.6 lAnt>4-5 j RECAP U.^.VI otKs projects administration Questions and answers on -the tdPJl 10 IP - 0«l«mbia'TJ »iversity Llortirj @ob©0l at Libi&ry Service Apr! 5’40 FEDERAL WORKS AGENCY JOHN M. CARMODY Administrator WORK PROJECTS ADMINISTRATION F. C. HARRINGTON Commissioner QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS on the Federal Works Agency Work Projects Administration Washington, D. C. S.L.S. ? y-/ ? -yo T) 3 S3 ,£ U-')i 3tS~ | INTRODUCTION As a governmental unit the WPA cooperates with States, counties, cities, and towns, and with various other public agencies, departments, and bureaus. As a work-relief program it is geared to meet the changing conditions of unemployment. For these reasons the WPA program is necessarily a complex one. Many taxpayers (and we are all taxpayers in one way or another) do not understand how the WPA operates — what it does, what it does not do, and why. This is shown by the many inquiries that come to our State and Washington offices. It is for the purpose of answering these inquiries, and of informing the American people about the WPA program, that this factual question-and- answer booklet has been prepared. F. C. Harrington Commissioner December 1, 1939 * *U S A* * WORK PROG R a m WPA Questions and Answers on the WPA 1. What is the WPA? The Work Projects Administration is that part of the Federal Works Agency which conducts a pro- gram of useful public work, in cooperation with State and local governments, in order to provide work and wages for the needy able-bodied unem- ployed. The State and local governments plan and sponsor various projects, and the WPA helps to operate them. 2. What other organizations, besides the WPA, are included in the Federal Works Agency? The Public Buildings Administration; the Public Roads Administration; the Public Works Admin- istration (PWA); and the United States Housing Authority (USHA). (See Question 65.) 3. Does the WPA give relief without work? No. Direct relief, where given, is provided by States and localities. 5 4. Why does the Federal Government give work to the able-bodied needy unemployed, instead of direct relief? This policy was adopted in the conviction that work is better than direct relief — because work preserves the skills and self-respect of the workers and makes them fit to return to private industry; because our communities are greatly in need of the public projects on which the unemployed are set to work; and because work projects bring a valuable return to the communities and the Nation for money expended in assisting the unemployed. 5. What is a WPA project? It is any useful public work on which the Federal Government and some tax-supported public body have agreed to cooperate, through the WPA, in order to provide work for the needy unemployed. The project is a community or State enterprise which the WPA helps to carry out; the completed project belongs to the community or State. 6. Are WPA projects planned locally or federally? All are planned by such local sponsors as city councils, county commissioners, and boards of education, or State agencies; except a small number planned and sponsored by other Federal agencies than the WPA. (See Question 65 — p. 26, 11. 9-22.) 7. What is the sponsor of a WPA project? The sponsor of a WPA project is a State, municipal, or other governmental agency which proposes that the WPA assist it in carrying out a local public improvement or public service. Plans and specifications for the work are submitted by the sponsor. The proposed work must be work which the sponsor has legal authority to do. Since the WPA must use its funds largely for wages, the sponsor must agree to provide most of the necessary materials and equipment. The sponsor’s share of 6 the total cost of a project is correspondingly larger when the local improvement desired by the com- munity requires large quantities of material or equipment. 8. On what basis does the WPA approve a proposed project? There must be needy unemployed workers in the locality with the skills required for doing the work. The project must be on public property.* It must be socially useful. It must not be a part of the regular work of the sponsoring agency, such as should be wholly financed out of its own regular funds. And most of the Federal funds requested must be used for wages. 9. Does work begin on a WPA project as soon as it is approved? Not necessarily. Communities are encouraged to maintain a reserve of approved projects so that there will be no delay in starting a new project when it is needed to provide employment. 10. What are the chief kinds of work done by the WPA? The proportions of WPA funds spent on different types of work up to July 1939 were as follows: 37% for highways, roads, and streets — of which a large proportion are farm-to-market roads 12% for education, library projects, statistical surveys, recreation, and similar white-collar and professional projects 10% for construction and rehabilitation of public buildings — schools, hospitals, courthouses, rec- reation buildings, etc. 10% for sewer systems and other public utilities *On private property only when rented or leased by a public agency; or when easements in the public interest have been secured by a public agency; or when a State or local government officially pronounces the work to be in the interest of public health and safety. 