MURPHY, George R.

MURPHY, George R. (Unknown-Pittsburgh, PA, May 3, 1978). MAYOR. An employee of LORAS COLLEGE for many years, Murphy served as mayor of Dubuque in 1939. He was a member of the Quarter Century Club at Loras and a former member of the AIRPORT Commission.

In October, 1942 the Airport Committee of the Chamber of Commerce asked the city to sponsor a Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) grant for a new airport south of the city. The cost of the finished project was expected to be $1,125,000 of which the city would be asked to furnish $180,000 unless, after the initial work had been finished, the War Department considered the airport valuable to the war effort and agreed to complete the work. (1)

In November 1942 voters authorized the city council to establish an annual levy not exceeding 3/4 of a mill for the purchase of a site in Table Mound Township for the development, maintenance, and operation of an airport. The city was assured of a Works Progress Administration grant for this construction. Following the election, all WPA activities were halted by presidential order. CAA officials associated with the NAVY flying program at LORAS COLLEGE had inspected the site and believed a CAA grant for the airport could be arranged. Acting on this, the city council authorized the mayor to appoint a committee from the council and other city officials to contact federal agencies regarding a grant. During the second week of June, 19434 the mayor, solicitor, and manager contacted Navy officials in Minneapolis, Minnesota; CAA officials in Kansas City, Missouri; United States Senators Gillette and George Wilson; and Congressman Talle in Washington, D. C. Following the long distance calls, the grant was made. (2)

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Source:

1. "Discuss New Airport Here," Telegraph Herald, October 6, 1942, p. 2

2. Untitled article, Telegraph Herald, June 15, 1943, p. 4