What followed the Hundred Days was an array of experimental acts and agencies that placed a government hand into every aspect of business and the economy. The programs had long descriptive names and so became known by their initials. They were all nicknamed the alphabet agencies and were designed to offer relief and speed economic recovery. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), one of the first New Deal programs, had the highest profile. Unemployment was a persistent problem throughout the Depression and an issue Roosevelt was committed to resolving. He formed the CCC to help young unmarried men by taking them off the street and giving them jobs. They received food, clothing, shelter, and a $30-a-month wage (most of which went to the families) to work for the government. Some, for example, labored in the national forests and parks building roads and bridges and fighting fires...