Evening star., 1946-03-23
Relief Fund WASTE
Under $4,000, Board
Replies 10 Pi|kerton /.
By Don S. Worren

cases were "ch1SelerS, officials O.
the Board of Public Welfare las
night contended that Distric,
Auditor A. r. Pilkerton was 80 pel
cent in error in his appraisal of the
recent "sampling" of cases.
A report on the cases cited by
Mr.. Pilkerton, released last night by
Welfare Director Ray L. HUFF, ad.
mitted a number of instances of un-
warranted relief grants, but held
this amount to but l per cent of the
cases reviewed and involved, but
one-half Of per cent of the ex-
penditures involved.
This was in strong contrast to the
report of Auditor Pilkerton that "a
out of 400 sampled relief cases were
found to be bad"
The Pilkerton report, which
caused something of sensation
when 1t was presented to the Dis
trlct subcommittee of the House
Appropriations Committee, pro-
voked suggestions that the possible
total "wastage" would amount to
$225,000 year, If the sampled"
loss were carried throughout the
relief roster.
Sees Loss Under $4,000.
The reply of the Board of Public
Welfare indicates the 'loss for the
10 per cent sampled cases would be
less than $1,000 a year and that if
this carried through all cases on
the rolls the annual loss would be
not more than $4,000.
Mr.. Huff expressed qualification
over the relative low waste" found
by the Welfare Boards examination
OF the Pilkerton charges, saying he
would not have been surprised if it
had gone has high as 2 per cent.
He added that this was only a
partial report and a full account
ing would be given after the pro-
posed recheck by agents of the
Social Security Board.
Accounts of the problems of
mothers with illegitimate children,
parents with only partial mental
responsibility, of the aged and other
wise physically handicapped persons
were recited in the Welfare Board
answers to Auditor Pilkerton. In
part, the charges we're based on
erroneous assumptions as to "em-
playable" the board said.
Upheld 80 Gases.
The board admitted some errors,
listing four instances with a prob
able unjustiflable cost of nearly
$1,000 a year. In the remaining 33
cases in the 10 per cent sampling,
however, welfare officials insisted
"the facts justify assistance in the
amounts granted"
In one of the error cases, the
board admitted an oversight" which
may may have continued grant
of $44 for six months longer than
necessary. This involved recipient
with All injured arm which, accord
ing to a medical report last Sep
tember, had become well enough"
for the man to go to work, although
he claimed continuing disability.
Another case study showed an in
come of $24 received last November
was not reported by the recipient
until December. The third case
was said to be that of mentally
limited mother" for whom a $40 a
month allowance was given for
three months for one of her two
children who had been placed with
a private agency. The grandmoth-
er is caring for the other child, the
mother now working and receiving
no District funds.
The fourth admitted" case con-
cerned an old age beneficiary where
q recheck indicated the recipient
was getting private income be-
yond that reported. The rate Of
this grant amounted to $672 per |
year.
Under a classification as to "em-
the welfare board
said it had medical authority
'ustifying IL out of 13 cases criti-
cized. Three were said to be justi-
fed by medical conditions, five to
conditions, one to both |
medical and psychiatric findings, |
two to chronic alcoholism and one
to low-grade feeblemindedness. The
thirteenth in this listing was that |
of the case of the injured arm that |
was healed earlier than casework-
ers had expected.
In each of 10 cases of employ
ment of mothers" cited by MI.
Pilkerton, the board said it believed
the mother was working where she
should, and as long as she should"
I'm two of the cases." the well
fare board report contended, "the
auditor suggests that children be
left with person who we believe
and mentally unable to
give proper care. In two more, the
auditor proposes that Is or is year.
old-girls take over the supervision
of younger children.
I'm four more, physical or mental
Ill health prevents the mother from
doing more than she now does. In
one, the mother now works part
time and with four children should
not work more.
Alternatives Outlined.
THE 10th mother has placed one
of her two children in foster care
with private agency and has gone
to work. It will cost the community
about as much, however, for the
board and clothes for this one child
as it did in assistance to enable the
mother to stay at home and look
after both children" the Huff report
declared.
The report also analyzed seven
cases involving responsibilities of
relatives and discussed cases of
supposed" fathers of children and
prospective results of non-support
cases.,
In outlining one of the remain
ing criticized cases, the welfare
board said: "The auditor states that
the recipient pays $50 rent and re-
ceives an income in addition to
the (Government) grant. The board
knows of the additional income
1t is given expressly to cover the
excess rent and fuel which en-
ables this 98-year -old woman to