Evening star., 1942-05-25
President Asks
W. P. A. Funds
BeCutSharp|y
War Plants Can Use
Many on Rolls,
He Tells Congress
(TeIt on Page A-4.)
By BLAIR BOLLES.

Calling for removal of pro
ductive labor" now on the w.
P. A. rolls to other jobs that will
further the war effort, President
Roosevelt today told Congress he
was almost halving his estimate
of financial needs for the Works
Projects Administration for the
coming year, from the $465, ,000,-
900 proposed in the budget to
s282, ,767, 900.
The reduced appropriation, he
said in a special message to Con-
gress, will permit an average
monthly employment of about 400,-
600, although it is estimated that
there are still about 5000 1000 un-
employed.
Mr.. Roosevelt asked the smaller
sum because "a reduction of work
relief is now possible without caus-
ing undue hardship" as a result
Of great increases IN war appropria-
tions for other agencies of the
Government. The move follows
requests from members of Congress
such as Senator Byrd, Democrat, of
Virginia for economizing on non-
defense expenditures.
Social Security Changes Planned.
The President disclosed in the
message that he is giving atten-
tion to proposals for revising and
extending the Social Security Act"
He said he expects Ito make recon-
mendations to the Congress for such
legislation as may be necessary TO
extend the protection of our social
security measures to provide alter
native means of meeting the needs
presented by the residual group now
being aided by the Works Projects
Administration"
The action Congress takes on
such proposals, he said, will deter
mine the extent Of moves toward
further reduction or the possible
elimination" of w. P. A.
Thus for the first time is contem-
plated that w. P. A. workers who
for various reasons cannot be alb
sorbed in private employment will
be beneficiaries of the whole social
security program.
Mr.. Roosevelt said a substantial
number" Of the 5000 900 jobless will
not be hired by private employers
because of age. lack of skill or other
handicaps.
Hits Discrimination.
He added: "A certain number may
not be able to migrate from regions
having surplus labor to regions
where workers are needed. In this
connection I cannot emphasize too
strongly the need for industry to
abandon prevailing practices Of dis
elimination, racial and otherwise, in
recruiting labor for war production"
Mr.. Roosevelt conferred at the
White House today with DR.. Mall
colin S. Mclean, the new chairman
of the Fair Employment Practices
Committee, which was set up to
discourage employment discrimina-
ton in war industries.
Shortages of labor and material
are rapidly developing" the Presi-
dent said ITO meet labor shortages,
the. recruitment of workers from
every available source will be re-
quired, and possibly even organized
migration in some instances" In
the light of this labor shortage
problem he defined the new work
relief policy thus:
THE program of the Works Prof.
ects Administration for the next
fiscal year must, in large measure.
be held to one of work relief for
employable persons, who by reason
of circumstances, cannot obtain en-
ployment either in war activities or
in other work"
Full Labor Utilization Sought.
1T is urgent that our labor re-
serves be fully utilized and that pro-
ductive labor now on the rolls of the
Works Projects Administration be
engaged in other productive employ
ment.
Provision has been made by direct
| appropriation to other Federal
agencies for the construction of ac-
cess roads, streets and airports, and
public works have been authorized
for localities whose needs have been
materially expanded by the defense
and war efforts. The types Of prof.
ects to be undertaken in the relief
program of 1943 will be those which
can be prosecuted by day labor Of
the residual unemployed available
on the Works Projects Administra-
(See ROOSEVELT, Page A-4)