The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1941-02-27
Much Good Work
In Education Projects
WPA Active in Training
Citizens in Americanism;
Conducts Literary Classes

BUTTE, Especially Feb 24.-Meet-
ing some of the states primary
needs, the education and recreation
section of the Work Projects Adj
ministration during 1910 put into
effect a program which would work
hand in hand with the national de-
tense program. Emphasized were
naturalization and literacy classes
and recreational activities stressing
Americanism.
The greatest growth of participa-
ton was in literacy and naturali-
cation classes. With $4,000 known
non-citizens and 5000 or more IL
literates in the state, the trend is
significant. Enrolled monthly in ma
turalization classes were an average
of 432 non-citizens, 385 receiving
their naturalization papers during
the year. A minimum of 100 hours
of preparation were devoted by the
average student to completing ma
turalization courses. Glasses were
conducted in % different cities and
towns during 1910.
The q literacy classes held
throughout the state had an av-
erage monthly enrolment of 302
persons. In addition to these two
services, 1l2 students per month par
ticipated in the citizenship CORES
pondence course which is available
to any literate alien.
The WPA education program gave
| jobs in their<own field of expert
enca--to-430 unemployed teachers
during the year, keeping them fit
to return to non-relief jobs when
the opportunity presented itself
Through these teachers, educational
opportunities were brought to an
average of 1906 different individu-
ais each month who participated in
classes in % fields.
A majority of these students en-
rolled in the 81 vocational classes
which offered such courses as COM
mercial, welding, carpentry, ma
chine shop, aeronautics, telegraphy
and radio.
Sixteen communities, eight CCC
camps and three NYA centers were
served by WPA vocational teachers.
AT Missoula the WPA education
program maintained State Cor
respondence school in cooperation
with the CCC, Montana State uni
versity and the State Department of
Public Instruction, supplying Is diff
ferent subjects to at least 1000 diff
ferent students in CCC camps. All
courses we're in the non credit field
and were free except for small
charge for materials.
Special emphasis was placed or
first aid during the year A check
of available records showed thai
more than 300 individuals were
trained by WPA teachers to qualify
70 reither Red Cross or Bureau o.
Mines certificates. Five WPA teach.
ers are authorized by the two or.
CARNATIONS to conduct classes ir
preparation for examination. In adj
dition, two other leaders trained 81
people in an intensive home nursing
and first aid course.
The WPA recreation program
functioned as supplementary
agency to community program dur.
ing the year In 1910, WPA provid
ed 24l leaders to augment the serv-
ices of 80 community paid leader:
| and $50 volunteer leaders. A tota
of 124 Montana communities were
served, including 18 communities re-
ceiving services for the first time
An analysis of community pro.
grams shows that programs on l21
athletic fields and l52 playground.
were supervised by WPA leaders
In addition, IS public tennis courts
Is children's wading pools and 2:
: swimming pools were under WPA
: supervision.
: An effort was made to provide (
: balanced recreation program so a
to meet the recreational needs of a
many people as possible, including
such activities as arts and crafts
(. music, dramatics, dancing, sport
and athletics, camp craft and natur,
and social recreation. Leadership
was provided also for hobby clubs
play centers, game rooms, specia
community events and for the fou
state institutions.
:. A grand total of 62,126 differen
individuals participated in recrea
] ton programs during the year.