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RECORDS OF THE OFFICE OF THE STATE ADMINISTRATOR
’ OF THE WORK PROJECTS ADMINISTRATION IN KENTUCKY
Each state administrator was responsible to the Work
Projects Administrator for the initiation, organization, and
operation of WPA projects within his state. This was especially
true in 1935 when it was necessary to quickly develop large
numbers of worthwhile community projects throughout each state
to provide im ediate employment to those in need. Later, one
of the more important duties was the development of a reserve
of projects to be released for operation as the need arose.
The state administrator was assisted in the performance of his
duties by the state directors of the various divisions. George
H. Goodman served as Kentucky's State Administrator from his —
appointment in June 1935 until termination of the WPA in l9é3.
State offices were at 9th and Broadway in Louisville.
The states were divided into administrative districts .
with a district office as conveniently located within the
district as possible. Appendix D, Administrative Districts of
the Work Projects Administration, shows the districts and dis—
trict offices for the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Page ls of
Pina? Report on the WPA Program 1935-43 detailed the role of the
district offices.
. _ The policies of the WPA organization were carried into practical
effect at the district level through the actual application of the
rules and regulations formed by the central and State administra-
tions. At the district level, the various divisions were engaged in
the review and approval of certifications of needy workers, the
assignment of workers to projects, the management of project operations,
the general supervision of finance functions, and the carrying on of
day—to-day relationships with sponsors of projects, agencies of local
l government, and private organizations concerned with civic or economic
interests. These district activities represented the final application
of administrative decisions and technical instructions which resulted
in the provision of work for the needy unemployed and the provision,
through such work, of public works and services for communities.
The Divisions of Engineering and Construction, Service,
Training and Reemployment, Finance, and Employment maintained
district as well as state offices. The district office was
under the charge of a district manager whose technical and
administrative authority was determined by the state adminis-
trator.
The primary operating unit for a project was the head-
quarters office for that project. Statawide.projects were
headquartered in the state offices with additional offices in
the districts. Local projects were headquartered at district
offices and, for really small projects, at the project site.
D The project supervisor, or superintendent, reported directly
to the division offices and was responsible for coordinating
and supervising all aspects of project activities within
established WPA rules and regulations. He was assisted by a
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