Evening star., 1944-03-02
McReynoIds
Continued From First Page J

of the bill was to remove the boards
administrative authority and confine
lit to planning. He said its planning
function had been "hamstrung" by
its having to give time to admins
trative duties. Those duties, he
said, prevent it from giving study to
welfare problems.
Mr.. McReynolds thanked Com
missioner Mason for his courtesy
and interest in welfare work, as
supervisor of that municipal func-
ton, but said he had neither the
time nor strength" to enter into a
contest over the boards future.
The text of the letter of resigna-
ton, as sent to the Commissioners,
follows:
THE press states that you are
again urging the Congress to enact
a bill to deprive the Board of Public
Welfare of its power and authority;
and that hearings are soon to take
place.
I am opposed to this bill because:
"O 1t would abolish the safe
guards which the present law throws
about appointments and discharges
Of professional welfare workers.
Would Injure Unfortunates.
"(2) 1t would deprive the unfor-
tunates among whom we work-de-
pendent and delinquent children,
the aged and infirm, the blind, the
the feeble-minded, the
etc.-of representa-
ton by a board of reputable citizens
who labor increasingly to care for,
protect and improve their condition.
"(3) It would take from the Dis
trict citizens one of the very few
opportunities they have to render
public service and assist in the ad-
ministration Of District at1airs,. %.
90 HR0,lld endanttt mEsSthoIsl
public welfare setup being made a
political football.
"(5 The Board of Public Welfare
pas done a good job; has brought
About greatssimproveMent In our
welfare administration, and is en-
titled to your confidence and sup
port. Your bill would deprive the
District Of the services of these cit
izens who are well qualified to han
die welfare problems and who are
giving much time and hard work. at
great personal sacrifice, to build up
and improve this service in the Dis
trict.
Urges Public Opposition.
Tor the public interest an earnest
effort should be made by the citizens
Of this District to defeat your pro-
posed bill. Personally, however. I
have neither the time nor the
strength to enter upon such con-
test, IN addition to regular welfare
work. Therefore, with much re-
gret, I tender my resignation from
the District of Columbia Board of
Public Welfare.
In severing my official connec-
ton with the District, I wish to
place on record my appreciation of
the unfailing courtesy, interest in,
and support Of welfare work by
Commissioner Mason, to whom is
assigned supervision of that branch
Of District affairs"
Mason Assails Claims.
Mr.. Mason answered that manv
Of the grounds for opposition cited
by Mr.. Reynolds "are not based on
facts"
He added: "His first opposition
states that the bill would abolish
the safeguards which the present
law throws about appointments and
of professional welfare
workers.
The present law on employment
particularly Of welfare workers, was
passed in the last two years and
put them under the Federal civil
service. This was made necessary
to receive ALLEGATIONS of Federal
funds.
"The Commissioners bill doesn't
change this law in any way"
Mr.. Mason further charged that
no constructive suggestions had