1941 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE 9665 John Joseph Gahan, Infantry. Heavenly Father, Thou who art light, course of world conquest, declared war James Franklin Greene, Quartermaster help us to dissipate the darkness; Thou against the United States. Corps. Charles Maze Simpson, Jr., Signal Corps. who art life, may it beat in us with full The long known and the long expected Albert Milton Pigg, Signal Corps. pulsation and with a deep sense of fidel­ has thus taken place. The forces en­ Arnold Richard Christian Sander, Infantry. ity, of meekness, and long-mffering. It deavoring to enslave the entire world now Stanley Marshall Prouty, Infantry. is only through entire consecration do are moving toward this hemisphere. Glenn Charles Salisbury, Air Corps. we get an insight into the transforming Never before has there been a greater Harold Ralph Wells, Air Corps. power of the things of God, augmenting challenge to life, liberty, and civiliza­ Samuel Nairn Karrick, Corps of Engineers. the divine in us and clearing our faith. tion. Malcolm Stoney Lawton, Air Corps. Delay invites greater danger. Rapid Jasper Kemper McDuffie, Air Corps. Oh, do Thou appeal to that instinct of Howard Knox Ramey, Air Corps. recovery, love of country, and to that and united effort by all of the peoples of Lionel H. Dunlap, Air Corps. temper of hope which Thou hast estab­ the world who are determined to remain Harold Daniel Smith, Air Corps. lished in the true American heart. free will insure a world victory of the Michael Al Quinn, Quartermaster Corps. Almighty God, let us live alive and forces of justice and of righteousness over Earle J. Carpenter, Air Corps. free, never forfeiting the dreams and the the forces of savagery and of barbarism. James Pratt Hodges, Air Corps. ideals of our religion, free education, and Italy also has declared war against the Jame·s Alvin Lewis, Infantry. United States. Herbert Edson Willis, Quartermaster Corps. the open church. Breathe upon them all Frank Lauderdale Cook, Air Corps. the pure spirit of Heaven, delivering our I, therefore, request the Congress to Bradford W. Kunz, Quartermaster Corps. people from fear, never being seduced by recognize a state of war between the Ade,l Curry Harden, Finance Department. sordid reckonings nor by the disguises of United States and Germany, and between Oakley George Kelly, Air Corps. false friendships. We pray Thee to the United States and Italy. Bernard Tobias Castor, Air Corps. crown us all with Thy blessed promises FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT. James Alexander Mollison, Air Corps. which mean faith, conviction, sacrifice, THE WHITE HousE, December 11, 1941. Harold Webster Beaton, Air Corps. and heroism. Lawrence Brownlee Savage, Quartermaster Mr. McCORMACK. Mr. Speaker, I Corps. We praise Thee, Almighty God, that Richard Clark Jacobs, Jr., Infantry. weeping may endure for the night, but move that the message ·of the President Charles Stricklen Shadle, Chemical War­ joy cometh in the morning. be referred to the Committee on Foreign fare Service. In our dear Redeemer's name. Amen. Affairs, and ordered printed. Edwin Thomas May, Infantry. The motion was agreed to. Stephen Bowen Elkins, Finance Depart- THE JOURNAL ment. DECLARATION OF WAR AGAINST Mr. McCORMACK. Mr. Speaker, I GERMANY Edgar Eugene Glenn, Air Corps. ask unanimous consent that the reading Joseph Jones Yeats, Infantry. of the Journal be dispensed with, and Mr. McCORMACK. Mr. Speaker, I William Henry Buechner, Infantry. move to suspend the rules and pass John William Monahan, Air Corps. that the Journal be approved. . Cortlandt Spencer Johnson, Air Corps. The SPEAKER. Is there objection? House Joint Resolution 256, which I send Andrew Reid Duvall, Infantry. There was no objection. to the desk and ask to have read. Henry W~lter Ulmo, Coast Artillery COrps. SUSPENSION OF THE RULES The Clerk read as follows: · Charles Carl Chauncey, Air Corps. Whereas the Government of Germany has Julian Mereditl;l MacMillan, Infantry. Mr. McCORMACK. Mr. Speaker, I formally declared war against the Govern­ Raymond Dailey, Quartermaster Corps. ask unanimous consent that it shall be ment and the people of the United States of Homer Barron Chandler, Air Corps. in order today for the Speaker to enter­ America: Therefore be it Carl Weston Pyle, Air Corps. tain motions to suspend the rules. Resolved, etc., That the state of war be­ Frederick Eugene COyne, Jr., Finance De­ The SPEAKER. Is there objection? tween the United States and the Government partment. There was no objection. of Germany which has thus been thrust upon John Myers McCulloch, Air Corps. the United States is hereby formally declared; AnpiTIONAL PROMOTIONS IN THE REGULAR ARMY RECESS and the President 'is hereby authorized and MEDICAL CORPS The SPEAKER. Without objection, directed to employ the entire naval and mili­ To be majors the House will stand in recess at the call tary forces of the United States and the re­ sources of the Government to carry on war Frederick Cantwell Kelly of the Speaker. against the Government of Germany; and, William Henry Powell, Jr. There was no objection; accordingly to bring the conflict to a successful termina­ Junius Penny Smith (at 12 o'clock and 9 minutes p. m.) the tion, all of the resnurces of the country are Harry George Armstrong House stood in recess. hereby pledged by the Congress of the United To be captains AFTER THE RECESS States. Robert William Lloyd Richard Reynolds At 12 o'clock and 34 minutes p. m., the The SPEAKER. The question is, Will Charles Raymond Sharp House was called to order by the Speaker. the House suspend the rules and pass the joint resolution? DENTAL CORPS MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT To be captains Mr. McCORMACK. Mr. Speaker, on Gerald Arthur McCracken A message in writing from the Presi­ that I demand the yeas and nays. Jerome Joseph Hiniker dent of the United States was communi­ The yeas and nays were ordered. Douglas Monroe Beebe cated to the House by Mr. Miller, one of The question was taken; and there Kenneth David Eye his secretaries, who also informed the were-yeas 393, answered "present" 1, Virgil Gordon Walker House that on the following dates the not voting 36, as follows: Jack Menefee Messner President approved and signed bills of the [Roll No. 131] Hal David Oakley, Jr. House of the following titles: YEAS-393 POSTMASTERS On December 4, 1941: Allen, La. Bishop Butler NEVADA H. R. 768. An act for the relief of William Andersen, Blackney Byron Pete Petersen, Reno. E. Thomas; and H. Carl Bland Camp TEXAS H. R. 3774. An act for the relief of Fred Anderson, Calif. Bloom Canfield Spencer. Anderson, Boehne Cannon, Mo. Mary McMurrey, Coldspring. N. Mex. Boggs Capozzou Thomas L. Satterwhite, Coolidge. On December 5, 1941: Andresen, Bola,nd Carlson Ameta C. McGloin, Corpus Christi. H. R. 4270. An act for the relief of Mar­ August H. Bolton Carter George W. Dear, Troup. garet M. Cutts. Andrews Bonner Cartwright Angell Boren Case, S. Dak. DECLARATION OF WAR BY GERMANY Arends Boykln Casey, Mass. AND ITALY AGAINST UNITED STATES Arnold Bradley, Mlch Celler (H. DOC. NO. 454) Baldwin 'Bradley, Pa. Chapman HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Barden Brooks Chenoweth The SPEAKER laid before the House Barnes Brown, Ga. Chiperfleld the following message from the President Barry Brown, Ohio Clark THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11~ 1941 Bates, Mass. Bryson Clason of the United States, which was read: Baumhart Buck Claypool · The House met at 12 o'clock noon. Beam Buckley, N. Y Clevenger The Chaplain, Rev. James Shera To the Congress of the United States: Beckworth Bulwinkle Cluett Beiter Burch Cochran Montgomery, D. D., offered the follow­ On. the morning of December 11, the Bender Burdick Coffee. Nebr. ing prayer: Government of Germany, pursuing its Bennett Burgin Coffee, Wash. 9666 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-;HOUSE DECEMBER 11 Cole, Md. Hinshaw Patton Whelchel Wilson Worley ment of the Senate to the bill (H. R. 5584) Cole, N. Y. Hobbs Pearson Whitten Winter Wright Collins Hoffman Peterson, Fla. Whittington Wolcott Young entitled "An act for the relief of Fred Colmer Holbrock Peterson, Ga. Wickersham Wolverton, N.J. Youngdahl Pierce, Sr., and Mary Pierce." . Cooley Holmes Pheiffer, Wigglesworth Woodruff, Mich. Zimmerman Cooper Hook William T. Williams Woodrum, Va.. DECLARATION OF WAR AGAINST Copeland Hope Pierce GERMANY Courtney Houston Pittenger ANSWERED "PRESENT"-1 Cox Howell Plauche Rankin, Mont. Mr. McCORMACK. Mr. Speaker, I Cravens Hull Ploeser NOT VOTING-36 ask unanimous consent to take from the Crawford Hunter Plumley Creal Imhoff Poage Allen, Ill. Larrabee Schaefer, m. Speaker's table Senate Joint Resolution Cro5ser Izac Powers Bates, Ky. McArdle Sheridan 119, which is identical with the resolution Crowther Jackson Priest Bell McLean Smith, w. va. just adopted by the House, and pass the Culkin Jacobsen Rabaut Buckler, Minn. Magnuson Steagall Cullen Jarman Ramsay Byrne Mansfield Tinkham Senate resolution. Cunningham Jarrett Ramspeck Cannon, Fla. Mason Weiss The Clerk read the title of the reso­ Curtis Jenkins, Ohio Randolph Costello Murdock Welch lution. D'Alesandro Jenks, N. H. Rankin, Miss. Delaney O'Day White The SPEAKER. . Is there objection to Davis, Ohio Jennings Reece, Tenn. Flannery O'Leary Wolfenden, Pa. Davis, Tenn. Jensen Reed, Til. Gerlach Osmers the request of the gentleman from Mas­ Day Johns Reed, N.Y. Johnson, Calif. Pfeifer, sachusetts? Dewey Johnson, Til. Rees, Kans. Kelley, Pa. JosephL. There was no objection. Dickstein Johnson, Ind. Rich Kerr Robinson, Utah Dies Johnson, Richards Kirwan Scanlon The Senate joint resolution was read a Dingell Luther A. Rivers third time, and passed. Dirksen Johnson, Rlzley So tes, is hereby formally de­ Ford, Miss. Lewis Smith, Va. lowing title: clared; and the President is hereby author­ Ford, Thomas F. Ludlow Smith, Wash. ized and directed to employ the entire naval Fulmer Lynch Smith, Wis. H. R. 5945. An act granting the consent of and m111tary forces of the United States and Gale McCormack Snyder Congress to a compact entered into by the the resources of the Government to carry on Gamble McGehee Somers, N.Y. States of Colorado, Kansas, and Nebraska with Gathings McGranery South war against the Government of Italy; and, Gavagan McGregor Sparkman respect to the use of the waters of the Re­ to bring the conflict to a successful termi­ Gearhart Mcintyre Spence publican River Basin. nation, all of the resources of the country Gehrmann McKeough Springer are hereby pledged by the Congress of the Gibson McLaughlin Starnes, Ala. The message also announced that the United States. Gifford McMillan Stearns, N.H. Senate insists upon its amendments to Gilchrist Maas Stefan the bill ber himself ma.y do that. may have 5 legislative days in which to our liberties, have joined openly with their extend their remarks in the Appendix of Axis colleague. This merely brings into the REMOVING RESTRICTIONS ON THE USE the RECORD on the two resolutions just open what we have long been aware of and AND TERMS OF SERVICE OF THE ARMED there can now be· no doubt as to who our FORCES agreed to. foes are. The SPEAKER. Without objection, it Neither can there be any doubt as to Amer­ The SPEAKER. The Chair recognizes is so ordered. ica's united and indomitable answer to the the gentleman from Kentucky [Mr. There was no objection. ruthless challenge which Japan has made. MAY]. 1941 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE 9673 Mr. MAY. Mr. Speaker, I move to sus­ rules were suspended and the bill was of that democracy which · teaches every pend the rules and pass Senate Joint passed. man to be his brother's keeper and to Resolution 117, removing restrictions on A motion to reconsider was laid on the love his neighbor as himself. the territorial use of units and members table. · Mr. Moore was always quiet, modest, of the Army of the United States, extend­ A similar House bill (H. R. 6195) was unassuming, unobtrusive. He never ing the periods of service of such per­ laid on the table. sought the white glare of the spotlight sonnel, and amending the National De­ THE LATE JOHN W : MOORE or attempted the role of a political prima fense Act with respect to the meaning of donna. He was innocent.of Machiavel­ the term "Army of the United States." Mr. CHAPMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask lian practices and of the machinations. The Clerk read as follows: unanimous consent to address the House of practical politicians; yet he was not­ for 5 minutes. Resolved, etc., That the provisions of Pub­ ably successful in his political contests lic Resolution No. 96, Seventy-sixth Congress, The SPEAKER. Is there objection to because of his plain common sense, his approved August 27, 1940, as amended, and the request of the gentleman from Ken­ candor, his frankness, his honesty, his of Public, No. 783, Seventy-sixth Congress tucky? homespun philosophy, his adherence to (the Selective Training and Service Act of There was Q.O objection. the Golden Rule, his sound judgment, 1940), as amended, insofar as they restrict Mr. CHAPMAN. Mr. Speaker, in this and the conscientious manner in which the territorial use of units and members of solemn and tragic hour in which we as he decided public questions. the Army of the United States, are suspended the representatives of-a free people have during the existence of any war in which the Elected to represent a very historic United States is engaged, and during the 6 accepted the gage of battle hurled at us district, he occupied a seat that had been months immediately following the termina­ by the ruthless totalitarian forces of adorned by such men as Beverly L. tion of any such war. nazi-ism and fascism, I ask the indul­ Clarke, Joseph R. Underwood, grand­ SEc. 2. The periods of service, training and gence of the House that I may announce father of the eminent late Senator from service, enlistment, appointment, or commis­ the death of a beloved, respected, and Alabama, Elijah Hise, Charles W. Milli­ sion, of all members of the Army of the honored former Member of this House, ken, W. Godfrey Hunter, Herschel Good­ United States now or hereafter in or subject more recently an official of the Federal · to active military service of the United States night, John S. Rhea, James M. Richard­ are extended for the period stated in the Housing Administration, the Honorable son, and Robert Y. Thomas, Jr. He preceding section: Provided, That nothing in John W. Moore, of Kentucky, who passed recognized fully the solemnity and grav­ this section shall be construed to prevent from the paths of living men at 10 min­ ity of his obligations under his oath of the President from terminating such periods utes after 10 tbds morning. office to support and defend the Consti­ of service, training and service, enlistment, In 1925 Mr. Moore was elected to mem­ tution as a Member of this House, and appointment, or commission at an earlier bership in the Sixty-ninth Congress to was ever faithful to the trust reposed in date in any case. fill the unexpired term of the brilliant him by a great and proud constituency. · SEc. 3. Section 1 of ·the National Defense and colorful Robert Young Thomas, Jr., Act of June 3, 1916, as amended, is amended He was, in private life, as clean a man, . by striking out the period at the end .thereof who had long represented that historic as spotless a gentleman, as exemplary a . and inserting in lieu of