7 10% for parks, playgrounds, swimming pools, and other outdoor recreation facilities 8% for sewing projects (which employ about half of all women WPA workers) 4% for conservation projects — forestation, erosion control, irrigation, and water control 2% for new municipal airports and the enlarge- ment and improvement of old ones, and trans- portation and navigation projects 2% for sanitation projects, other than sewers, such as elimination of stream pollution and eradication of mosquitoes and other pests 2% for music, art, theater,* and writers’ projects 3% for all other types of projects The WPA also does emergency work in times of flood, storm, and other disasters. It is able to supply a large force of workers quickly to meet an emergency. For the purpose of supplying such help, WPA projects are immediately closed in the disaster area and the workers are made available for rescue and rehabilitation work. Although men perform most of the heavy or dangerous tasks, frequently many women WPA workers serve as emergency cooks, nurses, and helpers. Rescue work, the moving of families from danger, care for the homeless, the distribution of food and clothing, the reconditioning of water mains and other public utilities, the removal of debris from public roads, and the work of restoring sanitary conditions — all these tasks fall largely on WPA workers. When in 1938 a hurricane struck New England, 100,000 WPA workers were immediately mobilized and thrown into the work of rescue, relief, and restoration. During and after the Mississippi- Ohio floods of 1937 the WPA gave the same kind of help to stricken communities. *No funds were made available by Congress for the operation of theater projects after June 30, 1939. 8 WPA EMPLOYMENT 11. Who is eligible for WPA employment? Any American citizen, or other person owing allegiance to the United States, who is 18 years of age or older, able-bodied, unemployed, and currently certified as in need. 12. What agency certifies that a worker is in need? A local public relief agency approved by the WPA investigates and certifies that he is in need. 13. Must an unemployed worker be a resident of a State or locality to be eligible for WPA employment there? No; but if a nonresident, he must have moved into the State or locality for some other purpose than to obtain work with the WPA. 14. Are farmers eligible for WPA employment? Yes; and there are Federal programs for the special benefit of farmers. 15. How many members of a family are eligible for WPA employment? Only one, usually the head of the family. The mother or a grown son or daughter, if otherwise eligible, is regarded as the economic head of the family when the father is unable to work. 16. If two families live together, is a member of each family eligible for WPA employment? Yes, if both families are in need and otherwise eligible. 9 17. How are workers assigned to WPA projects? From the group of eligible workers the WPA Divi- sion of Employment selects, according to their previous experience, training, and ability, and in the order of preference prescribed by law, those who can be placed at work on the various local projects. (See next question.) 18. In what order of preference are workers assigned to WPA projects? Congress has directed that assignments shall be made, as far as practicable, on the basis of relative needs; where relative needs are the same, prefer- ence shall be given to eligible war veterans. 19- Does the WPA ever employ project workers who have not been certified as in need? Yes. Noncertified workers with special skill or training necessary to the conduct of a project may be employed if qualified relief workers are not available. Such nonrelief workers are secured through the United States Employment Office in the State. At least 95 percent of all project workers, however, must be certified as in need. 20. How many workers in all has the WPA employed? About 1 % million individuals, at one time or another, since the start of the program in 1935. 21. How many workers are employed at one time by the WPA? The number has fluctuated, from as low as 1,450,000 in October 1937 to as high as 3,250,000 in Novem- ber 1938. There were about 1,825,000 WPA workers on November 1, 1939. 22. What percentage of WPA workers are men? Women? Men, 86 percent; women, 14 percent (June 1939). 10 23. What percentage of WPA workers are doing unskilled work? Other kinds of work? l- In September 1939: j. Percent Unskilled 71 Semiskilled 13 Skilled 10 Professional and technical 2 Unclassified 4 s 24. Does the WPA try to give its workers the same kind of work they had in private industry? e Yes. Although it is not always possible to put e people to work at their usual occupations, every effort is made to do so or to provide related work for which the workers are qualified. s r V t I i t WAGES AND HOURS 25. What is the average WPA wage? The average monthly WPA wage is about $55- r (See next question.) 26. Do all WPA workers receive the same monthly wage? No. The monthly earnings vary according to the ) degree of skill required by the job, and also according to the region and size of community l where the work is done. In large Northern and Western cities the wages run from $52 a month for unskilled work to $94.90 for professional and technical work; while in small Northern communi- ties the range is from $39 to $68.90, in small West- ern communities from $44.20 to $78. In the South ll the range in large cities is from $46.80 to $81.90, in small communities from $31.20 to $55-90. 