Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1944-04-08
IhIder Says Builders
Move Slowly in Use
OF Priorities Granted
NCHA Director Charges
Private Contractors
Plan Prohibitive Rents

In support of his refusal to re-
lease to private builders the priori-
ties held by the National Capital
Housing Authority for construction
Of TAO colored housing units here
John Ihlder, executive officer of the
NCHA, today charged that private
builders have been slow to make
use of priorities they already have
been granted
Testifying before the Senate sub
committee investigating housing
conditions here, Mr.. Ihlder said that
last August there were unused pri-
critics for 1882 housing units, in
Guiding 1854 units for colored occu-
pancy, in the hands of private
builders in the District area. Many
of these idle priorities were more
than a year old, he told the sub
committee. At that time the Gov
eminent acted to recapture a con-
siderable portion of these priorities.
he said
Mr.. Ihlder also told the subcom-
mlttee that although private build
ers here were given priorities last
August for 1000 colored housing
units, only eight of these houses
have been completed. Of the re-
mainder, he said, 100 are under con-
struction, 202 are scheduled for COM
pletion next August, $50 for compile
ton next November and 1908 for
completion next December.
Raps Wilkes Statement,
He said:
This does not look like the rapid
construction Mr.. Wilkes promises. ;"
Mr.. Ihlder referred to a state
ment yesterday by James C. Wilkes.
attorney for the Washington Home
Builders Association, who said that
II NCHA would release its priorities
Tor construction of TAO colored hous-
ing units, private builders would
take over the priorities this after
noon" and begin construction of the
dwellings Immediately.
Mr.. Wilkes said the housing units
could be completed within 100 days
after the Federal Housing Admin
lStratlon approved the financing.
Mr.. Ihlder also observed that
Preston Wire, local builder, who yes
terday offered to post a $4,000 check
as guarantee that the units would
be built Immediately, did not apply
for any Of the 1000 priorities for
colored housing, which were made
available to builders here last Au-
gust.
Attacks Proposed Rents.
The rents to be charged for the
1000 colored units planned by the
private builders were attacked by
MIR. Ihlder. Although all these
houses will be built on vacant and
therefore comparatively cheap sites, -
only 500 are to be rented for S35 to
$40 month, excluding utilities, Mr..
Ihlder said Eight hundred units
will have rents Of $40 to s45 month,
while the remaining TOO will rent
from s45 to $50. The majority of
slum jewellers, Mr.. Ihlder contended,
cannot afford these rents
The NCHA executive charged that
private builders are interested in
slum reclamation only because they
are nearly out of work" and desire
anything that will tide them over
until more lucrative building jobs
return"
In that fact lies the danger of
their attempt to kill public housing"
Mr.. Ihlder told the subcommittee.
When expensive houses can again
be built and sold, the slums may lie
forgotten, unless there is public
housing"
A. J. Haskell, chief of the agency's
finance and accounts office, resumed
the testimony he began yesterday,
defending NCHA's financing and &C
counting practices. Mr. Haskell
commended that NCHA'S economic
rents cover the cost of the dwelling.
interest, all maintenance and opera
ton costs and an amount equal to
city taxes.
In answer to question from
Chairman Burton of the subcom-
mittee, Mr.. Ihlder said there is no
legal ceiling on NCHA rents. While
there have been increases since the
District Rent Control Act went into
effect and every attempt is being
made to prevent a rent hike, rising
costs may force an increase" Mr..
Ihlder said.