Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-12-05
HOUSING BUILDING
HERE IS CURTA|[ED
Only Temporary Structures
Well Under Way to Be
Completed.

Discussion of the disposition of the
temporary government structures
now being erected in this city came
up in the Senate this afternoon, pre-
cipitated by question asked by Sen
ator Wafshs of Montana. He inquired
CT Senator Swanson of the public
buildings and grounds committee what
is supposed to be done with them.
Senator Swanson said he had been
Informed by officials dealing with the
housing problem that it is supposed
to complete only those buildings
which are we'll under way and that
no new work is to be commenced. The
governments idea is to try to realize
5 or per cent on the investment,
and it would not abandon construction
partly completed.
Senator Kirby of Arkansas said he
had been informed that the prices
for rooms in these buildings were
|: being fixed practically as high as the
prices charged, by private room rent
ers He wondered if it was the idea
to put up the prices for the benefit
/ of local real estate people; He has
out to lower the extortionate rents
which he said were being charged.
Would Use One for. Movies
Senator Vardaman suggested that
one of the buildings in the Plaza
group be used as moving picture
show house, but Senator Swanson
could give him no information on that
point
Senator Weeks of Massachusetts con-
tended that work should pc stopped
on all of these buildings at once. no
matter how well advanced toward
completion they were. He said 1T
was easy to figure that the govern
ment cannot get a return on IT'S IN.
yestment because of the hlgh cost OF
construction due to emergency prices pt
and that as the buildings were erect
ed on public parks there Will soon
he a demand for the removal of all
Of them.
Hints at Rate Reduction.
Senator Walsh said that the primary
purpose in the erection of these
dormitories for war workers was to
Obtain accommodations which could
not otherwise be had rather than for
the purpose of reducing prices Tor
board and lodging in Washington He
said that of course a reduction IN
prices might follow.
There never will be any occasion I,
for the use of these buildings now
said Senator Walsh 1.-The work on
them should have been stopped the
day after the armistice was signed,
and the government should have TAX
en- the loss on their, construction.
ssYet I observe day after day that
furniture is going into these build
ings, that the ground about them is
being nicely graded and that all the
attributes of a home are being pro-
vided That ground is designed for
park purposes and these buildings at
most can remain there only tempora-
rily."
Not Informed as to Policy.
Senator Swanson. chairman of the
public buildings and grounds COM
mittee, which handled the bill author
izing the appropriation for housing
not been informed as to the policy
which was to be pursued. He said
that Senator Reed of Missouri is now
chairman of that committee. and that
undoubtedly he would take up the
matter of these dormitories in an ag-
gressive way.
.'Who are doing the work on these
dormitories?" demanded Senator Hoke
Smith. Let US get hold of them and
choke them off. 1t is inexcusable that
| this expenditure should be permitted
| to be named and pilloried for it."
Senator Swanson. suggested that the
law gives the President control OF
| these expenditures of money. He said
| that a housing board had been appoint
| ed to handle the matter.