The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1941-10-15
Ypsilanti to be Fortunate
In Obtaining Priorities On
Material For Construction
Defense Areas to
Have Preference
Ratings
Applications For
Numbers at
FILA Office

Ypsilanti will be better able to
provide housing facilities than
many other cities in Michigan,
Harry NJ. Steffe. assistant to Ray
mond Foley, in charge of the Fed
cral Housing Administration told
real estate operators and building
material dealers Tuesday night
when he explained requirements OF
the Office of Production Manage
ment with regard to construction
trades.
Ypsilanti is in definitely recog-
nized defense area. he pointed out,
which makes IL poss BILE for own
ers and builders to obtain priority
numbers on critical defense ma
terials. In cities where there are
no defense activities, no priority
numbers are being provided. Mr..
Steffe explained. He made clear,
also. that a dealer will be wise to
insist on priority numbers lest he
not be able TO obtain new stocks.
How the priority numbers will he
used has not yet been announced
but, Mr.. Steffe said. he assumed
that they would be submitted by
the owners or builders to the ma
terial supply company to obtain
necessary material. The supply
company would in turn submit
them to. the wholesale house to
replace the amount sold to the
holders of numbers The law is
not yet mandatory and il a sup
plier is willing TO sell without
priority number he is at liberty to
do so. He will in all probability.
however. jeopardize his chances to
replas ~ his stock and so sell him
self out of business, the speaker
explained.
Applications for the priority
numbers may be obtained through
the FILA office in Detroit where
eligibility will be determined. Then
the eligible applications will be
sent to the OPM offices in Wash
ington where the numbers will be
assigned. Use OF priority numbers
IS under the direct management
OF the OPM office and the only
connection the FILA has with it, Is
handling the applications for the
convenience OF builders and the
OPM.
100000 Units
For the entire United States
only 100000 building units are
planned and all are 10 be in de
Tense aseas. This means that con-
struction will be at virtual stand
still in cities where there is no
defense work. The recognized de-
Tense areas in Michigan are Bay
City-Saginaw, Battle Creek, De-
troit-Ypsilanti, Midland, Muskegon,
Pontiac. Lansing.
The priority number is not depen-
dent on methods of financing. It
applies equally in cases OF bank
mortgage. building and loan, pri-
waite capital, FILA loan or cash out
lay. Approval Of loan by FILA
does not mean that the project
Is assured Of priority. The priority
number must be obtained il the
owner wants assurance that the
projected building is completed. it |
was pointed out.
The proposed building. 20 come
under provisions OF the OPM rul-
ing. must be valued at 5000 or
less. including the lot It must be
for use directly or indirectly of a
defense worker. II NAV be for
sale to a person occupied with de-
Tense work or It may be rented TO
him. In case OF rent the amount
must not exceed $50 a month ex-
cept in extreme cases. There have
already been interpretation 10 the
effect that those occupied indirect
" with defense. such as transporta.
ton workers. may be considered
in this c9tego~v.
Use One Number
In cases where a contractor
wishes 10 build a number OF hous-
es he may do so under one priority
number The OPM requires. how
ever. that work be started within
threa months.
TITO nliority number is also
available in cases where repairs
See HOUSING page s