Evening journal., 1918-01-19
NAVY HOUS' Nc BILL
PASSES THE SENATE
Provides for $5O,OOO.O
Of Which Hog Island
Gets $lO,OOO,OOO
COMMUNICATING
BILL DEFERRED

WASHINGTON. Jan. i9.-The Elmer
gency Fleet Corporations housing bill.
under the provisions Of which homes
viii be erected at shipyards for The oc-
commodalion Of workers, was passed by
the Senate yesterday by unanimous
consent The bin authorizes the cxpcn.
diture Of S5OO0OoO for The purchase
and construction OF homes near ship
yards and Of this amount about siO,-
100000 win be spent at Hog Island.
Homes also will be erected at Brs-
tOl and az New Jersey shipyards, where
government work Is under consiruc-
/ tion. Unanimous consent also was given
to another bill, backed by the Fleet
Corporation, empowering the Pres dent
/ to establish military zones about ship
I Yards.
A third measure, giving the govern
ment authority 10 commander street
/ railways. railroads and other methods
Of transportation SO that shipyard en-
! ployes may have easy access 30 the
shipyards. was called mp for unanimous
/ consent by Senator Fletcher, of Flor
ida, chairman Of the Senate Committee
on Commerce; but senator Calder. OF
New York, objected to IFS immediate
consideration and 10 went over.
There was little debate upon the
housing bill Although Senator Wads-
worth, OF New York, asserted 10 was an
other example Of the weak manner IN
which the government is directing the
machinery Of the war Senator King.
Of Utah, said he was opposed TO the
government entering the business OF
/ building homes, because. In his opinion
t would find itself involved IN an end
less scheme Of house building
NadsWOrth'S Stand on Bill.
senator Wadsvorth asserted he was
n favor OF the Fleet Corporations hour-
ing bill but that he regarded BE- as In
sufficient 90 meet The general housing
situation
Tie said
In my opinion this problem OF hous-
/ ing eventually Will become one Of the
most pressing Of the war and ] believe
such bin as this should contain pro
/ visions for the erection OF halls. stores.
/ places OF recreation and other buildings
/ necessary 20 the comfort and happiness
have found 10 necessary TO build whole
/ towns. and ! think we shall find it ne
cessary to do So
so, once again, We are going at
grave question in p.ecemeal fashion. We
are making an error, because Wo shall
learn that other branches Of the GOV
| ernmeni, I'm addition 20 the Fleet Cor
/ pOraiion, will nnd 10 necessary TO yyres-
tie with the housing problem. We will
+ find eventually that it viii be neces-
sary TO build houses near munition
plants, near plants where cannon. rifles.
ordnance and other necessities will be
made. This is an example OF the weak
ness Of our war-making machinery
The government is about TO build. or
now is building, two immense powder
plants. VIII IL not be necessary 10 es-
tablish homes near those planis2 70 Is
becoming more evident as each day
passes. that we shall have TO centraiize
these activities.
"a bin was reported 20 the Senate
today providing for The appointment OF
a director of munitions Such a direc-
tor properly should have control Of the
housing problem Of all branches Of the
war-making machinery. shall favor
this bill but eventually we VIII ind n
necessary to take the power OF erect
ing homes from the Fleet Corporation
and invest lt in some central authority.
Our great trouble is that we have scat
tered our powers and authority IN half
a dozen directions"
Housing Bill Amended.
The housing bill as reported 20 the
Senate. was amended i'm several particu-
lars As passed. IL authorizes the eN-
pendlture Of s5000O000 for the pur-
chase, lease. requisition or acquisition.
by condemnation or otherwise. of land
for the construction thereon Of houses.
As introduced in the House the measure
appropriated s2JOo0OOO for this pur-
pose and authorized the expenditure Of
s5OO00.000. As passed It merely author
lzes the expenditure OF tho latter
| amount
The bill providing for the establish
ment Of military zones, also confers
upon the President the power 10 take
over any buildings within the military
area by purchase OF condemnation.