Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1942-12-13
WPA Is on Way Out,
But Leaves Wealth
OF Public Works
Provided Jobs Rather
Than Dole for More Than
5000, 900 Persons

By the Associated Press

By the Associated Press
The Works Projects Administra-
ton is on the way out, but it has
left its mark on the United States.
Probably the most controversial
of the Federal agencies, WPA since
its inception in 1885 has provided
work for more than 100000 Amer
leans - and nearly as many Jokes
about boondoggling. leaf-raking,
shovel-handles and the leaning of
laborers thereon.
Permanent monuments to it's &C
tivity during the last seven years
remain in the airports, buildings.
public highways, sewage systems
and cultural projects it has built.
1t has erected or improved 10000
buildings of all kinds-25 900 for
the armed forces, including 1876 new
armories and 500 others improved.
Airports Improved.
WPA has built, improved or en-
larged more than 500 airports and
built more than 700 miles of new
airport runWays. 1t has improved
nearly 200 miles of existing run
ways and built or improved more
than 1000 airport buildings.
Then there are the $4,000 miles
OF highways it has built and the
1900 bridges.
More difficult to estimate are the
thousands of housewives who have
learned to take more intelligent care
of their homes and families THROUGH
WPA schools; the illiterates who
have learned to read. the half
trained workers who have been en-
aoled to complete their knowledge
Of their trade.
Dlmcult, too, is an estimate of
the artists, artisans, actors and
craftsmen Of many kinds who have
either discovered their talents IN
Ger WPA direction or been brought
INTO public notice and fuller realize
tlon OF their abilities through its
aid.
Many Mural Paintings.
countess mural paintings-Some
OF them considered poor. but many
OF them anding-decorate pub
lie buildings throughout the conn
try. WPA put them there.
OF monumental historical pro-
portions are the State guides pre-
pared under WPA direction and
through its funds.
WPA grew out of the view that it
is better to make work for the lob
less than to put them on an out
right dole. But the haste with
which this work had to be made
In some cases, and the WAYS in
which 1t was sometimes created.
brought down on WPA some of the
bltterest criticism that any agency
ever underwent and survived.
Federal Works Administrator
Philip B. Fleming recalls that when
WPA came INTO existence in 1885 il
had conflicting orders-to plan re-
lief and to execute it immediately.
The needs for adequate planning
before carrying cut relief on
nationwide scale led to spending of
much money on projects which had
only temporary value-Such as leaf
raking, which kept people from
starving, but didn't improve any
thing for very long.
Need Ended by War.
Long before President Roosevelt
ordered its liquidation, WPA officials
had recognized that the war pro-
duction program made its abolition
possible. They accordingly asked
for the honorable discharge" which
has been granted from the White
House.
At its peak. WPA in November,
1899, employed 3,334,494 workers
Today it has about $4,000 on the
rolls. The Government expects
them to be absorbed in private
employment by June 30. 1913. as it
has ordered WPA work to be wound
up entirely by that time and has
provided no funds for work there
after.
The Federal agency and work in
is States and the District will be
closed out by February l, 1913. Ad-
mlnlstrator Fleming announced.
Only in Puerto Rico will WPA
activity continue. until some other
provision is made to take care of
conditions there.
Uncompleted WPA building prof.
ects will be taken over by other
Federal agencies, it has been an
nounced.
IN RiIliop noIJarc S,,opk
WPA has spent more than So
0o0,000000 in seven years to provide
relief to a total of 100000 people,
counting the families of the work.
ers it employed in a vast array
Of projects.
AS WPA passes out of the picture.
Administrator Fleming notes that it
leaves another legacy to the country
which can be of value in years to
Come--the experience and technique
Of planning, particularly in the
field of public works.
He expresses belief that there is
still time to develop a program of
public works which would promote
conversion of the Nation from war
to peace with a minimum of shock.
ut would at the same time reduce
the danger of economic collapse.
cid in sustaining full employment
and provide useful public works
which will raise our standard of liv-
ing and enhance the welfare OF all
the people" he says.
Eight States and IS cities have
prepared six-year programs of pub
lie works. while seven more States
and IS more cities have them under
way.