The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1936-02-26
100000 PUT
TO WORK UNDER
WPA PROGRAM
Nation Wide Survey Shows
Useful Works Result
of Planning.
Continued From Page Three

due for months, are being paid
Landlords no longer must take then
rents in services. Even doctors
dentists and hospitals report an in
crease IN cash customers"
Public works could be accom-
plished at less expense by private
contract than under WPA. Few
deny that the speed Of the average
WPA worker is geared at about half
his capacity. Yet, with hundreds
of miles of streets, sidewalks and
roads taking form and thousands
OF schools being repaired or built,
most taxpayers feel that for the
first time since relief spending be-
gan they are getting something for
their money"
white Collars" Irked
Shortcomings of WPA are due
largely to red tape, although the
severe weather since Christmas has
slowed down operations in the
North. Late pay checks, lack of
projects ready for construction, and
inaccurate estimates of the numbers
of relief clients eligible for WPA
jobs have caused the bulk of the
complaints.
The most serious criticism comes
from the white-collar classes 1t is
here also, that opponents of the
whole work relief plan have dug in
their claws with violent attacks on
various surveys, musical ana the
atrical organizations, writer's prof.
ects and mural paintings.
The trouble with white-collar
clients can best be understood by
quoting this report from New York
City:
Everybody was anxious to spare
their feeling when they had to take
the dole. They were Inundated and
anxious to get jobs. This attitude
did not last. So many persons told
them that they were innocent vic
Tins of catastrophe similar to the
World War that they stopped feel
ing sorry and ashamed and began
to be belligerent about their rights
Today WPA white-collars in New
York City probably are the most
radical in the country"
Wage Scales Differ
On q nation wide basis, the aver
age cost per man per month on
WPA is SOS, of which the Federal
government is putting up ISL and
the states or local communities $14
OF the total $50 goes to wages, $13
to materials and So to administra-
tive costs.
Wage scales differ as to communi-
ties. The following list of average
wages in dozen scattered areas
shows the range
New York City S1e.SIPittsburgh -. S6s.Oo
Houston ..... Si.0OIGndiana polls. -. $500
Toledo ......... 90. lei Paso ...... 1000
san Francisco 64.O0Evansville .... 54.OO
Cleveland &C.. $500 Buffalo ...... $500
Memphis 800. 33.O0San Diego 80. $500
What do these areas and others
think about WPA, ard what kind of
job is it doing?
WPA WorkeI.s Satisfied
In Birmingham, Ala, 5000 of the
1928 WPA employees are building
roads. The North-South wages diff
ferential which brings an average
pay check of $34.50, has embittered
organized labor, but the WPA work
er himself is satisfied. The out
standing project is an industrial wa
ter supply system which city Off
Gals and civic leaders have sought
for years.
The Federal outlay will reach
$s,587 1856 by July l, to which local
contributions will add 1865, 137. Dis
missal of 1900 workers for loafing
has increased efficiency.
WPA's program in Evansville, Ind,
will be completed on time, or will
be in such condition by June 30
that the value of the work done by
that date will not be lost, even if
projects are unfinished. Workers,
except those with large families, ia
vor WPA continuance. Half Of the
business men interviewed feel the
same way. Retail trade has i'm
proved
Seventy-three per cent of the re-
lief load in Fort Worth and Tarrant