27. How many hours do WPA workers work? Congress has directed that all WPA workers shall work 130 hours a month. They are not per- mitted to work more than 8 hours in any day, or 40 hours in any week, except to make up lost time or in emergencies involving the public welfare or the protection of work already done. Within these limitations, local officials arrange daily work schedules for local projects. 28. Can a WPA worker’s job classification be changed? Yes, if on the basis of experience and ability he is qualified to do work in a different classification, and if such work is available. 29- Can WPA workers be assigned as foremen or supervisors? Yes. Relief workers who are qualified for super- visory positions are given preference when openings occur. 30. What arrangements are made for distribution of surplus food or of clothing to WPA workers? All such commodities are distributed through local relief agencies to families on direct relief; and it is the local relief agency, not the WPA, that decides whether these commodities shall be given also to WPA workers. 31. What arrangements are made for transport- ing workers to and from projects? Whenever possible, workers are assigned to projects located near their homes or requiring no more than reasonable transportation costs. If workers have to be assigned to more distant projects, an attempt is made to arrange for transportation either by the WPA or by the project sponsor. 12 UNIONS 32. Can WPA workers join unions? Yes. To deprive, attempt to deprive, or assist in depriving a worker of his WPA job because of membership in a labor organization is a felony.* 33. Is it necessary for a worker to belong to a union in order to get or hold a WPA job? No. 34. Are union organizational activities permitted among WPA workers? Yes. But such activities are not permitted on a project during working hours. Foremen and other WPA officials, although they may join unions, are not permitted to act as organizers at any time. 35. Have WPA workers the right to complain about wages, hours, or working conditions? Yes. A WPA worker has the right to bring such complaints to his foreman, and, if he is not satis- fied, he may carry his complaint to the local WPA office, to the State Administrator, and finally if necessary to the Washington office. WPA rules forbid any discrimination against complainants. 36. Can a union or any group of WPA workers send representatives to a WPA office to present grievances? Yes; and they have the right to cnoose any repre- sentatives they wish. ^Punishable by a fine of not more than $2,000 or 2 years’ im- prisonment, or both. 13 37. Can a WPA worker be discharged? Yes, he can be discharged for cause relating to his efficiency or integrity on the job. Also he can be discharged for unexcused absence for more than 5 days, because he has been continuously employed for 18 months, because of changes in his relief status, or because of completion of work or shortage of funds. SAFETY AND COMPENSATION 38. What provisions are made for the safety of WPA workers? It is the foreman’s duty to maintain safe working conditions on a project. In addition, safety in- spectors make regular inspection of all projects. 39. Is equipment provided to protect WPA workers from injury? Yes. Either the WPA or the sponsor of the project provides goggles, safety belts, respirators, or what- ever equipment is necessary to protect the workers against injuries. Also there is a first-aid kit avail- able on every project. 40. How does the injury rate on WPA projects compare with the general rate of private industry? It is considerably lower. 41. Is a WPA worker entitled to compensation for accidental physical injuries received on the job? Yes, and for disease resulting from such injuries. 14 42. What compensation does a WPA worker get for injuries received on his job? Beginning on the fourth day of his disability he draws a compensation equal to two-thirds of his monthly wage but not exceeding $50 a month. (The maximum amount allowed by the U. S. Em- ployees’ Compensation Commission for death or injury is $4,000, payable at a rate not to exceed $50 a month.) In addition, he receives all neces- sary medical and hospital treatment. ADMINISTRATION, SUPERVISION AND FINANCES 43. Is WPA administration efficient? Impartial investigations have found it so. For example, after making a thorough survey of unem- ployment relief, the magazine Fortune reported that the WPA as an organization ‘ ‘functions with an effi- ciency of which any industrialist would be proud.” 44. How are foremen and supervisors of WPA projects selected? Local WPA officials select all foremen; supervisors are selected by the local WPA except when they are provided by (and paid by) the project sponsors. 45. Must WPA supervisors and foremen be taken from the relief rolls? This is desirable but not required. However, the proportion of nonrelief employees to the total working force must not exceed 5 percent on any project, except where special exemptions have been authorized. 15 46. How are WPA funds apportioned among the States and communities? In accordance with the extent of need in each State and each community. Thus the amount of WPA money spent in States and communities does not depend on their area or population, but on the number of needy unemployed workers and on the wage levels in each. 47. How much of the cost of WPA projects is paid from Federal funds? The Federal Government pays almost all the labor costs of a project. The sponsor pays most of the costs of materials and equipment. During the last fiscal year, sponsors’ funds averaged about 20 per-j cent of total project costs. Not less than one- fourth of the total costs of all nomFederal projects approved after January 1, 1940, must be borne by the local sponsors. 