Evening star., 1952-08-31

House Committee Photos.
Administration compliance in
|Spector passed these floors fol
final approval.
2. The original specifications
filed with the Veterans Admins
tration on which the Veterans
Administration established the
reasonable value required insula-
ton on the underside of the first
floors in crawl-space houses. The
Veterans Administration autho-
rized the builder to substitute felt
on earth, which was to act as a
vapor shield. The Veterans Ad-
ministration specified the use OF
a 55-pound roofing felt.
Since most of the crawl-space
houses in the project have a
space of from 4 to 6 feet under
the house, it is very doubtful that
approval Of such a substitution
was justified. The builder failed
to comply with the specifications
of the substitution. Investigations
by the committee disclosed that
some houses had no roofing felt
on the ground. In other cases a
light paper, approximately Is
pound weight, was used. This
paper had completely deteriorated
after a few months and was
serving no purpose whatever.
No Adjustment in Price.
At a later date the Veterans
Administration Withdrew author
ization for the substitution and
required the builder to continue
to insulate under the first floor
of crawl-space houses. It is es-
timated that this substitution
saved the builder approximately
$45 per dwelling. However. no re-
duction was made in the reason
able value established by the
Veterans Administration.
8. The original specifications
filed by the builder required a
furnace with a 75..000-b.tu. out
put. The builder requested
permission from the Veterans
Administration to substitute a
furnace with a 60.000-b.tu. out.
put. The substitution was ap-
proved by the Veterans Admin
istration. The substitution saved
the builder approximately $5(
per unit. However, no adjustment
was made in the reasonable value
of the property. q.
4. The original specifications
called for oak stair treads for the
living room stairs. The builder re-
quested permission to substitute
pine treads for oak and at the
same time asked permission to in
stall a metal stair rail in lieu o1
the wood rail required by the
original specifications. The Veter-
ans Administration authorized
the substitution of pine treads fo1
oak and authorized installation of
the metal rail. Inspection dis
closed that the metal rail was very
poorly installed. Some Of the pine
treads installed were of very poor
quality with large unsightly knots.
These substitutionS did not in
volve a large saving for the
builder; however, they do seriously
laffect the appearance Of the living
room.
Values of Equipment.
S. In the certificate of reason
able value, the Veterans Admins
tration established the following
values for equipment:
Kitchen range ---------- $50
Electric refrigerator -------- $50
Washing machine -------- $50
The committee investigated
numerous instances where veter-
ans furnished their own equip
ment and we're not given the full
credit allowed by the Veterans
Administration. This device per-
mitted the builder to make an ex-
cess profit at the expense Of the
veterans who furnished their own
equipment. Installation Of the
washing machine in the kitchen
was unsatisfactory. Many home
owners found it necessary to
shore up the floor joists in the
crawl space or basement or have
the washing machine moved to
the basement. Despite the fact
that the builder was aware Of the
fact that the washer did not
operate satisfactorily in the
kitchen. he continued to install
the same washer with no cor
|rections.
6. A serious problem existed
throughout the project with wet
and damp basement and wetcrawl
spaces. The builder contended
that the waterproofing subcon-
tractor failed to do his job prop
erly and that he was seeking re-
course against the waterproofing
|subcontractor. The builder stated
that he would take action to cor.
rect the wet Easements through
out the project. Many Of the
crawl spaces in the project are
from 4 to 6 feet in depth. Water
collects in the crawl space and IN
an effort to remove the water from
the crawl spaces the builder broke
holes in the sewer IN several In
stances and left them open to