Evening star., 1953-01-26
Open Relief Roll
Helps Program,
Survey Shows
Efficiency Increased
Without Effect
On CuseIouds

dwelling relief rolls to pub
lie inspection has no pointed
effect on caseloads but increases
administrative efficiency and
public confidence in the pro-
grams, Tax Foundation survey
indicated today.
The conclusions were con-
tanned in a new study entitled
Improving Public Assistance"
and attributed largely to a ques-
tionnaire answered by State well
fare administrators.
Since welfare secrecy was
ended as condition to Federal
aid, the report said. eight States
have authorized access to rec
ords of Federal-State welfare
programs.
Results Are Listed.
by and large" the report
said, experience and the opin-
ions of welfare officials indicate
that secrecy abandonment
causes:
"1. No pointed effect upon
caseloads;
"2. No widespread wedding out
of chiselers but a check upon
the undeserving who might 9TH
erwise attempt to obtain welfare
support:
"3. Increased administrative
efficiency;
"a. Increased public conf
dence in relief rolls"
The report said conclusive data
on the results of opening welfare
rolls is not yet available.
Many Intangible Factors.
much of the pro and con ar
gument is based on intangible
factors, such as the psychological
effect on welfare recipients made
susceptible to public exposure"
it went on, adding:
Nevertheless, any lasting
Government program must have
the confidence as we'll as the A.
nancial support of the public.
Since public inspection undeni-
ably has enhanced public con-
f1dence in the integrity of the
welfare rolls, this might well be
the determining factor in ending
welfare secrecy"
In the District, the Citizens
Advisory Council has expressed
favor of proposed legislation
which would keep relief rolls con-
f1dential. The District Commis-
sioners will take a stand next.
OF the eight States which au-
thorized inspection of Federal
State welfare program records
since passage of the so-called
Jenner Amendment Of 1851, two
do not extend the authority to
general assistance records. Other
typed are old age, dependent
children, blind and disability as
Sociation.
289 Cases Closed on Request.
The remaining six and nine
other allow inspection of general
assistance records.
The report said one State re-
ported about 289 cases closed at
clients request in less than q
year after assistance rolls were
made public. But another re-
ported only four in about two
months.
Illinois was cited as a State
noting no appreciable reduction
in caseload and applications
after public inspection, but citing
the advantage of increased public
confidence in the integrity Of
the rolls.
In Indiana. it was said, out Of
$500 closures for the period from
July, 1851, when the inspection
provision became effective, until
November. 1851. there were only
AZ voluntary Withdrawals.
Little Examination Of Rolls.
Welfare officials attributed the
caSeload drop to extension Of the
Old Age and Survivors Insur-
ance program and improved eco
nomic conditions. Reports indi-
Gated very few, If any, people
were taking the time and effort
to examine the rolls, and there
fore there was little likelihood
that public inspection helped in
pointing out illegal recipients.
The report continued:
However, certain groups In
Indiana maintain that If public
inspection cannot be credited
with causing the caseload drop,
official inspection can.
"The feeling here Is that
secrecy abandonment has spurred
administrative efficiency in well
fare agencies. In short, welfare
officials clean the rolls them
selves before the public points
out the undeserving. This being
the case, 'ofi1cial cleaning Of the
rolls would tend to minimize the
number Of voluntary with
drawalS."
Comments from State Officials.
Other comments from State
officials: "A
Abandonment would be ad.
ministratively desirable as an
answer to program criticism.
Inspection would do harm to
the legitimate recipient without
having any particular effect
upon the chiseler.
Effective investigation and ad.
ministration Of welfare, coupled
with good relative responsibility.
lien and reimbursement laws.
are preferable to public inspec.
ton in the economical and hui
name operation Of welfare.