The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-01-03

On the widely accepted assump- ton" that national income will reach $40, 1000, GOO, GOO after the war, the Committee on Postwar Con- struction of the American Society of Civil Engineers estimates that "the construction budget for each post war year will average $l5, ,000, ,000,- OO0."
 The committee explained its esti- mate was based on business records, for the past 25 years that show that when economic conditions are stable, new construction is re- sponsible for about Il per cent of the net national income"
 S6 Billion Plans Ready
 As 1944 came to close, figures compiled for the ASCE committee by Engineering News-Record, show ed that postwar construction pro- jects now lin the design stage, with plans under way or completed" were just under the $6,000. 900 900 level. Of the anticipated $l5000,- GOO, GOO to be spent each year on building after the war. the com mittee expects privately financed work to furnish $l0000,0 ,000.
 Most of this private financed construction, other quarters have indicated, will lie in the home building field. The building trades believe that at least one million homes will have to be constructed annually for 10 years after the end of the war against Japan. More over, accordinge to the Mortgage Bankers Association, there is in the United States today very great in- terest in housing projects-such as Metropolitan Life Insurance Com- panys Parkchester in New York city that houses l9,OOO families.
 A query addressed to MBA mem bers found that least 53 per cent of the mortgage bankers anticipate a postwar trend toward such de- velopments, although they believe Federal Government policies will be a big factor in that field.
 New AirpOrts Projected While much of the expected post war construction demand will be for rehabilitation of war-worn in- dustrial plants and the nations highways. and a large slice VIII cover building of new airports and other facilities for growing bloc of private civilian fiiers most in- formed businessmen believe the building trades will get their best new homes with all lates con veniences and for repair and re- modelling of older homes.
 Henry J. Kaiser. west coasi building magnate, recently warned gathering In New York city that if the nation Is to attain It's goal of 6O,OO0,OO0 postwar jobs, most Of them will have to be In the building field.
 Kaiser's assertion and similar remarks of other businessmen anc leaders In finance, is borne out by l04O census figures that show manu- featuring industry to have had only l0,673 900 employees. or 23 per cent. out of the i940 working force o' 45, l66, 900.
 On the same percentage basis manufacturing concerns VIII DC able to provide only about l3,B00,- 900 jobs out of the required 6O,OOO,' 900 after the war.
 Kaiser. In his remarks, said build ing contractors, and the bankerE who finance them, must concen' trate their efforts on private home' in the medlum- -prlced range.
 Demand for Iow-pFiced Homes
 Studies during the year have shown that greatest public interest Hes in homes selling below s6,000 And. apparently. the bankers are going to do something about mak' ing home-ownership an easier o. nanelal burden. The United Statei Savings and Loan League proposed a new type of loan sharply re. ducing the original cost per ei.OOG og debt and Including such un'