Evening star., 1942-10-22
WPb Orders
Review Of War
Construction
Col. Textor Named
To Direct Study for
Cut-Bock on Projects

The War Production Board to-
DAY announced formation of a COM
mittee to review all Federal con-
struction in the country either un-
der way or planned. This is a move
to carry out Production Chief DON
ala M. Nelson's announcement yes
terday that construction was absorb
ing too much of the war effort and
must be cut back sharply.
Meanwhile, it was learned, WPB
has prepared tentative list of Fed
eral Government projects to be
eliminated which was reported to
include some public works jobs in
the Washington area. Ofhcials re-
fused to disclose the list, saying the
projects we're subject to further re-
view by the new committee.
Col. Textor Heads Group.
Col. Gordon E. Textor of the
WPB was named by Mr.. Nelson as
chairman of the construction re-
view group to be known as the Fa-
cility Review Committee. Don
Uthus, also of WPB, was appointed
vice chairman. The other mem
bers to be named later will be a
representative of each of the fol-
lowing agencies: War and Navy De-
partments, Maritime Commission,
the civilian supply branch of WPB
and the National Housing Agency.
Mr.. Nelson said at his press con-
ference this morning that State and
municipal construction projects
would be reviewed later by the COM
mitteed after they have had oppor-
tunity to pass on Federal con-
struction.
A spokesman for WPB said one
Job of the committee would be to
review construction of war housing
and munitions plants. While Mr..
Nelson announced in May that work
on all war plants which could not
be completed by July of next year
would be halted, it was understood
this order has not been completely
complied with.
Federal construction work valued
at more than $39.000,000 in the Dis
trict and nearby Maryland and Vir-
ginia will be reviewed to determine
what degree it is essential to the
war effort, it was stated today.
Oficials of the District Govern
ment and Federal agencies con-
cerned with the construction were
hopeful that Washington would not
lose any of its wartime works prof.
ects, all of which we're pronounced
essential
The s39,OOO0OO figure for this
area includes such projects as hos
pitals, schools, water and sewer i'm
provements, expansion of recrea-
tional facilities, street work. dorni-
tories for war workers, and Sl0,000,-
900 in construction sponsored by the
Navy Department. 1t does not in
clude more than slO0,OO0,OOO in War
Department projects, most OF which
are near completion.
$4,000. .000,0 900 Schedule.
Mr.. Nelson said Federal con-
struction projected for next year
totaled about $4,000 100000. He
said these projects, together with
uncompleted work carried over from
this year. would absorb nearly a
fourth Of the Nations total Var
effort. This, he said, would con-
sumo too much in the way of man
power and materials needed for
more direct war work.
The production chief said projects
of five Government agencies would
be cut back. and that military con-
struction of the Army, Navy and
Maritime Commission would be re-
viewed with view toward curtail-
ment.
A spokesman for WPB said nc
construction held by WPB to be es-
sential to the war effort would be
halted. He added that because OF
manpower and materials shortages
however, the determination OF es-
sentiality would be much mere rlgio
than it had been in the past.
Area Projects Totalled.
The Federal Works Agency has
approved for the Washington area
public works projects having
total valuation of $l9,017128, only
a small portion of which actu'
ally have been started. In addi'
tion the Public Roads Administration
and the District Highway Depart
ment have under way street ane
road improvements totaling $3l67,'
l8O Most of the street jobs are ap'
preaching completion.
FWA has approved dormitories tol
Washington war workers valued a
s7l43,OOO. The Public Buildings Ad
ministration, subsidiary of FWA. il
charged with carrying out this work
and some of the jobs have beer
started. While WPB stated that wa
housing would not be affected by thu
cut back, the dormitories are con
sjdered FWA projects and there
fore subject to scrutiny of WPB.
The Navy Department stated l
had under construction in this are
nroiects valued at about $4,000, ,00(
An official refused to specify loca
tions of the work. The War Depart
ment has under construction tn
Pantagon Building in Arlington
work at Fort Belvoir, an airport a
Camp Springs, Md, and quarter
master depot at Alexandria. All o
this work will be subject to review
although it was considered hlghl
unlikely any of the jobs would b
stopped.
FWA, the War and Navy Depart
ments stated that all Of their pro
iects we're considered badly neede
and essential to the war effor'
WPB, however, stated that its opin
ion would prevail in any dispute owe
the essentially of project.
Hospitals Approved.
FWA has approved water, sewe
and utility projects in the Caipts
area valued at s7,435,017; hospitals
infirmaries and health clinics value
at s5,504,770; schools valued at 81,
7S5,5oo; recreation and welfar
projects valued at $2,972.47l, an
miscellaneous jobs, including fir
houses, grading work, ETC., valued a
$l,3l9,370. =
Only one District government
building job was said to be actuall
~t.rted This Is the PatterSo