Evening star., 1948-12-01
Catholic Group
Hits Opposition
To DIP Program
Meeting Told Jobs,
Homes Given 10000;
O'BoyIe Speaks

The National Catholic Resettle-
ment Council, representing all
Catholic organizations interested in
resettling displaced Europeans in
the United States, wound up an
all-day meeting yesterday with a
blast at those who oppose letting
the DPS come here.
A resolution passed by the coun-
Gil said a minority sector of the
press has seen fit to attack the re-
settlement program" to admit 205,-
900 displaced Europeans as author
lied by Congress last June.
A council official said the reso-
luton referred specifically to certain
articles which have appeared re-
Gently in a New York newspaper
which charge that former collabora-
tionists with the Nazis are being
admitted under the program.
The resolution described these
charges as inaccurate and divisive'
and said that the whole resettle-
ment program has received serious
setback as a result of them.
Screened BY Army.
The council said the Army
Counter Intelligence Corps is doing
excellent work in screening un-
desirable elements from those seek
ing resettlement here. It added that
there is no reason to believe that
subversive elements predominant in
any one racial group.
At q press conference following
the meeting, Msgr. Edward E. Swan
strom of New York City, chairman
of the council, said jobs and homes
have been located for some 10000
displaced persons and that he ex-
pected that number would be in
creased to $4,000 within six months.
He said that about 1900 persons
have been admitted so far under the
law. Two more boatloads are eX-
pected to arrive before Christmas,
he said. The council estimates
three personssto one job and home,
since many of the families admitted
have several children.
O'Boyle Congratulates Delegates.
The council meeting was ad-
dressed yesterday by the Most Rev.
Patrick A. O'Boyle, archbishop of
Washington, who congratulated the
delegates on their efforts in behalf
of Europe's homeless. Another
speaker was Edward M. O'Connor,
Commissioner of the United States
Displaced Persons Commission who
is charged with administration OF
the law.
Mr.. O'Connor told reporters the
number of persons to arrive under
the .resettlement program was ex-
pected to increase rapidly in the
near future with 10000 to arrive
monthly by next May.
He said a larger appropriation for
his commission would be asked OF
the new Congress to permit staff
of 200 commission representatives
in the field and a supporting stan
of SO in the United States. This
would be four times the size of the
present staff, Mr.. O'Connor said.
Faster Arrivals Stressed.
Msgr. Swanstrom pointed out the
necessity of increasing the rate OF
monthly arrivals. Many persons
who undertake to sponsor displaced
persons-g that they
will not become public charges-do
limit. The job of finding homes
so often with specific time
and jobs for them will be greatly
increased unless the council is
able to make good on its commit
ments on time, he said.
Working with the National Cath
olic Resettlement Council on the
problem Of finding homes for dis
placed persons are two other organi-
cations, the Church World Service,
representing the Protestant groups,
and the United Service for Ameri-
cans, representing the Jewish
grOupS,