The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1941-01-30
Nation Has
Big Shortage
In Houses
Eight Defense Areas Have
Program For 1929
Dwelling Units.
WILL MAKE HEAVY
DEMAND FOR LUMBER


Among the many problems facing
the nation in developing its defense
program, one OF much magnitude is
the providing OF quarters for the
greatly augmented army and navy
forces and homes for the thousands
OF new workers that are being en-
rolled in defense activities
This side OF defense preparation
has special interest for any district
in which numbering Is major in
dustry, as unprecedented quantities
of lumber will be used In construct
ing new environments and similar
buildings.
The January a issue OF de-
fense," official bulletin Of the Ma
tional Defense Advisory Commits
sion, has an article dealing with this
phase Of the defense problem. It
says there is need for immediate
construction with public funds Of
1882 dwelling units in eight defense
areas. The article further says:
President Roosevelt has found q
need for immediate construction,
with public funds, of 1882 dwelling
units in eight different defense To-
calities upon the recommendations
Of c. F. Palmer, Defense Housing
Coordinator.
In letter to Federal Works Ad-
ministrator John M Carmody, the
President stated that shortage Of
adequate shelter, which might i'm
pede progress in the National De-
tense program, exists in Hinesville,
Ca; Rantoul, Ill; Brooklyn, N. Y;
Erie, Pa; Orange, Tex; San An
tonic, Tex; Norfolk, Va; and Rad
ford, Va.
AT the same time, Mr.. Palmer re-
ported that in these same localities
his office has recommended total
construction program embodyine
500 dwelling units OF this NAM
Der, many of which are now under
construction contract, 1850 dwell
ing units are to be supplied by pri-
vate industry; 1919 to be built by
the Navy; lilo through the United
States Housing Authority, or local
authorities; 1882 under the juris-
diction Of the Federal Works Agen-
cy; and 325 units by the Defense
Homes Corporation.
Area Breakdown
OF the 1882 dwelling units recon-
mended for immediate construction
by the President under the Lam
ham Act, 665 units are to be con-
structed in the Norfolk, Va, area
100 at Hinesville, Ga, 100 at Ran
tout, ILL.,; 200 at Brooklyn, N r.; SOC
at Erie, Pa, 200 in Orange, Tex; II
at San Antonio, Tex; and 200 al
Radford, Va.
Mr.. Palmer reported that in the
Hampton Roads area there are nov
40O2 dwelling units under construc.
ton and an additional 1000 units
for which land has been acquired
However, these figures do not In.
clude a substantial amount OF pri
vate construction being conducted
through the facilities of the Fedora
Housing Administration.
The new recommendations bring
a total OF dwelling units either pro
jected or under contract in SaI
Antonio area to TIT; in Erie to 500
in Hinesville to 100; in Radford Il
800; in Brooklyn area to 400; II
Rantoul to 400; and in Orange Il
1000. In the latter locality only
500 are projected for immediate con
struction with the remainder need
ed for later on in the year.
The report made public by MI
Palmer regarding these eight 10
calities Is in conformance with tn,
designated function Of the Defens.
Housing Coordinator to examin,
housing needs in defense areas ant
to make recommendations with re
gard to fulfilling these require
mentS.
In all of the above-mentione,
areas, where possible, private indus
try is encouraged to supply housing
where economic conditions and tn
nature of the shelter necessary max
possible the investment Of privat
capital.
Mr.. Palmer pointed out, however
that where private interests fail t
meet the need promptly it will b
necessary for the Government t
produce living accommodations s
that there will be no halt in tn
tempo Of defense production due I
a bottleneck in adequate housing TO
the families of workers and enliste
personnel