The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1937-07-29
PUBLIC WORKS PLAN
is ANCIENT STUFF
Brigham Young First Used
1t to Help Unemployed.

OF the Public Works Administrator
are located regard this nationwide
Improvement program as new
type OF government enterprise, peo-
pie OF Salt Lake City know that the
sage Mormon leader, Brigham
Young, was an early advocate Of
the public works remedy for unem-
ployment.
Three-quarters of century be-
fore the New Deal, unemployed
Mormons found honest work at fair
wages in a construction program
initiated by their church just as
today thousands of construction
workers share in the benefits of the
PWA program.
In Salt Lake City the visitor may
see evidences of the first works in
itiated by Young, of the program
Instituted to meet the panic of 1893,
and of new undertakings under way
or completed with the aid of PWA's
current works program, designed to
combat the recent economic crisis.
Spanning State street at East
South Temple is Salt Lake City's
most historic public work-the
Eagle gate. From beneath its arch
the visitor looks up the hill to the
state capitol a comparative new
conner to the city.
Historic Eagle Gate.
Brigham Young ordered the con-
struction of the Eagle gate in 1859
to provide for the jobless Mormons
of that period. The eagle, huge
bronze bird, is mounted ON an arch
spanning the road and supported by
stone pillars. 1t formed part of
cobblestone wall 500 rods long, also
built as a public work, which sur
rounded the Young home and pro-
vided protection against Indians.
The great pioneer expressed his
belief in the works ideal as an un-
employment remedy in no uncertain
terms. He said
My experience has .aught me,
and it has become = principle with
me, that 1t is never any benefit to
give out and out, to man or woman,
money, food, clothing, or anything
else, If they are able-bodied and
can work and earn what they need,
when there is anything on earth for
them to do. This is my principle and
try to act upon it. To pursue any
other course would ruin any COM
munity in the world and make them
oilers"
Many OF the men who were des-
tined to become leaders of the Des-
eret state got their start as en-
ployees on public works. Old records
show that mechanics received but
$3.50 day and the architect but
$500.
just as public works in 1887 Gre
ate more employment In mines and
factories producing building mate
rails than they do at building sites,
SO utah's first works program gave
rise to many industries which had
not existed before demand for ma
terials for use in job-making under
takings had made their establish
ment necessary.
Lessons Are Recalled.
Lessons learned in the early days
of Salt Lake City were recalled in
the building depression preceding
the panic of 1893. Largely to give
employment, the local government
started construction on 81, 00O, 900
city hall and county building-an
ambitious undertaking for the times
which still stands as one Of the
proudest edifices in the city. Hun
dreds Of building mechanics who
faced unemployment were thus re-
tanned as wage-earners while the
indirect effects OF their labor were
experienced in mines and quarries
and mills supplying the materials
for the project.
Under the Public Works Admin
istration's program for Utah, scores
OF water and sewer systems,
schools, roads, and public buildings
have been built or are under con-
struction. The sum allocated by
PWA--nearly $40, DOC, 600 in loans and
grants for useful improvements
would astound old President Young.
Most imposing of these improve
ments is the new library for the
University of Utah--the most inn
presssive structure erected since the
state capitol was built some twenty
years ago. OF modern classic con-
struction, 1t cost some $780, 1000.
PWA aided its construction and the
improvement of other university faa-
cilities by making the state of Utah
an allotment of 81 ,2O6, 900.
Since PWA projects must be per-
manent, necessary improvements of
definite social value, few objections
have been raised against the pro-
gram. Brigham Young, answering
opponents of his theory of public
works, said
Some have wished me to ex-
plain why we built an adobe wall
around the city =. % slow of heart
to understand and to believe. build
build walls, dig bitches, make bridg-
es and do great amount and va
riety of labor that is but of little