[4] Alongside Harry Hopkins, Colonel Harrington served as Chief Engineer and Assistant Commissioner of the WPA, helping to structure and manage the massive new organization.

[1] Hopkins remarked on his impact: "[Harrington's] good judgment, clear vision, and capacity for organizing for a huge task have left a mark in the field of government administration which will be more and more appreciated as time passes.

A man of great personal charm, he had disciplined himself to approach any task with an objective detachment which is so essential, but often lacking, in the administration of public affairs...

[14] An avid poker player and horseracing fan, Harrington joked that betting on the famous horse War Admiral put his children through school.

On September 30, 1940, Harrington died at age 53 of a severe internal infection at a hospital in New London, Connecticut, where he had undergone an operation a week prior for an intestinal obstruction.

As advisor to the President and the Congress his professional counsel was marked by great vigor and vision leading to measures both executive and legislative which contributed directly to the well being of millions and indirectly to the benefit of the entire Nation.