Evening star., 1945-10-21
Homes and Jobs for Millions
Potter 5Foo Takes Task Guiding Construction
Industry Into Top.Speed Action to Combat Shortages
B.

NS~ss
University. He began practicing civil
law conventionally enough-as a $75-a-
month clerk In firm headed by the
late Gov. James S. Hogg of Texas
Later, he became partner in the firm,
practiced for IL years. In all those
years he made only two switches: One
leave OF absence to serve as Judge of
the District Court and another to be
Federal master in chancery. Texans
still call him Judge"
Developed Houston Project.
He married in 1915, has two sons:
Hugh, jr., now 20 and a captain in the
cavalry, recently returned from Ger
many, and Scott, %, an Army lieutenant
stationed in Manila. His wife died, and
he married again in 1927 He and Lucille
Potter have a daughter, Joan, Is, now
attending Madeira School in Virginia.
The most radical change in the Potter
pattern occurred in 1924 Two college
chums, Mike and Will Hogg, sons of the
Governor, convinced him that there was
a need for comprehensive neighbor-
hood" in Houston. They persuaded him
to join them in developing the now
famous River Oaks
There I was, lawyer, starting
project needing engineers, architects
landscape architects, advertising men.
statesmen" he says. Il wasn't any of
these. But it was up to me to hire and
coordinate them.
You might say" he says, clapping
a half-smoked cigar into his mouth
Il started co-ordinating then"
Sole owner OF the development COM
parry at present, since the Hogg brothers
are dead, Potter believes that house
can't be judged by its sales price.
inexpensive ones can be good, and there
fore good neighbors to more costly
homes.
After River Oaks was successfully
running, Potter took on a national
perspective, became passionately inter-
ested in city planning. He began country
wide tours of inspection, discussions and
debate on building problems. He pointed
out that Government must play its part,
such as assembling slum land in the
hearts of large cities, where land is
costly. In order to make 1t possible for
private builders to build at a profit.
Although Potter had refused many
Washington jobs, it was inevitable that
he take this one. Everything in his
background pointed to it. First, there
was his belief that the reconversion
period is probably the most significant
phase of the war. Second, there was his
knowledge Of building conditions all
over the country. He had visited 100
cities for the National Association of
Real Estate Boards and the Urban Land
Institute, both of which he once headed.
Sees Advantages in Standardization.
Potter says that some forces still fight
what they call standardization, insisting
that style is lost with mass production,
But people don't feel bad, he says,
wearing clothes like everybody else's-
when good clothes can be had at low
prices.
Prefabrication won't come overnight
But site fabrication, learned during the
war, is already here. War housers saved
time making parts in rough plants on
the scene-a trend Potter thinks win
continue.
He hopes to be around to see the big
long-predicted housing changes, He
thinks he'll see some-not soon, but in
the future. Even in housing the good
things come slowly: Better planned cities
with space, light and air for millions,
better roads, well-designed and durable
homes for less than IS 900, closer COM
munity life revolving around community
centers, parks, Fairgrounds and shopping
centers.
When these things come, Potter says
he'll be satisfied that he barged ahead
at this crucial time in American indus
trial and social history-to help provide
jobs and homes for millions.