Evening star., 1944-03-26
Builders Ready
To Outline Own
Plan on SIums
Senate Subcommittee
Will Resume
Hearings Friday
By JOHN r. LUTER,

The slum reclamation plan sup
ported by members of the WASH
ington Home Builders Association Is
to be outlined in detail to the Sen
ate District subcommittee investi-
eating housing conditions here when
the subcommittee resumes its hear
mgs at 10 am. Friday.
Munro Warren, a director OF the
association and chairman of its
Housing Committee, will present the
proposal on which private builders
are relying heavily in their cam
paign to block the National Capital
Housing Authoritys proposed $780,
000,00G public housing program for
reclamation of the Districts slums.
Meanwhile, Chairman Burton of
the subcommittee set April II as
the date by which he hopes the
already lengthy hearings can be con-
cluded. Morning and afternoon ses-
sions will be held almost daily after
Friday in an effort to complete the
oral testimony as rapidly as possible,
Senator Burton said.
Anider 10 appear.
Testimony sponsored by the Home
Builders Association is expected to
occupy several more sessions, after
which John Ihlder, executive officer
of the Housing Authority. will ap-
pear as rebuttal witness.
After all witnesses have been
heard, the Housing Authority and
the private builders group, at Sen
ator Burton's request, will submit
briefs of their arguments.
AS sketched roughly by previous
witnesses, the builders slum reclaim
alton plan to be presented Friday
will call for establishment of a slum
clearance board, composed of repre-
sentative citizens, which would con-
denim slum areas and clear away the
substandard dwellings. The land
then would be sold to private enter
prise for redevelopment. In return
for being permitted to buy the land
at its "use value" the builders would
agree to construct the type of low
cost housing recommended by the
board and to charge rentals not ex-
ceeding fixed amount.
Rentals Would Be Scaled Low.
Rentals would be scaled low. and
families unable to pay would re-
ceive direct relief from a local well
fare agency.
James C. Wilkes, attorney for the
Home Builders Association. said last
night that approximately Is private
builders have definitely committed
themselves" to construct some of the
necessary replacement housing il
the plan to be outlined by Mr.. War;
reh is put into operation.
All Is, Mr.. Wilkes said, will be
present at the hearings and will
be prepared to testify if Senator
Burton wishes them to make their
commitments a matter of record.
A representative of the building
and loan interests will appear before
the subcommittee Friday or Satur-
day to testify that adequate finan-
cial backing can be obtained for the
builders plan, Mr.. Wilkes indicated.
Yesterdays hearings were marked
by statement from Clarke Daniel,
partner in the local building firm
OF Standard Properties, Inc, that his
concern will construct "at least
S2,000,000 worth of low-cost rental
characterization projects if per-
mitted to do So" Mr.. Daniel as
sured the subcommittee:
I'VE will build them fast. We will
build them well. We will make a
profit. We will pay taxes and we
will rent them for less than the
so-called economic rents" of the
National Capital Housing Au-
thority,"
Pledges Answered Tydings.
Harry Poretsky, another private
builder who testified yesterday, told
the subcommittee he will construct
some of the needed low-rent hous-
ing if the builders program is given
the green light"
This testimony, as well as the
pledges from the Is builders, was in
answer to Senator Tydings, Demo-
crat. of Maryland, who requested
several weeks ago that private in
terests make definite promises" of
what they will do if their plan is
adopted.
Mr.. Poretsky also presented fig
ures yesterday which, he said, show
that public housing construction
costs are excessive. He compared
the NCHA's 30-unit Williston Apart
ments, in the 200 block of w street
NV, with apartment developments
he has constructed at 1928 Luzon
avenue NV, 1911 Irving street NE.
and Second and Orange streets Sc.