Evening star., 1946-09-10
Welfare Budget
Boosts Asked in
Nearby Virginia
Commissioner james
Studies PIeos From
Six Delegations


Six Delegations
State Welfare Commissioner Ar
thur w. James today was studying
from representa-
tives of six Northern Virginia COM
munities for increased welfare
budgets
In the eighth of a series of IL
regional conferences over the State,
held last night In Fairfax Court
house, delegations from Alexandria,
Arlington, Fairfax, Prince William,
Loudoun and Fauquier stressed the
lack Of finances to carry on their
welfare programs.
Particular emphasis was laid on
the shortages in funds to handle
old age benefit cases and aid to de-
pendent children.
Information Sought.
Mr.. James told the groups the
conferences were planned to get
information concerning conditions
throughout the State.
Meetings still are scheduled in
Norfolk. Danville, Bristol and Har-
he said. After the final
session, he said the findings will be
summarized and recommendation
made to Gov. Tuck. ''
Commissioner James turned the
v1oo ooAtty,nr 81 =
ington of Fredericksburg. a member
of the Mitchell Commission which
is making the State study.
City Manager Carl Budwesky OF
Alexandria told the hearing the re-
duction of the State welfare budget
by third could not be done with
out creating difficulties.
Need of Funds Stressed.
IF we're going to carry on the
program" Mr.. Budwesky declared,
I'VE should have the wherewithal
Largest contingent present was
from Arlington. French M. Clev-
enger, welfare superintendent, one
Of several speakers from that com.
munity, pointed out that Arlington
had received $109 900 for the current
fiscal year compared with the $780,
900 requested. Deficits exist, he said,
in the old-age benefits group. ST.
200; aid to dependent children, Fed
eral matching funds, $6,044; State
matching funds, S7,802, and foster
care for children, s9,662.
Charles r. Fenwick, Arlington
resident and member of the State
Board of Public Welfare, told the
group the principal trouble Is the
lack Of understanding on the part
OF the Legislature and the general
public with regard to the welfare
program"
Situation Called Peculiar.
Mr.. Fenwick said a peculiar
situation exists in that local gov
ernments are appropriating more
money than the State is willing to
match. Local authorities" he
added, don't appropriate money
unless it's for a worthwhile ptlr-
pose"
Arlington Board Chairman Ed
mund D. Campbell said the State q
share in a partnership with the
Federal and local governments
should be fulfilled.
Hugh Reid, judge of the Airing
ton Juvenile and Domestic Rela-
tions Court, said, Insofar as my
own county is concerned, think we
must look forward to a very striking
increase in welfare cases.
Reiterating previously mentioned
needs, Miss T. Mary Beacham, Fair
fax welfare superintendent. pointed
to her communities fund cut from
s89, ,934 requested to 9,970.
Price Rises Cited.
Mr.. James pointed to the increase
in food prices which has compli-
Gated program development under
available finances. A welfare bas.
ket containing IA items cost 81 in
1910, he said, while the same articles
now cost $7.34.
Others from Arlington who spoke
included County Manager Frank C,
Hanrahan, State Senator William D.
Medley, Delegates George Damn
and J. Maynard Magruder, Welfare
Board members Mrs. Dora M. Thle,
w. B. Tubbs and Leslie Hall; Clyde
B. Stovall, vice-chairman, Commun-
ity Chest Federation, National Cap
ital area; j. Harold Stehman, Com
munity Chest president, and DR..
B. H. Jarman, Community Council
president.
Mrs. Marian Lewis, Prince William
County welfare superintendent.
listed a request of $47,940 for the
current fiscal year, with an alloca.
ton Of $39, ,161 received. Similarly,
Mrs. Francis Foster, Loudoun County
welfare superintendent, listed $4l, 900
received out of $44,500, and Miss
Roberta Payne, in charge of the
Fauquier County welfare program,
cited $50,730 received out Of $59,640
requested.
Other speakers from Alexandra
included State Senator Andrew
Clarke and Miss Barbara Watkins,
welfare superintendent; from Fair.
fax, Delegate Edwin Lynch and for
mer State Senator John Rust. Also
present from Fairfax were Wallace
Carper, Board of Supervisors chair
man; Hugh Marsh, Commonwealth's
attorney; Harry Carrico, judge, Trial
Justice Court, and Mrs. Laura z.
Nielsen, Welfare Department.