such period a comma Kentucky district known as the "Bloody citizen as ever occupied a seat in this . and the following: "and shall includ~ _persons Third." I had been elected in 1924, and historic Chamber. inducted into the land forces of the United at the beginning of the first session of His life was gentle; and the elements : States under Public, No. 783, Severity-sixth the Sixty-ninth Congress in December of So mixed in him, that nature might stand up Congress (the Selective Training and Service 1925, he and I together took for the first And say to all the world, this was a man. Act of 1940), as amended." time the oath of office as Members of Congress. He was 'reelected in 1926 to Mr. VINCENT of Kentucky. Mr. The SPEAKER. Is a second de­ Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to manded? . the Seventieth Congress. In the pri­ mary campaign of 1928, Mr. Moore en­ address the House for 1 minute. Mr. ANDREWS. Mr. Speaker, I de­ The SPEAKER. Is there objection . mand a second. gaged in the most spirited and spectac­ ular race of his career. He was pitted to the request of the gentleman from The SPEAKER. Without objection, a Kentucky? . second is considered as ordered. against one of the most redoubtable There was no objection. pgures in the political history of Ken­ There was no objection. Mr. ANDREWS. Mr. Speaker, I want tucky, a foeman worthy of the steel of Mr. VINCENT of Kentucky. Mr. to point out that the Senate bill is not any man who ever entered the arena of Speaker, I was shocked this morning identical with the provisions of the House politics in that State. He emerged from when I received the news of the death bill originally introduced by the chair­ that campaign victorious, but in the of my. good friend, John W. Moore. I man and to which the Committee on landslide that engulfed most of his State had known him since boyhood, and I -Military Affairs agreed. .The bill which delegation· in 1928 he went down to de­ want to say to this House that he was · passed the Senate merely r.efer.s to the feat, as did the rest of us, battling for the one of the best men I ever knew. · Army of the United States and not the principles embodied in the Bill of Rights, He served here in the House of Repre­ selective-service trainees if later on a fighting under the banner of religious sentatives with great distinction, and he ·portion of them are taken by the Navy. liberty, a banner which, though it trailed had the respect and confidence of the . I think it would have been wise to in defeat, thank God did not trail in people in his district. He voluntarily retain the language of the original bill dishonor. withdrew from Congress and accepted introduced by the chairman, using the The first vacancy that occurred in the a position here with the Federal Govern­ words, "the land and naval forces of the House in either party in the next Con­ ment, where he has rendered honorable United States, including selective-service gress was caused by the death of his and efficient service. The country has trainees." This would have been all­ successor. In his race for reelection lost a faithful servant, and I have lost inclusive and on the same basis for all came the first test of strength following a very dear personal friend. services. If at a later date selective­ the calamitous landslide of 1928. The I know he has many friends, both here service trainees are taken into the Navy. eyes of observers throughout the country and in Kentucky, who will mourn his loss. ·they would not be covered by the provi­ were on the special election in what was He was a good man, he was a great man, sions of the Senate bill on the same then the third district of Kentucky. The and his death has been a great shock subject. victory which Mr. Moore won fore­ to me. Mr. MAY. If the gentleman will yield. shadowed the election of a Democratic He was a kind and affectionate hus­ may I say that the gentleman is in error majority to the House in 1930. band and father. I know the House will about the report of the House committee, Born and reared in the rock-ribbed join with me in extending our sympathy but that is immaterial. At the last Republican county of Butler, John to his widow and his two daughters, and meeting we had we did report out what Moore was always an ardent, stanch, we share their sorrow. the Senate has passed. dependable member of the Democratic At some more appropriate time I hope The SPEAKER. The question is, Will Party. He was also a democrat in the the House may have an opportunity to the House suspend the rules and pass broadest and most vital sense in which give full expression of its sympathy. the bill? that word can be used. Rocked in the Mr. SPENCE. Mr. Speaker, I ask The question was taken; and New York City, which says: 'connected with the· administration of the housing to. local housing authorities. law feel, that these amendments, with While it is true that the purpose of defense -housing is not slum clearance, it may very Mr. Speaker, it is my unders~anding the exception of the ftfth and eighth, will -well be that" at the end of the emergency that there may have been some agree­ be helpful in administering the act. ·the most advantageous disposal of certain ment in a conference on the part of The original Housing Act provided for projects, from both the social and financial .Messrs. Edy, Reynolds, Palmer, Straus, an appropriation of $150,000,000, and viewpoints, would be their conveyance to and Forman, housing officials, that 9676 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE DECEMBER 11 amendments Nos. 5 and 8 should not be fense housing, and other considerations private practice, on the basis of compe­ embodied in the bill. I know this legis­ should not be entered into. tence and at established rates of com­ lation is immediately necessary, and I am glad, too, that the committee has pensation? while these two amendments have been indicated a desire and a willingness to M~. HALLECK. That suggestion has ques~ioned, I am satisfied, after consul­ consult with local authorities to deter­ been called to my attention by people in tation with the chairman of the Commit­ mine the locations at which these proj­ my own district. I have not had a chance tee on Public Buildings, they can be ad­ ects shall be built, because whatever may to talk to members of the Legislative justed to the entire satisfaction of all. be said of the necessities of the moment, Committee a·bout it, but I rather think For the time being I will not take any there is no one of us who wants to com­ that they will be heard upon it. more time. I now yield to the gentleman pletely disrupt the general housing condi­ Mr. LANHAM. Mr. Speaker, will the from Indiana [l\4r. HALLECK], reserving tions in any locality. gentleman yield? to myself the balance of the time. I am glad the committee has done what Mr. HALLECK. Yes. Mr. HALLECK. Mr. Speaker, I yield it has with respect to rents. As I recall Mr. LANHAM. I think my distin­ myself 10 minutes. it, the original proposal was to charge guished friend from Iowa [Mr. JENSEN], Mr. Speaker, as the gentleman from rents on the basis of ability to pay, an if he y;ill listen to me in my opening re­ Illinois [Mr. SABATH] has said, this mat­ arrangement under -which one person marks, which I hope will be brief, will be ter comes to us under a resolution from might have one of these houses and pay quite content about that matter. I am the Rules Committee, which we are pres­ a lesser rent than his neighbor would be going to discuss the matter just as soon ently ·considering to make in order the paying for exactly the same house. The as this rule is adopted. so-called defense housing ·bill. It will be program now, as I understand it, is to Mr. JENSEN. I thank the gentleman. recalled there was some effort to bring charge a fair, economic rental for these Mr. HALLECK. - I shall be glad to it up under suspension of the rules a few houses, which I think is desirable. have the gentleman from Texas do that, days ago. This effort failed, I think, not Then, too, I think the committee, in because I was impres_sed with the sugges­ because of any particular opposition to undertaking to centralize the authority tions of these people, who said, why not the bill, but rather because the member­ for the construction of these houses, is give some of this work to us, we are ship felt it should come up under a rule doing a good thing. They provide that small, and, of course, work that these and be considered in that way. · this shall be carried on under the Federal people might be doing now will not be This proposal is nothing more or less Works Administrator, who shall act carried on, and if they can be helpful on than a further authorization of funds through the Public Buildings Adminis­ this program, I think they should be for defense housing, with certain amend­ tration or, in its discretion, through the given a chance. · ments to the original act which the com­ Wa.r and Nav·y Departments. This is an Mr. LANHAM. Of course, it is the in.:. mittee feels should be adopted. old, established agency of the Govern­ tention .to use them, but the adoption of When the program was _originally and ment that I think is well staffed and well the amendment that they have recom­ :first before the House, I supported it. qualified to carry on this work. mended I think would be unfortunate, not I supported it because it seemed to me Mr. BEITER. Mr. Speaker, will the only for them, but in a good many other then that we were under an obligation gentleman yield? respects. I think I can explain that to and necessity to provide housing in cer­ Mr. HALLECK. Yes. the entire satisfaction of the gentlemen tain areas for defense workers where the Mr. BEITER. I am wondering if the who have received these telegrams. I temporary character of the employment committee presented anything to the have received them, and they are all of was such as to make it impossible or im­ Rules Committee of why they made that a similar nature, and, of course, emanate practicable for private financing to build change. We now have a United States from the same source. I doubt if there is the housing that is absolutely necessary. Housing Authority, an agency that has a Member of Congress who has not re­ This program has been under way for constructed defense homes during the ceived similar telegrams and letters. i some time, and there have been some past year, and apparently done a good thin~ I can explain what will be done criticisms of the program. It is not job. Why did they make the recom­ and that it will be entirely satisfactory to necessary to go into them except that it mendation? Was there any testimony the architects. might be said, in passing, that some before the Committee on Rules as to why Mr. HALLECK. I know that the gen­ thousands of these units have been con­ they made that change? tleman from Texas would be the last man structed in places where apparently they Mr. HALLECK. Yes; there was, and to complain of these people because they were not needed because they are not I take it that in due time the committee send these telegrams. That is their occupied today. It would seem to me members will speak about it, but it is my right, and I think they should be taken that those in charge of determining the­ understanding that it has been agreed care of. locations at which the houses are to ·be by all of these different agencies that it Mr. LANHAM. Absolutely; and I am built should be very, very careful to de­ would be better to have some centralized in sympathy with taking care of them. termine definitely the need for such authority. Of course, the gentleman and They are suffering now when practically housing before the funds made available I have been here long enough to know all construction is being done by the Gov­ by the program are expended, because it that while a lot of different people and ernment. I think the statement that I has been said to us that even with these different agencies may agree that there shall make will give assurance to the funds it may very well be that we cannot should be a centralized authority, each Members in that respect. provide all of the housing that will be one wants that centralization in his own Mr. JENSEN. Mr. Speaker, will the necessary. agency. The committee had to make gentleman yield? I said this measure calls for an addi­ that decision, and without casting reflec­ Mr. HALLECK. Yes. tional authorizaticn. It also has some tion on some of the other agencies, al­ Mr. JENSEN. Does not the gentleman amendments to the bill, and as one who though there have been some criticisms, from Texas believe that because. of the heard the presentation of the committee as the gentleman and I have heard, I fact that these architects are right there when they asked for the rule, I want to think proba·bly the · committee has se­ on the ground, it will tend to expedite the commend the committee for the amend­ lected an agency that can and will do a work and also save considerable money? ments which they are writing into the good job, an agency that has built some Mr. LANHAM. I do think so, and they act. I think they have done a good job. of these houses, doing a good job with the are going to be used. I shall not undertake to go into them in part that they have carried on. The SPEAKER. The time of the gen­ detail, because that will better come from . Mr. JENSEN. Mr. Speaker, will the tleman from Indiana has expired. the members of the committee, who know gentleman yield? Mr. HALLECK. Mr. Speaker, I yield what they are, but I just want to say to Mr.HALLECK. Yes. myself 2 minutes more. the members of the committee that I am Mr. JENSEN. What would the gentle­ -Mr. BROOKS. Mr. Speaker, will the glad they have drawn a definite line be­ man think about a provision in this act gentleman yield? tween the necessities or desirabilities of which would read in effect that in carry­ Mr. HALLECK. Yes. slum clearance or subsidized h·ousing and ing out the provisions of the act prefer­ Mr. BROOKS. Mr. Speaker, I -join defense housing. I think this program is ence should be given to the employment with what has been said. I have re­ written to take care of the needs of de- of competent engineers and architects in ceived letters from practically every ar- 1941 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE 9677 chitect in my district, and it seems to me constructed under this program. To my regulations interpreting the law, you that the local architects are in a position amazement I discovered that not only you cannot recognize the law as the one to adapt the type of house and the were these houses provided with electric that was passed, and they will do exactly structure to the local climate, the local refrigerators and electric stoves but that the thing that they promised they would conditions, and that, therefore, they are in the actual construction of the house not do, in order to get the bill passed. in a position to render outstanding service copper pipe was used for the water pipes To me that is a sad commentary on gov­ in this construction program. in these defense-housing units-tempo­ ernment in this country. I hope that in Mr. BENDER. Mr. Speaker, will the rary housing units, if you please. Not this emergency surely they will keep the gentleman yield? only that, but copper screen wire was be­ faith. Mr.HALLECK. Yes. ing used in the screens; that the highest Mr. BEITER. Mr. Speaker, will the Mr. BENDER. In this bill are many price brass was being used in the hard­ gentleman yield? references to defense. Does not the gen­ ware in the house. Mr. NICHOLS. I yield. tleman think it is time to take that word A contractor who was building some of Mr. BEITER. The gentleman is "defense" out of these bills and insert in these houses told me that in the con­ always fair, and I know he wants to be lieu thereof the word "victory"? struction of the flues of this house the ·fair. I will say that some of the bureau­ Mr. HALLECK. We are going to gain specifications called for a type flue that crats that he charges are bureaucrats, that victory, of course, and our imme­ would be put in a house to last 60 years. are not infallible, -but in some cities I diate job Is the defense of our land. I After those specifications were read, the know this to be the fact, that certain fire am inclined to think it will still be de­ attention of the then head of the depart­ regulations and certain ordinances make fense, but it will be a victorious defense. ment, Mr. Carmody, was called to it, and those men who are building these houses Mr. CRAWFORD. Mr. Speaker, will he assured us that if we would not put construct them under certain regulations. the gentleman yield for a question? hard and fast amendments in the bill They must install certain flues. Mr. HALLECK. I yield. which would probably harm the program Mr. NICHOLS. All right. If that is Mr. CRAWFORD. On pege 2, lines 22, that kind of construction would be cut the case, then the city council or city 23, and 24, it refers to temporary units, out. governing body can change the regula­ while up above it refers to the cost per Recently the able and distinguished tions. Listen. There is-no use to argue unit. Did the gentleman get any infor­ chairman of the Committee on Public with me that it is necessary to put cop­ mation in connection with the cost of Buildings and Grounds, the gentleman per pipes, copper screens; rtnd a lot of temporary units as compared with per- from Texas [Mr. LANHAM], a man whom this highfalutin stuff into these tem­ manent costs? · I love and respect, went to the trouble of porary houses, material the gentleman Mr. HALLECK. I yield to the gentle­ taking-at least some of his committee on would not put in his own house as a man from Texas, who is better informed an inspection tour of these housing proj­ permanent installation. on that question. ects all over the United States. Members Mr. BEITER. t I think it is unnecessary Mr. LANHAM. These temporary units of that committee tell me that they are to use copper for pipes and screens. The will cost just as little as they can be built still using copper pipes and copper screens gentleman speaks of changing ordinances for. It is not intended that the average in the construction of some of those and regulations. If they change it for cost should apply to them. For instance, houses. John Janes-- where you build around a powder plant in Mr. LANHAM. Mr. Speaker, will the Mr. NICHOLS. Let me say to the gen­ some rural community some temporary gentleman yield? tleman that good fireproof ftues can be buildings to be occupied for a brief time, Mr. NICHOLS. Oh, yes. built without the use of the expensive they will be built just as cheaply as pos­ Mr. LANHAM. May I say it is by rea­ material called for in these specifications. sible. Those in charge thought there was son of many things that we discovered on The gentleman is on awfully thin ice if no necessity to place any restriction upon t.}lat trip of inspection that we have pro­ he aims to defend the extravagant ex­ them, but they do not come within the, posed these amendments to this bill that penditure of money that has been lav­ general provisions with reference to the there may not be a recurrence of the crit­ ished on the construction of some of average cost. icism which has come with reference to these temporary defense housing projects Mr. CRAWFORD. If the gentleman defense housing and that we may obvi­ under the bill we passed. will permit f·Jrther, how do construction ate the objectionable things which have [Here the gavel fell.] costs of temporary units now compare been done in appropriations made here­ Mr. CRAWFORD. Mr. Speaker, . will with the figures cited in subsection (b)? tofore for that purpose. the gentleman from Indiana yield the In other words, do temporary units now Mr. NICHOLS. I certainly hope that gentleman from Oklahoma 2 additional cost us $1,000, or $2,500, or $4,500, or will be done, but while I am o·n my feet minutes? what? I want to make this observation: We Mr. LANHAM. There have been some are at war. This is a time when we are Mr. HALLECK. Mr. Speaker, I yield which I think are temporary that were calling on every citizen of the United 2 minutes to the gentleman from Okla­ built by certain agencies, which agencies States for patriotic effort, and I want homa. will .10t be used under this act. In many to here sound a plea to the heads of the Mr.. CRAWFORD. Mr. Speaker, will instances I think the costs have been bureaus, the bureaucrats of this country the gentleman yield? greater than they should have been. today, let us have some of your patriot­ ·Mr. NICHOLS. I yield. They perhaps were not designed to be ism. I want to see the heads of some of Mr. CRAWFORD. First, I want to temporary, but they are temporary. the bureaus downtown start thinking congratulate the gentleman from Okla­ [Here the gavel fell.] about this thing seriously. homa for making this disclosure. I think Mr. SABATH. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 [Here the gavel fell.] it is one of the meanest, lowest-down, minutes to the gentleman from Okla­ Mr. SABA TH. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 dirtiest tricks I have heard of. being im­ homa [Mr. NICHOLS]. additional minutes to the gentleman posed on the people of this country by Mr. NICHOLS. Mr. Speaker, I shall from Oklahoma. whomever is in charge of thE. program­ not oppose the passage of this rule. Like­ Mr. NICHOLS. I think it is a terrible ! do not care who he is. They are closing wise, I will no doubt vote for the passage thing that many of the administrative industries all over the United States on of the bill, but there are some things that heads of the Government today will not the ground that there is no copper, yet I think the House should be advised of keep faith with the Congress and will not we learn such facts as these today. It is and conscious of. keep faith with the people of the United enough to make the whole city stink. It When the bill which this bill amends States. -They are guilty, and I charge is stuff of this kind that will wreck this was before the House for consideration them. They are guilty of deceit on the country, if it is ever wrecked. I hope last, certain assurances were given to the Congress. They will come before the this will be a lesson. So far as I am con­ Committee on Rules particularly, and to committee of the House of Representa­ cerned, I am going to use this informa­ the House of Representatives in general, tives and the United States Senate and tion for all it is worth. I congratulate by those administering the law about they will tell them things that they will the gentleman for exposing it. certain things which would be done, to do and will not do, and the minute theY Mr. HAINES. Mr. Speaker, will the wit: I was able to get a set of specifica­ get the law into their hands then, by gentleman yield? tions for the type of house that was being the promulgation and preparation of Mr. NICHOLS. I yield. 9678 CON·GRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE DE.CEl\IBER 11

Mr_ HAINES. If I understand the ·Texas I am content to abide by the lan­ tbe other hand, they give the Govern­ gentleman correctly, his complaint .refem guage now carried in tbe bill, that no ment agencies the materials to build the to temporary buildings~ restriction shan be placed llPOn the use property at Government expense. Me. NICHOLS_ Yes~ of competent. private engineering and Mr. DIRKSEN- I reeeived a oopy of Mr. HAINES. The gentleman 'is not architectural :service. that wire and incidentally~ I may say that referring to permanent structures~ Mr. Reynolds, who :iS the Admin:istra­ :Mr. Bodfish is the executive vice president Mr. NICHOLS. I do not understand ror of the Public Buildlings Administra­ of the United States Building and Loan that we are builrling any permanent tion and the Federal Works Ageney, has League, which is an association of the structures under this legislation. If we given assmances that wherever necessary building and loan associations through­ are, let us not fool ourselves~ These the services of private architects will be cut the country and, :parentheticaily, may buildings are going up in communities - employed. I have every reason to feel I say I rega.Td him as an outstanding au­ which have become over-populated by that he will. For a great many years I thority im the field of home oonstruetion reason .of a mushroom growth of some have been .sitting across tbe table from and home finaneing. I can see, of oourse, industry which has made it necessary Mr. Reynolds in connection with appro­ ,some difficulty.; That is to .say, that they to construct housing beyond existing fa­ priations for the Federal W.orks Agency would like to build homes all over the cilities. Let us not .kid ourselves that and f.or the Public Buildings branch be­ ·united States and I hope it can _continue, any of these things are going to be per­ fore that became a part of the Federal but, of eourse~ everybody recogni~ that manent houses built by the Government. Works Agency. I believe him to be a the first demand is for bomes in those Mr. LANHAM. Mr. Speaker, will the man of real ability. He is a man of .areas that are cbaracterired as defense gentleman yield? energy, he has had long experience, he areas. Mr. NICHOLS. I yield. has come up from the bottom, and he IHere the gavel fell.l Mr. LANHAM. I call the gentleman~s is one of the good administrators who is Mr. HALLECK. Mr. -Speaker, I yield attention to the fact that m1 account of really trying to do a job. So, if this bill the gentleman :5 additional minutes. complaints that ha:ve come to the com­ passes, it means that this building wm Mr. DIRKSEN. Mr. SpeakerJ obvi­ mittee, they are not now using this COP­ be reposed in that agency of government ·ously that bas got to be No. 1 on the per the gentleman refers to. Further­ wbtch has always beEn consider-ed as the 1ist. I do believe we are going to have more we are stimulating them to use permanent construction agency of the to set ourselves to the problem of seeing plastics just as much as possible and to Government. that a complete damper is not placed on avoid the use of any raw materials neces­ We are making a distinction between home building m the country. Other­ sary tor national defense. di:IIerent agencies of the Government. wise consider the tremendous dislocation Mr. NICHOLS. All I know about is The Housing Authority is given little part of labor that cannot all be absorbed into that a member of the ientleman•s com­ in this picture. I think it has done many the defense industry. The welfare of the mittee told me that iri the committee's good things. Perhaps it has don-e some country demands that that question have inspection trip they found houses .still tbings that were not so good. But we do attention and that home construction by being constructed with copper pipe and recognize the fact that the great backlog private builders and private financing be these other things I have mentioned. of experience is in the Public Buildings -continued. Mr. LANHAM. Members of the com­ Administration and it will be under the - Mr. HALLECK. Will the gentleman mittee who made the inspection trip ad­ .administration and jurisdiction of Mr. yield? vised me that, though houses had been Reynolds, who is a very capable adminis­ Mr. DIRKSEN. I yield to the gentle­ built that way, sueh materials will not be trator. When he .gives assurances that man from Indiana. used in any now under construction and private services will be used in the con­ Mr. HALLECK. It is .my understand­ will not be used hereafter. struction .of these projects, I shall be con­ ing that the particular complaint was IHere the gavel fell.] tent oo abide by that -assurance. that there was some trouble about priori­ Mr. HALLECK. Mr. Speaker. l yield Mr. EATON. Will the gentleman ties for defense housing. Clearly ·it 5 minutes to tbe gentleman from nu.n.o.is yield? would seem to me that the necessity for governmental intervention and the use (Mr. DIRKSEN]. Mr. DIRKSEN. I yield to the gentle­ .of governmental funds tQ bl,tild defense Mr. DIRKSEN. Mr. Speaker, there man from New Jersey. houses should not be aggravated by an­ Mr. EATON. I agree with the gentile­ is one matter today I wanted to allude to. other policy of Government which makes man as to his estimate of Mr. Reyn{)lds. You will observe that in this bill there is it impossible for private iunds to build no restr-iction upon tbe use of private He is a very unusual, high-class man. those same houses as distingUished from architects and private professional serv­ But if he now announces that be will take the general problem of housing that ap­ ices. I think this is a matter in wbich care of our arebitects ·in this construc­ plies to the whole country. I do not the Congress has been rather derelict, tion, what is the objection to putting that in the bill and giving that same assur­ know whether that is true or not, but it and particularly so at a time when it be­ would seem to me that if the system of comes increasingly difficult for trained ance? priorities is being used in such manner men functioning in the building arehi­ Mr. LANHAM. Will the gentleman as to-prevent the private building of de­ tectural field to get atong. We should yield? fense houses, then we ou.ght to look into it. consider for a moment these restrictions Mr. DIRKSEN. I yield to the gentle­ Mr. DIRKSEN. I may say to the gen­ that are placed upon the building of man from ·Texas to answer that question. tleman from Indiana I tried to make that houses. They may not cost more than Mr. LANHAM. A.s 1 stated a few mo­ distinction. First of aU, w.t have to take $6,000, and difficulty ls experienced ev.en ments ago, when we get into the commit­ care of those strictly defensive -areas below that ceiling. Materials are not tee I will be glad to explain that and I where there is a necessity for housing available. Obviously it does not war.r.ant think it will be to the entire .satisfaction to accommodate workers in the defense the services of an architect. SD today of my beloved and distinguished friend industries. Everybody, I think, recog­ the 24,000 architects in the United States from New J-ersey and other Mem.bers. nizes that that is No. 1 on the list of of America are faced with a real serious Miss SUMNER of Illinois. Will the demands. problem. In a great many cases they gentleman ,Yield? Mr. HOLMES. Will tbe gentleman have had to dissipate their staffs that Mr. DIRKSEN. I yield to the gentle­ yield? they recruited over a period of time fmm woman from Illinois. Mr. DIRKSEN. I yield to the gentle­ experienced architects; and, as a result, Miss SUMNER of Illinois. I know the man from Massachusetts. with no private building, no Government gentleman is interested in using private Mr. HOLME-S. I know that it is .a very building available today they are in the capital .as be is in using pr1vate arcru­ controv.er.si.al and very misunderstood position of a neglected group in