Evening star., 1938-08-06
MARYLAND LAGS.
IN APPLICATIONS
F0RP.W.A.FUNDS
Cash Flows to Virginia
Towns as Neighbor State
Delays Action.
HOPE PUT IN PARLEY
CALLED BY DR.. BYRD
Communities Are Reminded of
Provision for Aid Without
Putting Up Money.

Public Works Administration Of.
ficials pointed out today that Mary
land political subdivisions are tagging
far behind those in Virginia in seek
ing and obtaining advantage of avail
able P. w. A. funds for local i'm.
provements.
For this reason they hoped the
conference called at College Park
next Wednesday by Dr. H. C. Byrd,
president of the University of Mary
land, might serve to stimulate Mary
land townships to action before the
dWindling reserve of funds Is ex-
hausted. They professed no official
interest in rumors that Dr. Byrds
Statewide conference might be
prelude to his announcement as a
candidate for the Democratic guberna-
torial nomination.
While Marylanders are talking about
ways and means to obtain more
funds for the State, p w. A. officials
admitted that Virginia towns were
getting the money" in a steadily in
creasing flow of Federal loans and
grants Records disclose that these
Virginia towns are certainly on the
job.
$14,162,880 Awarded.
At least IS Virginia townships and
counties to date have been awarded
sl4,162,880 In approved allotments
and a considerable proportion of the
amount is for new school construction.
Every daily list announced at P. w. A.
contains one or more Virginia projects.
Today, for instance, more than half
the SO non-Federal projects approved
by the P. w. A. were for school prof.
ects including approximately 100000
for work in Virginia.
Today's list carried grants Of
s5,S49,154, which bring the total con-
struction costs of the new program to
an estimated s1,123,2So,8 1893.
Virginia Projects.
Largest of the Virginia projects
was a grant of s140,850 for a new
school in Front Royal. A $51,750
grant was for schools in Lee County.
S56.629 for a school at Portsmouth
and $3.50 for waterworks improve.
ment in Clarksville.
The list included 19 additional rural
school projects for Ohio's program.
totaling s2,048,059 in construction
costs, and a sl,220 900 school program
for Los Angeles.
In contrast to Virginias record, only
% projects have been approved for
Maryland carrying total of $6,S72,0l2.
Oficials explained the difference as
being due to the alertness of Vir.
ginia communities in sending in their
applications.
1t would seem that any claim OF po-
litical favoritism can hardly hold wa.
ter. Virginia's two Senators, Carter
Glass and Harry Flood Byrd, are as
anti-New Deal as Maryland's Sena-
tor Millard E. Tydings. To Offset
Senator Tydings is the New Deals
Senator George I. Radcliffe.
Administrator Ickes recently
cracked down" on Representative
Howard W. Smith in the sixth Vir-
ginia congressional primary, only to
have that candidate win by 3-to-1
vote. And the sixth district, despite
Mr.. Ickes' claim that the Represent
ative had no influence with the p w.
A., received large share of Federal
money.
Reminder Given Towns.
In connection with the possibility
Of Maryland obtaining more funds
from the P. w. A., officials expressed
interest in one suggestion made by DR..
Byrd, who has been instrumental in
obtaining $1,135 900 for an expansion
program at the University Of Mary
land. That was reminder to small
towns in the State that funds can be
obtained without the sponsor immedi-
ately providing any cash.
P. w. A. officials said today they
have mo recollection" Of any town.
anywhere, applying for funds under
this explicit provision of the SPEND
ing-lending act. The clause in the
law is ready to be put into operation.
they declared, If any town wishes to
take advantage Of it.
Under the provision, for instance, q
town may apply for an amount to
build a new school or municipal
building. The Government will fur
nish the entire amount necessary,
leasing the project to the community
on 2 per cent annual rental basis
on only SIS per cent of the amount
extended. This would work out on
the same basis as As per cent grant
and SIS per cent loan the sponsor
ordinarily would provide. The town
would have so years in which to repay
the loan under the lease agreement.
Congress made this provision for
the purpose of helping communities
that otherwise would be unable. to
help themselves. Officials explained.
however that they knew Of no allot-
ments of this nature.
One of Mr. Ickes' last acts before
leaving on an Alaskan trip was to
warn cities desiring projects to file as
soon as possible before the Septem-
Der 80 deadline. With each passing
week the chances of belated Maryland
applications receiving approval grow
simmer. All projects under the Ma.
tion-wide program must be under con-
struction by January /, officials re-
minded.
At least 81 per cent Of the funds
available for non-Federal P. W. A..
projects already Is obligated.
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