48. Just what is the Federal WPA dollar spent on? Out of each Federal dollar spent — 87 cents is used to pay project workers. 9)'i cents is used to pay for materials and equip- ment. 3% cents is used to pay for administrative costs. : 49. Is there an independent accounting for WPA funds? Yes, by the United States Treasury Department, which also issues checks to WPA workers and 1 purchases WPA materials. 16 POLITICS 50. Must a WPA worker support any political party in order to get or hold his job? No. To promise a WPA job, or to deprive, attempt to deprive, or threaten to deprive a WPA worker of his job, on account of political activity or support of, or opposition to, any candidate or political party, is a felony.* It is also a felony to deprive, attempt to deprive, or assist in depriving a WPA worker of his job because of his political affiliations.** 51. Is it permissible for WPA workers to be solicited for campaign contributions? No. Solicitation of campaign contributions from WPA workers is a felony.* 52. Can WPA employees run for political office? Project workers legally can; but supervisory and administrative employees are forbidden to run for political office or to act as campaign managers for political candidates. The law provides that any supervisory or administrative employee who uses his official position to influence an election shall be immediately dismissed. *Punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000 or a year’s im- prisonment, or both. **Punishable by a fine of not more than $2,000 or 2 years’ imprisonment, or both. 17 PRIVATE INDUSTRY 53. Are any special arrangements made to help WPA workers get jobs in private industry? The U. S. Employment Service, with which all WPA workers are registered, seeks to keep in- formed of the needs of private employers, and makes constant efforts to place WPA workers in private jobs. 54. Is a WPA worker required to take a job in private industry if one is open to him? Yes, if it is work that he can do and if the employer offers the prevailing local wage and reasonable working conditions. 55. Can a WPA worker who has taken a private job get back on the WPA if he loses the job? Yes. If he loses the job through no fault of his own, and is still in need,* he is entitled to reem- ployment. WPA WORKERS 56. How long had WPA workers been employed at their trades in private industry? Ten years on the average. *And if he has drawn all his unemployment compensation benefits. 18 57. How old are WPA workers? A survey in February 1939 showed these per- centages : 12 percent under 25 years old 27 percent between 25 and 34 years old 24 percent between 35 and 44 years old 21 percent between 45 and 54 years old 14 percent between 55 and 64 years old 2 percent 65 years of age or over The WPA limits its employment almost entirely to the heads of families. Many needy younger workers are assisted by the NYA or the CCC rather than the WPA. 58. Are the same people employed continuously on WPA projects? Thousands of workers leave WPA projects for private employment every week; and at the same time other workers come on WPA projects who have lost their jobs in private industry and who are in need. Even when unemployment is increasing for the Nation as a whole, some workers are able to find private jobs and leave WPA projects. However, when unemployment is increasing, the number who have to apply for WPA assistance is greater than the number leaving the projects. The oppo- site is the case when private employment is on the increase. Recent legislation stipulates that no relief worker, unless he is a war veteran, can be con- tinuously employed by the WPA for more than 18 months. 59- Do WPA workers refuse jobs in private industry in order to stay on the WPA pay rolls? Thousands of complaints of this kind have been investigated, and less than one-tenth of 1 percent of them have been found valid. 19 ACCOMPLISHMENTS (The next three answers give only a partial account of WPA accomplishments. A complete inventory will be sent on request.) 60 . What has the WPA accomplished in the way of public improvements? During the 3-year period ending July 1, 1938, the WPA’s record of physical accomplishments includes : Public buildings. — 17,562 new ones constructed, with improvements on 46,318 and additions to 1,663. These include schools and libraries, ad- ministrative and recreational buildings, hospitals and institutional buildings, fire houses and armories. Roads.- — 279,804 miles of highways, roads, and streets newly built or improved. Most of this work was done on farm-to-market and other secondary roads. Other road work.— -Thousands of miles of culverts, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, and paths built and improved. Also 22,247 miles of new roadside drainage ditches, with 44,255 miles improved. Bridges. — 29,084 new ones and 23,521 improved. Aviation facilities. — 639 airports and landing fields, over 300 airplane hangars and airport admin- istration buildings, built or improved (by July 1, 1939). Recreational areas and facilities . — More than 15,000 parks, playgrounds, and athletic fields built or improved, as well as 11,600 swimming and wading pools, golf courses, tennis, handball and horseshoe. 