The Daily Alaska empire., 1939-01-03
pW!A WORK IN ALASKA 5pEEDI|5.Up
 
Program for 1888 Reached fConstruttion Stage
 Weeks inAdvdnee


 Breaking all records for speed in putting men to work on useful pro- jects, the 1888 Public Works pro- gram in Alaska, calling for expen- dftures of approximately $983 ,000 for payrolls, materials and other build ing costs, reached the construction stage in all judicial districts in the Territory many weeks in advance of the January 1 deadline set by Congress, Administrator Harold L. Ickes was informed by Regional Di- rector c. 0. Hockley. Agsa.
 Although climatic conditio n s made it necessary to suspend work on practically all public works pro- jects in the Territory during the winter months, the 13 projects being built in Alaska were well under way before contractors were forced to withdraw their workmen from pro- ject Sites. '1 N'..
 The swiftness with which the PwA program got under way in AL aska is indicated by the fact that two Territorial projects-a sewer age system at Sitka and municipal improvements at Skagway-were substantially completed in less than five months after President Roose- welt signed the new PWA Act.
 s IS Applications Okeyed
 Fifteen applications for PWA funds to aid in the construction of public works projects were filed by communities in Alaska. and all fif- teen were approved. Two applica- tions later were rescinded, after al- lotments had been authorized.
 Throughout the Northwest region, comprising AIaska, Washington, Oregon and Idaho, a total of 287 projects, estimated to cost $42,579,- 8Oo were under construction on January 1. These projects, designed to meet PWA requirements for per rhanent and useful" construction will afford approximately 43,0O0,o0C man-hours of employment for work CTS on project sites and in lumber and cement plants, iron foundries steel mills and other industries sup plying construction needs.
 l All PWA construction projects were undertaken at the request oi governing agencies in local com- ] munities and were planned by the community, Director Hockley point ed out. By supplying AS percent oi the estimated cost, the Public Works Administration made it possible fol the communities to build needed projects and send men back te work on construction sites and ir basic industries.
 Funds-Man- Hours
 Altogether, in the five and hal years of it's existence, the Public Works Administration has allotted funds for the construction of public works projects costing about sil billion dollars. These projects hav' provided to date, approximately ter billion man-hours of work at pre- IIvailing wages under normal condi IItions and have released hundreds o millions of dollars in wages to mel who might otherwise not have beer employed.
 l While the peak of PWA construc tion throughout the nation will no be reached until the height of mex years building season, private in Idustries engaged in the production fabrication and transportation o building materials already hay benefited to the extent of nor than two and a half billion dollar lin material orders, and will continu to benefit under the current PWl program, the regional directo stated.
 | Local communities participatin in the PWA program by contributin | 55 percent of the cost have indicate their need and desire for a wid variety of public works project which will provide employment standard wages and tend to satisf the social needs of the people, Di rector Hockley said.