Evening star., 1934-05-09
BY VINCENT TUTCHING.

Radical changes in the methods OF
financing home improvements are
contemplated under the Governments
plan to aid housing through creation
Of new avenues of credit, it developed
today as final touches were put to the
program in preparation for its sub
mission to Congress.
The housing bill. which would make
available 81 500 900, 1000 for home re-
pair and modernization and new con-
struction, has been written TO the
Presidents own specifications. 1t will
be sent from the White House to the
Capitol this week, the President indi-
Gated at his press conference today.
While no details of the plan have
been made public officially, it was
learned today at the National Emer-
gency Council, which has been draft
ing the proposed legislation. that a
policy Of consumer credit, rather than
home mortgages would be pursued,
with respect to loans for improve
ments, under the contemplated set-up.
Like Installment Buying.
This would mean the installment
purchase method. heretofore SO sue
cessfully utilized with respect to
everything that goes into the house,
will be applied to things that go on
the house also. Business experts state
that the loss ratio of consumer credit
has been remarkably low, despite the
lean years since 1929.
In creating this new credit reservoir
fnr iv,1n ,n,NtS &c
stood the Government proposes an en-
tirely new type of credit instrument.
which would enable the owner to
combine in one immediate operation
all the work he could afford out of
his income for the next five years.
The four major points of the ad-
miniStration'S plan are understood 10
be: Modernization of existing hcmes
that justify the expenditure: stimula-
ton of new home construction; de-
molition of obsolete structures and
encouraging their replacement, and
repair and replacement of industrial
properties.
Government Gives Backing.
Under the plan. existing finance
llOuScS NOulu lllOulCd W IldhC lilC
loans for these Improvements. with
the Government, through some bureau
or unit to be established, offering a
guarantee satisfactory to the leaning
agency.
Along with these developments on
the Government side, which will af-
feet The home mOdernizatiOn picture
nationally home moderniZation in
terest locally is continuing to mount,
as group after group of citizens as
Sociations fall into line behind The
Stars Better Homes Contest. in which
81 900 in prizes are offered.
Endorsed by two aSSociationS-Bur-
leith Citizens Association and the
Sixteenth Street Heights Citizens As
iation-at sessions last night, the
contest is scheduled for action by
several other groups this week and
next
After hearing a talk by Arthur B.
Heaton, member Of the American In
stitute Of Architects and director Of
the Board Of Trades renoviZe cam
paign last year. the Burleith body
Endorsed the contest and designated
it's Executive Committee a flying
squadron" to push the competition in
its territory.
HeatOn Will Advise.
Members of this committee include
]. s. Gorrell, Geoffrey Creyke. jr;
Charles s. Embrey. Harry Radcliffe,
Mrs. H. L. Parkinson, Col. L. c.
Lucas, Wesley Cole and Wilbur S.
Wills. Mr.. Heaton accepted the post
of professional adviser" to the as
test.
Many practical suggestions for
home improvement were put forward
by Heaton. Improvement in the
heating system of house could be