Evening star., 1933-09-29

Complaints from some sources tQat
the public works program Is slow IN
getting under way produce widely diff
fering reactions. Chief consideration
is the approach of Winter, with the
possibility of curtailment of some Of the
projects. Judgments differ as to whether
$4,000, 900. 600, allotted for this branch
of recovery, should be rigidly guarded.
Some observers would make speed para
mount.
Secretary Ickes Is said to- be grow
ing restive at the delay in starting,
which he believes to be due to outside
interference" says the Charleston, IS.
c. Evening Post, observing that "the
administration believes political efforts
to cause uneconomic expenditures, dill
atory tactics in the letting of contracts.
inefficient applications, attempts of
contractors to avoid bonding, and at
tempts of contractors to eliminate COM
petitive bidding" are evils. That paper,
however, offers the conclusion: 1T is a
desperate undertaking to afford employ
ment and to distribute great sum of
money as quickly as possible throughout
the country in order to create purchas-
ing power Obviously, If these objectives
are reached, efficiency and economical
administration must be neglected"
Impressive as is the amount to be
expended" thinks the San Antonio Eve
ming News, lit is hardly drop in the
bucket compared with the demands
which have swamped the board. Even
after all but the more meritorious prof.
ects shall have been weeded out, the
board will be compelled to reject the
great majority of applications sub
mitted. It can only follow its policy Of
preferring those enterprises for which
plans are complete and on which men
can be put to work the quickest. After
that the board will attempt to measure
the urgency of the need and the social
benefits to be conferred. Certainly the
administration could follow no other
course"
IF money Is to be spent let us spend
it for things that will return a dollars
worth for each dollar distributed" ad-
vises the Sioux Falls Daily Argus Lead
er, while the Jersey City Journal, hold
ing that there is no ground for COM
plant that haste is not being made"
adds that ut will be to the glory of Mr..
Ickes and the President If no serious
scandals arise" The Springfield (Mass)
Union is convinced that with Winter
approaching, employment must show q
further marked increase If the welfare
situation is to be much improved" The
Union also feels that 1T has come to
the point where States will have to
hump themselves, hurry along their
plans, and meet all requirements within
q specified time or the opportunity will
be lost
"If the Government Is so anxious to
get money to working" suggests the
Youngstown Vindicator, ut has itself
pointed out the way and furnished the.
means by which this can be done" That
paper is impressed by the fact That
"cities have been urged to borrow Tor
necessary Improvements" The Phla-
delphia Evening Bulletin, viewing the
complaints with sympathy, feels that
"the biggest job Of its kind that the
Government has ever undertaken could
not be accomplished with wave OF the
hand, and work provided as II with the
wand of a magician" The Fort Worth
Star-Telegram condemns any mistaken
idea that the money is thinly camou-
flaged gravy dish," and hopes that "eacn
dollar will reach charity"
"The Summer season has been frit-
tered away" declares the Baltimore sun,
with the conclusion hat "the expendl-
lures on public works remain a surface
affair."" while "the opportunity to take
many thousands Of men on the fenei
rolls and put them on pay rolls wlll
have to 60 over until another Winter
has passed"
The Yakima Daily Republic holds that
''the Government will have to go slow
in its program, sor it cannot pos:
sibly undertake q major fraction OF the
work; that there Is not sufnc1ent
wealth in any form to carry out the pro-
gram" The Richmond Times Dispatch
urges that unless the States and the
localities apply for loans, this important
nhase Of the Presidents recovery pro-
gram will all far short Of its goal" The
Astury Park Evening Press holds to the
conviction that "since the States and
municipalities are unable to contribute
to the program. the Federal Govern
ment must bear the entire cost"
Aside from the ALLEGATION Of funds"