What were public services (works) like prior to FDR?

[SHRED]

Today we have "Streets Division", "Water/Utility Division", "Drainage/Stormwater Division", "Wastewater Division", all within a Public Works Department in our city.

Does anyone know if there were any public services at all for cities across America before FDR and the "New Deal"?
In other words, did FDR have anything to do with developing these?



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[Dennis Donovan]

1. Most were created before FDR to deal with public sanitation and safety...

...although FDR was a big proponent of the Good Roads movement given his love of the automobile.:thumbsup:

[kestrel91316]

2. They were nonexistent for the most part.

[Bitwit1234]

3. I think Obama missed the chance to

put people to work when he didn't start these work projects like FDR did. With all the stimulus money, just think what we could have done, putting people to work, getting, bridges, roads, schools, and a think tank to manufacture more computer and electronic projects. Things this country has lost the edge on.