The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1936-01-02
BILLS PROPOSE
PUBLIC WORKS
ON GIANT SCALE
Maverick Backs Long.
Range Program on Hous-
ing and Conservation.
BIZ Lnifcd PrcE.


WASHINGTON, Jan. 2.-Legisla-
ton for vast permanent public
works and conservation program,
including potential $4,000, :
100000 low-cost housing plan, to
supplant the present New Deal al
phabetical agencies, was being
drafted today by Rep Murray Nav
erick 3D., Tex.
Mr.. Maverick gathered material
for the gigantic program which he
will sponsor in a series of bills, on
an automobile tour of 20 states in
which he conferred with the man
in the street." gasoline station OPP
orators, tourists and others.
We must put aside political diff
ferences and stop spending the pub
lies money through mismanagement
and waste" he said. Il am not
criticising the work of the alpha
betical agencies, but we must get
together on permanent program.
Surely the Administrator now has
sufficient experience and knowl-
edge to undertake this permanent
program"
Program Is Outlined
His program includes:
l. Building of 100000 houses
annually at prices of from $1,000 to
$500 each for the next IS years.
2. Increasing the CCC strength
from 100000 to l,000,0 900 youths and
putting it on permanent basis.
8. Creation of permanent wide
spread soil conservation program
and a steady public works schedule
Rep. Maverick said that ne had
gathered data on the housing phase
from thorough study of English
conditions and from the Committee
on Economic Security, which esti-
mated that the United States needs
at least 650,000 new homes annual
ly during the next 10 years to main
tain minimum living standards.
Money for financing would come
from small private lenders, each ad-
vancing from 500 to $500, through
nation wide setup of savings and
loan institutions under Federal
charter. The maximum interest rate
would be ~ per cent and prospec-
tive owners would pay from Sc to
$40 monthly in purchasing their
homes.
Sees Work for 100000
"Eighty-five per cent of housing
construction in England is done by
private financing" Mr.. Maverick said.
IF they can do it, we can. The rea-
son we are so far behind is that the
big money class wants large cuts,
and lenders seek eXorbitant interest
rates"
Mr.. Maverick estimated that more
than 100000 men annually would
receive employment through this
program. About 100000 would be
employed through the housing fea-
tre alone. The government, he
claimed, would be able to recover
virtually all the money it invests.
Rep. Mavericks proposal would
create department of conserva-
ton and public works. The aug
mented CCC would be a dependency.
He suggested that the provision that
CCC members families must be on
relief should be removed and that
1t be left open to all classes of
youths seeking education and train
ing.
Erosion Peril Is Cited
In the United States" he said,
there are about 2,000,00O,000 acres
of land, of which about one-half is
suffering from erosion. We must
take adequate steps or the country
will soon be a desert. The con-
servation work undertaken under
the New Deal has been laudable but
1t is only small beginning"
He insisted that his program
should be on non-political basis
so that it can continue for many
years.
THE time has come to quit four
flushing and get down to business"
he said. Our psychology on the
affair has been mistaken. In the
past, we have built a few buildings
for large profits. We must now
build many little houses on a mass
production basis for small profits
on EACH"