Evening star., 1941-04-18
Realtors Told
Defense Labor
Must Be Housed
Federal Officials Urqe
Builders to Act or
Government Will

Insisting that every defense worker
will be properly housed, Federal Of
ficials here yesterday told realtors
throughout the country that the
present emergency makes 1t impera-
tive for the Government to assume
housing responsibilities not accepted
by private enterprise.
Private builders were urged to ac-
cept a greater share of the burden
by Charles F. Palmer, defense hous-
ing co-ordinator, who warned a ma
tional radio audience there isn't
time to bicker."
Addressing meetings arranged in
Washington and more than 100 cities
by the National Association of Real
Estate Boards, Mr.. Palmer added
Every man needed in our de-
fense industries must have home
and we are going to see that he
gets one. When private industry
can and will do the job. that is fine
That solves the problem. When
private industry cannot do the job,
for any reason whatsoever, then
the Government is going to build.
The swift tide of world events leaves
no time for argument"
Drastic" Problem Seen.
Earlier, in an informal talk with
reporters, Mr.. Palmer compared
Washington's emergency housing sit
uation with that developing to a
larger degree in Detroit and Pitts
burgh. The some $1,000 additional
Government employees expected here
this year may create a drastic
problem, he admitted.
Plans are being completed for
dormitory housing of some 1000
single women and for expanded
facilities" for single men. Details
could not be discussed, it was said,
In advance of acquisition of the sites.
The problem here, as in Detroit.
would be simplifed if normal ac-
tivities are curtailed for duration
of the emergency.
While housing officials would not
be quoted directly on the subject
it was implied that drastic housing
emergencies may develop in manu-
featuring centers and in Washing
ton if defense work must be super
imposed on normal industrial pro-
duction. and on Federal activities
still expanding in non-defenSe fields.
Realtors Cooperation Pledged.
Other speakers at the meeting in
the Mayflower Hotel yesterday aft
ernoon were Philip w Kniskern of
Philadelphia, president of the Ma
tional Association of Real Estate
Boards, and Abner H. Ferguson,
Federal Housing Administrator.
Waverly Taylor, president of the
Washington Real Estate Board, pre-
sided.
Contending there had been too
much talk and too little action, Mr..
Kniskern pledged the active CO.
operation of the Nations realtors
and declared:
Loose talk, scattered figures or
rambling complaints are no substi-
tute for complete and accurate facts
and action
While sufficient housing is all
important, he warned against the
danger of creating ghost towns,
n-useable plant Improvements
and bankruptcy taxes"
He insisted 1T is better to plan
wisely than to build historically
and urged that I'VE must utilize
first all available old housing be-
fore even thinking of new construc-
ton" He said most of this avail
able housing was centered in the
cities.
Surveys of Needs Urged.
Mr.. Kniskern seconded Mr..
Palmer's warning that private in
dustry should assume all the build
ing possible "if the Government is
to refrain from the construction OF
housing" He asked real estate
boards throughout the country to
conduct surveys of housing needs
as has been done in Columbus,
Cleveland, Indianapolis, Los Angeles
and Wichita and other cities.
Discussing local conditions, Mr..
Palmer pointed out that private
industry had built $4,000 dwelling
units here last year, and was ex-
panding this year. In ADDITION,
the work of the Alley Dwelling
Authority is helping to relieve the
pressure, he said. Another helpful
activity is the new agency which
collects data on existing housing
facilities for the use of incoming
residents.
Mr.. Ferguson pointed out that
In the nine months since the lnltla-
ton of the defense program con
struction of more than 125,000 new
homes was started under the F.
H. A. BY far the largest number
of these are small homes in areas
where industrial expansion is now
most active" He urged the repair
and modernization of existing
houses to be sold or rented to de-
fense workers.
Points to New Law.
Mr.. Ferguson called attention 10
the recent law to help workers on
defense projects to buy their own
homes without a down payment.
Under the new land purchase con-
tracts" he said, the purchaser
moves in Immediately and begins to
pay each month, just as if he were
renting.
His payments cover the INSTALL
ments on the mortgage, interest,
taxes and a small sum which is
credited on account to his down
payment. When these. payments
amount to 10 per cent of the value
of the property, he becomes a pur-
chaser in fact. The title of the
property is transferred to him and
his name in substituted on the
mortgage for that of the builder.
"He continues to make his
monthly payments just as If he
made the initial payment in one
sum before he moved into the house.
The builder remains liable for the
debt until the buyer has actually
paid in his 10 per cent"
Mr.. Palmer said the greatest
need for defense housing is in the
fold of 800 tO $40 monthly rentals