Evening star., 1940-02-13
j. 5. Matchino
.0fD.C. AidFund
Sought in Plan
Bondy Suggests Ideo
For General Public
Assistance

The Federal Government would
match the amount spent by the
District for general public assist
ance under an experimental plan
being sponsored by Director Of Pub.
lie Welfare Robert e. Bondy.
MIR. Bondy suggested this new fis-
cal arrangement yesterday while dis
cussing the city's relief needs before
the Council of Social Agencies, meet
ing in the Young Women's Chris
tian Association Building.
Pointing out the $3.50 arrange
ment had proved effective here and
in the States with respect to funds
for aid to the aged, the blind and
dependent children, Mr.. Bondy adj
vocated use Of the Nations Capital
as proving ground for application
Of the principle to general relief.
In outlining the failings OF WASH
ington's public assistance program
the welfare director declared he had
mo idea" what an adequate ap-
preparation would be, inasmuch as
the overworked staff of his depart.
ment has been unable to obtain .
complete picture of needs here.
Dollar for Dollar System.
He emphasized to reporters after
the meeting that the proposed
matching would not mean r1ecessari-
ly doubling Of the approximately
$700, 900 now spent here annually
for general public assistance, but
rather a dollar for dollar system
based upon the minimum adequate
figure whatever that might be.
Mr.. Bondy declared an immediate
need is machinery, including a CEN
trail application and certification bu-
reau, to determine the number Of
persons actually requiring assistance
and the extent in each case.
With each worker handling 100
cases at present, he said, the pub
lie assistance division is forced to
work with doubt in our minds as to
whether the taxpayer is getting his
moneys worth"
Mr.. Bondy deplored the necessity
of proceeding with hobbies on" in
considering relief milk and food
stamp plans, which have been placed
in operation elsewhere, and said in
adequate personnel had prevented
full advantage being taken of sur
plus food stores.
"The food is there, and the fami-
lies need it." he said. adding the
number certified for food grants had
slipped to 400 in January from
1900 in September because of in
ability to handle more certifications.
5000 Seen Needed.
I Ahsence of co-ordinating agency
to receive applications has led eli
ents ITO shop around the community
for aid" he complained.
"A total of $85 BOO would enable
families now being helped, who are
dependent totally on public assist
ace. to meet their minimum house.
hold budgets. a January survey in.
dicated. the welfare head revealed.
He said 64 per cent of the 1,143
cases in which no other source sup
piled aid could not pay their rock
bottom charges for food, lodging.
heat, etc, out of funds allocated
last month by the District.
Mr.. Bondy called for such addi.
tional funds as would make possi-
BILE the elimination of deficits and
for abolition of the ceilings" which
now limit the grant to s24 per month
for the first individual plus $6 per
month each for dependents-wife
and children-up to a maximum per
family of $50 per month.
Only 844 of the 1887 cases &C
cepted for general public assistance
during January had any other source
OF income, his figures indicated,