, 1935-05-19


HARLINGEN. May 10. R-De-
Capitalization. elimination Of much
red tape and the speeding up there
by OF expenditures under the new
federal public works and relief pro-
gram was seer by David Robinson,
Jr., field consultant Of the American
Municipal association and the Texas
League Of Municipalities In q talk
before South Texas mayors and 9TH
er city officials Friday afternoon.
The old Public Works Administra-
ton organization viii be retained
but instead Of being centralized In
washington. more authority B ex-
pected to be given the state organi-
cations. Robinson said.
The Federal Emergency Re-em-
ployment administration Is expect
ed to become a work relief organi-
zation and viii be known as the
Work Progress Administration. It
will be similar In many ways 70 the
old Civil Works Administration, the
speaker asserted. Wages, however,
are to be Is to 20 per cent under
those paid by private industry IN
the same locality. There r ex-
pected to be grants for materials un-
der the next act.
Eligibility Of projects was discuss
ed and Robinson asserted that there
viii be no fixed rules as to the
amount of the grant to be made by
the government. This VIII be gov
erned by local conditions and out
right grants are expected to he
made under certain circumstances.
Seven requirements were set forth
as follows:
/. Projects should be useful.
2. A considerable proportion Of
the appropriations must be for la
Dor.
8. There should be possibility Of
an ultimate return Of the cost to
the federal treasury.
4. Funds should be promptly and
surely spent.
5. The project must be Of a char
acter to give employment to those on
the relief rolls.
8. Projects are to be allocated
in proportion to the number OF per-
sons on the relief rolls.
y. Projects must remove from re-
lief rolls to work on such projects
or in private employment the maxi
mum number Of persons In the
shortest time possible.
The speaker also described the
procedure to be used In making ap-
plication for projects. All appli-
cations for non-federal projects
should be made to the state director
on the old PWA forms. The state
director sends the application 10
Washington where a copy IL made
for the Work Progress Administra-
ton. A copy win 60 to the Division
Of Applications q part OF the Ma
tional Emergency Council. II, after
reviewing It, the Division OF Ap-
plications approves the application,
1t Is sent to the Appropriations d.
vision.
The reason copies Of PWA appli-
cations r to be sent to the work
Progress Administration Is 30 that
the WPA will be able TO check the
effect on local relief rolls. This Ia
Tor the purpose Of thoroughly co-or-
oinating the work OF the two DEPART
mentS. 1t Is regarded as most likely
that work relief win not be provid-
ed by the WPA In communities
where PWA projects IRE taking care
OF those on the relief rolls.
Robinson urged that those who
have non-federsl projects pend
ing before the PWA, get In touch
with their Representatives In Con.
gress Immediately TO have the ap-
plications transferred to the new
Division Of Applications.
Work relief projects are expect
ca TO be originated through local
relief administrators.
President Roosevelt had asked
quick action on the gigantic relief
bilf hoping to have 1t ready In time
70 take care Of last winters unem-
ployment situation. Congress de-
iayed, however, and now that sea-