Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1942-02-04
50 Million Fund
For D.C.Housinq
Wins Approval
Committee Speeds
Emergency Bill to
House Calendar
LARGE-SCALE Defense Housing
Projects Planned in Hillcrest
Section OF Southeast. Page 81
BY JAMES E. CHM.

A bill authorizing an appropri-
alton of s50,000,000 to construct
homes for Federal workers In the
District and surrounding areas
of Maryland and Virginia and to
expand existing public works to
serve the inflated wartime pop
ulation, was unanimously APP
proved today by the House Pub
lie Buildings and Grounds Com
mittee.
Action was taken in executive
session following a series of public
hearings on the legislation during
which both Federal and District
officials showed that Washington's
housing shortage had reached the
danger" point and that there Is an
acute need for extension Of such
vital facilities as public schools, hos
pitfalls. water supply and garbage
and refuse disposal plants.
The committee had under consid-
Grafton two bills designed TO accom-
plish the same purpose. One was
prepared by Defense Housing Co.
ordinator Charles F. Palmer. The
other was sponsored by conferees on
the so-called Lanham Act which au-
thorized appropriations of $500 0O0,-
600 for housing construction in de-
Tense areas throughout the country.
The latter was the one approved by
the committee.
Early Action to Be Sought.
The committees action advanced
the bill to the House calendar.
Chairman Lanham said he would
seek its early approval by the House
because of the seriousness of the
housing situation in the Washington
area
Information given the committee
indicated that at least $40 .0O0, 900
preparation would be used by the
Federal Works Agency to build about
10000 housing units In the District
area for Government war workers in
the low-income brackets. 1t is plan
ned to advance the remaining So
900, 900 to the District Commissioners
for construction of vitality needed
public works.
Representative Lanham explained
that all of the money advanced to
the District for public works would
not have to be repaid; that a major
portion of 1t would be in the form
of outright grants. The District, he
said, might have to repay part Of
the funds used for extension of the
water supply and distribution sys-
TENS. since the Water Department
is self -sustaining and the munich
pality receives revenue from water
users.
To Relieve Shortage.
The approved bill specifically stip-
ulates that the $4,000, 900 shall be
used to relieve an acute shortage
of housing. public works and equip
ment therefor presently existing and
impending in and near the District
of Columbia and impending war ac-
tivities"
1t further declares the Commits
sioners are authorized to accept"
for the District from the administra-
tor of Federal works such advance
ments" as may be necessary to carry
out a public works program.
Chairman Lanham said several
committee members at the closed
meeting had resented criticism
that the committee had not acted
with dispatch on the legislation. He
pointed out the Budget Bureau did
not reveal until late last Tuesday
the $50 600, 900 estimate for housing
and public works needs. The fol-
lowing day, he explained. he in
PRODUCED the two bills calling for
(See HOUSING, Page A-D