Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-12-07
45 MILLIONS WILL
PAY HOUSING BILL
Director EidIitz Tells Senate
Subcommittee Of Build
ing Situation.

ing Situation.
Investigation of the housing project
for government war workers in WASH
ington and other parts of the country,
ordered by the Senate, was begun to-
day before q subcommittee Of the Sen
ate public buildings and grounds COM
mittee. o. NJ. Eidlitz. director of the
Labor, was the first witness. Me told
the committee that some ninety-eight
projects had been entered upon. in
cluding housing, transportation for
workers and purchases Of real estate.
The total amount Of these contracts
was $63.491,14
Mr.. Eidlitz said it was proposed to
proceed with and complete contracts
amounting to $23,073,961.11. Contracts
amounting to $17,330,957.29 would be
reduced to $11,297,471.00. Projects to
amounting to S17,627,s SO and it was
estimated that the government could
obtain release with payment Of about
$4,O53, ,483. Projects which have been
Cancelled without loss to the govern
ment amounted to $5,45S,27o.75.
$45,O 900 to Cover All.
Mr.. Eidlitz estimated that the gov
ernment will spend not to exceed S45,-
100000 on all contracts.
OF the projects in Washington Mr..
Eidlitz put into the record the fol-
lowing: For the navy yard. $1,126.-
073.66, with f. c. Levin. for. 800
houses. This contract. Mr.. Eidlitz
n l,a11 %nv i1Hyf fr
ascertain the views of Congress in re-
gard to proceeding with it.
Other contracts in Washington
were s2.212,300 with Moss, Taylor &
Crawford. cancelled with an ultimate
cost of $150.00O; contract for a hos
has been Cancelled without loss; a
contract with Richardson & Burgess,
Inc, for the Navy, amounting to
$2OO.5 $500; the contract with the G.
A. Fuller Company for dormitorles
amounting to s1,SS4, 500, and a con-
tion amounting to $4,000. The last
three projects are included in those
to be completed.
Contracts in Southeast.
In regard to the contract for the
construction of 800 houses for the
Navy, at S1,126,073.6S, located on 18th
street southeast, Mr.. EfdlitZ said he
had been informed by Secretary Will
son of the Department Of Labor that
the President had recommended this
project be continued.
It was being held up. however. to
await the action of Congress. He
said that If it was abandoned the
cost to the government would not be
er e Mse land and had prossbp s
to $3.50. 900 had been expended for ex-
saz1s1Sni s ss,nassa, h It fsEa
market value and can be sold. The
houses proposed contain six rooms and
would cost between $4,000 and $4,000
apiece.
Mr.. Eidlitz told the committee that
another project for Navy dormitories,
also located ON 18th street southeast,
costing S20G595 had been practically
completed. They would accommodate
The cost for the furnishing, he said,
was $4,000.
Query by Senator Reed.
Senator Reed. chairman of the sub
committee, asked Mr.. Eidlitz If this
furniture had been brought here and
stored. Mr.. Eidlitz understood the
question to convey the suggestion
that the project might be halted.
"You wouldn't stop that" said Mr..
EidtlitZ. 1T would be ridiculous to stop
that"
wait a minute" said Senator Reed
'Tt might be ridiculous and it might
not. Some hundred thousand people
are going out of Washington before
long: and it may be. that it will be
possible to house all these workers
for the navy yard in private houses
Mr.. Eidlitz said the Navy officials
were anxious to proceed.
During the opening hours Of the
hearing there were several sharp
Mr.. Eid1itz. When Senator Reed asked
Mr.. Eidlitz that estimates of expendi-
lures and reductions since the armis-
tice was signed be furnished the COM
mittee this afternoon or Monday Mr..
Eidlitz declared that 1t was not fair
to ask for information overnight in
regard to moro than ninety projects.
Not Afraid Of Investigations.
He added: II win not give it. We
are not afraid Of any Investigations
We have the record and we can give
you what you want in reasonable
time"
Senator Reed suggested that no one
was casting any reflections on Mr..
Eidlitz, and that the Senate had in
structed the committee to obtain the
information SO that it might know
how to proceed.
Keep the blood out Of your head
and we will get at IT," said Senator
Reed.
The committee went into the or
ganization Of the housing bureau and
also Of the United States Housing
Corporation, questioning Mr.. EidIit2
closely in regard to the personnel OF
the organization.
Mr.. Eidlitz told the committee that
loans had been made to transportation
companies amounting to S6,300,000 to
transport war workers in various
places to government plants and hous-