Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1948-04-08
Prices Of Homes
-.
In Viers Mill
Hit, Defended
Too High, Johns Says;
Not Excessive, FILA
OfficiuI Declares

A House Expenditures Subcom-
mittee received conflicting views to-
day from Montgomery County Of
ficials and a representative of the
Federal Housing Agency on the
value of houses in the 1,400-unit
viers Mill development near Wheat
on, Md.
James H. Hewitt, director Of the
District FILA Insuring Office, de-
clared the houses now under con-
struction will very definitely be
worth" the $500 sales price II
properly built.
Earlier, Brook Johns, chairman
of the Montgomery County commits
sioners, testified that in his opinion
the construction "is inferior from
top to bottom" He contended the
houses should sell for no more than
$1,000 each. 81.
Mr.. Hewitt told the committee
that II his Office insures Viers Mill
Fhomes, veterans "can be certain of
getting fair value, but I will not
put my name on any insurance
commitment until all specifications
are lived up to-"
{ Statistics Offered.
The official said his Office placed
Fcost of each of the homes at $7,366.
Lots, he said, are valued at 5000 and
Isl 900. Construction of the same
home, In 1941, however, would have
.cost only $3.50, he asserted.
! Most homes in this are cost
from $4,000 to $4,000" Mr.. Hewitt
declared. Frankly, was delighted
ITO see builder come in here and
crack the $4,000 sales price figure"
Mr.. Hewitt said inspection have
disclosed defective construction at
the project. including faulty con-
crete foundations. These will have
to be corrected before any approval
is given, he said.
1000 Homes Forecast.
! The official testified that, in his
opinion, the Viers Mill builders
would end up with about 1000
homes, rather than the 1,400 ad-
vertised, because some land at the
development might not be accept
able to FILA"
The subcommittee Is investigating
charges that the project is faulty
constructed and that Veterans Ad-
ministration and Federal Housing
Agency Investigators have over
appraised the one-family dwelling
for veteraf1s. ,f
The hearing got off to a lively
start when Representative Lanham,
Democrat, of Georgia, asked Mr.
Johns whether he opposed the
project because its low cost would
bring the county low taxes.
4 Johns Shouts Denial.
Mr.. Johns leaped to his feet and
shouted:
mo, I would welcome low-cost
housing from a builder who would
get only 10 or IL per cent profit
Mr.. Johns said he had visited the
partly finished development about
Is times with builders. who led him
to believe that materials and work
manship there ARE about as in
ferior as they could come"
In answer to another question, Mr..
Johns said he has had experience as
a builder, but that II feel I am too
Intelligent to build on this type of
market"
At one point, the Montgomery Of
fcial said he was told that the
Viers Mill builders placed a cost of
$4,000 on a county building permit
but that a county official had
changed the figure to $4,000.
Seeks to Question Officials.
When Mr.. Johns said he would
like to question county officials
present about that matter, Repre-
sentative Snyder, Republican, OF
West Virginia, subcommittee chair
man, told him the group Is inter-
.ested only in the activities Of Fed
leral agencies.
'I think you'd better start an
investigation in your own State
about that" Mr.. Lanham declared.
Maryland will have to pay for
that"
"I'll do that the commissioner
replied.
| Mr.. Johns said the development
lis located ION one of the most
beautiful knobs in our county"
But homes are being placed there
Hike mushrooms that are popping
hp overnight" he said.
Mr.. Johns said he was told 1t
would cost about 100000 to run
ftrunkline sewer into the project.
BIT is his understanding, he said,
f'that the veteran buyer will have
10 pay for this eventually"
WV Official Assails Project.
Earlier. Eugene A. Grady. housing
chairman of the Veterans of Foreign
Wars, United States Treasury Post,
sleveled strong criticism against con-
struction at the project. He listed
40 items which he said represented
poor workmanship.
When he began to talk about CT
loans for viers Mill, Mr.. Lanham
reminded him that although Federal
agencies have appraised the project.
there is no evidence that loans have
been closed.
This project may be as bad as
severy one says it is" Mr.. Lanham
asserted, ''but I am taking for
Egranted that the VA and FILA will
make sure any faults are corrected
Before any loans are finally guar
9anteed."
Aubrey Williams Son Asks