The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-10-23
Federal Funds Cause Noteworthy Improvements In Connecticut
New Post Offices, Road Construction Credited
 to Governmental Aid

ASCVACuOpt Dy Okduk UE Dy auVU1LIODAlS, one is gratified to see the vast iHn- provement throughout the state in the condition of roads, streets and public and private buildings.
 Much of what has been accom- plished in the past few years of re- covery has been the result of na- tural progress and expansion in va rious communities, but to an appre- ciable extent these improvements have been directly or indirectly the result of the Federal Works pro- gram, which, besides offering fi- nancial assistance, has increased the enthusiasm and confidence of the public, and of private enterprises, and caused them to push forward with great strides.
 The Public Works Administration was the first Federal organization to stimulate construction. The first purpose of the P. w. A. was to stimulate employment, by giving work to people on relief rolls. The second purpose was to stimulate n- dustries engaged in producing con- struction materials, and by this means indirectly improving employ ment generally, and raising wages. Various Agencies
 Following the P. w. A., came the various relief programs, such as the 0. W. A., the F. E. R. A., and lately the Works Progress Administration All of these organizations included in their program in the state use- full works projects that gave enn- ployment. Much of the federal and state money that has been spent for relief works projects has pro- duced beneficial results not visible to the eye. l shall not attempt to discuss such projects. I refer now only to those which are visible re- suits of the recovery program, such as new highways, streets, bridges and public buildings. Lasting benefits will be derived from these projects, which have replaced hazardous and less serviceable roads, bridges and buildings, and the state has thus improved itself materially, increas- ing its permanent assets, besides placing new purchasing power in the form of wages in the pay en- velopes of individuals who may oth- erwise have been on relief at the expense of the state or the Federal government.
 AIl0tments
 From 1883 to the present there was allotted to Connecticut under the National Recovery Act, the Emer- gency Relief Act and supplementing programs, 1892 non-federal public works administration projects in- volving loans of $50,000, and grants of $9,870,694. The projects under- taken by those loans and grants when matched with local funds are estimated to cost in excess of $2S,. 100000. Under the Public Works Extension Act of 1897 Connecticut has been allotted $l,867,172 in grants for 17 P. W. A. n-federal projects, estimated to cost more than $4,O0O,- 900. More than $l2,367,000 man hours of employment were provided at the construction site of these pro- jects during that period, which does not include the number of persons employed indirectly in manufactur- ing. The P. W. A. has been extend- ed by Congress until 1940 to com plete projects now under way in the various states.
 The Civil Works Administrati ton, the Federal Emergency Relief Ad- ministration and the Works Progress Administration combined have spent more than $38,000,000 in Connecti- cut since l933, and projects amount ing to more than $4,000,0O0 have been approved for further comple- ton, according to the need of em- ployment in each community, and allocation of Federal funds to the state.
 Supplementary Aid
 Supplementing this assistance have been large expenditures of the various departments. The Navy De- partment has averaged nearly $2,- 100000 in expenditures each year for its regular activities in the state, in addition to many millions for construction of buildings, submarines and aircraft produced by Connec- ticut industries and labor. The War Department has expended vast sums for its normal activities and for river and harborN and navigation projects. During the fiscal year 1887 alone the War Department al- lotted more than $662,00O for im- provements in the Connecticut Ri- yer below Hartford, the New Haven Harbor, Housatonic River, Bridge port Harbor, Norwalk Harbor and Stamford Harbor, and the appro- priation for the fiscal year 1888 will make possible the allocation of ap- proximately $l20,000 more for fur- ther Improvements on the Connec. ticut River below Hartford, at Stam- Iord Harbor, Branford Harbor and on the Thames River. -
 Flood Control work on the Con- necticut River has also been @ major undertaking. Under the Flood Con- trol Act of l9S6 compactS between the States were authorized, and al- though difficulties have arisen in consummation of the Connecticut River Valley Compact, much money has already been spent directly and indirectly on individual flood con- trol programs ct East Hartford and elsewhere, from regular War De- partment appropriations or relief funds.
 Road Construction
 Road construction in the state, ot course, reached tremendous propor- tions., The Federal Aid Highways program had been in effect many years before the depression, but was stimulated greatly during the erner- gency with the result that more than $9,604,657 was. spent in Con- necticut from 1888 to 1887 for fed- eral aid projects alone, out of Q to- tai of $l0.42S,208 apportioned. This federal money, supplemented by state funds, provided hard surfaced roads, 12 grade-cro separations and many bridges during that pe- riod. The benefits of this program as a1aRStRaaa Aa Ax,Awx,n.aA ARa~A kAa