Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1944-10-08
Virginia Sees
Postwar Need Of
100000 Jobs
Planning Unit Warns
Public Works Won't
Solve All Problems
y the Associated Prsss.

= the Associated Press.
RICHMOND, Vs., oct. 7-Pub1ic
works and private construction viii
be important but not an economic
cure-all after the war when the
States estimated employment de-
mand viii be about 1,166. 600, or as
per cent greater. than IN 1910. the
Virginia State Planning Board said
today In . report by Director Ray
mond v. Long.
The potential volume Of; postwar
public works was estimated at an.
proximately $l6l, 000, 900.
A relatively small prewar percen-
tage Of employed workers were en-.
gagged in construction, which "em-
phastzes" the fact that this phase
OF postwar activities cannot be de-
pended on too heavily, the report
explained.
AT the same time we can not
minimize the important part that
construction must play II business Is
to stay on an even keel" the board
added.
The postwar employment demand
was estimated at 1885, 200 as com.
pared to an employment Of 933057
IN 1910. an increase OF IS per cent,
This figure, the report said, Is
probably high, but even 50, consid-
erably more jobs will have to b
made available.
Some Federal Aid Needed.
The State Planning Board said
IS per cent Of postwar projects in
Virginia cities and A per cent in
towns can be undertaken without
outside aid. Cities indicated that
20 per cent Of work proposed would
fall under the heading of unwilling
to undertake" without outside aid.
and Z per cent as impossible to
undertake" without outside aid.
The corresponding figures for the
towns were 50 per cent and q per
cent.
This Is indeed healthy sign 50
far as the State as q whole Is con-
cerned," the report said, "particu-
larry In view of the recent PWA.
WPA. and other work relief pro-
grams under which Virginia COM
munities received about 5000 900
per year In Federal grants for sew.
eral years between 1885 and 1910.
Some communities are undoubt-
edly delaying their public works
planning to see which way the Fed
eral wind might blow In the way
of aid"
Public Works Plan Sound.
The report said that the program
OF the Public Works Committee of
the State Planning Board is I'M
Iquestionably sound and worth
while and the results accomplished
particularly in encouraging local
4 government to 60 ahead with public
works plans regardless Of Federal
| The committee, headed by Gen,
James A. Anderson, State highway
commissioner. viii undoubtedly have
an important role. the report added.
in directing the prosecution Of
needed public works projects in
Virginia. -
In q discussion of the timing Of
projects to give the most effective
spread for employment, the board
concluded that there probably win
be entirely too many unpredict-
ables to justify system Of con-
trolled public works. although the
plan Is desirable"
4 In the absence Of such control. IL
was stated, officials charged With
public works programs should use
their good judgment In timing their
own works and perhaps OF. greater
importance, to keep q backlog or
reservoir Of useful work in such
shape that 1t can be put into effect
most readily"
The potential works program Of
approximately 1851 200, 900, which
the board said could reasonably Be
spread over six-year period, would
mean an annual public works pro-
gram of about 1000 900, This
would be about required normal
program, 1t was stated.