the tects~ This morning some <>f us received .situation that priorities are set in favor country_ It is a matter that richly de­ letters from the head <>f the National Real of the public housing under this act or serves th{. attention of Congress. Estate B.oard who said that private capi­ any othex act. May I say that tbe same I was going oo offer an amendment to tal would take care of a great deal of this priorities are granted to the private the bill to make it mandatory tbat these building if they could get the priorities, builder in the same area, so there ls no professional services be required, but but it seems they will not lP.t !hem have discrimination. ill a defense area that after conferring with the gentleman from the materials to bUild .Piivately while, on has been designated as a defense area 1941 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE 9679 there is no discrimination between the blank check, and only by going out into As to the use of copper, as stated by my private builder and the Government. If the field somewhere did we ever find out colleague from Oklahoma, we have been the private builder wants to build a hun­ just how this housing project moved for­ assured that no more copper or expen­ dred or a thousand houses he gets the ward. sive materials that are :1eeded for defense same priorities as the Government has Mr. DONDERO. Mr. Speaker, will the purposes are now being used in the con­ in the same locality. · gentleman yield? struction of these buildings. Not only Mr. McGREGOR. Will the gentleman Mr. DIRKSEN. I yield to the gentle­ that, but due to the restrictions as to the yield? · man from Michigan. cost of these buildil!gs it will be impos­ Mr. DIRKSEN. I yield to the gentle­ Mr. DONDERO. Perhaps this ques­ sible to use these materials even though man from Ohio. tion ought to be asked of the chairman the amount for the construction of the Mr. McGREGOR. Going back to the of the committee. I wonder if any buildings has been increased, which is gentleman's statement relative to archi­ thought has been given to protecting the necessary owing to other conditions. tects, does not the gentleman feel that American taxpayer if private building I am satisfied that with the amend­ the plans and designs of houses when facilities are sought in the construction ments which have been adopted to take they go into a local community should of these homes and competitive bidding care of a few minor matters the bill will conform to the type, planning, and tradi­ is resorted to, whether or not the man be in such shape that every objection or tion of that particular community? who files the lowest responsible bid is shortcoming will be rectified and taken Mr. DIRKSEN. I think the bill con­ going to be given the contract to build care of. templates that very thing. these houses. Though I personally feel the United Mr. McGREGOR. I call the gentle­ Mr. LANHAM. That is done in prac­ States Housing Authority should continue man's attention to page 6, where it says tically all instances with reference to to be utilized because of its splendid rec­ "so far as practicable." this particular construction. There are ord and efficient organization, it is not Mr. DIRKSEN. May I say to the gen­ instances where speed is highly necessary · because of lack of confidence in the Pub­ tleman that obviously when we draw lan­ in a particular area and where the con­ lic Building Administration, especially guage for a bill to govern the whole hous­ struction can be done more economically the gentleman who will administer the ing program, there has to be some leeway, under a negotiated contract by reason of law under the new Administrator, ·colonel there has to be some flexibility. There the fact that the contractors in bidding, Fleming, who, though new to housing may be difficulties so that a portion of · not being able to anticipate the market construction, I know can rely on the abil­ that housing program may for one reason price of materials, will necessarily place ity and experience of Mr. Reynolds, who or another deviate somewhat. I do not the bids high, whereas the Federal Gov­ has been for many years in the service of know that you can nail down an agency ernment in doing the building can comply the Government. so close by means of legislative language. with the existing market price. For that Mr. Speaker, lest I forget, I wish to Otherwise, it would be necessary to come reason, there are cases in which we can say I have had many conferences with back here and get relief before they could use both systems. the chairman of the Committee on Pub­ complete a project. [Here the gavel fell.l lic Buildings and Grounds, in whom I Mr. McGREGOR. Is it not a fact that have the utmost confidence, despite his that particular language would allow the NATIONAL DEFENSE HOUSING-HOUSE RESOLUTION 386 failure to report my resolution providing Federal authorities, if they so desired, to for the decentralization of certain Gov­ absolutely ignore your local people? It Mr. SABATH, from the Committee on ernment bureaus and agencies, and in says "so far as may be practicable." . Rules, submitted the following privileged view of these conferences I feel that later Mr. DIRKSEN. I think that is good resolution Detroit, on page 16 of the hearings Mr. McGREGOR. I am sure the gen­ course, have to be the exclusion of such in the city of Detroit, a portion of which tleman feels that I have better judgment projects even from construction. reads as follows: than to say it would not take several Fourth. The findings of the committee Mr. GUINAN. We offered to develop 5 to 10 days, but I am sure the distinguished after a tour of inspection was to the ef­ basic plans in the low-field bracket-to pre­ gentleman realizes there would not be fect that housing is needed in some lo­ pare the plans and specifications, to submit 13,383 houses completed in 1 day or 10 calities but facilities are needed immedi­ them with a survey of how many could be days. If the gentleman will allow me to ately as schools and hospitals are over­ built in a 90-day period. That seemed to us proceed, I will be glad to yield later. to be a constructive plan. Fourteenth. The number of houses yet crowded and local communities are Mr. HEBERT. Do you mean you did not even financially unable to cope with the influx get an answer to that letter? under construction by Federal agencies is of defense workers. Committee members Mr. GUINAN. No. Of course, it might have 7,458 permanent, 3,764 temporary, mak­ will no doubt speak for themselves on been mislaid. ing a total under construction of 11,222 this phase of my questioning. Mr. HEBERT. We ought to find out if the and a total number of houses con­ Fifth. I want to read to you from a Federal agency is ignoring priva~ capital. I structed and vacant and yet under con­ report of Nathan Straus, Administrator have heard that several times. struction, 24,605. ot the United States Housing Authority, Tenth. I would refer you to the report Fifteenth. For the statements ma­ given to me on December 9, 1941: of the Truman committee, the low bidder jority ranking Members made, I would being P. J. Currier Lumber Co., which refer you to the statement of Subchail'­ Your requesting the facts and dates con­ man FRANK BOYKIN in his release to the cerning the Pensacola project which we had was approximately $300,000 low on this ready for occupancy for several days before job, yet his financial statement and his Los Angeles Examiner under date of Sep­ we could find someone to whom the keys experience questionnaire was on a par tember 27, which reads as follows: could be given even although there was a with higher bidders. Waste of millions of dollars in the national­ great demand for housing. On June 1 when Eleventh. I would respectfully refer defense housing program was charged yes­ the project was ready for occupancy, we re­ you to page 2 on the report of the Office terday by a congressional Subcommittee on ·quested advice from Mr. Foreman, who is .Public Buildings and Grounds here to investi­ responsible for the management of the proj­ of Management Division, Executive Of­ gate housing conditions in defense areas. ect, as to whom the keys should be delivered. flee of the President, summary as of Mr. BOYKIN charged the houses are "un­ We were advised that the keys should be November 25, 1941, which shows the sightly, only partly occupied, and too far delivered to a representative of the manage­ number of units programmed: Army, from adequate bus service." ment section of his office who would arrive in 1,820; Defense Housing Corporation, a day or two . . Although several other in- ·2,346; Farm Security, 200; Federal Works . From the Hollywood . (Calif.) Citizen­ . quiries were made in the interim, we were Agency, 19,582; local housing authority, News of September 27, I read: advised by wire as late as June 10 that his "14,191; Maritime Commission, 697; . Waste charged in housing projects. Rep­ representatives had not yet arriv.ed at the· mutual-owning D. H. D., · 799; Navy, resentative F. W. BOYKIN charged in an inter­ "project. On June 13 we were advised that view that the Government is wasting millions .Mr. Foreman's representative had arrived, the '15,765; Tennessee Valley Authority, 250; of dollars on its defense-housing program keys had been delivered to him, and the first United States Housing Authority, 5,344; and.asserted that private industry could build ·tenants had moved in. which is a total number of units pro­ 25 percent cheaper. · grammed-60,994 permanent, 9,891 tem­ · s:xth and seventh. I would refer you ·porary-70,885. From the Los Angeles Times of Sep­ to conditions that the committee found Twelfth. Number of houses construct- · tember 26: at Long Beach, Calif., and to this tele­ ed by all units is found on page 2 of the Demountable hom~s under construction for 'gram dated September 26 to Mr. John M. report, which shows 60,994 permanent, defense workers here condemned today by Carmody, Federal Works Administrator, 9,891 temporary, making a total con­ Representative FRANK BOYKIN, chairman of Washington, D. C., from CarlL. Erkson, investigating committee, as "the most fragile structed of 70,885. and worst we have seen. They look like the city manager of Long Beach, Calif., and Thirteenth. The total number of a telegram dated November 19 to the first strong wind could pick them up and houses constructed and ready for occu­ move them right off their foundations. It Honorable FRANK BOYKIN, chairman of pancy but vacant is 11,977 permanent, seems to me that these houses could be built the subcommittee, from Francis H. Gen­ 1,406 temporary, making a total of 13,383. for $1,000 instead of $2,800." try, mayor of the city of Long Beacl~. Mr. WRIGHT. Mr. Chairman, will Yet after the receipt of this telegram of the gentleman yield? I have others that I would be happy to November 19, our chairman called the Mr. McGREGOR. I yield to the gen­ show any interested Members of th.e committee together, along with officials tleman from Pennsylvania. House. ." here in Washington, and informed us Sixteenth. The construction of 750 Mr. WRIGHT. Does your report-show single units when there were a thousand that it would now require approximately how long those houses were vacant after $400,000 to .change the location of this being completed and ready for occu­ rooms available is set forth in the hear­ ·site because of the fact that work had ings of the Public Buildings and Grounds pancy? Committee, page 71, the testimony of Mr. been started even although the.local peo­ Mr. McGREGOR. The gentleman is ple objected and even although the Carmody, Administrator of Federal familiar with the report, which is as of Works. He states: standing committee had made known its November 25. I will be happy to include recommendations that the houses should the entire report, showing the exact This need is to remain and must be met. not be built at Long Beach. Let us meet it and we will build a dormitory time, if the gentleman desires me to put out there and arrange it so the rooms can bE' Eighth. Relative to the W. P. A.'s using it in the RECORD. turned promptly into apartments. We built ·$1,688,000 of W. P. A. funds, I would refer · Mr. WRIGHT. I think the gentleman it. We built 750 units in 30 days. One of you to the testimony of·Mr. Carmody be­ does not quite get my question. What I the best jobs for speed that has ever been fore the Committee on Public Buildings . am trying to find out is whether or not done.· The Public Buildings AdministratiOJt and Grounds, which is shown on page 56 some of these houses might have been got right on top of it a~d did it. They are aU . of the hearings, and which states: vacant for several days. vacant. In the meantime it was discovered there were a thousand rooms available in I have heard no mention of the contribu­ Mr. McGREGOR. The report does-not the community for rent. This survey the tion the Work ·Projects Administration, a con- say whether they were vacant 1 day or Work Projects Administrator and others · . stituent unit of the Federal Works Agency, several days. If the gentleman will wait, made revealed that fact. The dormitories has made to the home registration program I will give him the number of houses are there. We have asked the Coordinator_ and the finding-of-need program of the Co­ under construction, not quite ready to be what to do about it, and I am not sure we ordinator's office. I have here and am putting occupied. But I hope he will remember · have got definite information. There is a into the record the description of the Work we have a total of 13,383 houses, as given good deal of buck-passing about that busi­ Projects Administration program allocating ness. $1,688,000 for this project. by Mr. Palmer's office, vacant and ready for occupancy as of November 25. Mr. Chairman, those are the answers Then on pages 57, 58, and 59, Mr. Mr. WRIGHT. The gentleman re­ to the questions that I submitted to the .Carmody incorporates his chart. alizes that several days at least must House on December 1. I fully realize Ni:1th. I would refer you to the testi­ elapse after the completion of a house that there is a possible need for a small ·mony given by W. J. Guinan, chairman before the· securing of tenants. I mean number of houses, but as a member of of the Builders Association of Metropoli- it is not simultaneous. the committee of investigation, I can 1941 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE 9687 truthfully say to you that there is a together. I am firmly in accord with Mr. DONDERO. Mr. Chairman, will greater need for facilities. By that I the distinguished chairman of my com­ the gentleman yield? mean schools, sewers, hospitals, and so mittee that they should go through to­ Mr. McGREGOR. I yield. forth. gether. Mr. DONDERO. Section 3 of the bill I think you realize that some of these Mr. PLOESER. Mr. Chairman, will authorizes $600,000,000 to be appropri­ days in some of these communities there the gentleman yield? ated. Is this in addition to the $300,- will be a "ghost town" caused by the Mr. McGREGOR. I yield. 