Evening star., 1961-12-13
Second Cuban
Center Eyed
BY the Associated Press

|
Cuban exile program said today
establishment of a second
refugee center outside Miami
possibly in New Orleans-"is
under active study"
William L. Mitchell, commits
sioner of social security, said
that whether this can be done,
or whether the Federal Govern
ment can increase its present
so per cent payment to Dade
County, Fla, of the cost of edu-
eating Cuban refugee children,
depends largely on how much
money Congress makes avail
able.
Mr.. Mitchell testified before
a Senate Judiciary subcommit-
tee which is looking into the
plight of Cuban refugees and
their impact on Miami and
Dade County, where a vast
majority are concentrated.
He said he believes enough
voluntary resettlementS can be
worked out to help both the
refugees and the South Florida
area where the pressure exists.
100 Per Cent Asked
In his prepared statement,
Mr.. Mitchell told of stepped-up
plans to speed resettlement of
refugees in other parts of the
country which he said will ac-
celerate a shift already under
way.
Senator Hart, Democrat of
Michigan. the subcommittee
chairman, reminded Mr..
Mitchell that Miami witnesses
have recommended that the
Federal Government shoulder
100 per cent of the additional
cost to Dade County of educat-
ing refugee children, double the
current payment.
Mr.. Mitchell said that on the
basis of funds available to the
Department of Health, Educa-
ton and Welfare under Presi-
dent Kennedy's foreign aid
contingency fund ALLEGATION, so
per cent is all that can be allo-
Gated now for this part of the
program.
Frankly" he said, ST think
the amount of the Federal al
location is a matter of judg-
ment, if it is anything less than
100 per cent"
He said that whether the
Federal share can be raised
will depend on separate legis-
lation Congress may enact in
the forthcoming session.
New York Studied
AS to suggestions that the
Government set up a second
refugee center. preferably in
New Orleans, Mr.. Mitchell said
I'VE have given consideration to
establishing" another in New
Orleans. Or possibly in New
York, where he said some 10000
Cuban refugees are located.
Mr.. Mitchell said New Or
leans has a foreign language
population and might be a de-
sirable location, "but a second
center would confront us with
financial problems"
Mr.. Mitchell said he has no
authority to proceed along
those lines, and could only
make recommendations. He
said he has some doubt whether
the expense would be justified
unless there is assurance of a
sufficiently large number of
refugees going to the second
city to justify establishment of
all services which are now
available at the Miami refugee
center. ...,
Curtis johnson, the subcom-
mittee'S staff director, said pro-
ponents of a second city pro-
posal coupled it with recon-
mendations that the Govern
ment shut off entry at Miami
and divert the refugees to the
second center.
Under such circumstances,
Mr.. Mitchell said, the situation
might be different. I'VE haven't
regarded the situation as suffi-
GENTLY urgent to press for it
at this time but it is under
active study" Mr.. Mitchell said.
Mr.. Mitchell said the refugee
center at Miami has been re-
organized and Government
efforts stepped up to increase
the number o. voluntary re-
settlements.