The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1942-02-24
DEFENSE NEEDS

Continued from Page One)
Grades School building is so stu
ated that 1t can be doubled in size
II the need arises and funds are
made available, It was pointed our.
Site for a school in the western
section OF the city was also men
toned as a partial solution to the
problem.
In Ann Arbor, the already crowd.
ed senior high school, is so situated
that no further additions can be
MADE to II.
Lincoln Consolidated School and
Roosevelt High School are operat-
ing at capacity now, it was pointed
out.
Depending on location OF new
housing, Dr. Elliott said he be-
lieved there are now available all
the necessary high school buildings.
He predicted that the problem would
be felt most deeply in the grade
buildings as children OF the bomber
plant employees, he anticipated, will
be in the younger age group.
George Ross, secretary OF the
state planning commission. OF which
DR.. Elliott is chairman. stated that
considerable difficulty In planning
for expansion is due to lack Of
information. He mentioned pos
sibility that extension of Detroit
water mains west of Wayne would
greatly facilitate development Of
the area east OF the bonnie plant
Water and sewerage will determ-
Inc the location of housing pro-
iects, he stated.
To Follow Utilities
Ezra c. Shoecraft, OF the engi-
neering firm of Shoecraft, Drury
and McNamee, Ann Arbor, agreed
that expansion will follow public
utilities. He said that Ann Arbor
and, Ypsilanti on that basis ars
admirably situated for develop.
ment. The sewer layout in both
cities Is designed so that the en-
tire area between can be drained
into the present systems, basic
sections OF which are already in.
stalled. Both can have additions
to existing water departments and
treatment plants as we'll as to
sewage disposal plants, he pointed
out.
He warned, however. that plant
expansions. even II started imme-
diately could not be completed be-
fore fall.
Feel Reluctance
Mayor Ross X. Bower explained
financial difficulties from a munich.
pal viewpoint. He said that the
people OF Ypsilanti are reluctant
TO assume the heavy OBLIGATIONS
entailed in expansion without guar
antee that the bomber project will
remain in operation long enough
so that the obligations could be paid
from taxes on the newly improved
property or from revenue bonds
to be paid on the basis OF use OF
the utility. Without some guar
antee. the city is in no position
to make investments, he said.
The housing situation presented
still more discouraging picture.
With no utilities, owners are re-
luctant to build and the program
has been further begged down BY
possibility OF federal housing. Pri-
yate enterprise is not anxious to
compete with the government, il
was pointed out.
Due to this impasse, Mr.. Berger
son expressed the opinion that a
statement OF policy will have TO be
made from Washington within a
short time IL activity is to be re-
sumed
Attending the meeting were
school board members from Ann
Arbor. Ypsilanti. and Lincoln Con
solidated Districts. faculty mem.
bers from the same districts and
from the Normal College. a repre-
sentative OF the FILA, and state
and regional planning commissions