The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-11-29


 Following is the text of Pres- ident Roosevelts special message to congress on housing:
 To the Congress of the United States:
 Tn my message to the congress upon the converting of the extra ordinary session on November IS, said that I would address you further in regard to proposals to encourage the private construc- ton and financing of housing on large scale. The proposals which I am presenting for your consid- eration now are an important part of the program for increas- ing general business activity and employment during coming year.
 From the point of view of wide- spread and sustained economic recovery, housing constitutes the largest and most promising single fl,eld for private enterprise.
 Housing construction has not kept pace with either the needs or growth of our population. From 1880 to 1897, inclusive, the average annual number of new dwelling units constructed in the United States was 180,000 as con- trasted with an annual average of 000,000 in the seven years prior to 1890. Tn addition, much of our existing housing has seriously de- teriorated, or has been demolish- ed.
 Average S00,00O Units
 It Is estimated that an average of 60O,000 to 800,000 dwelling units o1ght to be built annually over tlse next five years to overcome the accumulated shortage and to meet the normal growth in mum. Der of families. In other words, we could build over the next five years 3 or 4 million housing units, which at Q moderate estimate of 5000 per unit would mean spend- ing from i2 to l6 billion dollars, without creating a surplus of housing accommoda tions, and con- sequently without iinpairing the value of existing housing that is fit for decent human occupancy.
 The long continued lag in build ing is Q drag on all industry and trade, This presents an urgent problem which is the common concern of industry, labor, and government. All business needs the infusion of orders and the diffusion of purchasing power that come when building is thriv. ing. Great numbers of people look directly or indirectly to the construction industry for employ inent. This industry, to Q greater extent than any other can put idle funds to work and thus speed up the circulation of the nations money supply. This, In turn, would increase national income, reduce unemployment and as result contribute towards a balancing of the budget.
 Recovery Movement
 Since 1883 we have had a great recovery movement in which housing construction has played only Q minor part. That 1t should play a major part has been clear ly recognized by this administra- ton from the outset. But, though much has been done to encourage construction activity, the results have not yet been satisfactory. In- stead of c seasonal rise in hous- ing construction through the past spring and summer, theer was an early downturn. This was one of the principal reasons why general business failed to forge ahead during the latter part of the year.
 We must recognize clearly that :. housing will not be built If costs are too high in relation to the consumers income. The fact that housing costs rose sharply - far too sharply-between Semptember of 1e36 and March of 1887 was promarily responsible for the downturn in housing and thus in recovery generally this year.
 Revival of housing construction must be based on reduction of the costs of building and the payment for buildings rather than on re- sumption of the rising costs that stopped progress in this essential field last spring and summer. Housing must be produced at prices, rates and rents that the mass of our people can afford to pay.
 Makes Provisions
 The government has made pro- visions, through assistance to municipal housing, for many of the most needy. But private en- terprise and private capital must bear the burden of providing the great bulk of new housing. The measures I now suggest are to encourage private building to meet the needs of families of moderate means. These proposals cannot be effective, however, un- less all elements concerned in the construction industry - builders, contractors, manufacturers of materials and equipment. labor, and finance cooperate in pro- ducing housing that is within recnh of the incomes of the vast majority of our citizens.
 If the building industry is to play the vital part that 1t ought to have in our economic system, 1t must do 1t in the characteristic American way. It must develop, as other great industries have de- veloped, the American genius for efiicient and economical large. scale production. The lower unit costs resulting from large-scale production will make for greater Annusi returns for the entire building industry. including all workers engaged in that ifidustEy,