Evening star., 1934-05-05
ABUSES" ARE HIT
IN BUILDING AID
Federal and State Policies
Declared Inconsistent
With Fair Play.

Correction of governmental abuses
destructive, it is alleged, of the integ-
rity and morale of the construction
industry, is urged by Ernest j. Russell
of st. Louis, president of the American
Institute of Architects. in a communi-
cation to George H. Houston, chair
man of the Durable Goods Industries
Committee.
The Treasury Department is the
one exception to Federal and State
policies, which are inconsistent with
fair play and with national recovery
aims, Mr.. Russell declares.
Conditions in the construction in
dustry continue to be deplorable," he
says. Before this situation can be
basically improved the employing
members in the industry must be given
consideration. These groups under
anything like normal conditions en-
ploy great many people. At this
moment both employers and employees
are in the ranks of the unemployed.
Private building construction in 1884
is about 80 per cent prostrated, just
as it was in 1881, 1882. and 1888.
The groups normally engaged in
building construction are now depend
ent for existence to large extent
upon projects financed with public
money; but that dependence, so far
as the architects are concerned, has
proved to be utterly insufficient.
"The treatment of the employers of
this industry in Federal and State
policies, except in the Treasury De-
partment, is destructive of the integ-
rity and morale of the entire con-
struction industry and is inconsistent
with policies Of fair play urged by the
administration, and retards to a
marked degree their recovery.
THE whole tendency of Federal
bureaus, State bureaus. and other
agencies engaged in spending public
money for building construction is
either to ignore these employers, or
to reduce the compensation paid for
their services to an existence basis.
There is one notable exception to
this general rule which we wish to
commend.
1.-THE Procurement Division of the
Treasury Department, which is en-
gagged in the erection Of post Office
buildings throughout the country, has
announced that on all projects costing
more than 100000 private architects
will be engaged. 1t has also stipulated
that adequate engineering services
must be provided in every case.
IF the other departments Of the
Federal Government and of the States,
engaged directly or indirectly in
spending public money on public
building works would follow this ex-
ample. there would be a great i'm
provement in the morale and in the
living conditions of the architectural
and engineering professions.
ION behalf of the American Insti-
tute Of Architects, and the architects
of the entire country, we ask that you
give serious consideration to these
statements, and that the Durable
Goods Industries Committee take &C
ton by calling public attention to
these governmental abuses and In
urging their correction"
Favoring the proposed government
fund Of billion dollars to finance
small home construction and modern
ization, Mr.. Russell in a letter to
Frank c. Walker, director OF the Ma
tional Emergency Council, asserts that
aid from this source should be on
long-term basis, and that speculation
should be avoided.
"A shortage exists, and Federal aid,
at a low rate of interest, over long
period is desirable" Mr.. Russell
points out. 1T is fundamental that
any government financing be made
available on an economical long term,
monthly payment, amortization plan,
and that speculative elements be pre-
vented from utilizing the proposed
Federal aid as a source of private
profit.
1T is essential that the Government
through local agencies exercise some
control over the quality of the work
for the benefit, comfort, and satisfac-
ton Of the owner, and in order that
the improvements may be an asset to
his community"