Good idea. Even FDR required some sweat equity in return for your welfare such as the CCC and so on. If you are abled bodied or relatively so, then there is a lot of things that can be done, even jobs that “Americans will not do.” If someone is old, sick or whatever, I have no objection on handing out welfare but there should be ways for the more able bodied to reduce their footprint on society and this is it.
They did, but you know they had no idea how many were out of work and needed a job. Most of those on CCC and other FedGov makework actually wanted to work. Somewhat different situation.