Evening star., 1946-08-18
Housing Expediter Measures
Progress of Eight Months
Wilson w. Wyatt, Making "No Little Plans, Points
To Completion of 225,0O0 Dwelling Units;
Work Under Wav on 10000
WILSON w. WYATT.
Bv Robert J. Lezcis

BY Robe,
On January Wilson w. Wyatt, an
affable, energetic, quick-thinking young
lawyer who had established national
reputation as Mayor of louisville. came
to Washington as President Trumans
national housing expediter
When he arrived the President told
him to make no little plans" The
tempo of demobilization was being
stepped up, and the housing problem
was rapidly approaching the crisis stage.
Bold action became must"
For this No. l Government hot seat
it appeared that the choice of Mr. Wyatt
in the law and in business, and had
just completed a successful term as a
municipal official
He was notoriously diplomatic, got
along we'll with labor and industry. was
open-minded and enthusiastic, and had
considerable experience with housing
problems in his own city. In addition
he had earned a reputation as a good
organizer and administrator and was
gifted public speaker
On his arrival Mr. Wyatt almost i'm
mediately plunged into a breathtaking
series of conferences with industry,
trade, labor, Government and veterans
groups. In the ensuing month, packed
with IL and Is hour days, the 40-year-
old Kentuckian lived up to his reputa-
ton.
Those who came into contact with him
whatever their economic or political
hue-were favorably impressed with his
ability, his tirelessness. his courteous
attention, his supercharged personality.
Made Plans Quickly.
In less than a month he conferred
with more than 80 separate groups in
the housing field. He soaked up COM
plex stream of fact and opinion on the
need for homes and how to meet that
need. Within another week he had
drawn up an almost-fantastic plan
which called for the construction of
100000 dwellings by the end of 1947. of
which 100000 were to be built this
year.
Accustomed to leisurely Government
pace, the Nation was heartened by this
truly surprising performance. Builders
were carried along by his enthusiasm
and issued pledges of cooperation.
There was little dissent even though the
veterans emergency housing program
stepped on few toes.
Conventional builders, for example,
didn't like the emphasis on prefabri-
Gated homes. Building materials pro-
ducers wanted OPA price increases
rather than subsidies
The gargantuan size of Mr. Wyatts
blueprint was evident when it was con-
trasted with the then existing Govern
ment program envisaging production of
only 100000 to 100000 homes this year.
Earlier the president of the National
Association of Home Builders had indi-
Gated that even such volume was on
the optimistic side.
The housing expediter was not at all
oblivious of the difficulties that could be
expected to beset such large order He
hiiS", 1Cl Ll1db 1870 lldS UEEIl
history's peak home construction year
and that in that year 935,000 dwellings
had been built
Yet in the first year of reconversion
to peacetime production the daring
young innovator was projecting 265 900
out before.
No doubt existed of the need America
was short of far more decent homes
than Mr.. Wyatt hoped could be built in
the next few years. Nor was there any
question that the lack of homes was
creating an explosive social and political
situation involving veterans.
But where some doubt fingered was
over the practically of attempting such
huge housing program in confused
period when materials would certainly
be scarce and when other types of con-
struction would be competing for the
small supply.
Mr.. Wyatt's answer to those who be-
lieved the job couldn't be done was to
point out that the need existed, and
that therefore, the job had to be done.
Do the Impossible.
He recalled the scofing that had
greeted President Roosevelt's call for
$4,000 airplanes in the early days of
the war. Though many people consid-
cred it impossible" Mr.. Wyatt said, that
goal and others like it were achieved
and passed. He aimed to do the i'm
possible if necessary.
The actions he outlined to accomplish
this purpose sounded eminently prac-
tical. In brief, he proposed to:
l. Boost the materials supply by pay
ing subsidies to manufacturers on pro-
duction above the current level, thus
avoiding as many price increases as pos
sible. This had been done successfully
during the war.
a. Encourage prefabricated home out