New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1919-01-25
LOSS OF MILLIONS
IF BUILDING STOPS
Experts DeCry Government Plans
Affecting Housing Projects.

New DIX, Jan. 2O.--lsOSS to the
country of many millions of dollars,
experts assert, is threatened in a reso-
luton which has passed the senate
and is pending in the house calling
for the stoppage of work on all build
ings on government war housing
projects which are not 10 per cent
complete and the placing of these un-
completed buildings under the ham,
mer
Believing that such action, even
though sincere on the part OF legls-
lators, is ill-considered, the Nauonal
Housing association has set on foot a,
movement to forestall the endorse
ment Of the resolution by the house
until an investigation as careful as
the magnitude of the housing projects
merit has been made. They believe
that that investigation will prove the
greater wisdom and economy Of COM
pleting the houses before they are Of
tered for sale.
The resolution was adopted by the
senate on December II upon the
ground that it would save money to
the taxpayers of the country. The Of
ficials of the United States Housing
corporation of the l. S. Department
of Labor, which has the projects in
charge, and the directors of the Ma
tional Housing association, q disinter-
ested body of housing experts. how
ever, point to the restricted market
for unfinished houses in large num-
bers, to the depreciation from ply
steal causes which must inevitably re-
suit to these houses from their indefi-
mite exposure to the elements in an
unfinished state, and to the complca-
tons and losses which would result
from a wholesale cancellation of con-
tracts as sufficient argument that no
such saving would result from the
proposed action, but that on the con-
trary, millions of dollars would be
lost which, on completed buildings,
might readily be salvaged.
Neither the officials of the Housing
corporation nor the directors of the
National Housing association are ad-
vocating permanent government own
ership of these houses nor continu-
alton OF the gOvcrnm ent in the hous-
ing business. That question, they as
sert, is not involved in the present
situation. They merely urge that any
action taken by congress at this crit
cal moment be based upon a more
thorough going investigation than has
vet been accorded the matter
Should the resolution, in the form
in which it passed the senate, pass also
the house, a state bordering on havoc
would be created:
First. by the fact that no one yet
has defined what is meant by rs per
cent completc' in the case of these
houses. Does it mean that IS per cent.
of the total expenditure contemplated
has been made; that the building is
IS per cent. under cover; that it is
complete exeept for interior finish?
This import ant point has not been
settled.
Second by the fact that unfinished
houses, which would rapidly deteri-
crate into weather-beaten skeletons
and stand indefinitely thus, would
cause a depreciation of value in
! neighboring houses now completed or
to be completed under the limitations
! indicated in the resolution.
/ Third, by the fact that public utili-
| ties-sewerage, water and lighting
! which have been installed on these
, projects partially at the expense of the
| government and partially at that of
the municipalities in which or near
dered useless for a long period Of time
| in all cases where a project. is sus-
| pended The cost Of these utilities
! will fall upon the taxpayer either
| through the federal governm ent or
through the municipality. 1t will be
practically impossible to salvage them
| to any apprecia BILE extent, at any rate.
Fourth, by the fact that the market
! IN
bers as the government has them to
! offer is obviously restricted and that
! ne buildings in all proba bility would
| have to be sold at a sd crifice-and to
spectators.
Completion of the projects as con-
templated now by the Z. S. Housing
! corporation does not mean the carry
ing out of the extensive program out
! lined as a war policy. That program
was immense curtailed by the corr
! poration Of it's own volition immedi.
ately upon the signing Of the armi-
stice. All work was stopped and con-
/ tracts terminated wherever, in the
! judgment Of the officials of the corr
| poration, there would not be a peace
! time demand for the houses. Mil
lions of dollars were thereby saved to
the country.
Prior to the signing of the armi-
tice the corporation had undertaken
} projects in approximately 80 differ
ut cities Construction contracts had
oeen let on So. Plans were completed
and ready for contract on p. Plans
'rere in preparation on seven.
On the signing of the armistice, So
projects were abandoned; IA were cur
tailed and 20 are proceeding as
planned.
The contra cts which are proceeding,