-state programs, are
inhumane practices; they tend to
lower standards of living for the
whole population; they are destruc-
tive of national morale" West de-
clared
For these reasons, the present
relief situation is dangerous and
the further development of eff
fective public works, social Sc
curity and general relief should
be a first step in national de-
fense," he added.
| Overwhelming evidence of the
breakdown of general relief in many
states and communities throughout
the country is offered in the report,
West said. The present crucial short
comings are ascribed to a number of
factors. Among these are the re-
fusal of the federal government to
take any responsibility for general
relief, the fact that w. P A. provides
jobs for only part of those who are
theoretically eligible, the tendency of
states to throw esponsibilities for
general relief back upon local COM
munities, lack of funds in many coun-
! ties and cities, and economy drives
directed at the needy, handicapped
and unemployed.
Many Benefits Held Inadequate
Another factor cited is the eXclu-
sion of large part of the population
from benefits Of federal and federal
state supported social insurance and
social security programs, including
old-age and survivors insurance, un-
employment compensation and aid to
the needy aged, needy blind, and de-
pendent children. Furthermore, bene-
fits under these programs and w. P. A.
wages frequently are insufficient to
meet the minimum family needs and
must be supplemented from other
sources, principally local.
"These and other factors inevitably
produce a chaotic situation, ineffi-
cheney, and punitive measures in the
administration of general relief, y
West said. "The tendency in state
legislation is to throw the burden on
local communities. Even where states
provide part or all of the funds fol
general relief, the sources of funds
often is the sales tax and other taxes
resulting equally in placing the load
on the shoulders of those who least
afford it.
"Denial of relief to some groups is
only one of the results. Elimination
of all but major items in the family
budget is common, and an even more
general practice is to cut allowances
for some or all families to a point fal
below minimum essentials"
After citing examples of inadequate
relief in various localities, West went
on to say:
"The American Association of So
cial Workers believes that the prob
lem Of work and general relief car
and will be met in this country. 1t be
lieves that public works, relief ant
social security can be organized on ;
sound basis with the financial burdel
equitably distributed; that admins
trative responsibilities can be 81
placed that all levels of government
will participate; that policies ant
practices can be so ordered that n,
groups will be excluded or discrim
mated against. 1t believes that it i!
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