Evening star., 1943-04-24

QduS . VI oCAO1IS WS1C dt OAA Will
Generally speaking, however, con-
struction to a single residence cost
ing less than 5000 is permitted. Inn
provements or alterations to multi
pie residential, agricultural or other
restricted projects costing less than
$1,000 are exempt. Industrial con-
struction may be made-with GER
tain specified exceptions-up to an
estimated expense of $4,000.
Exemptions Are Noted.
But no construction in any of the
categories mentioned may be started
without specific permission If they
fall into list of special projects" :"
These include projects whose princi-
pal purpose is public or private
amusement: buildings occupied by
not more than five establishments
selling or dispensing goods, mer-
chandise, food or drinks or providing
services, and those used for clubs,
lodges. fraternities or sororities, as
sembly halls and for the manufac-
ture, processing or assembling OF
certain types Of goods.
There are exemptions. WPB, for
instance, allows "the maximum con-
struction necessary to make safe
and protect any structure or its con-
tents damaged or destroyed by fire,
flood, tornado or other disaster"
Agricultural construction necessary
to avert loss of farm products also
Is sanctioned.
If you have leak in your roof,
the chances are you won't have any
trouble getting the material to make
the repair. But if you want a new
bathroom, and your house Is not
being converted into home for war
workers the chances are you can't
have it, for plumbing materials are
extremely difficult to obtain.
Materials Are Scarce.
Even If you have the lumber or
other material on hand and perhaps
are able to do the job yourself, you
can't build anything that exceeds
the specified costs unless you have a
priority, WPB spokesman pointed
out. At least if you do, you'll be
violating L-41 and subject to penalty
If some one reports you.
Certain types of lumber still are
sold on the open market. Other
kinds, needed in war industries, vir-
tually are unobtainable Many ma
terials, particularly those contain
ing metals or wiring. which ordi-
narily would go into the renovation
of homes or apartments are scarce.
WPB have just made some new
amendments in L-41. The main
change is that where priority help
Is needed for minor construction
within the cost limitations that is
allowed automatically, provided no
materials are to be used for utility
connections. The utility connections
require special permission.
But even with your priorities al
lowed on small construction jobs,
you may have to wait long time
for any critical materials required or
for some one to put them in. And
you have to file with WPB list of
your improvements.
In general, construction of new
buildings or extensive remodeling of
old structures is limited to uses re-
garded as essential to the war. All
other construction, including that of
hospitals and schools, requires pri-
critics.
But L-41 still is in process of ad-
tustment to changing conditions,
and more amendments may be eX-
pected. Meanwhile, WPB official
is engaged in going through the
sheaf of previous amendments and
trying to codify them, so that a
clearer picture Of what the order
does may be given all interested
persons.