The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-03-23

ministrative measures will clear through Hunters office.
 Congress Starts IL
 Washington, March 23-(UP)-- Congress sped the work of rebuild ing food d-devastated areas today through measures to provide funds and loans in addition to direct emer- gency relief.
 While representative of @ dozen eastern states were summoned to 2 conference this afternoon to discuss relief measures, the senate received an amendment to the REC act of 1884 permitting that agency to make emergency loans to industries for ! flood rehabilitation. It was intro- duced by Senators David I. Walsh D., Mass, and Augustine Lonergan D., Conn.
 In addition, Walsh and Senator Marcus A. Coolidge, D., Mass, intro- duced a bill granting consent of congress to the Massachusetts public works department for construction, maintenance and operation of free highway bridges to replace those de- stroyed by flood.
 Congress Controls Them
 These bridges are under control of congress. It was said funds were available under existing appropria- tions and would be allotted to states, counties and cities for re- building bridges, highways and pub lie buildings destroyed.
 Introduction of the REC amend ment followed White House con ference among the two senators Harry Hopkins, WPA administrator and officials of the REC. The $43,000,000 already allocated by President Roosevelt for emer- gencey relief through WPA appar- ently will be limited to assistance in reconstructing and repairing public roads, bridges, and other public property, in cooperation with states and cities. The Red Cgoss will con- tinue to take charge of relief to pri- vate individuals and owners of pri- vate property.
 NulCA fkAu AuuuStTLeS
 The amendment by Lonergan and Walsh seeks to take care of the third problem-that of quick finan- cial assistance to industries. An ef- fort probably will be made to in- crease the REC appropriation for this purpose from $5,000,000, now available for various types of emer- gency loans, to approximately $25, ,000, ,000.
 The REC has already ordered its agencies to give some preference and to expedite consideration of indus trial loans under existing provisions Could Make Loans
 Walsh issued statement on a report he made to the Massachus- etts congressional delegation on aid the federal government vcould make to the flood stricken area.
 He said the REC could make loans, under existing law, to the full amount of new farm buildings oi home dwellings, that may be neces- sary in all cases Of flood injury. Re- quirements for the loans are that the land must be free of encumb- rance or the owner must be in a po- sition to subordinate his present Her to the new money advanced by REC The existing law provides that loans may be made under these circum- stances only to non-proflt organiz. ations. The amendment would lift this restriction.
 Existing Law Ample
 Walsh reported that the existing federal housing administration law was ample for making rehabilitatio loans. However. the provision oi title l of the federal housing act ex- pires on April l, and 1t will be ne- cessary to continue the present law in order to make rehabilitation loani provided for under title of this act
 Steps had been taken in both branches of the congress to pass pending legislation providing for tho continuation of title l, which mol only permits home owners to bor. row for rehabilitation purposes, but also manufacturers. up to e50.0O0.
 Immediate relief is available through the Red Cross. works prog ress administration and local au- thorities.
 Walsh has been assured that am- pie numbers Of WPA workers and men from the eco camps will be assigned to do this work immedi- ately.