000;000 already authorized and appro­ Federal Government's constructing Mr. PLOESER:- I call the gentleman's priated? houses in that local community, and I attention to Public Law No. 24, which is Mr. McGREGOR. The original act is think you will agree with me that the title VI of the Defense Housing Insur- amended to make the total read "$600;- results will be that the value of the pri­ ance Act. · 000,000." That is $300,000,000 in addition vately owned property will decrease. I heard someone say a while ago that to what has already been appropriated Then the private-property owners will that was for cheaper types of housing, for housing alone. The gentleman will blame you and me for-that condition. and yet that very title VI under that recall that we had one bill asking for I am of the conviction that since we act applies to $4,000 single units. This $150,000,000 for housing, and then a sec­ have such a large number of houses still bill the gentleman is discussing right ond bill authorizing an additional vacant we should reduce the total cost now applies to single-unit types to aver­ $150,000,000 for housing.- In other words, of this bill which' can be used only for age $3,750, in no case to exceed $4,250. if this bill should pass, the total then houses and use a part of the money- for It applies to $6,000 double units, $8,000 authorized for housing alone would be facilities. We are certainly in an emer­ triple units, and $1,500 four-family $600,000,000. This bill increases the gency and we must save every dollar we units. amount $300,000,000. can save. There have appeared before Mr. McGREGOR. That is correct. Mr. DONDERO. It really includes the our committee representatives who have Mr. PLOESER. , And the reason a $300,000,000 heretofore authorized. given us a chart and submitted to us good many of these private contractors Mr. McGREGOR. That is correct. actual figures showing the need of are not taking. advantage of this 90- This bill is not a new _authorization of money to assist the local governments in percent loan insurance is because they $600,000,000; it is a new authorization of the construction of facilities. · fear Government competition in build­ $300,000,000. May I say to you, when they requested ing this defense housing. I think the Mr. CRAWFORD. Mr. Chairman, will $150,000,000 for facilities, they showed us . present is a poor time--when the House the gentleman yield? a need for $150,000,000. The housing right now is in process of starting an Mr. McGREGOR. I yield. units have shown us no definite need and investigation to try to save small busi­ Mr. CRAWFORD. So when you take we still have the number I gave you as ness-a poor. tifne for us to go further the $150,000,000 in the bill passed some vacant. along the road to crush it. time ago for facilities and add to that Mr. JENKINS of Ohio. Mr. Chair­ the $150,000,000 bill which was reported man, will the gentlema;n yield? Mr. McGREGOR. The gentleman is today it makes the total $300,000,000 for Mr. McGREGOR. I yield to my col­ correct and I thank him for his contri­ facilities and makes the total for both league from Ohio. bution. housing and facilities $900,000,000. Mr. JENKINS of Ohio. I think the I can see no reason why we should Mr. McGREGOR. That is correct. gentlemen has asked 15 or 16 pertinent pass this bill today for $300,000,000. My Mr. CRAWFORD. Now, may I ask the questions and answered them eloquent­ friends, that is as much as we have ap­ gentleman this: When tho.se figures were ly and completely. Now the gentleman propriated since we started in the hous­ placed in those acts, did they anticipate says that before your committee they ing construction. In H. R. 6128 we are the three declarations of this week? were able to justify that first $150,000,000. setting up a new personnel administra­ Mr. McGREGOR. I would say to the Mr. McGREGOR. That is correct. tion. Why give to this new administra­ gentleman no. Mr. JENKINS of Ohio. And I under­ tion as much as was carried in the two Mr. CRAWFORD. Can the gentleman stand the gentleman has indicated previous bills for defense housing for give us a rough estimate, just as rough that they have not justified the other $150,000,000 each? Congress will be in as he cares to make it, of what is likely $150,000,000? possible continuous session. Why not to follow with these two propositions of Mr. McGREGOR. That is correct. give $150,000,000 now and later on, as housing and facilities for defense _as a Mr. JENKINS of Ohio. Is the gentle­ the need is shown, appropriate more result of what we have done this week? man going to introduce his amendment money? My candid opinion is that when· Mr. McGREGOR. I would be very glad to strike out $150,000,000? any one department has too much to consider that, but time alone will tell. money to spend it spends somewhat un­ Mr. McGREGOR. That is my inten­ I wish I could ~ve the gentleman a more tion. wisely. definite answer. Mr. JE-NKINS of Ohio. I hope he Let us hold this program down, en­ Now, if I may proceed, Congress is go­ does. deavor to save some money. The rec­ ing to be · in continuous session, and we Mr. McGREGOR. Under the pr~sent ords will show that during the World need not appropriate such a large sum as law we have spent $150,000,000 under War no money was appropriated for de­ $300,000,000 at one time. Let us appro­ one Lanham bill, $150,000,000 under an­ fense-housing units, and up to now we priate in smaller amounts as needed. o_ther. Lanham bill, making $300-,000,000 have appropriated $300,000,000 and Mr. WOLVERTON of New Jersey. for houses alone. Then we spent $150,- $150,000;000 for facilities. This bill calls Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield? 000,000 for facilities. Now they come for $300,000,000 and another bill is com­ Mr. McGREGOR. I yield. along and we are asked to increase that ing in in a few days for $150,000,000 for Mr. WOLVERTON of New Jersey. $300,000,000 to $600,000,00 for houses. In facilities which will make a total ex­ From the statement the gentleman has other words, we are asked to spend as penditure for housing and facilities of made I know he has given the subject much in this one appropriation for $900,000,000, as against no appropriation very careful and deep consideration. It houses alone in face of these irregulari­ for this purpose during the last World prompts me to ask what if anything is ties, which no one has disputed, if you War. provided in the legislation now before us please, in face of these vacancies, as we I ask. you Members of Congress to give to protect communities against the re­ have appropriated all through the pro­ very careful consideration to this before ceipt of insufficient funds to provide the gram since October 1940 when we started you vote for this entire amount. I ex­ municipal facilities that are given to the Lanham Act. pect to offer an amendment to this bill these housing projects, such as light, and I say to you members of the committee which will reduce the amount as well water, and sewerage, and police and fire that we do need facilities, but we have as give .local authorities more power and protection, and school facilities, and so no need for $300,000,000 worth of houses. I trust that you will give my amendments forth? In the past the housing agency I will endeavor to put in an amendment consideration. has adopted a Hitler-like attitude in providing for $150,000,000 for houses and [Here the gavel fell.] dealing with communities and their $150,000,000 for facilities, and in that Mr. HOLMES. Mr. Chairman, I yield representatives. I have in mind at this way save your people and my people the gentleman from Ohio 5 additional moment a community in the district $150,000,000, and the bills can go through minutes. · I represent where the housing agency 9688 ·coNGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE DECEMBER 11 went into that locality and built houses As I understand it, an agreement was en­ The Housing Coordinator's Office has without regard to building and plumbing tered into by which the school board was to shown a direct need for $300,000,000. The receive $16,700 and the borough $18,300, in codes and regulations of the community addition to the $2,444 deposited to cover the gentleman from Ohio, whom I admire and then in addition thereto have refused use of sewer-disposal plant. This sum does very much, attended the hearings held to pay even the actual cost of the munici­ not include service to be furnished by the on this bill, he heard the testimony of pal facilities, that were furnished on the borough for street lighting and fire-hydrant the Housing Coordinator and he saw the same basis as other taxpayers were re­ service. But, notwithstanding the agreement facts presented by Mr. Palmer at these quired to pay. Why should private home of contract that has now· been submitted by hearings. owners be required to carry the burden the Federal Work~ Agency, including the The committee has given this bill a of supplying municipal facilities to these above services, which were not a part of the great deal of thought and study. We original price, and furthermore reduces the housing projects; unless these projects amount of $18,300 to $13,000 annually. have traveled throughout the country are required to pay upon the same basis it I wish to call to your attention that the looking over housing projects. It is true means that the private owner has his own amounts agreed upon were not sufficient to we found some poor projects and we tax burden increased by just the amount cover the cost of the service nor equal to what found some very good projects. It is true that the Government does not pay. I would have been paid if the project houses that we found that in administering this have before. me a copy of a letter ad­ had been in the hands of private owners. .bill perhaps ilJlprovements could be dressed to the Public Works Agency by There is no justification, in my opinion, in made. We found that 12 different agen- J. Claud Semin, solicitor of the Borough requiring the citizens of Audubon to main­ cies were building defense housing. We tain service for Government property at less of Audubon in Camden County, N.J. I than· cost. To do so makes the burden of the have rectified that in this bill. We have also have a copy of the letter I addressed private owner all the heavier. u · must fur­ now placed it under one agency and such to the agency. These letters are as fol­ ther be remembered that this project did not construction as the-Army and Navy may lows: come to Audubon upon any invitation on its desire. We found that in som·e instances FEDERAL WORKS AGENCY, part, but was imposed upon the community these agencies have gone into various Washington, D. C., November 28, 1941. by action of the Govel'nment. cities and set up housing projects on sites (Attention·Mr. H. Milton Colvin.) I sincerely hope that consideration will be which were not approved and of a type of given to the above matter and that the Gov­ GENTLEMEN: I have submitted to the ernment will at least support that which it construction such as we saw in the dis­ Board of Commissioners of the Borough of promised. trict represented by the gentleman from Audubon the contract which you left at my I am, New Jersey [Mr. CANFIELD], which was office some time ago. The consideration set Very sincerely yours, not proper construction. In this bill we forth in the contract amounting to approxi­ CHAS. A. WOLVERTON. have provided that local authorities must mately $13,000 on an annual basis is not. be consulted and the type of construction satisfactory to the Commissioners and is not Mr. McGREGOR. I thank the gentle­ in line with the agreement made between man for his contribution·. That is a con­ must be in accordance with the plans of your representatives and the representatives dition we find, however, in a number of construction in that community. of the Borough of Audubon and the Board of places, and it is a further reason ·why ·· Mr. WOLVERTON of New Jersey, Will education several months ago. · the gentleman y.ield? At that time it was agreed to pay the we should not appropriate $300,000,000 . at this time. Under ~his bill we have a · Mr. DOWNS. I yield to the gentleman school board $16,700 and the borough $18,- from New Jersey. 300 in addition to the $2,444 already deposited, new set-up. Under this bill the P. B. A. in escrow to ccver the use of the sewer has charge of this program·, and we are M·r. WOLVERTON of New Jersey. You disposal plant. . These three figures made a giving them $300,000,000 before trying have made reference to conditions in ·total of $37,444. When this agreement was the organization out in its new field. the district-represented by the gentleman discussed the services to be furnished by the Mr. Chairman, that is not good business. from New Jersey [Mr. CANFIELD]. borough did not include street lighting and · fire-hydrant service. Your contract now L:t us give them $150,000,000 at a time. May I say that if the committee had comes through including these two services, Congress will be in continuous session. opportunity to visit the district which I and for the sum of approximately $13,000 Perhaps we can save a little bit of money. represent it would have found similar annually instead of $18,300. · Mr. DOWNS. Will the gentleman conditions existing there. I assume from According to the best information which yield? what the gentleman has said that it is the we have been able to obtain up to the Mr. McGREGOR. I yield to the gen- intention of the committee by this bill to present time buildings erected on this project, tleman from Connecticut. · correct that situation so that it will not if owned by private individuals, would be valued at a minimum of $900,000 for the Mr. DOWNS. Is it not true that, as the occur again, and I ·commend the com­ purpose of taxation. In addition to the result of the investigation by the com­ mittee for the course it is taking in this buildings the land assessed would equal mittee, the new bill as presented now ·respect; but I am not satisfied that suffi­ ·another $200,000, making &. total minimum remedies the situation presented by the cient provision is made in this bill to ratable uf $1,100,000. If these were owned gentlemen on the other side of the properly compensate municipalities for by private persons the annual taxes paid to House? · the facilities and services that are ren­ the Borough of Audubon on this assessme~t Mr. McGREGOR. In reply to the gen­ dered by them. based on the 1941 rate would be $52,360. tleman, we are hoping that it will remedy However, of this amount the borc;ugh would In section 306, page 6 of the bill, it is . only receive $3.68 per $100, or taxes to the the situation, but we were just as sincere stated: Borough of Audubon would be $40,480. This when we passed the first Lanham Act. The amount so paid for any year upon such amount is stm $3,036 more than the amount Mr. DOWNS. Is it not true that this property shall approximate the taxes. agreed upon in the board wom of the high bill takes care of the tax situation that school several months ago and well within was brought up? · I cannot understand why the word the rights of your department under the Mr. McGREGOR. I am not an attor­ "approximate" was used instead of say­ Lanham Act. ney, and that is a question in my mind. ing "shall be equal to the. taxes" if it At my request the Commissioners are con­ There is provided payment in lieu of was the intention to see that such an tinuing to supply municipal services to this amount was to be. paid. In the munici­ project, but they feel they cannot continue taxes, but that covers a lot of things. this indefinitely in fairness to the other tax­ [Here the gavel fell.] pality of which I spoke a moment ago, payers and citizens of the borough. Mr. LANHAM. Mr. Chairman, I yield ·where Hitler-like conditions were im­ We will await your reply before taking any 5 minutes to the