Evening star., 1944-09-26
U. 5. Housing Plans
Need CIariiication,
Says Eric Johnston
Urges Federal Agency
To correIote Outlay
On Public Works

AAVSASAAA0 SOSAA AObAtN1$ t1IC SN2t1OI
home builders In the erection Of m
Expected 10000, 900 homes in the 10
years following the war viii be con-
sidered again today when 800 Of
the Nations leading home builders
convene at the Statler Hotel for
the fourth day Of the fall confer
ence Of the National Association Of
Home Builders.
Last night the delegates heard
Eric A. Johnston, president OF the
United States Chamber Of Com
merce, warn that there Is serious
need for Qualification OF the Gov
ernment's housing activities, partic-
ularly the elimination Of its sub
sidized building activities.
He said in the postwar era there
Will be available about IS ,OOO, 900
workers who could produce q gross
national output Of some 40 bilNon
dollars at 1910 prices, or about $2.e
600 Of goods and services per man.
Government Can Help.
1T has been demonstrated" Mr..
Johnston said, that the Federal
Government can be most helpful
with the complex problem of Inn
proving housing by encouraging re-
search, through development Of
standards, and by properly limited
aids in the field Of home finance"
Referring to local governments.
he said:
"Concretely, the States and mu-
inequalities are in q better position
than In many years to resume the
practice Of financing their own pub
lie works. They will not t.have to de-
pend on the Federal Government
for aid. Their debts have been re-
duced, their current tax collections
are at peak levels, and their relief
responsibilities at . minimum.
I'VE should have q drastic over
hauling of our public finance to in
sure continuation OF the relatively
Independent financial position
which the States and communities
have achieved during the war pc
riod. States and communities can
not carry on their proper respon-
sibiities in our constitutional sys-
tenn If they look to the Federal
Government to finance their activ-
tiles. In the field of government
this proper revision OF financial
structure Is as important as the
tax changes needed in the field of
economics to encourage risk taking
and job creating activities"
Mr.. Johnston said the Federal
Government should correlate its
own public work expenditures. At
present, he said, there is no suf-
ficiently authoritative agency for
giving Consideration to the COM
bined benefits and costs of ex-
penditures for public works and
added that Congress could well set
up a suitable agency for this pur-
poSe."
Another speaker at last nights
session was Robert P. Gerholz, presi-
dent of the NAHB. Speaking for
the delegates, he promised that
home builders would rehouse fully
one-fourth Of the Nation in new,
modern dwelling units at the lowest
possible costs.
In a sharp attack on public hous-
ing, Mr.. Gerholz asserted that full
employment in the building indus
try depends above all on the ear
liest consistent removal of all Gov
ernment shackles and red tape.
Rather than Government inter-
ference" he said, 'the building in
dustry should be In q position to
expect Of the Government full CO.
operation in establishing an ex-
panding prosperity on a solid foun-
dation.'
Sees Slum Clearance.
He said that as a result of united
effort the Nation would see the
elimination Of blighted areas and
the rehabilitation of slum areas in
the cities. achieved through private
enterprise. )
During the afternoon sessions
yesterday John B. Blandford, jr.,
administrator OF the National
Housing Agency, said the war hous-
ing program had provided shelter
for 1000 900 migratory workers and
some Of the families in 1000 cities.
He said approximately $4,000, ,000, 900
had been spent on the program, OF
which $4,000, ,000,0 was privately
financed and the remaining $1,000
900 publicly financed.
At today's sessions there will be
discussions led by the associations
Emergency Committee on the
problems Of material supply and
legislation. In the afternoon there
will be a meeting of the Congress
Sional Committee.