Evening star., 1952-01-27
Dono|1ue Score,
Proposals 10
Air Relief Rolls
Robinson Reserves
Final Judgment
In Controversy
By John w. Stepp

UAAuV A4C VOAAA O6JCSU w 0f14 A446 OeAA
returns to public scrutiny.
Mr.. Donohue stated his posi-
tion during his weekly radio broad
cast over Station WWDC. He used
the opportunity to explain why
he approves legislation. introduced
in the Senate last Thursday. that
would standardize certain relief
practices in the District.
Although the District Commits
sioners already had approved the
measure. it later developed that
none were aware that a proviso
which would make the names of
relief recipients confidential was
in the bill.
Urged Approval Thursday.
For that reason Mr.. Donohue
raised the question at the Com
missioners' meeting last Thursday.
Public Relief officials urged ap-
proval at that time, as we'll.
But at conclusion. of the meet
ing, only Mr.. Donohue stood in
favor. Engineer Commissioner
Bernard L. Robinson. who was
absent from the meeting. an
nounced opposition. Commis-
sioner John Russell Young re-
manned undecided.
Gen. Robinson indicated yes
terday, however, that his mind
is not finally made up. Since he
missed the meeting and the dis
cusSion favoring the measure by
Public Welfare Director Gerard
M. Shea, Gen. Robinson said he
wants to study the welfare board
report on the subject before tax
ing his final stand.
But, for the moment and in
terms of "broad principles" Gen.
Robinson said II don't like secrecy
surrounding such expenditures of
the peoples money"
Minimizes Inquiry.
He added that he is inclined
to minimize" the contention that
injury will be done to the self
respect of qualified relief re-
cipients whose names would be
disclosed.
Public assistance represents be-
tween one-quarter and one third
of the tax dollar" he said. "The
public has a vital interest in the
expenditures of this amount of
money and is entitled to know
how it is being spent"
Gen. Robinson added disclosure
of the relief rolls might even sup
ply knowledge that would bring
about more understanding and
help on the part of the public.
In many cases, he emphasized,
he intends no criticism of the
welfare board here. -.
On the air last night. Commis-
sioner Donohue considered the
injury to self-respect." which
Gen. Robinson mentioned.
His chief fear, Mr.. Donohue
said, was that some genuinely
needy person. through pride"
might refuse public assistance if
his name were to be disclosed.
Fears Misuse of Names.
This raised the question Of
how extensive the disclosure OF
the names would be without the
confidential clause. he said.
MY understanding is that the
names would be available for pub
lication like tax assessors list
lngs," Mr.. Donohue replied. "It
would mean widespread use of
this information"
Mr.. Donohue's fears on this
point were not shared by Mr..
Shea, who was questioned about
it after the broadcast.
The welfare director first en-
phasized that the board strongly
opposes disclosure of the rolls.
But, he said, he felt "safe to as
sumo" shat if Congress tosses out
his recommended confidential
clause, that restrictions against
lndiscriminate use of relief rolls
would apply.
Mr.. Shea pointed out that the
Jenner Amendment forbidS use of
relief rolls for commercial or po-
litical purposes under penalty of
law. He said he assumes that not
only would that provision apply in
the District as it does in the
States. but that the lists, in the
first place, would be open to pub
lie view solely in the welfare
Office.
Some "Chiseling."
Mr.. Donohue conceded that
there is undoubtedly" some
"chiseling" to be found in the
Districts relief rolls. because of
the very size of the public assist
ance operation here.
But to meet this situation.
should we publicize the list of re-
cipients so that the public can
determine who is obtaining relief
wrongfully or unlawfully?" he
asked.
"Or couldn't we meet the situa-
tion by a more effective admins
tration of public assistance?" he
went on.
Mr.. Donohue haStened to add
that he did not mean to imply
criticism of welfare officials here.
But, he said, larger staff to pro-
vide more complete investigation
of relief recipients might be the
answer to getting chiselers OF the
rolls.
Actually, the Commissioner con-
tinued, public assistance lis no
problem here" and he cited figures
showing that the District ranks
third from last in the per capita
cost of public assistance in the
United States and territories.
The per capita cost here is $l.81,
in contrast with the $34.15 cost
in the highest State. Colorado, and
the national average of 1888.
AYlinofon Chest Election