Evening star., 1951-12-15
DC. Relief Rolls
Can Be Opened
Only by NewAct
| Welfare Board Says
1t Won't Seek Low
| Boring Names on List

District relief records will re-
main confidential unless special
congressional legislation Is pro-
vided, the Board of Public Wei.
fare announced yesterday.
It added that 1t would not seek
such action, although it would
"give further study to the matter
and determine If an amendment
to the District of Columbia Pub
lie Assistance Bill, which is now
under study in the Federal Bu-
reau Of the Budget, should be
recommended"
Under present laws, the OPEN
ing of relief rolls to the public
would cost the District govern
ment $2.5 million, the board said.
State welfare agencies now re-
ceive from the Federal Govern
ment amounts equal to their ex-
penditures with the proviso that
all records remain confidential.
If not. Federal aid is Withdrawn.
Public Right Recognized.
In a statement issued after yes
terday's meeting, the board said:
THE Board of Public Welfare
recognizes the right Of the public
to full scrutiny Of the expendi-
lures Of public funds. It also
recognizes and firmly believes that
every possible safeguard must be
maintained to protect the conf
dentiality of all welfare records.
1t further believes that through
Intelligent regulations and vigor.
GUS, efficient, positive adminis-
tration. the relief rolls can be
kept free Of recipients who are
not in need"
The action Of the board Is the
result Of a study of the Jenner
amendment whereby welfare
agencies may receive Federal
grants If State laws are passed to
make records public. The amend
ment. proposed by Senator Jen-
ner. Republican, Of Indiana, re-
suited from the threatened loss
of $3.500,000 in Federal aid by
his State when it made public its
welfare rolls. Courts later upheld
Indiana since q State law had
been passed.
ID. c. Law Provides for Secrecy.
Welfare Director Gerard M.
Shea said that District law also
protects the confidentiality Of
records.
In his report to the board, Mr..
Shea announced that although 955
persons and families have been
approved for assistance during the
first four months of the current
fiscal year. 1874 persons were
turned down. Payments were
stopped to almost as many per-
sons and families receiving assist
ance during the July-October pc
riod. Mr.. Shea said. A total Of
939 cases were closed.
In comparing the position Of
the District with other sections
of the country in public assistance,
Mr.. Shea said that in the latest
reports from the Federal Security
Administration, the city ranks
lower than all States and terri
tories in old-age assistance-an
average Of so recipients per 1000
compared to the national average
of 220.
Below National Average.
In aid to dependent children,
the city ranks 10Th with an aver
age Of 35 grants per 1000 popu-
lation, putting the District two
above the 80 national average.
Washington ranks 40th in general
assistance with an average Of IL
per 1000 population which is far
below the "A national level.
Mr.. Shea's report also pointed
out the need for more foster
homes. The foster parents, he
said. receive $45 month for the
child's care, a Sc a month clothes
allowance and medical and dental
services provided by the agency.
The board also announced the
appointment of a committee to
investigate the problems of the
National Training School for
Girls. the name of which will soon
be changed to the Industrial
Home for Colored Girls. Com
mittee members are John B. Dun
can, DR.. Dorothy Ferebee, Mrs.
Julia West Hamilton, Charles v.
Morris. Mrs. Mildred Percy, G.
Rowland Shaw, Mrs. Ida S. Tay-
lor, James White and DR.. Roger
M. Williams.