The Washington times., 1934-11-26
CONSERVATIVES
SUPPORTING
LATTER
Meanwhile, PWA Administra-
tor Begins Spending Big Sum
Granted by Congress
By EARL GOODWIN

DIV EAxSA NOO"AN
The Ickes-Moffett controversy
over housing has been smoothed
over officially, but the administra'
ton heavyweights are all squared
away for a real fight.
In one corner we have James A.
, Moffett all set to go ahead with
a low cost housing program in
which the Government will stand
for 80 per cent of the mortgage
money. This entry has the back
ing of all the bankers, builders,
mortgage dealers and conServa'
tives generally.
In the other corner stands
Harold Ickes, Secretary Of the In.
terror and PWA administrator,
who has the reputation Of having
never yet backed down in a fight.
In his hand he holds an act of
Congress directing him to go
ahead with a low cost housing
program. He has the backing of
the liberal element of the admins
tration and the national commun-
ity.
Has Actually Started
Not only does he give indica-
ton today of going ahead-but he
has actually started $140, 200, 900
worth of housing projects with
Government money; these are scat
tered in approximately 40 cities.
One was announced Friday in
Atlanta where $2,700,000 PWA
money was allotted in series of
apartmentsc housing SOB families
in apartments and 318 students in
a dormitory.
An announcement of further of
the James A. Moffett plans may
be expected momentarily; and
Secretary Ickes will hold a press
conference at II o'clock tomorrow,
which will necessitate the stand
ing room only" sign.
Business is Betting
Throughout the country busi.
ness is betting pro and con on
the winner. A stack of kilograms
has been received both by the
President and by Federal Admin
iStrator Moffett, the tone Of which
is like a cheering section at a
football game roaring hoarSely
"Stop Ickes."
While Liberals in Washington
and elsewhere are giving Secre-
tary Ickes the comfort and cour-
age of I'VE want a touchdown"
Mr.. Moffett intends to spend
Thanksgiving Day in Warm
Springs. He was going, anyhow,
as he is a trustee Of the Warm
Springs Foundation and always
spends Thanksgiving Day there;
but the effort to make it appear
that he will discuss nothing but
turkey at the little White House"
is met with a smile.
Up to President
Secretary Ickes, it is confidently
told at the Interior Department,
does not intend to make any an.
nouncement as to the number OF
billions he will ask for in the next
budget. That, he has explained,
is a matter for President Roose-
velt. who is expected to bring back
with him from Georgia a decision
on all budget items.
President Roosevelt must decide
the issue, which is not on stop
ping the present PWA program.
$50 900, 900 of low cost houses OF
the slum clearance variety-but on
the next program.
He will have plenty OF help IN
the decision, it is understood as
the country is lining up for ana
against the Government going IN
to the building business with 1tS
own money.
Turmoil Predicted
Congress, it is expected, viii
be in a turmoil of debate on this
question as soon as the budget is
up for discussion.
It was learned today that much
of the objection to the 1ckes pro-
gram comes from large number
of organizations which had Of
fered low cost housing schemes
many months ago but which
could not make the grade"
financially. More than $50 OF
these plans were offered, and
today only seven of them are
being pushed forward.
Many of them now hope to
be authorized and out on a pay
ing basis under the Moffett pro.
gram under which individual
owners put up 20 per cent of
the cost of a house and private
capital puts up 80 per cent on a
mortgage entirely guaranteed by