The Wilmington morning star., 1941-02-23
WPA Works For National
Defense Through Projects

crop, has ever sought to improve
and add to its recreational facili-
ties. Visitors this summer will find
the golf courses improved, more
interesting. Throughout the county,
roads have been constructed and
reconstructed. For the especial
benefit of the county, though all of
it does not lie within New Hanover,
U. S. Route "a has been widened.
Carolina Beach boasts of street
improvements throughout the en-
tire town; its water system has
been extended, and a new town
hall and jail are in the process
of being built.
From the beginning of the pro-
gram, local officials have deemed
the elimination of malaria by the
drainage of swampS and ponds OF
first importance. Malaria control
drainage has gone forward during
1910.
The modern nurses home at the
negro hospital is now in use. Other
Improvements were carried for
ward at the County Home.
Oyster Planting
An important industry has been
the harvesting of oysters. The oys-
ter production in the section had
greatly decreased by improper har-
vesting, and, of course, the natural
enemies of the oyster. To assist in
the experimentation of this bust
ness of marketing and selling oys-
tiers, WPA workers have planted
oysters in Buzzard Bay.
During the year, the administra-
tive head of WPA for the five
southeastern counties was changed
Luther j. Jordan resigned to &C.
cept an engineering position in the
state of Tennessee. W. Joe Pre-
waite, for several years chief en-
gineer out of the Wilmington Of
flee, has been appointed WPA dis
trict manager.
WPA activities did not stop with
construction items. Reviewing the
fabric of society to make the cloth
whole, women and male profess
sional and service workers have
been given gainful employment.
The services which they have per-
formed were those selected as be-
ing needed by local officials.
.'White Collar" Work
white collar" workers COM
pleted and published Wilmington's
valuable Real Property and Land
Use Survey. New Hanover's law
enforcement offices were brought
up to date with that essential aid,
the establishing of a f%ingerprint
index file.
In the court house, real estate
conveyance records have been in
dexed, as well as vital statistics,
such as marriage licenses, and
the like.
Minutes of municipal and county
meetings have been indexed. Pub
lie safety records have been
brought up to date, while Whining
toms municipal charter and ordi-
nances are in the process of being
codified.
Adult education in it's seven
phases has been preferred New
Hanover citizens by the WPA ed
ucation program. The three best
known in this county have been
the literacy classes to teach those
denied that privilege in their youth
how to read and write; safe driv-
ing schools; and nursery schools.
In under-privileged homes where
illness has stricken the housewife,
WPA housekeeper aides have
nursed and cared for the families.
And in this same category, free
nursing care has gone to those IN
need.
Sewing Rooms
BY far, the largest Community
Service project has been sewing.
Thousands of garments have been
made and distributed to homes
where the incomes have been scan
ty.
Other WPA workers have distrib-
uted surplus commodities.
Who wants to study on an empty
stomach? Not a single child IN
five New Hanover County schools
must do that. It makes no diff
ference whether the parents can
pay for the MONDAY meals or not.
Those who can pay, do pay. Under
privileged children get their
lunches free. Still others from rur-
al sections can exchange produce
for prepared meals.
For those children who can af-
J ford to buy their meals. the lunch