Evening star., 1952-10-01
Replies to Teoeue Group Critic


While I am not q veteran. take
strong exception to the remarks Of
Arthur Neufeld in your issue Of Septem-
ber II.
The investigation by the league
Committee was impartial and compati-
bic with established facts. Accordingly.
the results justified the indictment Of
those selfish and money-mad builders
who are prepared to take advantage Of
the plight of both veterans and non
veterans in their efforts to extract the
maximum profit from shoddy building
operations. In addition to paying the
exhorbitant price. purchaser of such
a house is confronted with contracts
that provide little or no protection for
a home which is n1isrepresented, poorly
constructed and susceptible to high
maintenance costs.
The veteran or ncn-veteran with an
average income Of $1,000 cannot afford
other than bare necessities in the Wash
ington area. If q rental is selected, q
2-bedroom apartment will average 500
. month, house Sis to SIPS. Rent
control is strongly opposed by owners.
operators and real estate pressure
S4OuPo. Sa6 u IVCu4t, LII W OULdA1
some degree Of relief from exhorbitant
housing costs one will sacrifice modest
savings account. insurance, or borrow
sufficient money for q down payment
on house. It later develops that
monthly payments, plus expenses Incl
dent to construction defects and Use Of
substantial equipment. exceed rental
costs. AS this deplorable condition has
existed for years and no relief can be
expected from the special interest
groups and lobbies, the following sug-
gestions are offered: $
/. That agcommittee. similar to the
league committee, be appointed for the
purpose Of determining the factors as
sociated with the excessive profits and
attendant charges currently being ex-
acted by builders and real estate op-
orators.
2. That civil service employees and the
several veteran groups unity efforts to
establish co-operatiye organization for
the purpose Of exploring the possibility
of an extensive building program for
individual homes and apartments with
the end objective Of providing reason
able housing to all members.
3. That program be initiated by
Congress for the construction Of ade-
quate housing on existing Government
property for utilization by military per-
sonnet
Government employees or veterans
should organize and unite as o group
to accomplish two objectives-to halt
: the activities Of those responsible for
the unfair and unscrupulous methods
currently practiced in the real estate
field and to implement realistic and
effective program for the construction
of housing which can be made available
at reasonable cost. Disguised.
This is in reply to letter appearing
in your paper on September H., signed
Arthur Neufeld. He talks about the
moaning" Of the veterans with whom
he has had dealings. But I, as former
Army nurse, can brief Mr.. Neufeld quite
extensively on that subject, having had
the sad f1rst-hand experience of attend
ing our boys returning from the horrors
and rigors Of combat. ] also am in a
position to understand the strong re-
sentiment against the handling of the
housing situation by the Veterans ,Ad-
ministration IN this area, because also
am In the class of veterans who feel
that things have not been handled