The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-05-09

Atlanta, May v-To aid defense
 industrial expansion, supply defense
 emergency housing, meet the reper-
 cussions of defense costs on munich
 pal financing, and at the same time
 conserve a sound economy for the
 future of American cities, Philip w, Kniskern, Philadelphia, president of
 the National Association of Real Es-
 tate Boards, addressing 6 dinner
 meeting of the southeast regional conference of the association here
 today, urged four central lines of action in fields affecting real estate. They arc:
 1. Idustrlal Facilities. Immediate action on behalf of every community irn the defense areas to bring to light all usable industrial facilities. A survey of such facilities Is now being made by the Society of Industrial Realtors, branch of the association.
 2. Defense Emergency Housing. Speed in providing defense emer- gency housing as the need arises in these areas. (Defense Is paramount. It is a questoin of speed. There is no time to quibble.) But sane con- sideration as well of the post-war effects of all permanent building. Periodic community surveys under the leadership of real estate boards to measure for the Defense Housing Co-ordinator both housing now available and local ability to build new housing where there may be concentration of demand. Energetic action by private enterprise to fur- nish the knd of housing needed when and where 1t is needed. Temporary type construction for governmental defense emergency housing that can- not be absorbed later.
 Permanent housing. where 1t can- not be properly absorbed. will mean over extension of municipal facili- ties. all-around increase in taxa tion," MT. Kniskern said.
 Unless municipalities and indi. viduals approach the defense hous- ing question intelligently, we face an era of overbuilding in @ future of staggering tax burdens. Y.
 "T'he office of the Defense Housing In Washington realizes the problem. It knows that our de- fensc workers must be housed. It also knows that every government built dwelling means Q loss in tax revenue to tho municipality and an Increase in taxes for the taxpayer. It is aware, too, that frillS are not needed today ir housing whose need and whose use can be but tem- porary."
 Private Enterprise Adequate
 Private enterprise is proving that It is more than meeting the task of living space where per- Inanent housing is needed and where 1t is economically sound, he said. New homo construction is run- hing at the highest peak since 1928 and twill be still higher by the end of the year."
 ,. Financing of Existing Dwellings. Action by congress at an early date 10 continue present FILA financing for existing houses. Unless congress acts, FILA insurance of home Inort- yages will after July l be unavailable except to new houses or to houses already insured.
 "The extension is of the grayest for defense emergency points out the national 'ealtor head, president of the First Mortgage Corporation of Philadel- ,l1ia. former president of the Ameri- ,an Institute of Real Estate Apprais- ITS, who organized tho appraisal Iystem used by HOLC. the largest 'evaluation job in the history of our mortgage financing. He said:
 "The very serious curtailment of for our ten million existing houses which faces the country tin- eSs congress acts soon to extend FILA mortgage insurance to these structures would both handicap their for new emergency lse and tend directly to reduce the production of new defense housing y private industry, since many workers who must move to new ocation will desire to purchase lomes near their new work but can- lot do so without first disposing Of he home they must leave. This makes tho liquidity of older homes highly essential"
 {. Tax Adjustment. Tax action as ollows, to maintain our economic ,alancc as we undertake the greatest ax load in our history:
 CD Creation at the present ses- sion of Congress of a Commission on Taxation in the United States charged with recommending a pro- ,wa ,,s Ra,. l,a fanwa Als&n, a.,w xu,Isain tav