Evening star., 1942-09-05
Builders View
New WPb0rder
As R'uiinous'
Others Soy One
More Decree Won't
Have Much Effect
BY FRED H. MORHART, Jr.

BY FRED H. MORHART, Jr.
The Washington building and real
estate business today has mixed
feelings concerning the latest order
issued by the War Production Board
reducing civilian construction, some
holding it will completely ruin the
small contractor" while others
maintain that existing restrictions
have already gone so far that an
other Government order will have
little, If any, bearing on the local
situation"
The WPB order, effective Mon
day, places all construction under
Federal control. Types of construc-
tion have undergone reclassifica-
tion with the burden falling on
those categories where heretofore
no authorization was needed.
One spokesman of the local build
Ing industry pointed out that re-
strictions now are in such low cate
gories that further curtailment
'1hardly could have much greater
Cl1cCb tIidli dL pICSCllt SAiStS.
Several Are Optimistic.
However, several expressed an
optimistic note in pointing out the
order has no effect on war building
In the city and it's surrounding area.
Only this week two housing projects
were authorized here for Federal
housing for emergency workers.
These are located in West Potomac
Park, where dormitories will be put
up for white Government workers,
and in Langston Terrace, where
similar lodgings will be provided for
colored workers.
In citing these two recent Gov
ernment building proposals, local
spokesmen pointed out that con-
siderable employment would be af-
forded for local labor which has
lost out through curtailment of pri-
vate building. In addition, it was
noted, a number of contractors
would be able to maintain organiza-
tions for future private construction
by handling Federal projects, either
as direct contractors or as sub
contractors.
On the other hand, under the new
WPB order, the question was raised
as to whether private builders, either
doing new or repair work, would be
In a position to secure materials If
requests for bids were received from
private sources.
Large "If'' Is Raised.
In the case of commercial con-
struction, it was pointed out, a large
eff" is raised concerning the pro-
curement of materials to supply
gas, electricity, water, steam, tele-
phone, sewerage or other necessary
utilities.
If materials are not to be pro-
vided for utilities, it was asked, why
start a project, though provided with
the go-ahead signal, if these essen
tials cannot be installed?
Another case in point is the equip
ping of place If 1t were renovated,
repaired or built new under exist
ing limitations. All of these points
and more are being discussed now in
building and realty circles with a
view to working out some form Of
program which may save private
building in the Metropolitan Area.
However, one leading spokesman
for the industry here who refused
to permit his name to be used de-
clared this latest order "is another
step toward the elimination of all
building (private) and leaves only
maintenance work and Government
construction.
He declared it will "kill all small
independent contractors because
they can't do much under the limi-
tations. 1t is drastic order"
Warn Against Commitments.
The WPB in its statement on the
new order warned contracting
builders against making commit
ments on materials until after per-
mission has been received. Though
q builder may have all necessary
materials on hand, it was pointed
out, this does not govern whether he
may 60 ahead with the work, WPB
stated. This covers all items not
coming under priority regulations, it
was pointed out.
Giving present and future cost
(See WPB ORDER, Page B-2.)