Evening star., 1951-04-10
House Economy Bloc
Turns 10 Slash in
Civil Defense Fund
By J. A. o'Leory

aim its economy ak at civil de-
Tense funds after tentatively ap-
proving a cut yesterday from $97 S
million to $9,533,9 in a Voice of
America expansion program.
Meanwhile. the Senate passed
and sent TO the House a SIG bill
lion defense housing bill, which
also represents only half of the
administrations original request.
When the economy minded
House began work yesterday on a
$478, 100000 money bill. carrying
emergency funds for a variety of
agencies for the next three
months. friends of the Voice of
America program made no effort
Ito restore the deep slash the Ap-
preparations Committee already
had recommended in funds which
were to have been used to expand
its efforts to reach people behind
the iron curtain by radio.
CCC Funds Also Cut.
The House also knocked $780,
600 from the Commodity Credit
Corps administrative budget and
then Chairman Cannon of the Ap-
preparations Committee called of
proceedings until today.
a Still to be acted on Is the Com
mittee cut from $403 million to
$186. 10000 in the fund to keep
the Civil Defense Administration
going from now until June 80.
Representative Flood, Democrat
|of Virginia, defended the work of
the State Departments Voice
program, but decided to rely on the
Senate to restore the cut, rather
than risk further setback by
moving for restoration in the
House. The funds were intended
to construct 13 additional broad
casting outlets. The committee
argued the money is not needed
now because sites for the stations
have not been chosen.
Later Consideration Possible.
This session will have another
chance later to consider the needs
of both the Voice of America and
the Civil Defense Administration,
when it takes up the regular ap-
preparation bills for the year
starting July l.
Main features of the Senate's
defense housing bill are:
/. Authorizes another SIS bill
lion of FHA-insured mortgages to
stimulate private construction in
cities where revival of the defense
program is causing new con-
gestion.
2. Allows $50 million for Gov
building of houses where
private capital fails to step in.
3. Provides $50 million for Fed
eral grants and loans for COM
facilities. such as sewers,
water systems and hospitals.
4. Loans of not to exceed SIS
to increase the output of
prefabricated houses.
5. Creates a $40 million revolv-
ing fund for Government condem-
nation of land where necessary to
avoid speculation. The land
would be resold at cost to building
contractors.
VA Authority Extended.
The Senate added a provision,
extending until 1853 the authority
Of the Veterans Administration to
make direct housing loans to ex-
servicemen. About $100 million
of $3.50 million fund
created for this purpose last year.
The Senate also adopted an
amendment designed to prevent
builders from getting Govern
ment-insured mortgages in excess
of the actual cost of projects. Sem
ators Long. Democrat. of Louisi-
ana. and Douglas, Democrat, of
Illinois charged that abuses of
this kind had occurred in the
past on Government insured
apartment houses. Senator Ben
nett. Republican, of Utah joined
in working out the protective
amendment.
At one point in the debate
Senator Douglas suggested that
while the Senate is in an investi-
eating mood, it might look into
some OF the FILA mortgages on
large apartment projects.
The House last month refused
to consider the original defense
housing bill. when it authorized
up to So billion of additional in
sured mortgages. It now will have
another chance to consider the
curtailed Senate. program.
w RI Gives Dr. Crimes