20 courts, skating rinks, ski jumps and trails, outdoor theaters and bandshells. Water systems. —6, 086 miles of new water mains, aqueducts or distribution lines, with 2,204 miles renovated. Water connections totaling 349,000 were made or improved. Dams. — 4,091 new storage dams, with 469 im- proved; 26,663 other new dams for erosion control and general conservation, with 365 of this type improved. Sanitation. — 8,855 miles of storm and sanitary sewers built, and 2,600 improved. Also 544 sewage-treatment plants, 1,159,000 sanitary toilets, and 5,639 septic tanks. Sewer connections total- ing 250,000 were made or improved. Ground improvements . — Nearly 42,000 acres of public grounds, other than parks, landscaped; nearly 18,500 miles of fence built or improved. 61 . What has the WPA done in the fields of education, the arts, and public recreation service? During the 3 years ending July 1, 1938: Educational workers conducted more than 100,000 classes a month, attended by about 1,145,- 000 people. They have taught 1,200,000 people to read and write, assisted in the naturalization of aliens by providing education in the fundamentals of American citizenship, and furnished vocational education for unemployed men and women. Library workers established more than 3,500 new branch libraries, more than 1,100 new travel- ing libraries, more than 4,500 reading rooms in existing libraries; cataloged 27,553,000 library books; renovated 56,191,000 books, most of them for schools and libraries. Recreational workers operated more than 14,700 community centers and assisted more than 7,800 others; supervised recreational activities, mostly physical, totaling more than 16,320,000 participant hours in an average week. 21 The Federal Art Project* conducted art classes with an average monthly attendance of about t 60,000; operated 66 community art centers with £ aggregate attendance of 6,000,000; produced over a million art objects, including over 100,000 draw- o ings, easel paintings, murals, sculptured works, and illustrations for the Index of American Design (by £ April 1, 1939). The Federal Music Project* conducted music [ classes with an average monthly attendance (Janu- ary to June 1938, inclusive) of 530,000 and gave an average of 4,400 musical performances per month with average monthly attendance of 3,000,000. The Federal Theater** produced 1,813 plays, with an average (January to June 1938, inclusive) of 1,077 performances a month with average monthly attendance of 476,000. The Federal Writers’ Project,* chiefly occupied in producing a series of guidebooks to the various States and localities of America, completed 378 books and pamphlets (by November 1, 1939). The Historic American Building Survey*** made measurements of 2,302 famous structures, 16,244 drawings, and 17,480 photographs, which will be ( preserved for future generations. 3 The Historic Records Survey* preserved thou- 3 sands of valuable records from neglect, decay, and r destruction. I Hundreds of research projects assisted various kinds of public work, ranging from traffic regu- s] lation to scientific experiment. 62. What other public services have WPA workers performed? During the 3-year period ending July 1, 1938: Women on sewing projects made 181,209,000 garments and household articles for distribution through local public relief agencies to needy families and public institutions. *Now sponsored locally instead of federally. **No longer operating. ***Now sponsored by the National Park Service as a PWA n A A. b A B B project. 22 Workers on canning and preserving projects prepared 48,061,000 pounds of food for distribu- tion to needy families. Workers on school lunch projects served 238,- 330,000 meals to undernourished children. Millions of needy adults and children were given free medical, dental, or nursing service.* Housekeeping aides made over 7,000,000 visits in order to help out needy families. WPA workers conducted 1,500 nursery school units attended by nearly 44,000 children from needy families. 63. Has an independent appraisal of WPA work been made? Yes. Ten national organizations cooperated in making an independent appraisal of WPA work.** In reply to a questionnaire sent out by these *A survey covering one week of public health service in the spring of 1939 showed the following accomplishments : 15.000 children and 4,500 adults received necessary dental care. Over 5,000 medical clinic sessions were conducted, providing the services of doctors and nurses for about 135,000 persons. 90.000 school children received general health examinations. WPA nurses made 30,000 home visits. Immunizations against diphtheria, typhoid, measles, etc., were given to 22,500 children. Over 60,000 men, women and children were given tests such as the Wassermann, Schick, Mantoux, Dick, etc. **The cooperating organizations were the American Engi- neering Council, the American Institute of Architects, the American Municipal Association, the American Public Welfare Association, the American Society of Planning Officials, the National Aeronautic Association, the National Educational Association (Department of Adult Education), the National Recreation Association, the United States Bureau of Public Roads, and the United States Conference of Mayors. 