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 it impera-
tive for the Government to assume
housing responsibilities not accepted
by private enterprise.
Private builders were urged to &C
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 simplified 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,
non -useable plant Improvements
and bankruptcy taxes"
He insisted "it 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.
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.. Palmer said the greatest
need for defense housing is in the
field of $40 to $50 monthly rentals
1.-The sum the average worker should
pay for housing" He warned that
rentals should be fair" or a rent
control law may be enacted.