xt7ffb4wmc5q https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7ffb4wmc5q/data/mets.xml Public Work Reserve (U.S.) Public Work Reserve (U.S.) 1941 1942 7 unnumbered pages 22 x 10 cm text UK holds archival copy for ASERL Collaborative Federal Depository Program libraries. Call Number: FW 1.2:P 96 books English Washington, D.C.: Federal Works Agency, Public Work Reserve This digital resource may be freely searched and displayed in accordance with U. S. copyright laws. Works Progress Administration Administrative Publications Public works -- United States Public Work Reserve (U.S.) The Public Work Reserve: an Introduction, 1941 or 1942 text The Public Work Reserve: an Introduction, 1941 or 1942 1941 1941 1942 2021 true xt7ffb4wmc5q section xt7ffb4wmc5q U IVE SlTY OFK NTUCKY
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Reserve
An Introduction
A tremendous volume of public work must
be done in years ahead, merely to catch up
with existing needs. Rehousing of badly.
housed masses of people, reconstruction of
blighted urban areas, constructive solution of
traffic and transportation problems, of high-
way and parking difficulties—these alone are
of such magnitude that many people may be
employed for years before the needs are met.
Provision of recreational and educational
facilities, proper sanitation, reclamation of
soil and rivers, and provision for new or
expanded public services, all represent a large
volume of work needed right now. The
problem is to decide which needs must be
met first and how to plan so that each project
fits reasonably into the pattern of local and
national development. This is the challenge
which faces our public officials and planners
today.
FEDERAL WORKS AGENCY
PUBLIC WORK RESERVE
Washington, D. C.
The Public Work Reserve
It has long been recognized that public
enterprise shall provide a wide range of
public services and capital improvements.
It is now recognized that great good is accom—
plished if useful public work provides em-
ployment in times of economic stress.
This is a matter of mutual interest to all levels
of government—Federal, State, and local.
\TI \TI W
THE PUBLIC WORK RESERVE has been estab-
lished to further this concept and to
develop the practical elements which can
make it a reality.
THE PUBLIC WORK RESERVE operates within
the Federal Works Agency under the
cosponsorship of the National Resources
Planning Board, with Work Projects Ad-
ministration funds.
Aims and Objective
of the
Public Work Reserve
. To encourage and assist in listing the
needs of each State and municipal govern-
ment in the fields of public service and
capital improvement.
. To promote the policy of long-range plan-
ning of useful public services and of
needed capital improvements on State,
county and local levels, so that programs
of worthwhile work will be available when
needed.
. To aid and encourage the governmental
bodies in wisely programming for a
period of years their services and improve-
ments, on a priority basis of relative need
and expediency.
. To encourage and possibly assist in ex-
pediting the advance preparation of
designs, plans and specifications of such‘
public improvements in order that they
may be ready for accomplishment at the
opportune time.
. By so doing to establish on a national
scope a known reserve of useful public
work which can be used to stabilize em-
ployment during periods of economic
stress such as may be expected at the
close of the present defense activity. .
' Organization
and
Method of Operation
THE PUBLIC WORK RESERVE is administered
nationally from headquarters in Washing—
ton, D. C., and through four regional
offices.
THE PUBLIC WORK RESERVE operates through
State directors, supplemented by a corps
of trained engineers, public services super—
visors, and analysts located in key cities
within their territory.
Contacts with the various levels of govern-
ment are made personally by the State
director and his staff—initially with the
chief executive of the governmental agency
and subsequently with the departments or
individuals designated to undertake the
listing of needed public services and im-
provements, and the analysis and program-
ming of these requirements.
Prospectuses for each necessary proposal are
(1) prepared by local authorities in devel-
oping the program, and (2) used by the
PUBLIC WORK RESERVE in establishing the
national reserve of public services and
capital improvements available as needed
for employment Stabilization.
Long-Range Programming
The preparation by a State or local govern-
ment of a long-range program of public
work involves four major steps, of which
the first two may be accomplished con-
currently.
1. Listing of Needed Services and Improve-
ments.
Each department of the governmental
unit involved submits to an individual
or body designated by the chief execu-
tive essential data on all proposals for
consideration. These include a descrip-
tion of the work, statements in justifica-
tion, preliminary plans and estimates of
construction or acquisition costs, and
estimates of operation and maintenance
expense.
Each department arranges its proposals
in tentative order of priority.
2. The Financial Analysis.
The appropriate financial officer or
department of the local government
conducts a thorough analysis to deter-
mine the local government’s approxi-
mate ability, present and future, to
finance construction and operation of
the proposals which may be included in
the operation. This is based on past
experience, present conditions, and prob-
able trends in local finance.
It amounts in reality to comprehensive
financial planning by the local govern-
ment.
3. Preparation of the Program.
The program results from a reconcilia-
tion of data assembled in the two pre-
ceding steps. It is developed by a com-
prehensive agency of the local govern-
ment under authorization of the chief
executive.
The development of the program is
premised on a balanced relation of
needs and probable ability to finance,
on established policies, on basic plans
and studies, and on the public attitude.
All of these guide the selection of serv-
ices and improvements to be scheduled,
and of their order of priority.
4. Legislative Consideration of the Program
and the resulting Capital Budget
Recommendations.
Following preparation of the program,
a one-year Capital Budget is submitted
by the local programming agency to the
local governing body for considera-
tion and action.
Public Relations
. Little can be expected from long-range pro-
gramming unless it 'has public approval
within the community.
Consequently, it is important that the
citizens be acquainted with the idea at an
early stage of the programming operations,
and then be kept informed of progress in
order to forestall possible defeat resulting
from confused or inadequate understand-
ing of the issues.
Period of the Program
Programming should neither be for too short
a period to develop its benefits nor for such
a long period that it becomes vague and
uncertain.
THE PUBLIC WORK RESERVE suggests a 6-
year period for States and municipalities
because it is both convenient and practi-
cable. Congress has provided in the Em—
ployment Stabilization Act of 1931 that
Federal construction shall be programmed
on a 6-year basis. Programs for less than
4 or more than 10 years either do not
provide the advantage of the long-range
view or become unrealistic in attempting
to provide details too far ahead.
Programming a Continuing Process
The Capital Budget is the first year of along-
term program. Beyond this it is essential
to retain a flexibility which permits annual
review and possible recasting of the
program.
At the end of each year a new year’s needs
are projected and the schedule is revised
in the light of the past year’s developments.
Thus, there exists continuously a well-con-
sidered program extending 6 years into the
- future with but 1 year definitely budgeted
for purposes of administration.
Through the process, there is developed a
continuing program for prosecution of
public work in normal times which can be
telescoped to meet extraordinary employ-
ment needs in time of national emergency.
The Public Work Reseroc’s
Participation in Local Programming
THE PUBLIC WORK RESERVE’S staff and con-
sultants furnish such assistance as may be
desired by the community. Limited finan-
cial aid may be made available for technical
and clerical services which are acceptable
in analysis of proposals, in programming
and in assisting to secure definite plans for
such proposals.
THE PUBLIC WORK RESERVE shares the inter-
est of all other planning agencies. This
interest lies in the development and accept-
ance of the principles of programming and
long-range planning, in establishing the
nation-wide reserve of public work to
stabilize the curve of employment, and in
making possible effective cooperation with
Federal grant-in-aid programs.
To this end the Public \Nork Reserve ofl‘ers
its services to all governmental units below
the national level, to aid in the nation-wide
organization of long-range programming
and capital budgeting.
GPO 16—24476-1