Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1945-12-12
Truman Asks Control Over Prices
For Both Old and New Housinq
And Priorities for Materials
Preference Urged
For Veterans:
Wyatt Expediter

ASSAaSiiV IL ullidIl COudy dShcl
that residential property, bott
old and new, be placed under
price control and directed rein
statement of the priority system
on building materials.
His actions contemplated specia
preference to veterans in need Of
housing.
At the same time, Mr.. Truman
announced appointment of Wilson
w. Wyatt, former mayor of Louis
vile, as special housing expeditel
under the Office of War Mobilization
and Reconversion. The White House
said Mr.. Wyatt will assume his new
job in a few days.
MIR. Truman, outlining his pro-
gram at news conference, also dis
closed that the first of a series OF
meetings with industry and commu-
nifty groups under the housing pro-
gram will be held here next Monday
and Tuesday. Representatives of la
Dor and management have been in
vited to participate.
Snyder Proposals Approved.
The Presidents action was taken
In approving recommendation con-
tanned in statement by Recover
sion Director John w. Snyder, which
the President read.
The program calls for ceiling prices
ION old and new housing" Mr..
Truman said the Office of Price
Administration sis now placing local
ollar-and-cents ceiling on the con-
struction materials themselves and
many services"
The three-point program calls
for:
l. Speedy release of Government
owned surplus housing units and
building materials for use in hous-
ing veterans and their families.
2. A regulation, now being pre-
pared for release before the middle
of the month, establishing priorities
on building materials.
Imitation Threat Seen.
The Chief Executive said this regu-
lation would establish priorities for
single or double dwelling housing
units costing $4,000 or less per unit
He said this would mean about so
per cent of all building materials will
be channeled into this type of build
ing" with the balance available for
commercial, industrial, higher
priced dwellings and for other con-
struction, public or private He
said he was acting under the Sec
ond War Powers Act.
3. Ceiling prices on old and new
housing, a field in which he said
sharp prices had brought threat of
imitation which has been the most
menacing in our economy.
1--WE are using all the powers that
have been granted the administra-
ton to combat it," he added.
When the matter came up at the
news conference, Mr.. Truman said
in response to questions that the
administration planned to invoke
price ceilings on old and new hous-
ing under the War Powers Act,
pending enactment of specific leg
islation on the subject
White House Issues Statement.
After the conference, however, the
White House issued a statement as
serting the Presidents explanation
was made under misapprehen-
sion.
Legislation is necessary to fix price
ceilings, the White House statement
said.
Legislation is not necessary for
the establishment of priorities on
building materials" it added, and
then said priorities ARE being set
up under the War Powers Act with
out legislation"
The President had been asked
whether legislation would be neces-
sary on price ceilings. He replied
no, because this is under the War
Powers Act.
THE President in answering the
question was under the impression
that the question referred to priori-
ties rather than price ceilings" the
White House stated.
The President, adopting Mr..
Snyder's recommendation as those
of the administration, quoted Mr..
Snyder as saying that credit
agencies of the Government "are
working out ways to curb unsound
lending practices"
The program would involve vary
ing ceilings in different parts of the
country depending on local condi-
tons.
House Legislation Endorsed.
The President Endorsed legislation
now before the House Banking and
Currency Committee providing au-
thority for ceiling prices on the sale
OF old and new housing. He said
such authority is essential eff we
are to avert further skyrocketing of
home prices"
"A statement by Mr.. Snyder said
that more than ly000,0 600 families
are living doubled up with other
families because of the acute hous-j
ing shortage. Many more viii have
to double up next year. Thousands
Of these will be- veterans, married
during or after the war, who have
never had a chance to set up homes
for themselves. Immediate demand
for new housing is far In excess Of
our capacity to produce next year
AS result, the threat Of imitation
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