Evening star., 1945-06-20

In Communities
Declares u. S. Should
Help Private Firms
Meet Problems
President Truman, in a letter to
the National Public Housing Con-
ference, last night declared the
Federal Government not only
should help private enterprise meet
the housing problem, but also
should provide communities with
aid to insure shelter for those whose
needs could not be met otherwise,
His letter was read to the con-
ference at its 18th annual dinner
meeting at the Mayfower Hotel by
its president, DR.. Bryn j. Hovde.
chief of the Division of Cultural
Cooperation, State Department.
The Chief Executives words on the
controversial housing question were
greeted with prolonged applause -
Democratic Senators Wagnd
New York and Ellender of L
lana, and Senator Taft, Repub
OF Ohio, indicated they are pla]
to sponsor jointly a new
housing bill soon" They en-
sized the need to stimulate
efforts Of private enterprise
local community initiative. Sc
tors Wagner and Ellender predicl
a bitter fight against public. housif
IN Congress, but forecast victory.
Presidents Letter.
In his letter, President Truman
said: The housing needs of our
country today constitute one of our
most challenging obligations, but
there is ample evidence that there is
a widespread awareness of these
needs, and a full readiness to take
up the task of meeting them.
I'm its program OF education
said the President, "the Public
Housing Conference can make an
effective contribution to provide
good homes, in good environment,
for all American families"
Extending best wishes" to the
gathering, the Chief Executive said
the meeting could help shape
national objectives."
I'VE all recognize" he wrote,
that housing is primarily a COM
munity responsibility. But we rec
ognize that the Federal Govern
ment has large share Of RESPONSE
bility, too. 1t has the obligation Of
helping private enterprise to do the
greatest possible share of the hous-
ing job ahead, and to provide COM
munities with the aid necessary to
insure adequate shelter for those
whose needs cannot otherwise be
met" =
Wagner Gives Warning.
Senator Wagner warned that
public housing will be fought against
bitterly in Congress. He called for
a valiant" fight for such legisla-
ton through the same channels.
Unity among labor, welfare groups
and public interest groups, and the
plain people generally, would assure
victory in the end, he said.
Senator Taft expressed the hope
the housing problem could be dealt
with on nonpartisan basis, and
stressed the necessity of encourag-
ing private enterprise and local
management, with as little partici-
patton by the Federal Government
as possible. He differed with Sen
ator Wagner on the amount Of
public housing advisable, or likely
to be necessary, and told the group
he was of the minority party whose
duty it was to be more critical.
He said, for instance, the Gov
ernment should not attempt to pro-
vide for those who cannot be cared
for by private enterprise, adding
there was marginal field in be-
tween. Private builders ought to
develop $4,000 home, he went on,
to help meet the needs of the lower
income group. Senator Taft doubted
If a proposed program of 100000
public housing units a year, and
1,160,0 900 private enterprise units a
year, could be met by private in
dustry in its present status.
On the other hand Senator
Wagner insisted the Government
should and could provide for more
than 100000 units a year, increasing
the Federal annual contributions
by SIT SOC, 900, or $87 100000 over q
five year period.
Ellender Stresses Need.
Senator Ellender stressed the
need of arousing public support for
public housing, but warned that
"the only kind of bill that can pass
Congress is one which shows on its
face that we are going to help pri-
vate enterprise do more of the job
and that we are going to found a
public housing program upon that
proposition will not support
any one-legged ,bil1," he declared.
Philip M. Klutznik, commissioner
OF the Federal Public Housing Au.
thority, said that the maximum re-
sources Of free enterprise should be
encouraged, and that public hous-
ing should be supplement, aid
and helpmate to free enterprise in
the housing industry.
The conference reelected DR..
Hovde, president. Other officers
named were: Judge George l..
Quilici of Chicago, chairman of the
board; Catherine Bauer of Boston.
J. P. Hamblen of Houston, Tex, and
Alfred 4. Stern Of New York City,
vice presidents; Morris Miller, at
torney of this city, treasurer, and
Miss Laurine A. Winlack of this city,
recording secretary.
INnen4sa. n~