Evening star., 1946-03-25
FWAReportPuts
DC. Workdt
AZ Millions
Funds Eurmurked
For al Projects Here,
Survey Reveals

SuiVSy NSVSuIS
America, from Manhattan &c
Main street, has mapped out nearl,
$4,000, 600 900 in public construc-
ton for the day when manpowel
and materials again are available
the Federal Works Agency said in
report today.
But even should. this program be
carried to completion, it still would
fall short of the bulwark desired
against the eventuality of lean
days. the report emphasized in call
ing for more planning.
Compiled from a national survey
Of the FWA's Bureau of Community
Facilities, the report covered both
Federally aided planning and that
conducted by local governments
without outside assistance. Includ-
ing proposed highway construc-
ton, the Nation as of last Decem-
Der 81 had laid plans for $9,942,-
$4,000 worth of public works.
d. c. Earmarks $42 Million.
OF this amount, the District had
$42, ,783 900 earmarked for Al prof.
ects carried in the report, In addi-
ton to $2,410,0O0 tabled for two
other projects since the survey was
completed.
The survey was made In connec-
ton with the FWA program by
which funds advanced by the Gov
ernment for actual planning of
projects are repaid when con-
struction starts.
George H. Field, Bureau of Com
munity Facilities commissioner
said the survey was an answer to
a request for more information
made last summer by Senator Muir
ray, Democrat, of Montana, chair
man of a committee to study and
survey problems of small business
enterprises, and Representative
Colmer, Democrat, of Mississippi,
chairman of a committee on post
war economic policy and planning.
Program Held Inadequate.
Bearing out the recurring pleas
Of Maj. Gen. Philip B. Fleming,
Federal Works administrator, for a
great stockpile of planning as in
surance against "leaf-raking" days,
the report said:
1.-THE total volume of completed
plan preparation falls far short of
the volume of construction of State
and local public works required to
meet needs which may arise within
the next few years. Additional en-
phasis should be placed on compile
ton of the drawings and specifica-
tions."
This referred to $4,4O4 ,316, 600
worth of construction-about half
Of the proposed total-which has
been brought up to design stage"
without Federal assistance. A "con-
siderable portion" of this may not
be completed without Federal aid,
the report said.
OF $30,000,000 appropriated by
Congress to lend for planning, $13,-
248,000 had been advanced Decem-
ber 81 to assure groundwork for
1854 ,932 900 Of construction-abou
half of it in New York State.
Applications for similar loans to-
falling s29,076,00O were being re-
viewed-about twice the amount of
funds remaining for planning.
Many Agencies Consulted.
The Community Facilities field
staff contacted 1890 Government
units and decided plan preparation
should be stimulated "to a larger
and more adequate extent than has
been possible with the very limited
funds thus far made available for
this purpose"
President Truman, in his mes
sage to Congress, asked for addi-
tional Federal aid money for the
fiscal year 1947.
Planning is largely concentrated
in a few States. OF 2,811 counties
surveyed, 1892 reported to plans at
all, and this also was true of 66
per cent of the cities of $4,000 or
less population.
Sewer, water and sanitation, hos
pital and educational facilities ac-
count for 71.3 per cent of the esti-
mated construction cost in projects
with Federal aid and 46.4 per cent
in projects planned without Gov
ernment help.
ID. C. Projects Listed.
The District either has received
or has applied for total of $470. .625
in planning money for IA projects
These include the K street overpass,
the Highway Bridge at Fourteenth
street, Dupont Circle underpass and
recreation department facilities.
Twenty mine other projects total
ing $12,561 900 have. been planned
without Federal aid. They include
eight items for highway, road and
street construction ($436, ,0O0; eight
items for sewer, water and santa
stion ($3 1868 ,000); nine items for
schools ($6,860,000) and two for hos
pitfalls Isl ,o6o, o,ooo).
Col. j. D. Arthur, assistant engi-
neer Commissioner, said planning
money had been received for all but
one project. The two projects
lnltlated since completion of the
report were for recreational i'm
provements, he said.
The Bureau of Community Fac
cilities said it expected local gov
ernments to finance actual con-
struction work. The survey showed
approximately As per cent of financ-
ing on projects completely planned
already has been arranged by COM
nunities.
1hvoo Eron. C:I.o.