Evening star., 1940-05-14

Verdict Awaited
After Destitute
Present Case

A glimpse inside the drab homes
Of families on relief was given today
to Mrs. Roosevelt and q score Of
other prominent Washington wom-
en-, sitting as q jury hearing the
stories Of delegates to the National
Women's Conference on Unemploy-
inent.
The jurors, who planned to bring
in . verdict later In the day, heard
descriptions Of large families hud-
died In one or two rooms. Of UNDER
nourished children and all the other
accomplishments Of extreme poverty.
Mrs. Hughes Easley Of st. Louis,
named Mrs. Unemployed American
Mother" by the Daughters Of the
American Depression" as the dele
gates call themselves, said she and
her disabled husband and their eight
children received from Missouri
$685. a month in food orders and
an allowance Of $40 for rent. Her
youngest, 3-year-old Irene, played
with her pocketbook as she stood
before the jury.
Evicted When Rent Was Due.
She was evicted from one home
''in real cold weather." she said, be-
cause the rent money had been
needed for other urgent things. Next,
she added, the family moved into
three cold, damp rooms, unit for
human beings" She wouldn't stay
there. she explained, and now is pay
ing $14 for four rooms, though "the
visiting lady" had objected to her
moving so much. She said she could
afford only one quart Of milk day.
when was the last time you
bought any clothing?" asked Mrs.
Mary K. German, presiding at the
trial"
1.-TWO years ago." said Mrs. Easley.
Then. picking up fold Of the trim
blue dress she wore, she added: "A
wealthy person gave me this for the
trip"
Two of the children, she said, were
out Of school ION account Of not
having shoes" The Oldest girl, she
added, 16 years old, works as q
domestic, from Z am. TO or 8 at
night for $3.50 a week and her keep,
which, the witness explained, was
the prevailing wage in st. Louis.
What do you see ahead for your
Self?" asked a Juror.
Il don't see anything" said Mrs.
Easley.
0Apd for thu childroy, on
Nothing"
Offers Remedy.
Asked to suggest general remedy
for conditions, she said more relief
money, more w. p. A. jobs and
higher wages.
Mrs. Bertha Dorgan, colored, Of
Greensboro, N. c., q laid-of w. P. A.
worker, said direct relief there was
not more than "a a month.
Mrs. Lucy Rzgooza, who lives in
New Yorks lower East Side and
has an unemployed husband and
S4vens young Children, said four of
her girls attended open-air classes
at school because they were dag
nosed undernourished. Most Of the
families around her, she said, live
in firetraps and all their children
are undernourished. She is on direct
relief.
Call on President.
David LASER, president of the
Workers Alliance, and Miss Edith
Morris and Miss Florence Ramsey,
delegates to the conference. called
at the White House today and pre-
sented President Roosevelt with a
letter from the delegates urging an
end to w. P. A. layoffs, adoption of
the Pepper Senate resolution "fIeez-
ing" the personnel at the April l
figure and restoration of pay cuts.
The group also advocated revoca-
ton Of the clause restricting w. p.
A. employment to 18 months and an
appropriation for the next fiscal
year adequate to provide for 5000, 900
workers.
The 200 delegates to the confer
ence will enjoy substantial dinner
at the National Press Club audi
torium at $50 o'clock tonight, while
the Presidents wife and some $50
other guests will partake of q scent
meal considered typical Of the food
many relief families eat regularly.
The delegates are being charged
Is cents . plate, but those unable
to pay will be provided with tickets,
sponsors Of the affair said.
The women, coming from 20
States, including w. p. A. workers
and mothers on direct relief, will
dine on roast beef, potatoes, salad
and dessert in substantial quanti-
ties.
Their more fortunate sisters will
feast on q table d'hote consisting
Of 2 ounces of beef, one-fourth Of
carrot, one-fourth Of an onion, half
q potato, half a slice of bread, cof-
fee with canned milk and one tea
spoonful Of sugar, pat Of oleo-
margarine and one canned prune.
Speakers will include Mrs. Roose-
welt, Senator Pepper Of Florida,
Representative Marcantonio Of New
York and Hildegarde Kneeland Of
the Agriculture Department.