Evening star., 1945-09-06

been restricted to those necessary
for national defense and the prose-
cution of the war. Projects which
normally would have been con-
structed were deferred, and large
backlog Of needed construction has
accumulated. Plans for some Of
these projects - specifically those
relating to reclamation, rivers and
harbors, food control and the con-
Servation of our natural resources
are now ready. and their construc-
ton can go forward when funds are
provided and materials and man.
power are available without COM
petlng with private industry. Plans
for other Federal projects are be-
ing prepared through the use of
funds wisely appropriated by the
Congress for advance preparation.
Additional funds are needed for
this purpose, and I urge that the
Congress provide them.
CD I recommend that the Con-
gress enact legislation authorizing
additional construction of certain
Federal buildings. A portion of
this program has already been au-
thorized but has been held up by
reason of cost limits imposed upon
the buildings which cannot now be
met because of increased needs and
cost.
CD I recommend that the Con-
gress release the funds for the
highway program authorized under
the Federal Aid Highway Act of
1914 public Law 521, Seventy
eighth Congress-. Under this act
$500000,000 has been authorized for
the first year and $500,OO0 900 for
each of the two succeeding years,
making total authorization of IL
billion. With the States share Of
the cost included, this would pro-
vide a total highway construction
program of $4,000, 100000 for
three-year period.
"a I recommend that the Con-
gress appropriate s25 100000 to con-
tinue the construction of the Inter-
American highway through the
Central American republics to the
Canal Zone.
60 I recommend that the Con-
gress enact legislation to provide
the necessary airports and airport
facilities to serve the great needs
of an expanded postwar air trans
portation and commerce. A we'll.
planned airport program would i'm
prove transportation, amplify the
usefulness of the airplane and con-
tribute to a healthy aircraft manu-
featuring industry.
Needs 5000 Airports.
The Congress now has before It
a survey of the present and future
needs for airports in the United
States prepared by the Secretary of
Commerce. This report indicates
the necessity for approximately 5000
new airports and for improvements
to more than half of the existing
5000 airports The report recon-
mends that the program be spread
over period of 10 years and that
the cost be shared equally between
Federal and non-Federal govern
mental agencies. I recommend pas
sage Of appropriate legislation to
implement this program.
(6) States and local governments
should be encouraged to construct
useful public works of the types that
must necessarily supplement and 60
along with the private construction
of homes and industrial facilities.
If private construction is to move
forward at rapid rate, it is vitality
important that local governments
promptly proceed with the construc-
ton of such facilities as streets,
sewers, water supply, hospitals, air.
ports, schools, and other necessary
public facilities. Such projects
should be undertaken at this time
where they supplement and en-
courage private construction, not
where they compete with it for
manpower and materials.
The Congress has already author
lied under title v of the War Mo-
bilization and Reconversion Act of
1914 appropriations for advances Of
Federal funds to State and local
governments to assist them in the
preparation of detailed drawings
and specifications for their public
works. The appropriation thus far
made is entirely inadequate and
shall request additional funds in
order to speed up this important
activity during the reconversion
period.
Awaiting Decision.
The majority of State and local
governments are awaiting a decision
concerning Federal assistance. In
order to get needed public facilities
started promptly which do not COM
pete with private construction,
recommend that the Congress give
early consideration to grants for
such public works under conditions
that will insure that each level Of
government, Federal, State and To-
cal, shall make its appropriate con-
tribution.
CD The Congress has also been
giving consideration to legislation
with respect to the construction Of
hospitals and health centers
throughout the country. During the
war the Government, through the
Federal Works Agency and the Pub
lie Health Service, has assisted
State and local governments and
nonproflt organizations in the con-
struction of such facilities. The
beneficial results of this program
are well known. The Federal Gov
eminent must continue to recognize
its obligation to maintain and i'm
prove the health of the Nation bv
providing Federal grants where
necessary for the construction of
hospital and health centers.
Programs of internal improve
ments of public characterized
eral, State, and local-must preserve
competitive bidding, guarantee COL
lective bargaining and good wages
for labor, utilize the skills of our
returned veterans to the fullest ex-
tent and effectively prevent dis
elimination because of race, creed,
or color.
Is. Postwar
Reconstruction
With the arrival of VI day lease