What were some of the key challenges that physicists faced during the Depressi

What were some of the key challenges that physicists faced during the Depression?
Reference:
 Cassidy, D. C. (2011). A short history of physics in the american century. Harvard University Press. Ch 3 
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/apus/reader.action?docID=3300986&ppg=61