Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-06-02
Lesson Of the WPA

president ROOSEVELT has estimated the cost OF
the Works Progress Administration for the next fiscal
year at 400 million dollars and the number of persons to
be benefited at 100000.
There was time in 1889, when the total annual cost
of wPA was more than 1000 million dollars (S223O 75O
O0O TO be exact) and time in September of 1888 when
3.213609 persons benefited n
So the diminishing proportions of this federal enter
prise quite apparent and reflect substantial diversion
of national resources and effort to other purposes
mostly of course to the war.
The President as a matter of fact foresees the pos
sbilty dispensing with the Works Progress Admins
traton entirely, saying that our experience with this
greatly reduced program will determine the extent to
which we can toward the further reduction the
possible elimination of the Works Progress Admnistra-
ton"
THUS we come to- or at least approach, summing up
of of the most amazing economic experiments In
the history of human government.
The Works Progress Administration was created in
1885 with its major function the World Almanac re-
counts Ito provide useful work public projects for
unemployed workers in need of jobs"
In the years that have interviewed it has accomplished
that objective considerable and remarkable degree
1t has cost a lot of money and certainly too much.
1t has been administered with grave extravaganza
and waste
1t has been msused by incompetent politicians, and
has been subverted by enemies of the country
has been utilized for unnecessary projects which
were not useful employment unrelated to the real
needs of the people.
1t has been an implement for the control of elections
and for getting political groups into and for keep
ing them in power.
NEVERTHELESS, it has been valuable to nation
! V weighed down by depression.
1t has allevated gnawing poverty for millions of
people.
In accordance with its original and admirable pur-
pose it has provided useful work for many people capable
of usefulness but deprived of opportunities to be useful
by conditions which they had no control.
In every community, there permanent public
works to its credit and the profit and advantage of
communities and their people
THERE can be denial, and one should wish to
make denial of the real and vital contributions it has
national welfare both in point of good work done
and of genuine relief.
There never has been any reasonable denial of the
value and necessity of public works. initiated and financed
and supervised by government for the useful employment
of capable and industrious people suffering temporary
economic dislocation in time of national depression.
1t could and should have done lot more, and cost
lot less.
But who is there say should not have been under
taken at ALL with still fresh of the plight of the
unemployed and the record clearly indicating substantial
If partial easing of that plight?
Rejecting now does not afford proof that public
works for relief of unemployment wrong but rather
supports it sound principle.
WHAT reflection does prove is that the political ad
w vantage taken of work relief wrong and that
the wastefu practices INDUCED wrong and that the
good results accomplished could have been much
better it had been possible to administer the program
without these distractions.
Now we are at or near the probable end of the WPA
era Since we have that occasion will not
arise again for similar assumption of obligations by the
government, should profit by past lessons
The American people will never support condone
governmental indifference to human suffering They
should again permit condone governmental admin
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