Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1917-12-12


Wilson OF a housing Administrator. the
establishment Of a Housing Admins
tration Of The Federal Government and
the appropriation Of Government
money to provide for the housing of the
workers IN the war industries Of the
country arc the recommendations
which have been submitted TO the Presi-
dent by the National Housing Associa-
ton
The Wartime Housing Committee APP
nointed recently by Robert w de For
est president Of the association, Is
composed Of Grosvenor Atterbury. ar
chitect. Of New York City; John Nolen.
city plannev, Of Cambridge, Mass, and
Lawrence WELLER, secretary and director
Of The National Housing Association.
This housing situation which con-
fronts the country is q war emergency"
the committee contends in IFS recon-
mendaiions. land unless the Govern
ment comes % the aid the production
Of ships, munitions and a thousand
other ihings necessary TO our success
IN the war viii be so interfered with
IS 70 prolong the war
We would urge therefore.
The establishment Of a Housing Ad-
mlnistration Of the Federal Govern
ment.
The immediate appointment Of a
Housing Administration TO have direct
charge Of the housing Of the workers
IN the war industries Of the country.
THAT legislation be obtained from
Congress empowering the President to:
"a Lend Government money upon
proper security 10 employers OF labor
and other agencies for the housing Of
workers In Industries producing goods
IN the opinion Of the President neces-
sary for the successful conduct Of the
war; d. TO build houses for sale or
rent 30 buy and condemn land and
take all necessary Steps for the develop
ment of communities In which workers
IN such industries are TO live.
THAT money be appropriated in suf-
acient amount 20 enable the President
o carry out this work.
That in order 20 avoid dangerous
delay pending action by Congress the
President provide from funds that may
Dc available the small amount of money
hat may be necessary TO enable the
freliminarv requisite work 10 bC done
Under the head of necessary prelimin-
iry work the committee urges al The
appointment Of a small board Of tech
Neal experts o. a qrick survey 20
determine those communities where adj
iitional housing Is most important to
he war 'c) a selection from these Of
hose cases which can be met by the
oan Of Government money as distin-
rushed from the building Of houses by
he Government, I'D an estimate OF
he amount Of money needed for such
loans and a thorough Investigation OF
he basis on which they are 90 be made
md the character Of the security to be
equired; lel the adoption by the
Housing Administration Of standards to
which buildings on which Government
money is TO be loaned must conform
n q field study Of local conditions in
these communities where II may be ne
cessary for the Government 10 do It's
own building.
As foundation for its recommends
tions the committee points 10 the seri-
GUS dearth Of housing accommodations
for workers in war industries. the re-
suit of which has already been reflected
IN the slowing up OF some Of the in
dustries engaged IN making supplies Of
vital Importance TO the conduct OF the
war The situation In Bridgeport. Conn,
ana conditions IN the communities Of
the Bethlehem Steel Corporation near
-parrOws Point, Nd, are cited as cases
n point
IN Bridgeport, the communication
states, 10000 TO 10000 people We're adj
ded 10 the population in a few months
Today not another man can be accom-
nodated IN that city. On January 4.
1918, q new munitions plant is TO be
opened for which the United States
Government has provided 81 100000 to
louise the machinery. Unless additional
housing Is provided for the men that
plant cannot open except by taking men
out Of the plants already working be-
low capacity.
Public spirited men Of Bridgeport
nave for the last three years grappled
with the situation. Local capital has
provided si,OO0000 >for the housing Of
The workers In that city, and 900 fami-
lies have been housed 10 buildings Of
q good type. But this is only a drop
10 the bucket. The people OF Bridge
port stand equipped and ready to 60
ahead and provide all the housing ac-
commodatlons the city needs IL the ne
cessary money car be secured-but the
funds are not forthcoming. The avail
able local capital Is needed for the de-
yelopment Of industry
Another case Is that OF the Bethle-
hem Steel plant near Sparrows Point.
Maryland. The Bethlehem steel Com
pany some time ago took contracts
rom the Government 10 build MANY
SHIPS and many guns. Plans were I'm
Inediately made for a plant 20 employ
1000 additional men. As this Is an iso-
lated community It became necessary to I
provide housing accommodations for
ne workers. A company was formed /
TOT mat purpose. Plans were made for
mo development Of q model oommup- /
10y housing 5000 workers. Contracts
we're about TO be let when suddenly
lne whole thing stopped The steel com /
pany because Of tho new war taxes
project. ~ "iauOe me /
taa.ne government investment In on-
lpiises OF this klnd.is TO be- nrofected
w lhe future the committee noiDts
vue, u IS important that tho deveion-
nent pc OF such sausfactorv nstTro
az 10 mold occupants after tbe W. 49,
over Communities deyeloped alone sd,