Evening star., 1941-10-12
Officials Of Nearby
Areas Voice Concern
Over Building Curb
Hope for Permission
To Continue Privote
Construction Voiced

Construction Voiced
Nearby Virginia officials yesterday
expressed deep concern over the
Governments action in curbing new
building projects not deemed eS-
sential TO defense or public health
and safety. fearing the step would
work a particular hardship on the
Metropolitan Area of Washington.
With both Arlington County and
Alexandria currently experiencing
record breaking building booms. the
consensus among those questioned
appeared to be that private con-
stluctiOn should be allowed to con-
tinue because the Government eX-
pansion of defense agencies has
created serious problems Of apart
ment and residence housing.
Likewise. these officials believe.
improvements such as highways and
streets should be allowed to proceed
because of the transportation prob
lens created by larger populations.
1t is unfair to force white collar
defense worker to live in quarters
that are not in keeping with his
taste and financial ability" County
Manager Frank c. Hanrahan of
Arlington declared. Arlington,
through private enterprise and Fed
eral Housing Administration assist
ance. has gone the limit in provid-
ing housing facilities. In my opin-
ion. to Shut OFF this private enter
prise at this time would diSlocate
labor. injure the building trades and
would kill the main effects of the
defense effort in this area.
Hopes for Broad Policy.
1T is 10 be hoped that the policy
is sufficiently broad in application
TO permit us TO meet problems which
are directly the result of an influx
Of large numbers of defense white
collar workers
Arlington County Engineer c. L.
Klnnler said his department has
not vet felt the effect of priorities
Hatings in road-building and sewer
materials but. he added. we un-
doubtedly will feel it in the very
near future"
Alexandria City Manager Carl
Budwesky said he expected some
of the municipal projects TO obtain
high prioritieS ratings because of the
Government workers and employees
at the naval torpedo plant and near
by military reservations.
He said he did not expect a Sc
rious curtailment of street construc-
ton and added that the first expect
ed effect would be a curtailment of
roadway reinforcing materials.
Well just have to work with sub
stitutes,' Mr.. Budwesky said.
Permits Drop Sharply.
Despite Arlington County's record
building year. fewer construction
permits were issued last week than
in any similar period in recent years
the building inspectors Office re-
ported.
Some builders have misconstrued
the Governments order and have
inquired whether the Arlington
building inspector is refusing to is
sue permits. The Office will continue
to issue permits to all applicants who
meet requirements of the county
building code as in the past. an Off
cial explained. 1t is up to the builder
to obtain his materials. he added.
When the Arlington Fairfax =
Alexandria Real Estate Board met
Friday night the curtailment of pri-
vate construction was discussed, but
no formal action was taken, Secre-
tary w. S. Hoge, jr., said. Several
Of the Virginia realtors reported de-
lays in receiving materials The re-
duCti0n in numbers of building per-
mits issued was attributed to the
uncertainty of obtaining materials.
While Arlington and Alexandria
have each applied for several million
dollars of Federal Works Agency
understandable under the Lanham
Act for defense purposes, public
officials would not hazard a guess
as to the effect of the Government
order on their chances of obtaining
these grants.
F. w. A. Grants Sought.
Alexandria government depart
ments have filed separate applica-
tions for F. w. A. grants for a
hospital addition, schools, a sewage
treatment plant, white and colored
recreation facilities and streets.
In Arlington, the Board of Edu-
cation has applied for s941 900 for
three new schools and eight addi-
tions. The County Board has ap-
piled for a total of S3,225 ,599 to
finance additions to its water and
sewer systems, an incinerator, fire.
house equipment, highways. rec
reation centeS and an addition to
the courthouse for larger police
quarters.
Priorities have held up work on
eight shop rooms being built at
the Washington-Lee High School in
Arlington. where some steel ma
terials are needed.