Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-12-09
BELIEVES HOUSING
Work WLLST0P
Senator Reed Tells Bridge
port Business Men We tx
poets Congress to Act.

housing projects by the government,
now that peace has returned, was the
opinion expressed by Senator Reed.
chairman of the public buildings and
grounds committee, at the investiga-
ton of the United States housing
bureau and it's operations, at the
Capitol today.
He was speaking to delegation of
Bridgeport, Conn.,, business men, here
to protest against shutting down work
on housing project there.
Continuing the examination of o. NJ.
Eidlitz. chief of the housing bureau.
Senator Reed challenged authority of
that bureau to build laundry and as
semb1y halls in connection with the
Union Station plaza project. He said
that the law gave authority only to
build houses for the government
workers.
Called Hotel Project.
Mr.. Eidlitz pointed out that the
Union station plaza project was in
reality a hotel project and that, there
fore, it was necessary and proper to
have laundries, etc. which are re-
quired for a great hotel. He said
that he thought the bureau had full
authority under the law.
''Who suggested that this project
should be handled as a hotel?" asked
Senator Reed.
MI. Eidlitz replied that Secretary
Wilson Of the Department Of Labor
had suggested that such plan be
adopted.
"He (secretary WILSON, believes
pretty much in the governments rent
ing everything. doesn't he?" said sena-
tor Reed.
Il don't think he Does" replied Mr..
Eidlitz.
Mayor Heads Delegation.
The Bridgeport delegation was first
heard today. 1t was headed by Cliff
ford B. Wilson, mayor of Bridgeport
and lieutenant governor of Connecti-
cut
Mayor Wilson told the committee
that some people" had come to Wash
ington and recommended to members
housing project in Bridgeport. He
said that the conditions at Bridge
port were much congested and that
rents had been forced very high.
The population of Bridgeport in
creased from about 10000 just be-
fore the war to 100000. The people
are still there, he said, and have to
be housed.
The plants erected for producing
war materials were being converted
into factories for other things now
that peace is at hand, he said. The
buildings being erected by the gov
eminent will be needed to house the
employees. He suggested that the prof.
ect be finished.
1t was testified that Mr. EidIitz in
tends to go on with the Bridgeport
project, which will cost in the neigh
borhood Of 100000 The buildings
are in five groups, of which the first
four are very well along, some of the
buildings being 80 per cent finished.
Suggests City Complete Work.
Senator Reed suggested that the
business men of Bridgeport should
take over the project from the gov
eminent and complete it. and pointed
passed it contemplated just such ac-
ton on the part of private persons
when the war was over. Senator
Reed said that some arrangements
ought to be made with the govern
ment.
Taking up the Union station plaza
project. Senator Reed pointed out that
the laundry building is now in process
Of construction, and that 1t was begun
after the armistice had been signed.
He developed that 1t was about 30 per
cent completed.
rs this laundry to do the washing
for all the women who live in these
buildings?' asked Senator Reed.
Mr.. Eidlitz replied that it was. and
that the government could make
money doing it.
The method Of contracting for these
housing projects was examined into.
particularly the contract for the
Union station plaza project with the
George E. Fuller Company.
Tells How Work Is Done.
Senator Reed pointed out that the
government furnished the land. the
material and the labor. and the con-
tractor received his fee for super
yising and managing, and a rental for
plant machinery provided by him.
Senator Hardwick suggested that
should be awarded only to the low
est bidder. Mr.. EidlftZ had testified
that contractors were invited to bid.
Did you ask any contractor what
was the lowest price he could do the
work for on this plaza job?" asked
Senator Hardwick.
1T would have been fruitless to do
so. knowing the conditions here
replied Mr.. Efdlitz.
What the contractor really bid on
was the fee for supervising the
work." Senator Reed insisted. In the
case of the Union station plaza the
contractor was to receive a rental
of S22,5O0 for plant machinery and a
fee Of S5s, 900.
.IInnro RIM IIrlnIlIn