Evening star., 1946-02-28
Wyatt Asks Builders
For Full Endorsement
OF Housing Program
By Robert J. Lewis
Rsol Estots Editor of The Stor.

Reel E.fots Editor Of The sfor.
CHICAGO, Feb. 28.-Wilson w.
Wyatt, national housing admtnis-
traitor, today asked the executive
session of the National Association
of Home Builders for full indorse-
ment OF his housing program.
His last-minute appeal for CO.
operation was made as many con-
vention delegates, including SIS
builders, contractors and dealers
from Washington, were preparing
to leave, while committees wound
up final details.
In a statement later today, ma
tional directors were expected to
drop their earlier opposition to some
features of the Wyatt program, in
cluding 100000. 900 in premium
payments to materials producers.
Slum Report Delayed.
Offlcials predicted, however, the
board would reiterate opposition to
Mr.. Wyatt's support of the Wagner
Ellender-Taft bill and the housing
programs emphasis" on factory.
produced homes.
Also remaining before the board
OF directors was action on a de-
layed report of the Public Housing
and Slum Clearance Committee.
The premium payment plan is an
important feature of the Patman
housing bill. which the convention
opposed earlier this week.
Wyatt Wins Applause.
In an hour-long defense of his
program to build 2,700 900 homes for
veterans in the next two years, Mr..
Wyatt was repeatedly applauded
last night by 1900 persons at a BAN
quet in the Stevens Hotel, despite
earlier indications that he might
meet a hostile reception.
Emphasizing that his proposals
added up to "the greatest private
enterprise home building program
in the history of the world" and
that they offer IAN unprecedented
challenge and an unprecedented
opportunity" to home builders, Mr..
Wyatt repeated that premium pay
ments would stimulate production
quickly and keep costs down.
The housing administrator said
he expected to name practical
builders" to help administer the
program .and pointed out he would
need their help to make it work.
Washington Group Pleased.
Washington delegates said they
were pleased" with the Wyatt ad-
dress and that it was a welcome
Qualification" of his program. They
indicated, however, they considered
prefabrication of homes, as con-
templated by the program, more
expensive and less desirable" than
conventional homes.
Edward r. Carr, president of the
Washington home builders group
who today was appointed a member
of the national associations seven
man executive committee, COM
mented:
There's not a man here who
doesn't admire Wilson Wyatt for
his dynamic approach to the job OF
getting veterans homes into pro-
duction. We're with him 100 per
cent on that score.
I'm confident that he will see
to it that builders get a. sufiicient
flow of materials to take advantage
of mass production methods such
as we have today in on-site con-
struction.
Attacks Prefabricated Units. {
"Our only fear is that materials
which builders need now and can
use Immediately In programs al
ready under way will be allotted to
prefabricated houses because of the
mistaken belief that they are
cheaper.
"No prefabricated house is any
good until it is completed and put
up on a lot. Conventional builders,
on the other hand, have the land,
have completed their plans and can
have houses ready to move into
when they get the materials.
I'VE contend that, granted the
materials, we can have the houses
ready for veterans before prefabri-
Gated plants can get into operation.
After listening to Mr.. Wyatt's
talk, I'm coming back to Washing
ton with feeling of real optimism
that his administration will Coop
crate to smooth out any possible
misunderstanding that exist today
and get this great program into mo-
ton quickly, both in Washington
and throughout the country"