23 organizations, the officials of counties, cities, and towns in 42 States made some 8,000 reports apprais- ing the Works Program in their communities.! The reports were first studied and summarized by impartial State committees of leading citizens, and then analyzed by a National Appraisal Committee. They expressed pride in the accom- plishments of local WPA workers, and declared that the WPA had been of immeasurable aid both to the communities and to the workers. Ninety- nine percent of the reports said that the WPA im- provements and services were badly needed, of benefit to the communities, and of permanent value; 97 percent thought WPA workmanship good; and 98 percent favored work relief over a dole. Another special study was made, in several large cities, of the comparative efficiency of skilled building trades workers on WPA projects. This study, made by trade union representatives with the cooperation of the local WPA authorities, I showed that over 90 percent of these skilled WPA workers performed adequate work in terms of the normal requirements of their crafts in private industry. 64. What do local officials think of the WPA? The United States Conference of Mayors, an organ- ization composed of the mayors of 100 leading cities with a total population of some 25,000,000, has gone on record as follows: “The integrity and permanent usefulness of the city projects which have been approved by the Federal Government need no apology from any- one. These are the cities’ own projects. Honest I and impartial analysis . . . will reveal that prac- tically every project represents a useful, and in most cases a permanent, public improvement. “Finally, it is apparent that the city officials of America will never consent to abandonment of the work principle in giving relief assistance. The dole, based upon idleness and groceries, has no place in our American scheme of society.” 24 / EMPLOYMENT PROVIDED BY OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES 65. What other Federal agencies provide em- ployment through work and construction pro- grams; and what is their relation to the WPA program? The four other organizations which, with the WPA, are included in the Federal Works Agency provide employment as follows : the Public Build- ings Administration, by erecting Federal buildings, such as post offices; the Public Roads Administra- tion, by helping State highway departments to build arterial highways and, to some extent, other roads; the Public Works Administration (PWA), by making grants and sometimes loans to State and local governments in order to help finance the erec- tion of schools, hospitals, and bridges, and similar major construction projects;* and the United States Housing Authority (USHA), by enabling localities to build low-cost housing developments and elim- inate their slums. These programs do not give preference in employment to persons who need relief. Two sections of the Federal Security Agency pro- vide employment for young people. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), in carrying out its work of conserving and developing the Nation s parks, forests, and other natural resources, gives employment and training in camps to about 300,000 workers, chiefly unmarried youths from 17 to 23 *The PWA also has made grants to other Federal agencies for construction work. 25 years of age but including also war veterans. The' National Youth Administration (NY A) provides I part-time employment for needy students* of both sexes, from 16 to 24 years of age, thus enabling many of them to continue their education; and it I also affords part-time employment through work projects to many young people,** from 18 to 24, who are not in school or college. Various agencies in the Departments of Agri- culture, Navy, War, Interior, etc., provide employ- ] ment for relief workers by expanding their regular work. To make this possible, Congress has authorized the WPA to transfer a limited portion of its funds to these agencies for the operation of Federal projects under conditions similar to those which apply to local projects. Thus WPA funds and relief labor are used by the U. S. Corps of Engineers in an expanded program of flood-control work and inland waterway improvement, by the Bureau of Entomology and Plant Quarantine in I extended campaigns against plant diseases and insect pests, etc. The WPA — besides cooperating with other Federal agencies in providing employment on Fed- eral work projects — helps States and communities to operate about 30,000 local projects in all parts of the country. Adapted to meet changing condi- tions rapidly, its employment varies in inverse ratio with the level of private employment, having ranged from 1J£ million in the fall of 1937 to 3% million in the fall of 1938. The WPA has always i provided more than half of the total number of jobs made available through all Federal work and con- struction programs, and during periods of reduced private employment it has provided nearly 80 per- I cent of the total. It takes its workers almost entirely from the relief rolls; it employs many women as well as men; and its projects, while in the main devoted” to such work as building roads and sewers, also include education, health, recrea- tion, art, music, and other projects giving employ- ment to trained professional and technical workers. * 375,000 in May 1939. **238,000 in October 1939. te iS h g it k s ] f U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE U> — SvXl 8 353.2 ,Un3 45 U.S. ' ; ° rks P r elects administration. ■•questions, and answers on tne. V TJn345