Evening star., 1940-01-27
Housing ParIey
Plans Drive
For U. 5. Funds
Roosevelt Appeals fo'
RuruI Areas in
Balanced Program

Encouraged by President Roose-
velt's appeal for a balanced" pro-
gram to improve housing conditions
for low income families in rural
areas as well as in city slums, the
National Public Housing Conference
was preparing today to exert pres
sure on Congress for the enactment
of needed legislation.
Next in Importance to presidential
approval given the proposed ex-
panded housing program was the
assurance Of Senator Robert F..
Wagner, Democrat, of New York,
that there Is no danger of hous-
ing funds jeopardizing the Federal
budget. His remarks were construed
as directed to the leaders of the
economy forces in Congress.
''The greatest possible cost of the
program to the Federal Govern
ment next year, the only cost
chargeable to the taxpayer and en-
tering into the National debt, is
15,0000 000." Senator Wagner said.
Indeed, the House has just found
that an appropriation of only $10,-
100000 will be necessary at this
time" He referred to proposed an
nual subsidy payments.
Meet Mrs. Roosevelt Today.
Senator Wagner and Administra-
tor Nathan Straus of the United
States Housing Authority spoke at
a conference dinner session last
night at which Miss Helen Alfred,
executive director, read a message
from the President. Sessions were
being continued today and the con-
ference, which has drawn up a
five-point legislative program, will
adjourn to enable delegates to be re-
ceived at the White House this
afternoon by Mrs. Roosevelt.
Visualizing the rural housing pro-
gram as "a challenging problem
justifying the interest of the con-
ference, the Presidents message
read in part:
Beginning with the first P. w. A.
projects and extending to the
projects of local authorities assisted
by the United States Housing Au-
thority now opening every month
the public housing program has
progressed consistently toward lower
rents, lower income groups served
lower construction costs, increased
decentralization and community re-
sponsibility, and above all the needs
OF a larger number of families are
being met.
Slum Growth Checked.
Last year, for the first time in
about half a century, the slum areas
IN our country as a whole COM
menced to shrivel rather than to
expand. Through public and private
endeavor, this tendency should con.
tlnue until decent housing for the
lowest income third becomes the
established rule rather than an
almost non-existent exception.
Il am especially gratified by the
vital interest now being shown in
improving housing conditions in ru-
raj areas. The projects which the
United States Housing Authority is
helping to develop in widely scat
tered farm localities with the CO.
peration Of the Department o1
Agriculture justifies the manifest
interest Of your conference in this
challenging problem this year. Tht
program for helping urban familie.
OF very low income to obtain release
from the slums, though still young
will be given better balance by the
development of the still younger
program to help rural familie.
afflicted by the same evil condi.
tlons. Joined together, the rural anc
urban housing programs together
should continue to grow
Senator Wagner. who is co-authol
OF the United States Housing Act
reminded Congressional economist.
that the $500 900, 900 in construc.
lion loans for housing pending now
in the House do not enter into tn,
budget or the national debt at all
He added: These loans require M
taxes and call for no appropria
tions; they are financed through
the sale of United States Housins
Authority bonds to the investin,
public, on which the Authority nov
realizes substantial interesr
profit"
Earlier in the day the conference
reported its recommendations fol
legislative action. They included:
l. Passage by the House of tht
bill doubling the $500 900 900 loar
authorization of the United State.
Housing Authority so that public
housing may be based on 'lone
range and uninterrupted program.
2. Creation by President Roose.
velt of Rural Housing Commission
to report to Congress on the prob.
lem as it now exists throughout tn.
country and recommend permanent
methods of handling it. Meanwhile
all governmental agencies dealinf
with rural housing were urged tt
60 ahead with present or projected
programs.
3. Urged State legislatures tt
study constitutional and statutory
precedents on which to base sup.
Elemental programs similar to tina
Ct New York State to make loan.
and annual contributions to loca
housing authorities.
4. Federal loans up to 100 pc
cent for non-subsidized projects t,
rehouse families whose incomes ar,
just above the maximum now Sc
for public housing benefits.
S. Rejection of the proposed
amendment to the United State
Housing Act making it unlawful Il
admit aliens as tenants in public
housing projects.
This amendment was condemned
by the conference as "un-American'
in a resolution that claimed it.
enactment would gradually con-