Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-30
BUILDING PROGRAM
IS FACILITATED BY
ACTION OF SENATE
Way Cleared for Road Con.
StruCtion by Agreement
on Cost Basis.
BY J. c. RoYLE,

The steamroller of necessity Is
smoothing out the way for road and
building construction. The weather
now is the only thing that really is
holding back operations.
Money Is available and agreements
have been reached on certain points
which have been holding up operations
by Governmental and private forces
The Senate has passed the Elliott-Keyes
bill increasing the fund for Govern
ment buildings by $230.0000 900. II
already has been acted on favorably by
the House and signature by the PreSi-
dent is anticipated daily.
The Senate has also come to an
agreement with the House as to the
maximum amount which may be paid
per mile for road construction on which
Federal aid Is furnished. This created
a somewhat bitter conflict between
rural and urban sectors. Authorities in
districts with heavy population and
heavy traffic desired the limit placed
at SOS, 900 because they wanted to build
broad roads which would accommodate
more than two lanes of traffic. The
rural districts commended for a maxi
mum limit of $4,000 which would
enable them to build roads narrower
but Of longer mileage in the less con-
gested districts. An agreement finally
was reached placing the limit at $685.
600.
Building Trades.
This comparatively minor difficulty
has been holding up road construc-
ton to an extraordinary extent. Its
importance can be realized in connec-
ton with the increase in motor
vehicle registration
lien regulations in the building trades
also have been ironed out. 1t was
felt by some that the materials men
were taking advantage of the lien laws
and had encouraged the entry into the
building field of good many contract
ors not financially capable of fulfilling
some contracts, since the materials
men were sure that they would get
their money under the lien laws.
other distractions In the building
field are being smoothed away. Among
these, Truman S. Morgan, president
OF the F. w. Dodge Corporation, cites
the struggle by the designers and fab
rtcators and contractors, the attitude
of the latter toward subcontractors
the intercraft disputes of the building
| trades, racketeers and other factors
annoying to the industry.
Architects and general contractors
are working in closer harmony In the
way of specifications The financially
| irresponsible contractors and subcon-
| tractors are being eliminated. All this
Is reducing expense in the building In
| dustry and stimulating additional con.
struction.
Road Contraction.
The road construction programs I'm.
| doubtedly will be the first to feel the
| new impetus. The increase in build.
ing construction according to authori.
| ties in the industry, will be more
| steady. It already Is gaining and the
pressure of Federal and State admins.
! trations is counted on to bring the
total for the year well up to last years
| figures. with the movement gathering
the greatest momentum in the late
| Summer.
| The Improvement in the bond market
has been as great an influence as coulc
possibly have been applied to the build
ing industry. The period Of difficulty IL
! financing construction projects seem!
to have passed, although the bank,
| still are loaning for construction pur,
| poses with extreme conservatism. Build
| and loan associations are showing de.
cided increase in receipts. Some asso-
Citations have begun actively to solicit
| applications for home construction anC
for reconditioning.
| Copyright, 1907