Evening star., 1932-10-14
Arthur c. Holden Tells Con-
structionists Action Would
Produce Savings.
ASSERTS R. F. C. MUST USE
DISCRETION IN SLUM HELP
Tariffs on Projects Should Be in
Reasonable Relation to
Section.

ings will produce large savings in rents.
Arthur c. Holden of New York told
construction leaders in attendance at
national conference at the Commerce
Department today. in discussing the
work Of the New York State Housing
Board in its relationship to large scale,
low rent housing projects.
A reduction Of per cent in the in
terest rate, he said, has been found to
equal reduction Of 10 per cent in
construction costs.
He warned that rental obligations to-
day were in grave danger because OF
reduced incomes. Vacancies have also
increased alarmingly. he said.
Discretion Urged.
Mr.. Holden asserted that in aiding
slum improvement, the Reconstruction
Finance Corporation should use dis
cretion in seeing that rents on projects
are in reasonable relations with rents
in the districts in which they are To-
Gated. Slum improvement is one Of
the major discussions before the con-
ference.
The conference is being attended BY
80 leaders in various branches of the
construction industry. 1t represents
the desire of those interested to hold a
general. frank discussion of their prob
lens. Officials stress that immediate
results are not to be expected, but they
said they believe considerable progress
will be made In laying the foundation
for future work which will be of def
mite value to the industry.
The need of spreading work to aid
Inpnni0vroe1ot this Winter uac
by J. c. Stewart of New York City in
this afternoons session, which closes
the meeting.
1T is obvious" Mr. Stewart said,
that, given stated amount of con-
struction pay roll the public interest
will be served if that money can be di-
vided among as many workmen as pcs
sible without adversely affecting eff
cheney and without adding Importantly
to job costs"
Government Could Join.
He said it might be possible for the
Treasury Department in inviting ten
ders on the many millions of dollars of
work still to be given out to express the
desire of the Government to cooperate
in the share work" movement and
to invite bidders to take into account
in preparing their estimates the posi-
bility of slightly increased costs which
might result from the universal appli-
cation of the proposed method Of
rotating labor
Mr.. Stewart asserted there can be no
inf1exible rules and no arbitrary routine
in enforcing the rotation system. but
If the Secretary of Labor, the employees
in the construction industry. general
and subcontractors, supply and material
men will take an affirmative position
and will try conscientiousy to make
available pay rolls buy food and cloth
ing for as many families as possible by
the staggering system, and if organized
labor will meet us half way, We cannot
fail to succeed"
Only 100 Eligible.
Late yesterday Harvey c. Couch. a
director of the r. F. c., told the con-
ference that Of the 400 to 500 applica-
tions made to the corporation for loans
on so-called self -liquidating construc-
ton projects. only about 100 were elig-
ible under the law.
OF the 100 applications which seemed
to meet legal requirements. the speaker
said, only about 70 had been accom-
panied with sufficient data to enable
the corporation to determine if the
ing
Mr. Couch expressed disappointment
that so few towns, cities and States had
come forward to take advantage Of the
funds which are at their disposal under
the construction provisions of the law.
when one recalls" he said. that
there are over 5000 towns and cities in
the United States with a population of
over $500; that there are 48 States each
having innumerable political subdi-
visions agencies and commissions; that
there are IL ,000,0 people out of work.
he Is astounded that the officials of
municipalities and public agencies have
not taken advantage Of the act to .
greater extent.
Under Legal Scope.
IF the funds provided by the act are
to be effective in relieving the unem-
ployment of the Nation, public officials
must make application for projects
which come within the scope Of the law.
Funds will be advanced for the con-
structicn of eligible small projects Just
as readily as for the construction of
large ones. The provisions of the act
should be studied by every mayor and
public official to determine whether or
not there are projects which may be
initiated in his community and financed
through the Reconstruction Finance
Corporation"
He said construction loans to date
amounted to $124.563 $40, and would
provide direct employment for 10000
men, Many more thousands of workers,
he said, would be engaged in industries
affected by orders for material and
equipment.