Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1945-09-16
Randolph Backs
Builders Pleas
.ToEnd Controls
Meeting Is Called
On Extension of Act
For Curb on Rents
BY DON S. WARREN.

Chairman Randolph OF the House
District Committee yesterday threw
his influence behind the demand
OF the private home building in
dustry that 1t be given the 60
ahead signal for needed housing
construction here.
At the same time, he called
meeting of his committee for 10
am. Wednesday on the question
of extension of the Districts rent
control system for another year
beyond its present termination date,
December 81.
Meanwhile. subcommittee of
the Senate Small Business Commit
tee is scheduled to open a three
day hearing at 10 am. Tuesday to
study the ACCESSIBILITY of dropping
the War Labor Boards ruling
'L-41" which prohibited all hous-
ing construction not vital to the
war effort. Elimination of the rul-
ing would give the home building
industry green light to begin i'm
mediate construction of homes and
apartments in badly over-crowded
Washington.
Favors Rent Control.
Though in favor of lifting all
wartime controls as soon as circum-
stances permit, Mr.. Randolph fayors
retaining the Districts rent control
for another year because of the lack
of new housing.
At the Wednesday session of the
District Committee, Mr.. Randolph
also will call up for action number
of other municipal measures on
the committee calendar.
| His declaration that controls over
new housing construction should be
lifted was made in letter to Morris
Cafritz, president of the Home
Builders Association of Metropoli-
tan Washington, in which he re-
vealed he had sent recommended
lions to President Truman.
Letter to Cafritz. :
Mr.. Randolph wrote Mr.. CafritZ
THE organization which you rep
resent properly presents vigorous
and correct reasons why wartime
controls hindering construction of
residential building should be lifted
Immediately within the District and
the Metropolitan Area. Your con-
tention, with equal force, applies
also to other cities and sections of
the United States "s* Common
sense tells us that the Capital city
area urgently needs the additional
housing which would be provided by
construction program through the
initiative and industry of private
channels.
Plant productivity in the build
ing materials field would thereby
be consumed. necessary employment
for displaced defense workers and
returning veterans would be pro-
vided, and homes would be avail
able, at moderate prices, for those
thousands Of families who have been
living in unsatisfactory quarters and
surroundings"
Builders Appeal to Truman.
More than 200 builders, material
supply dealers. financeers and other
key men, in the home building in
dustry, at meeting here Tuesday.
protested continuance of wartime
controls over residential building.
This group, in a telegram to Presl-
dent Truman, declared it was pre-
pared to 60 ahead with large-scale,
moderate-priced housing develop
ment so urgently needed in this
area. as soon as construction con-
trolls are lifted"
Nearly 20 spokesman for various
groups, including industry and labor,
have been invited to appear before
the District Committee Wednesday
to give brief statements on the rent
control proposal.
Among these are Rent Admins
traitor Robert F. Cogswell, Corpo-
ration Counsel Richmond B. Keech,
Rufus S. LusE of the Apartment
Owners Association, Robert Sher-
man of the Congress of Industrial
Organizations, John Locher and
Frank Coleman of the Central La
Dor Union of the American Fedora
ton OF Labor, Bruce Baird of the
District Bankers Association; Hugh
Obear of the District Bar Associa-
ton.
Wilbur Finch, Federation of Cit
liens Associations; DR.. E. F. Har-
ris, Federation of Civic Associations
Mr.. Cafritz; l.. Gardner Moore, Ho-
tel Association; B. M. McKelway
Washington Board of Trade; J.
Bernard Wycoff, Washington Hous-
ing Association, and Lewis T. Breu-
ringer, Washington Real Estate
Board.
Other District Issues.
Among the other District matters
to be called up Wednesday for COM
mittee action are bills which would !:
Deed to Maryland portion of the
grounds of the District Training
School for Feeble Minded at Laurel,
Nd, to permit the opening of a
roadway; bring the Districts system
controlling the size of rock fish
which may be offered for sale into
closer conformity with the Mary
land and Virginia laws; enable vet
Grams to obtain copies of public
records without payment of fees
when they are required for pres
entation of claims to the Veterans
Administration. and relieve trust
companies of making arnual reports
to the Controller of Currency.
ARLINGTON Nurses Aides
To Begin Class Oct. !
The first fall class, sponsored by
the Arlington Red Cross, to instruct
volunteers as nurses aides is sched-