Evening star., 1941-05-20
Rooseve|tCuts
Relief Request
By 100 Million
Message Asks Fund
Of $886, 900, 900,
Easing Of Rules
BY JOHN c. HENRY.


President Roosevelt late today
asked Congress for an appropria-
ton of 1886 6,OOO,O 900 for work relief
for the next fiscal year, a reduction
of more than 100000 of the
original budget estimates.
This total, the President said In
a special message this afternoon,
will provide for employment of ap-
proximately 100000 persons per
month on the relief program.
At the same time the Chief
Executive recommended elimina-
ton of three restrictive provisions
in the present relief act. First OF
these is the requirement that per-
sons who have been continuously
employed on relief for 18 months
should be suspended. The second
is the requirement that investiga-
ton be made at least once each II
months to determine continuing
need of each project worker.
II believe that the first require
ment works a great hardship on
many people" the President said.
The second requirement is un-
necessary and costly. I recommend
the elimination OF these require
ments from the 1912 act"
Opposes Alien Ban.
The third restriction for which he
recommended suspension was that
prohibiting aliens the right of en-
ployment on relief projects. y
Il believe" he said, that this
works a hardship upon class of
persons whose private employment
opportunities are becoming increas-
ingly limited. I recommend the re-
moval of this barrier to permit the
employment of aliens who are
otherwise eligible under the act
Mr.. Roosevelt likewise recon-
mended that administrative en-
ployes of the W. p. A. and those
working in other Federal agencies
whose salaries are paid from relief
funds should become eligible for ben
efits under legislation extending the
classified civil service of the United
States Such benefits are now bar
red to these employees.
In concluding his message, the
President noted that:
There are several sections in the
current relief act with respect to po-
litical activities. While there is no
particular objection to the re-
enactment of these provisions, most
of them appear to be unnecessary
because of the passage of the Hatch
Act and amendments thereto"
Big Cut Not Anticipated.
Mr.. Roosevelt recalled to Congress
that in his budget message of last
January he had estimated a cost of
1895 900, 900 for work relief in the
coming fiscal year Since, that time
he added. substantial national de-
fense funds have been appropriated
and the lease-lend program set in
motion.
while the increase in defense ex-
penditures will have an important
bearing on employment" he said,
I'VE cannot anticipate an increase
in employment in the same propor-
ton as the increase in expenditures
for next year. Moreover, this in
crease will not necessarily result in
corresponding decrease in unem-
ployment. The labor force will ill
crease, partly due to natural growth,
and partly due to additional en-
ployment of workers such as STU
dents who during normal times
would continue to pursue an educa-
ton. Also, many youth and work.
ers on Sub-marginal farms will OBJ
tain jobs during the present emer-
gency.
"An additional factor initiating
against as great reduction in un-
employment as might appear pos
sible is that there are many of the
presently unemployed who have little
chance to be absorbed by the defense
effort Certain regions of the coun-
try are not affected by defense ac-
tiNAliCo, olio Liuily oJpCS VI WOl hCl
are not in demand"
S11,00O,000 for Administration.
The President specified $11,000,-
900 of the requested appropriation
would be used for administrati tive ex-
penses of agencies other than the
w. P. A.
He recommended further that
provision for Nationwide Federal
non-construction projects be limited
to $5;000,0O0. Most of such projects,
he explained. particularly those for
the War, Navy, Agriculture and In
terror Departments, should be pro-
vided for in State programs.
To offset the 4 per cent adminis-
trative allotment now made in con-
nection with allocations to Federal
agencies. Mr.. Roosevelt proposed
that 100000 be set aside for project
planning or the review of projects
submitted through State w. P. A.
programs.
The President also recommended
broadening of authority for train
ing manual workers in defense in
dustries, explaining that this would
accelerate employment of w. P. A.
workers in private industry