The Depression Papers of Herbert Hoover

Unemployment and Public Works

In addition to wage maintenance and increased private-sector construction, Hoover tried to soften the depression by drastically increasing federal construction and urging lower governments to do the same.

• Telegram to state governors, November 23, 1929
  Hoover urges state governors to increase public construction so as to reduce unemployment.
• Press conference statement, January 3, 1930
  Hoover reports the volume of public works planned for 1930.
• Message, April 18, 1930
  Hoover urges the BPOE (Elks Lodge) to support public works programs.
• Letter, April 22, 1930
  Hoover provides budget estimates to the Speaker of the House for public works projects.
• Press statement, April 22, 1930
  Hoover announces new public building projects and reports the status of projects already started.
• Radio address, June 30, 1930
  Hoover releases his remarks to the Governors' Conference about the role of public works in the stability program.
• Press conference statement, July 29, 1930
  Hoover announces the creation of a committee to improve the collection of unemployment statistics.
• Press statement, October 17, 1930
  Hoover announces increased efforts to prevent unemployment during the winter.
• Telegram, October 21, 1930
  Hoover praises the work of the New York City Emergency Employment Committee.
• Press conference statement, October 24, 1930
  Hoover denies the need for a special session of Congress to deal with employment.
• Announcement, November 8, 1930
  Hoover announces a request for emergency appropriations for public works and farm assistance.
• Letter, December 4, 1930
  Hoover requests an emergency appropriation for additional public works.
• Press statement, March 7, 1931
  Hoover states his opposition to the Wagner employment bill.
• Press statement, March 12, 1931
  Hoover announces an expansion of the U. S. Employment Service.
• Statement, March 26, 1931
  Hoover reports on efforts to reduce immigration.
• Press conference statement, May 22, 1931
  Hoover declines to call an extra session of Congress.
• Press release, June 5, 1931
  A chart of the number of people employed in public works.
• Press statement, July 3, 1931
  Hoover reports on road-building programs.
• Statement, August 4, 1931
  Hoover reports on the progress of public works projects.
• Press conference statement, August 21, 1931
  Hoover answers questions about the Unemployment Relief Organization and the volume of public works.
• Press statement, September 4, 1931
  Hoover reports on the progress of public works projects.
• Press statement, November 4, 1931
  Hoover reports on the progress of public works projects.
• Letter, May 21, 1932
  Hoover objects to a proposed increase in public works.
• Press conference statement, May 27, 1932
  Hoover objects to a recently drafted unemployment relief bill.
• Press statement, June 24, 1932
  Hoover again objects to portions of the unemployment relief bill.
• Veto message, July 1, 1932
  Hoover vetoes a bill regulating wages in public works.
• Press statement, September 9, 1932
  Hoover announces acceleration of the public works program.
• Press statement, July 23, 1932
  Hoover discusses the adoption of a shortened work week.

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