gentleman from Con­ posed by the Public Works Agency-! further steps. necticut [Mr. DowNs]. cannot describe it more perfectly than Yours very truly, Mr. DOWNS. Mr. Chairman, the in that manner. For instance, we went JOHN CLAUD SIMON. adoption of the pending bill at this time, before the representatives of the Agency, in my opinion, is a necessity. I say this and we laid before them the cost of the DECEMBER 11, 1941. because of the events of the last few days. facilities that were to be used by the ADMINISTRATOR, FEDERAL WORKS AGENCY, Speed is needed. This is not the time to Housing Agency. They promised to pay Washington, D. C. dilly-dally. We have presented this bill for them an amount that would equal DEAR MR. ADMINISTRATOR: I Wish to call to or approximate the amount that would your attention the situation with respect to in form so that it will be necessary for the defense housing project at Audubon, N. the agencies to go to the Appropriations be paid by private owners. They tenta­ J., wherein it seems to me that the Federal Committee and every project appropria­ tively entered into an agreement to do Works Agency has failed to keep faith' with tion must be approved before it can be ex­ so. Yet within the last day or two they the representatives of the borough. pended. submitted a formal agreement that to- 1941 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE 9689 tally avoids the tentative agreement that going to be constructed. If this bill is not the bill. I have the utmost confidence had been previously made. Thus, their approved, we shall be face to face with in the ability, integrity, and judgment of action leaves an expenditure of money a severe housing condition insofar as our the splendid and able chairman of the by the municipality that will have to defense program is concerned, and it will Committee on Public Buildings and be carried by the private home owners impede our defense program. It is no Grounds, the gentleman from Texas [Mr. of that community to pay for the facili­ time to slow up on defense in a wartime LANHAM] and his committee. They have ties that are being used by the Govern­ like this. had a difficult task. They have done a ment project. The letters between the [Here the gavel fell.] . commendable piece of work, and I will municipal solicitor, and my own to the Mr. HOLMES. Mr. Chairman, I yield support them. Agency, will bear out what I have just 5 minutes to the gentleman from Mich­ [Here the gavel fell.J said. igan [Mr. DONDERO]. Mr. HOLMES. Mr. Chairman, I yield [Here the gavel fell.] Mr. DONDERO. Mr. Chairman, the 5 minutes to the gentleman from Michi­ Mr. HOLMES. Mr. C'1airman, I yield purpose of this bill is to meet conditions gan [Mr. CRAWFORD]. the gentleman 2 additional minutes. and problems which have arisen in this Mr. CRAWFORD. Mr. Chairman, my Mr. DOWNS. Mr. Chairman, I thank country due to the defense effort on the object in taking this time today is to the gentleman for his observation, but part of our Government. We are at war, make a few observations along this line. the committee feels that the corrections and war will bring additional problems to The other day Mr. Jesse Jones, Secretary made in this act will take care of the tax this Nation. of Commerce and head of the R. F. C., situation. As I stated, the district repre­ Fundamentally, I have always been op­ was before our committee, and I made sented by the gentleman from New Jer­ posed to every and any effort on the part this observation to him which I wish to sey [Mr. CANFIELD] was not the only of the Federal Government to project make on the floor. district in which we found houses which itself into any activity of the American In my opinion we, the people of this did not meet with our approval. I do people that could be done or completed country, and I include myself in that not doubt for one moment that the gen­ by private enterprise, private capital, and group, have turned yellow against the tleman has some of that housing in his private effort, but I realize that on ac­ private-enterprise system of America district, but this committee as a result count of the intense effort put forth by when we recede from action and do ev­ of its trip throughout the country has this Nation to build its defenses, condi­ erything possible to push the Govern­ endeavored to correct the situation in tions and problems have been created ment into ownership of the things we thiS bill. which must be solved by the Federal Gov­ financed ourselves for 150 or 160 years. I heard reference made to a statement ernment. It seems to me that we are checking out which was attributed to the gentleman · Perhaps no district in the United on the so-called private-enterprise cap­ from Alabama the chairman of the sub­ States is more affected by the legislation italistic system heretofore followed. Per­ committee [Mr. BOYKIN] and, I think, I now before the House than mine. Ad­ sonally, I do not like it at all. Private was present when the statement 'was joining my congressional district within industry will have to carry the burdens made. His statement was made in ref­ the last year a $20,000,000 tank plant wa,s when the day comes that you must write erence to some temporary housing which constructed where 9 months before was them off unless you shift to Government we found out on the Pacific coast. I a cornfield. It is a semiagricultural sec­ ownership. Upon private industry you agree with the statement made ·by the tion. A few weeks ago it was· my privi­ are going to depend for the revenues with gentleman from Alabama [Mr. BOYKIN] lege to go with Secretary Knox to the which to carry· on this Government in that the housing was not proper hous­ dedication of a $20,000,000 naval ord­ the post-war period. If you do not in­ ing. Perhaps he was a little pronounced nance plant constructed just 1 mile from tend to depend upon private industry in his statement. We recommended on the $20,000,000 tank plant. That site 8 for that revenue, I wish someone would our return that none of that housing be months before was a truck-garden area. rise in his seat at the present time and constructed in the future. Naturally, I do not have to paint a pic­ tell me from what source you are going Mr. CANFIELD. Will the gentleman ture to lure your imagination or influence to draw that revenue. yield? your judgment in favor of legislation of If we are going to depend upon that Mr. DOWNS. I yield to the gentle­ this kind when I call your attention to particular goose to lay the golden egg, man from New Jersey. the fact that thousands of workers are why do we continually and forever insist Mr. CANFIELD. May I state in fair­ required to operate those plants and upon Government sticking its nose into ness to the gentleman's committee that build the equipment required for our de­ everything, and willingly go along with­ there was a second project under con­ fense. Not all of these people need new out a single protest and permit the Gov­ struction when the committee came into homes, I am well aware of that, but ernment to do so? It is beyond my abil­ my district. The committee saw it. It many of them do. In addition to the ity to figure that out. was stopped and reformed. I appreciate homes that will be required to house Certainly, as I said a day or two ago, that very much. these defense workers are the additional we shall spend on this particular job no Mr. DOWNS. I thank the gentleman. facilities that will be required, such as less than $150,000,000,000. If there is We feel this bill is an absolute necessity. have been enumerated here this after­ anything that I loathe, if there is any­ We feel that this housing program noon, including public schools. Many thing for which I have no respect, it is a must be speeded. We feel that $300,- school districts in our area have written, fellow who puts himself, through seeking 000,000 is needed to carry out the pro­ appealing to me to provide some way and a position or accepting an appointment, gram. I hope the committee will ap­ some means for school facilities for the to a job which has to do with spending prove this bill. additional children who have come into other people's money, and then proceeds, Mr. HOUSTON. Mr. Chairman, will those communities because of the na­ without giving any consideration what­ the gentleman yield? tional-defense effort which this Govern- ever to the other fellow's economic life Mr. DOWNS. I yield to the gentle­ - mentis putting forth. stream to waste the money involved. I man from Kansas. Perhaps the administration of prior am certainly convinced that in the de­ Mr. HOUSTON. Did the gentleman's acts has not been as perfect as it should partments of the Government in this committee visit the defense area of have been. I sympathize with the country today we have some men who are Wichita, Kans.? presentation made by the gentleman as ruthless with the taxpayer's dollar as Mr. DOWNS. No; we did not. from Ohio, a member of the committee, any man can be with any proposition on Mr. HOUSTON. I understand it will in his careful consideration and exami­ earth; political and bureaucratic wastrels be necessary to construct anywhere from nation of the problems presented, but of the worst type. 6,000 to 20,000 houses in that defense let us not for one moment, now that we Mr. Chairman, in no way do I mean to area. If this bill does not go through, I are at war with three of the great powers infer that all Government managers of should like to have somebody explain to of this world, do one thing to retard in bureaus are of this type. They are not me how they expect to build them. any way the effort of our Government all so disposed or unqualified. But based Mr. DOWNS. That is true about to complete the defense necessary to upon investigations of various congres­ Wichita and that is true in many other preserve our way of life. I know the sional committees and disclosures that · ~ueas where large defense plants are need for this legislation and shall vote for have been made from time to time as a 9690 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE DECEMBER 11 result of special work of House and Sen­ different accomplishment. The first op­ expenditure and the money has to be ate committees we all know that many eration means waste, extravagance, and appropriated through additional legisla­ ruthlessly wasteful operations have been finally failure. The second operation tion. carried on as the dance of the billions means success. Why do we have to talk Mr. McGREGOR. . Mr. Chairman, has progressed. in terms of $150,000,000,000 today? It is will the gentleman yield? If this Congress does not assume the because of the wasteful approach that is Mr. WILSON. I yield to the distin­ responsibility of calling a halt on some made to the job in hand. We are just guished gentleman from Ohio. of these fellows who have no training in forgetting how to do things at a reason­ Mr. McGREGOR. Does the gentle­ handling. business, who have no respect · able dollar cost. If this is to be our man not feel that if we authorize the for their dollar or any other dollar, we course, then we might as well prepare money it will finaliy be spent? can easily find absolute financial bank­ ourselves mentally to witness a complete Mr. WJLSON. Yes; I feel it will be ruptcy forced upon us, to be followed by dollar economic washout in the years to spent and I feel we are going to spend complete chaos in this country as a result come. The charges made and admitted many times that much before we do the of the programs which we have voted here today are a warning to all con­ job of licking the Axis powers. here almost unanimously this very week. cerned. The responsibility is on this Mr. ·WRIGHT. Mr. Chairman, will In my opinion, this fs the time for us to House. I am willing to assume my share the gentleman yield? talk about it. This is the time for us to of responsibility and do what is neces­ Mr. WILSON. I yield to the gentle­ do something about it, not in the post­ sary to clean out some of these wastrels man. war period: These billions are going to who can, if given a free hand to con­ Mr. WRIGHT. Was it not brought out be rolled out just as boys playing with tinue their profligacy in handling the in the report, and is it not also contained marbles and counting them out of a bag, billions of dollars of cost we now face, in the bill, that if we do pass this bill and so far as I am concerned, as long as become an abomination to our whole it does not necessarily mean that the my people permit me to stay here and program of winning this war and saving money will be spent under one appro­ represent them, I do not intend to be the peace. May God have mercy on us priation, but that requests will be made noncritical on this question of spending. if we permit billions of dollars of tax­ from time to time whenever the money is I intend to continue a little more aggres­ payers' efforts to be wasted. Private en­ needed and should be passed upon piece­ sively than heretofore, because I know terprise has demonstrated a greater de­ meal by the Appropriations Committee? what inexperienced, ruthless spenders gree of accomplishment than any ·other Mr. McGREGOR. Mr. Chairman, will will do with funds of stockholders, with type ever participated in by man. We the gentleman yield to me? funds of political constituents, and others. know this but it appears very necessarY Mr. WILSON. I yield to the gentle­ We have certainly had plenty of no­ for us to state the facts to ourselves from man from Ohio. tice in this country to put ourselves on time to time in order to not forget that Mr. McGREGOR. I have the highest the job if we care to assume the re­ they are facts. regard for the gentleman's opinion and sponsibility, and I am now giving some Mr. HOLMES. Mr. Chairman, I yield I would like for him to tell us whether of the reasons why I have so consistently 5 minutes to my colleagpe the gentle­ or not in his opinion that will expedite voted against so many billions of dol­ man from Indiana [Mr. WILSON]. expenditures or expedite the defense pro­ lars which have been brought to this Mr. WILSON. Mr. Chairman, the gram, just because we are forcing them House for approval. purpose of this authorization. is defense. to go before the Appropriations Com­ Mr. PLOESER. Mr. Chairman, will Now, if we had a purpose for defense mittee every ' ime they want a few dollars the gentleman yield? when this bill was reported out a week for a . project. I am asking the gentle­ Mr. CRAWFORD. I yield to the gen­ ago, the need now is many, many times man, is that going to expedite our defense tleman from Missouri. greater than it was at that time, and program? Mr. PLOESER. Is it not plain to the in order to defend this country we Mr. WRIGHT. Will the gentleman gentleman that some of those bureau­ are going to have to produce the arms yield to me to answer that? crats and administrators down here are and equipment to prosecute a mechan­ Mr. WILSON. Yes. plainly obsessed with one opinion, and ized war and this requires many man­ Mr. WRIGHT. I do not want to cut that is because Congress allocates the hours of work. Just in today's paper I down the gentleman's time, but the gen­ money it is their job to get rid of it no read that factories were going to be tleman from Ohio [Mr. McGREGOR] is matter where they get rid of it? asked to run 168 hours a week. This trying to save money on the one hand, Mr. CRAWFORD. And just as will require many man-hours of work and spend it on the other. I believe it is quickly as