After the great stock market crash of 1929, America came to a screeching halt.
However, on Aug. 8, 1935, President Franklin Delano Roosevelts executive order, created the Works Progress Administration (WPA).
The WPAs goal was to alleviate the countries high unemployment and preserve the skills and self-esteem of the people.
Headed by Harry Hopkins, the WPA was the first attempt by the federal government to save the arts. It employed a wide range of artists and allowed much experimentation. Overall it employed more than 12 million people and consumed almost $2 billion. The WPA, whose name was changed to the Works Projects Administration in 1939 after an attempt to cut down corruption, was terminated in 1943 for economic and political reasons.
Despite some opposition, most sources agree that the WPAs work was worthwhile. For example, the WPA built 650,000 miles of road, 125,000 public buildings, 75,000 buildings, and 800 airports, some of these projects are still in use today. The WPA was also responsible for the Oregon States Forester Headquarters, and in part, the building of Hoover Dam, and state guides for every state except Hawaii.
Although construction was a part of the WPA's work, it, unlike the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), was aimed towards helping the arts. There were three major projects, The Federal Theater Project (FTP), Federal Writers Project (FWP), and the Federal Art Project (FAP), which were set up by the WPA.
Of the three major projects, the Federal Theater Project probably had the greatest impact on America. This project focused on the dramatic arts. The 10,000 actors employed by the project performed plays ranging from childrens productions and comedies to modern drama.
The Federal Writers Project , while employing 4,000 less than the FTP, was equally as effective. The FWP was responsible for many of the state guilds which have been published, and also maps, encyclopedias, history books and other literary work was produced by the WPA.
The Federal Arts Project was responsible for a considerable amount of art. Employing artists of various fields and allowing a great deal of experimentation probably accounted for the high productivity rate. The $35 million investment resulted in, 100 community centers, 2,566 murals, 100,000 paintings, 17,700 sculptures, and 300,000 fine prints.
Despite the tremendous effort by the WPA to help the country, there was much controversy over the WPA because of its arts-based focus.
The conflict surrounding the WPA originated from those who believed the WPA was a waste of resources. However, Thomas Thurston, regional project director of the "Building America Project," speculated on the countrys general attitude towards the WPA. "Most people had mixed feelings about the WPA. Some people viewed it as the equivalent to the dole. Giving people money for work that was unnecessary or should be done by industry. It all depended on whose pocket the money was going into," said Thurston.
Thurston said that if the project was helping a company, it won the companys favor. "On the other hand, if the WPAs work was viewed as interfering with the construction companys work or taking jobs from the construction company, it was protested," said Thurston.
Thurston said there was a popular belief that poverty was the result of laziness and this was the reason for the opposition towards the WPA.
As World War II grew closer, Congress allocated less funds for the WPA. Severe layoffs went into effect and time limits were placed on the projects. In response, WPA workers staged strikes and sit-ins which only provided fuel for the opposition. The overlying reason for the termination of the WPA was the war time economy. The second World War was raging on in Europe and Americas economy was beginning to pick up. There was less unemployment and therefore less need for the WPA and similar associations. Politics also played a role in the termination.
The WPA was not exempt from the politics of America. Many of the works put out through the WPA dealt with sensitive political and social issues. Officials of the WPA were called to testify before the Committee of Un-American Activities, a Congressional Committee headed by Robert E. Stripling that invested rumors of Communistic preachings or actions.
These problems with the Un-American Committee may have contributed to the termination of the WPA even after a few Congressmen proposed its continuation. However, in 1943 the end of the WPA came by Congressional order.
Painting and Decorating of the Owosso Public Schools
Black Topping of Secondary
Streets
Improving City Water Mains
New City Sewer Lines Added
Cleaning Along Shiawassee River
Construction of a Water Purification Plant
Seven New Tennis Courts
High School Swimming Pool
Willman Athletic Field
McCurdy Park 'Casino'....Community Building
Landscaping McCurdy Park
Building M-71 from Durand to Corunna
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