Evening star., 1918-04-10
Cost Lessons Building.

HeonS1derably beloW the norman, uue
hargely to the fact that building ma
&erials and labor are hard to get and
Axpensive.
A survey of the various departments
hof the government made early in March
9Dhowed that more than $4,000 persons
were expected to arrive in Washington
I'M connection with government work
between March and July 1, and from
t1uly / until December 81 more than
". 600 would arrive.
AS a matter of fact, Mai. Potter said.
hmployes were arriving faster than had
been estimated. During the month of
March 4,412 persons came to Washing
Ron for the government service, when
lit was estimated that something over
1000 would be the number.
4 Need Room for $4,000.
Mr.. Efdlitz testified that in the north
}west district it was shown that accom-
smodations for about 26.000 additional
workers were needed. He said it was
estimated that permanent houses cap
able of taking care of about 5000
should be erected. and that temporary
housing facilities for 10000 should be
constructed.
Secretary Wilson said that the ques-
tion as to whether permanent buildings
should be erected in Washington or
temporary buildings to house the In
coming government employees, was
being given serious consideration.
/ w AS01uEIOn, ne explained. Is d ptTHfd-
nent and growing community and for
that reason 1t would be advisable to
erect permanent buildings, which, at
the close of the war, could be rented.
sold or used to house government bu-
teaus and departments On the other
band, great need for housing facilities
here might make it necessary to rush
ap temporary buildings, he said.
, Points Out Britain's Action.
Secretary Wilson called attention to
ne fact that since the war began Great
britain has expended about $4,000 900
TO provide housing facilities for is -
workers. A great part of the buildings,
he said, erected by Great Britain have
been permanent structures. ocere....-
Wilson pointed out that it would be
nnwtso to erect permanent structures
in some communities where war work
ls being done in this country. because
after the war there was no reason to
believe these communities would con-
tain large population At such places.
As said. temporary structures should be
brected.
Senator Beckham, a member of the
.eommittee, suggested that it would be
iAdvtsable to put up permanent struc-
senres in Washington.
Secretary Wilson told the committee
mat 1t was his intention to have very
careful surveys made Of conditions be-
lBore any decision was made to erect
buildings in any locality. II 1t was
AOQ0Q pO9Blp1S, ne SdlQs 10 udF0 liic
workers housed without buildings. it
would be done.
WM Be No House Communicating.
Discussing that feature of the bill
oRhieh has been criticised on the
hrounds that It would permit the COM
nandeering Of private houses and the
Hurniture therein. Secretary Wilson de-
Haared that no attempt IL to be made
- commander buildings used as
Ne said It might be necessary to take
Hdubs or other such buildings The Sec
Iketary said that 1t had been deemed
Advisable to have the matter of pro-
N4ding housing facilities for govern
fnsnt workers and employees at muni-
Haon plants etc, placed under one de-
Jbartment-the Department OF Labor
10 that there would be no duplication
III work or extravagance in expendi-
mres-
This matter. he said. had been taken
Ap at q cabinet meeting. and the Secre-
BAry of the Navy and the Secretary of
VWar had both agreed that the Labor
department was the proper one to fan-
Dle the matter. An advisory council. he
laid. representing the War and Navy
Departments and the shipping board
fSwould be formed to confer with the
Representatives Of tho Department of
Abor in regard to housing, he said.