possible. They seem to think and comfortable rest. a very wise thing to have the various the burden is upon them to spend it Now, in answer to my distinguished needs go before the Committee on Ap­ quickly, and _we have plenty of cost colleague from Ohio, and I do consider propriations. sheets to demonstrate that it has been him a distinguished colleague because Mr. WILSON. I am not going to com. a ruthless operation. anyone who is trying to save money is ment on that, except to say that in my Of course, we all want quick results distinguished. He has a fine economy opiriion the gentleman from Ohio has a now. We have wanted production in record in this house. splendid record of economy. However, the past. But, Mr. Chairman, there is Mr. DONDERO. Mr. Chairman, will I feel it would be a waste of time to au­ a way to do a thing quickly and at the the gentleman yield? thorize and authorize over and over again same time do it economically. That ap­ Mr. WILSON. I yield. from time to time when these appropri­ pears to be a passing art, however. Pri­ Mr. DONDERO. I do not think the ations are needed. I traveled with this vate industry in this country has for gentleman meant to say 168 hours a committee in making some of the inves­ decades done things quickly, accurately, week per man. tigations of defense needs. San Diego, and economically. But to ask Govern­ Mr. WILSON. The factories will run Calif., is a great defense area. In that ment administrators to so perform may 168 hours per week. area we found what we called "hot beds," be asking just too much. To do things Mr. DONDERO. That means three where men were sleeping in beds three on a big scale requires great spending. shifts. shifts per day. That is not a healthful It is not the quantity of spending or the Mr. WILSON. And the workers will situation for any worker. What would dollars that I object to but it is the little be called upon to do their part, which happeri to our production if an epidemic consideration we obtain as a result of the means about one-third of that time or 56 should break out in areas like that? It dollars disbursed. Ftom time to time it hours per week. I thank the gentleman would be like dropping a bomb on one of appears that our debate is not very clear for his observation. those plants. According to the newspa­ on this point; and I will say not only The gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Mc­ pers, Indianapolis is expecting 17,000 our debate but our voting. It would ap­ GREGOR] is interested in saving money workers who will come in there next year. pear at times that we think all that is and he is to be admired for that. How­ They have less than 1 percent of vacan­ necessary is to vote the billions and that ever, this $300,000,000, this is not an ap­ cies, and they are wondering what they all else will be well. But just spending propriation, it is merely an authoriza­ are going to do with the 17,000 additional is one thing while spending and getting tion. The passing of this bill will not workers and their families. In my dis­ results at reasonable cost is an entirely spend a dime. It simply authorizes the trict we have men driving 87 miles each 1941 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE 9691 way per day, making a total of one-hun­ committee, for whom I have such great as long as the need for the same is shown dred-and-seventy-four-odd miles per personal respect. Before doing so I want to exist. I have merely sought to point day, back and forth. What are they go­ to say that I deeply appreciate the effort out some of the corrections in policy that ing to do when the roads get icy? Many that has been made by the committee to have been shown by experience to be nec­ accidents have already happened and, of correct many of the evils that have been essary. I shall vote for the bill with the course, they will become more numerous. found . to exist. There is one evil, how­ assurance that has been given by the Mr. BATES of Massachusetts. Mr. ever, that has c.ome very forcefully to chairman of the committee. Chairman, will the gentleman yield? my attention with reference to one of the [Here the gavel fell.J Mr. WILSON. Yes. building projects in t~1e . district that I Mr. LANHAM. Mr. Chairman, I yield Mr. BATES of Massachusetts. I won­ have the honor to represent. I see by 3 minutes to the gentleman from Penn­ der what protection · a community bas section 306 on page 6 that an attempt sylvania [Mr. WRIGHT]. from having a housing project foist upon has evidently been made by the commit­ Mr. WRIGHT. Mr. Chairman, I ac­ it when the mayor of the city and the tee to deal with that situation. I am un­ companied a subcommittee from this city government say it is not necessary? certain, however, as to whether it has general committee on this trip through­ Mr. WILSON. Of course, that is un­ effectively done so. That uncertainty out the country. I also witnessed the fortunate. arises because of the use of the word various things which were discussed by Mr. BATES of Massachusetts. I have "approximate" in line 10 of the section. the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Mc­ a letter just handed to me signed by the It reads: GREGOR] and which formed the basis of city manager of Long Beach, Calif. There The amount so paid for any year upon his remarks. I might say there is some is also a letter signed by the mayor of such property shall approximate the taxes. justice in most of his observations, but I the city of Long Beach protesting against I would like to ask the chairman if the think that listening to him presents a the housing program in that city because effort is made by the language in the bill picture that is out of balance, that the they say it is not needed.. The matter to provide sumcient income to each emphasis is placed upon the bad in this was postponed, at least, or stopped; and municipality for the facilities furnished. program to the entire neglect of what is' good. yet, when the committee comes back here If so, then why were not the words "be we understand that they started again equal to" used instead of the word I think that generally this housing pro­ to examine the project. What protection "approximate"? gram, when you consider its magnitude have the taxpayers of this country? Mr. LANHAM. I will say in response and the speed with which these houses Mr. WILSON. I cannot yield further. to the distinguished gentleman that that had to be built, has been a creditable job, I agree that there are many injustices, question was brought up a week ago last with two or three exceptions. I think but the committee cannot pick out the Monday when this bill was before the the element of speed was one thing which individual projects and authorize the ap­ House under suspension of the rules by probably in some cases produced con­ propriation of money for these particu­ our distinguished friend and colleague struction which was somewhat inferior lar projects. from Massachusetts [Mr. GIFFORDJ. to what we might have had, if we had our Mr. BATES of Massachusetts. Why Mr. HOLMES. Mr. Chairman, I own good time in which to build the can we not have in the bill a proviso yield the gentleman 1 additional minute. hcuses. But, in the meantime, remember that no appropriations made hereunder Mr. LANHAM. Thereupon I took the that the airplane factories were being shall be approved unless specifically au­ matter up with the general counsel of constructed, that men were pouring into thorized by the Committee on Appropria­ the Federal Works Agency and asked him San Diego, pouring into Long Beach, tions? to give me an opinion with reference to pouring into Vallejo, to the navy yards, Mr. WILSON. I would not attempt to that matter and this is what he has in the district of the gentleman from In­ answer the gentleman's question. In written, after quoting the section to diana fMr. WILSON], at the powder plant, making this investigation I was about which· the gentleman has referred: to the Pittsburgh steel mills, to the De­ the most hard-boiled man on the entire troit manufacturers, and it was necessary committee. Our meetings sometimes The proposal is that the amount to be paid for taxes shall "approximate the taxes that these houses be built quickly. would run until 10 or 12 <:.'clock at night, Which would be paid" if the property were I was interested in one thing; wher­ and these are some of the questions that not exempt from taxation. If the wording ever we went we consulted with every I would ask: What percent of increase in read that "the amount should 't>f the amount interested party in the district affected, personnel do you have? I thcught that that would be paid," the local authorities and universally, without exception, mem­ was a very pertinent question for deter- . alone could determine what that amount fs bers of management of the industries mining the need for additional housing. and may by unjust assessments place an said that they needed housing and they Then there was thi5 question, What is undue burden upon the property and upon needed it quickly. The men who worked the tenants residing therein. The reason the the percent of turn-over in your per­ word "approximate" is used is to leave the in those mills, factories, and plants also sonnel?; and also, How many people hfl ve amount within the determination of the insisted that they needed houses and you had refuse to accept employment be­ Administrator, and the plain intention of the needed them quickly. cause they could not find houses to live section is that, in fixing the amount, he must I believe that as a result of this trip in? and, How many have quit their jobs endeavor, Insofar as he is able to do so, to and as a result of the testimony taken and left employment in these vital de­ fix it at the amount that would be paid if and as a result of the testimony before fense industries because of inadequate the property were privately owned. In the the committee we have a much better performance of his duty under the wording · housing conditions? stated, he cannot fix the amount at less or bill than we had before, but I do not The answer to those questions, Mr. at more than normal taxes. If the determi­ blame too seriously the administration Chairman, have led me to feel that we nation of the amount were not left in his of this bill when I consider the various must authorize this entire amount of hands, so that he had the authority finally things which affected it. money and probably in the future will be to fix it, there would be the possibility of [Here the gavel fell.] called upon to authorize more, to house considerable controversy between him and Mr. HOLMES. Mr. Chairman, I yield these workers, so that they can do this the local authorities as to what the amount 2% minutes to the distinguished gentle­ job and produce machines for the boys should actually be. man from Oregon [Mr. ANGELL]. to defend their lives, and to conquer our So you will see that the intention is, Mr. ANGELL. Mr. Chairman, I want enemy. I also urge that we include in after a conference with the authorities of to compliment the committee on the ex­ this bill the $150,000,000 for facilities, be­ the States, to be an amount that is "equal cellent work they have done in bringing cause those facilities are vitally needed to," but for the reasons stated by the this bill before us. There are two items in many industrial centers in the interest general counsel the word "approximate" in this bill, in the brief time I have at my of the health of our workers. is more appropriate in the section. disposal, that I want to call attention to. Mr. HOLMES. Mr. Chairman, I yield Mr. WOLVERTON of New Jersey. I One is the $150,000,000 proposed for utili­ 2 minutes to the gentleman from New appreciate the explanation and hope the ties in the defense-area districts. Jersey [Mr. WOLVERTON] . act will be so administered. It is needless My own district is comparable to that Mr. WOLVERTON. Mr. Chairman, I to say that I am in full accord with what described by the gentleman from Mich­ have asked for this time in order that I has been said as to the necessity of de­ igan [Mr. DoNDERO], and I agree with the might address a question to the distin­ fense housing. I have always supported excellent statement he has just made. guished chairman of this distinguished such legislation and will continue to do so We have in a suburban territory in my 9692 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE DECEMBER 11 district under construction two huge and seen what is needed. Not far dis­ loft. That is an honest statement of aluminum plants. There will be em­ tant from here is the Martin plant in fact. We hope we have stopped that. ploye_d there between five and six thou­ Baltimore, Md. This operation needs ad­ We are providing in this bill that the sand men. Much of the aluminum ditional housing at the present time. We commissioner of public buildings, when needed for our war efforts will be pro­ are going to need more tanks, more air­ he is to take up a · project shall consult duced there. It will bring !\ large num­ planes, more guns, more machinery, but with city or municipal authorities, that ber of school children into the district. we shall have to have places to put the they shall all sit around a table and dis­ They will need facilities of various kinds, people who work in these plants, or we cuss the various needs of the community. and it is most important that we plan must provide some place for them to live, When they arrive at a conclusion that for those facilities prior to the time that so we can turn the wheels of production they need housing, he will then coop­ those school children find themselves in to keep the stream of supplies going to erate with the municipal authorities in that community and without facilities. the men on the firing line. designing, and so forth, and he may So I commend the work of the commit­ I am for economy just as much as any also utilize the services of architects, en­ tee in that respect, and I hope that par­ Member of the House, but the time is gineers, and landscape artists, and any ticular provision will be included in the here when we have got to stop quibbling. other of the Federal Housing Authority bill. We have got to look realities in the face . that has already been set up and oper­ The other provision is with reference and pass the needed measures to deal ating under State law. We have many to the employment of professional serv­ with them. This legislation should have housing authorities that have done · a ices in the construction of these projects. been passed 2 weeks ago. We are going splendid job throughout the country. We have had an unfortunate situation into war unprepared in certain places. We are trying, in this legislation, which in my State in that a $400,000 building The House must do wha' is necessary to is an amendment to the original law, to project by another agency was carried on provide the materials of national de­ lay down some fundamental principles and they imported an architect from the fense, to give the necessary equipment to that are sane and sound, and in keeping ·outside to handle the project. these boys whom ·we expect to do their with the character of our municipal We have a large number of very fine part for us. I hope, therefore, this bill is life. architects who are skilled and expert in passed in its present form. We have had many complaints of lack this particular type of construction. