Evening star., 1939-04-27

be borne in mind that the program
adopted to meet 1t must be envi-
stoned to extend over a considerable
period Of time. The reason for this
Is that this Nation, in common with
the entire world, is undergoing a
process Of readjustment. particularly
In connection with the production
and distribution of goods. Until our
economic machinery can be realigned
to meet present-day conditions the
problem Of unemployment will per-
sist and the measures adopted to
deal with 1t must, therefore, be care
fully thought out and their opera
ton planned to extend we'll into
the future.
In determining the number of per-
sons for whom work on a Federal
program should be provided, 1t is
necessary to consider the number of
needy able bodied unemployed. The
total unemployment estimates for
the Nation run to very large totals,
but 1t must be remembered that these
totals cover all persons who desire a
Job and include many who do not
actually have to have a job. In
other words, there are in all the un-
employment estimates large num-
bers OF persons who can sustain
themselves either by reason OF pri-
vate resources or because they can
be supported within the family
group to which they belong. 1t is,
OF course, to be desired that industry
should expand to such degree as to
provide employment for all who de-
sire 1t. but in meeting the problem
OF need within the limits of the
funds which can reasonably be made
available for the purpose, the en-
phasis must necessarily be placed
upon the number of unemployed in
dlviduals who are actually III need
OF wages in order to secure the neces-
stiles of life.
For the current fiscal year, thu
Congress has provided for the Works
Progress Administration appropria :
tions totaling approximately So $50
OooOOO. With these funds the Works
Progress Administration has provid-
ed employment for maximum of g.
SoOOOO persons and is currently en-
ploylng approximately 100000 The
average employment provided for the
fiscal year will be approximately g.
600 1000 persons.
In my budget message of January
s. 1889, I stated that supplemental
estimates Of appropriations will be
submitted to meet the requirements
OF the Works Progress Administra-
ton. the National Youth Admins
tration and the Farm Security Ad-
mlnistration for the fiscal wear
1870" and that sl,75O 900, 900 was the
amount estimated for expenditure
oy these three agencies. l feel that
thlS amount plus such balances
OF the appropriation for the current
year as remain unobligated on June
80, 1899, should cover not only ali OBJ
ngations to be incurred by these
agencies during the fiscal year 1910
but the necessary administrative
expenses connected Herewith which
may be incurred by the General Ac-
counting Of1ce, the Civil Aeronau-
Tics Authority, the Treasury and
the United States Employees Com
pensation Commission, including
compensation payments.
For the fiscal year 1910 rec
ommend, therefore, that the specific
sum of $l,477 .000, 900 be provided for
the Works Progress Administration
together with any balances of the
appropriation for the current wear
which may remain unobligated on
June 80, 1899. This represents a re-
ouctlon of one-third below the
amount provided in the current fis-
cal year and will permit the en-
ployment of slightly more than an
average of 100000 persons during
the II months beginning July /,
1899. Barring unforeseen and un-
practicable developments, we are
)ustlfled IN expecting an upward
trend In the volume of employment
between now and June 30, 1910, and
the sum just named represents nv
judgment as to the amount that
should be provided on the basis of
that expectation.
w. P. A. Accomplishments
Many, With Work Yet to Do.
After a review of the accomplish
ments OF jobless workers employed
on Works Progress Administrator
projects, am impressed with what
can be achieved through a program
that not only provides jobs for dis
tressed workers but also stimulates
purchasing power and tends to in
duce further recovery. I commend
to your attention the miles of roads
and streets that have been built. the
number of bridges and public build
ings that have been constructed and
the worthwhile accomplishments in
the fields of education, recreation.
sanitation and health, and conserva-
ton and flood control. Notwitr-
standing these accomplishments
there is a vast amount of WORTH
while work remaining to be done.
expenditures in these fields repre-
sent permanent, tangible additions
to our national wealth.
1t is my opinion that the opera
tions of the Works Progress Admin
lstratlon during the next fiscal year
should be carried on much as at
present but with the reduction that
Will be possible because of expected
increases in private employment
and a consequent decline in the need
Tor work relief. Organizationai
changes which I expect to be made
under the authority granted in the
recent Reorganization Act will. I
anticipate, make possible important
economies resulting from the co.
ordination of the operations of vari-
Gus Federal agencies which are en-
gagged in the carrying out of prof.
ects.
wish to state with emphasis
since the opposite view is frequently
expressed. that the program of the
Works Progress Administration
should, as at present, include some
projects Of the non-construction
type to meet the needs of those IN.