Evening star., 1946-07-03
Building Supply Men
Aqree Unanimously
To Hold Price Line
By Robert J. Lewis

n opohcoiiidll lOl Dullullle supply
dealers in the District area said
today a survey showed they were
lin unanimous agreement" to hold
the price line at present levels in
compliance with President Truman S
recent request.
Joseph H. Deckman, chairman of
the building supply dealers divi-
sion of the Merchants and Manu-
facturers Association, explained the
survey just completed by the divi-
sion showed they will not take
advantage of the present confusion
as result of cessation of controls
to increase their profit margins"
Due to freight rate increases
approved by the Interstate Com
merce Commission, effective July l,
1916, however, prices after that date
will reflect the differential between
the old freight rates and the new
rates. he said.
No Reports of Increases.
At the same time, Ernest F. Henry
executive director of the Home
Builders Association of Metropolitan
Washington, said he had received no
reports of building materials price
increases.
He said in his opinion Washington
would get houses built more speedily
without OPA than 'if the type of
OPA administration that existed in
the past were to be renewed"
Preston E. Wire, District builder
who has completed 72o units of the
l,244-unit Carver Terrace develop
ment for colored occupancy at
Twenty-first street and Maryland
avenue NE. and is finishing up the
remainder at the rate of 80 month,
said he had checked his suppliers
and found none anticipated in
creases."
Il was very much concerned that
big increases might be coming, but
was very much pleased when
talked to those people and found
that not a one anticipated raising
prices" he said
Veterans Group Sees Wyatt.
Meanwhile, the District Veterans
Emergency Housing Committee told
Housing Administrator Wilson w.
Wyatt that if producers of building
materials were allowed to operate
at reasonable profit, building ma
terials costs for a $4,000 would rise
about $3.50 unit
The committee warned the lag
ging veterans housing program here
would be further retarded unless
price relief to this extent is forth
coming"
The warning was contained in a
report presented to Brig. Gen. Cor
don R. Young, District Engineer
Commissioner, by subcommittee on
headed by DR.. Deckman.
The report was unanimously
adopted by the full committee June
l3, the announcement said:
The committee reported increased
costs of materials would be imme-
diateE Offset by savings in overhead,
labor, interest charges and other
financing through an even flow of
materials and shorter construction
period than is now encountered.
Deckman Comments,
Mr.. Deckman commented he was
certain than even if OPA controls
were not resumed the increases
which would be necessary to adjust
price inequities to materials dealers
themselves would not total more
than SIS on the average dwelling
unit"
The subcommittee pointed out il
believed "the matter of price relief
must be faced, as many manufacture
ers are insisting on across-th board
price Increases instead of relief
through premium payments.
If price increases are not forth
coming, production will slump fur
ther and the veterans housing pro-
gram will receive greater setback ;
the report continued.
Shortages of materials were large
iy the result of labor or-management
disputes and controversial price CELL
lngs," the subcommitte pointed out
The subcommittee charged the
Civilian Production Administration
has prevented conventional use OF
plywood for anything but cabinets
bathrooms and kitchen floors" and
that this order lis making impos-
slble the construction of any housing