Evening star., 1942-02-06
Lanham Seeks Early
Vote on $4,000,
D. {. Housing Bill
Rules Committee May
Gront Privileged
Stutus to Measure
BY JAMES E. CHINN.

A privileged status on the House
calendar for the bill authorizing an
appropriation Of $4,000, 900 for
war. housing facilities and public
works in the District and nearby
Maryland and Virginia was sought
today by Chairman Lanham Of the
Public Buildings and Grounds Com
mittee.
Representative Lanham asked the
House Rules Committee to expedite
the legislation. The committee heard
him, but took no action. 1t Is be-
lieved it probably will grant the rule
Monday.
The Public Buildings and Grounds
Committee two days ago unani-
mously approved the measure and
urged quick House action, but rec
commended that some of the housing
money be used for construction Of
temporary dormitories for unmar-
ried Government workers.
Temporary dormitories for un-
married workers." the report de-
clared, will afford opportunity for
association with fellow workers,
minimize the problem of transpor-
tation, keep the amount of Fed
eral expenditure within reasonable
bounds and relieve the situation
with reference to normal real
estate activities when the emergency
is over"
The committee declared in the
report that aside from the acute
housing needs it has been i'm
pressed" with the inadequacy Of
Washington's hospital facilities. 1t
also stressed the shortage Of school
facilities, water and sewer services
and fire protection.
$4,000, 900 for Public Works.
According to present plans about
$4,000 900 of the $50 900 900 author
lied in the bill would be used for
construction of homes for Govern
ment employees in the lower income
brackets. The remaining $40, ,000, 900
is expected to be advanced to the
Commissioners to provide urgently
needed public works such as schools,
hospital facilities and extensions OF
the water, sewer, refuse and fire
protection services.
The report said, in part:
There is universal agreement
among all who have given study to
it that the necessity for Govern
ment assistance and action with
respect to housing and public works
at the seat Of the Government is
unquestionably urgent, and that
with respect to meeting housing
shortage now becoming emergent,
no conceivable program Of private
enterprise will be adequate.
I'm respect to the necessary and
accompanying public works, it is of
importance that advantage be taken
for the reorganization of the Gov
ernment- departments for the war
effort. While definite steps have
been taken in this direction, the end
Is not yet in sight"
Given Attention by President.
The report added that "the COM
mittee is convinced Of the necessity
for this legislation. A communica-
ton addressed to the Speaker of
the. House shows that matter has
received the attention Of the Presi-
dent and the need has been deter
mined by him to the extent for
which appropriations are recon-
mended by the committee. It does
not, therefore, seem necessary as
in similar legislation for other parts
Of the Nation to impose an addi-
tional burden of determination on
the President"
The report also declared the COM
mittee is very definitely of the
opinion" that private enterprise
should supply as much Of the per-
manent housing needs as possible
and that "the defense housing pro-
posed in this measure should be re-
stricted to the minimum necessary
for the additional personnel to be
provided during the emergency In
connection with the wartime activi-
ties"