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of cooperation and we do not blame the These men were available, but for po­ of my time. people back home for complaining when litical reasons others were brought in The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman they do not get cooperation. That is from the outside. I regret that the lan­ yields back one-half minute. why we are here. We are here to listen guage of this bill is not more specific. It Mr. HOLMES. Mr. Chairman, I yield to their complaints. After the 3 months' is unfortunate that it is a milk-diet pro­ myself the balance of my time. study that this committee has made I vision. It merely provides that nothing The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman think we have a bill here, which was in this act shall be construed to prevent from Massachusetts is recognized for 5 unanimously reported by the committee. the employment and utilization of the minutes. Of course, mistakes were made in the professional services of private persons, Mr. HOLMES. Mr. Chairman, I want, past, and some of them were terrible firms, or corporations; but there is abso­ in my humble way, to support this meas­ mistakes, but we hope, under this legis­ lutely nothing in the bill that provides ure as presented by our distinguished lation, it is going to be possible for the that they shall be employed where they chairman and other members of this Congress from now on to have better are available and where comparable con­ committee. I assure the membership -on control over the expenditure of this ditions exist, or even that they shall be my side of the aisle that I would not money. given preference. I think the committee recommend an authorization of $300,- [Here the gavel fell.] should amend that section. I took this 000,000 for defense housing if I did not amendment up with the chairman of the honestly, sincerely, and thoroughly be­ Mr. LANHAM. Mr. Chairman, in the committee while the committee was still lieve it was necessary. This is not an interest of time, I ask unanimous con­ developing the bm, but this weak provi­ appropriation; it is an authorization sent that the bill may be considered as sion was inserted in the bill, which will protected with this language: In such read, . that amendments may be offered permit this agency to go forward in the amounts as the Congress-let me repeat, to it, and this will not obviate pro forma future just as has been done by other the Congress-from time to time shall amendments to strike out the last word ·agencies in the past. I have the highest appropriate. In other wor-ds, during the and allow discussion. respect for Mr. Reynolds; he may not be expenditure of the first $300,000,000 it The CHAIRMAN. Is there objection the man who will administer these proj­ was a blank check. We just gave the to the request of the gentleman from ects. We are living in very serious, hectic organization $300,000,000, and they Texas [Mr. LANHAM]? days. No man knows when he goes to could spend it in any way, shape, or Mr. McGREGOR. Mr. Chairman, re­ bed· at night who will be at the head of manner they saw fit and Congress had serving the right to object, I take it that one of these undertakings in the morn­ no control over that expenditure. Now amendments will be offered from para­ ing. We should provide in the generic we are trying to safeguard the expendi­ graph 1 straight on through. In other law for the utilization as far as practi­ ture. We have eliminated the nine dif­ words, they· will be taken up in order cable in local communities of local people, ferent agencies that were constructfng from page 1 on? so that the scandal of employing and the houses, all having separate organizations Mr. LANHAM. In that order, yes. I bringing in for political reasons of out­ throughout the United States. We are think the first amendment would be the side architects and other professional placing this legislation under one re­ committee amendment with reference to employees will not happen again. sponsible head, under a department of the word "enlisted," then the amend­ [Here the gavel fell.] the Government that has been in opera­ ment with reference- to the facilities, Mr. LANHAM. Mr. Chairman, I yield' tion for a century, a department which then members of the committee should the remainder of my time to the gentle­ has the proper personnel, and integrity be given preference in offering amend­ man from California [Mr. ELLIOTT]. to know what to' do as we found from our ments, after which amendments that The CHAIRMAN. The gentleman dealings with this particular group dur­ any other Member wants to offer will from California is recognized for 3 min­ ing many, many years. I have the utmost be in order, if in order. Pro forma utes. confidence that they will carry out this amendments to strike out the last word Mr. ELLIOTT of California. Mr. legislation to the letter of the law. There will also be in · order. Chairman, this bill in its present form is no need for this department to cir­ Mr. McGREGOR. I believe my dis­ is much better than we started out cumvent the intent of Congress. Other tinguished chairman will recall that I with. At this particular time I believe agencies, in my opinion, have not in­ spoke to him a few minutes ago and all the funds carried in the bill can terpreted the original legislation in the asked for the privilege of offering an be used for housing. We have just spirit in which Congress intended it amendment on page 3, line 16, striking passed this week measures in this House should be carried out. out $600,000,000 and inserting $450,- that will call for this type of legisla­ In our inspection we found deplorable 000,000. tion more than ever before. I say this housing construction so bad I would not Mr. LANHAM. Yes. This· would not because I have been at some of the areas have it in my back yard for a pigeon obviate the gentleman's right to do that 1941 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE 9693 and to speak on the amendment as under SEc. 2. Section 2 of such act, as amended, this section to construct the same. Nothing the regular 5-minute rule. is amended by inserting before the semi­ in this act shall be construed to prevent the Mr. McGREGOR. The gentleman still colon at the end of clause (a) the following: employment or utilization of the professional ": Provided, That any proceedings for the services of private persons, firms, or corpora­ wants to offer his title II amendment recovery of possession of any property or tions. Consultation shall be had with local first? project developed or constructed under this public officials and local housing authorities Mr. LANHAM. I understand that is a title shall be brought by the Administrator to the end that projects constructed under ' matter of unanimous consent, more or in the courts of the States having jurisdic­ the provisions of this act shall, so far as may less. tion of such causes and the laws of the States be practicable, conform in location and design Mr. McGREGOR. The only reason I shall be applicable thereto." to local planning and tradition." bring it up is this: If one &..mendment is SEc. 3. So much of section 3 of such act, SEc. 8. Section 306 of such act, as amended, defeated, we can go along on the other as amended, as precedes the proviso therein is amended to read as follows: is amended to read as follows: "SEc. 306. The Administrator shall pay amendment. There is no use defeating "SEC. 3. There is hereby authorized to be from rentals anual sums in lieu of taxes to two amendments. I am heartily in ac­ appropriated to carry out the purpose of this any State and/or political subdivision thereof, cord with the title II amendment for title, in accordance with the authority therein with respect to any real property acquired and '$150,000,000 for facilities, but I am not in contained and for administrative expenses in held by him under this act, including im­ favor of the $300,000,000 expenditure. connection therewith, including transfer of provements thereon. The amount so paid for Mr. LANHAM. I so understand. household goods and effects as provided by any year upon such property shall approxi­ Since these first two amendments are not the act of October 10, 1940 (Public, No. 839), mate the taxes which would be paid to the and regulations promulgated thereunder, not State and/ or subdivision, as the case may be, 1n any way controversial, I thought we to exce€d the sum of $600,000,000, to remain might act on them first, then the gentle­ upon such property if it were not exempt from available until expended in such amounts as taxation, with such allowance as may ~e man may offer his a'llendment. the Congress from time to time shall make considered by him to be appropriate for Mr. GREEN. Mr. Chairman, reserv­ appropriations therefor." expenditure by the Government for streets, ing the right to object, the architects SEc. 4. Such act, as amended, is amended utilities, or other public services to serve such and engjneers in my districts are deeply by inserting after sPction 3 the following new property." interested in this matter. To what ex­ section: SEc. 9. Section 309 of such act, as amended, tent may their services be utilized under "SEc. 4. It is hereby declared to be the policy is amended by adding at the end thereof the the present language of the bill? of this title to further the national defense following: "Preference in such employment by providing housing' in those areas where shall be given to qualified local residents." Mr. LANHAM. Their services will be it cannot otherwise be provided by private utilized and used very liberally indeed. enterprise when needed, and that such hous­ Mr. LANHAM. Mr. Chairman, I offer I tried in previous remarks to make a ing shall be sold and disposed of as expedi­ a committee amendment, which I send to fuil explanation of that. I think they tiously as possible: Provided, That in dispos­ the Clerk's desk. · VJill be used much more liberally under ing of said housing consideration shall be The Clerk read as follows: the terms of this bill than if the amend­ given to its full market value and said hous­ ing or any part thereof shall not, unless spe­ Committee amendment offered by Mr. ment to which the gentleman referred cifically authorized by Congress, be conveyed LANHAM: Page 4, line 24, after the word and which many of us have received is to any public or private agency organized for "Navy", strike out the word "enlisted." included in the bill. slum clearance or to provide subsidized hous­ The committee amendment was agreed The CHAffiMAN. Is there objection, ing for persons of low income: Provided to. to the request of the gentleman from further, That the Administrator may, in his Texas [Mr. LANHAM]? discretion, upon the request of the Secretaries Mr. LANHAM. Mr. Chairman, I offer another committee amendment, which I There was no objection. of War or Navy transfer to the jurisdiction of the War or Navy Departments such hous­ send to the Clerk's desk. The bill is as follows: ing constructed under the provisions of this The Clerk read as follows: Be it enacted, etc., That (a) so much of act as may be considered to be permanently Committee amendment offered by Mr. section 1 of the act entitled "An act to expe­ useful to the Army or Navy." LANHAM: Page 4, after line 12, insert a new dite the provision of housing in connection SEc. 5. Clause (b) of section 301 of such section as section 5: Amend section 204 of with national defense, and for other pur­ act, as amended, is amended to read as fol­ the act by striking out the figures "$150,000,- · poses," approved October 14, 1940, as amend­ lows: "(b) property acquired or constructed 000" and inserting in lieu thereof the figures ed, as precedes subsection (a), is amended under this act (including schools and hos­ "$300,000,000." to read as follows: pitals), which has not been previously sold "SECTION 1. In order to provide housing for or disposed of, shall be disposed of as prompt­ Mr. LANHAM. Mr. Chairman, I may persons engaged in national-defense actlvi- · ly as may be advantageous under the circum­ say in explanation of this amendment ties, and their families, and living quarters stances and in the public interest." that this is the community-facilities for single persons so engaged, in those areas SEC. 6. The second proviso of section 304 of amendment which was discussed in gen­ or localities in which ·the President shall find such act, a·s amended, is amended to read as eral debate. that an acute shortage of housing exists or follows: "Provided further, That the Admin­ impends which would impede national-de;. istrator shall fix fair rentals, on· proje_cts Mr. McGREGOR. Mr. Chairman, I fense activities and that such housing would developed pursuant to this act, which shall rise in opposition to the amendment in not be provided by private capital when be based on the value thereof as determined order to clarify the REcORD. This is the needed, the Federal Works Administrator by him, and that rentals to be charged for amendment to title II which a point of (hereinafter referred to as the 'Administra­ Army and Navy enlisted personnel shall be order might be raised to because we are tor') is authorized." fixed by the War and Navy Departments:". amending another title of this act. . (b) Section 1 (b) of such act, as amended, SEc. 7. Section 305 of such act, as amended, Mr. LANHAM. I am not absolutely is amended by striking out the next to last is amended to read as' follows: certain whether the point of order would proviso and inserting in lieu thereof the "SEc. 305. In the construction of defense be good or not, but it might be, and it was following: "Provided, That the cost per per­ housing under this act the Administrator manent family dwelling unit shall not exceed shall act through the Public Buildings Ad­ for that reason that I sought the judg­ an average of $3,750 for all types of con­ ministration, or, in his discretion, the War ment of the Members before introducing struction for those units located within the Department and Navy Department: Provided, the amendment. . continental United States nor an average of That any other agency lawfully designated by Mr. McGREGOR. This is the $150,- $4,250 for those located elsewhere (exclusive the Administrator to construct projects for 000,000 to take care of the facilities? of Alaska), and the cost of no family dwelling which funds were available at the time of Mr. LANHAM. That is correct. unit shall exceed $4,500 within the continen­ designation may continue such projects to tal United States or $4,750 elsewhere, except completion: And provided further, That the . The CHAIRMAN. The question is on in the Territory of Alaska, where the cost Public Buildings Administration may utilize the committee amendment offered by the shall not exceed $7;500, exclusive of expenses the services of local housing authorities in gentleman from Texas [Mr. LANHAM]. of administration, land acquisition, public such construction herein authorized; and in The committee amendment was agreed utilities, and community facilities, and the carrying out the other provisions of this act, to. · aggregate cost of community facilities shall the Administrator is authorized to utilize and Mr. McGREGOR. Mr. Chairman, I not exceed ·3 percent of the total cost of all act through the Federal Works Agency and offer an amendment, which I send to the projects: Provided further, That where the other Federal agencies and any local public Administrator shall consider that there is agency, with the consent 1:lf such agency. ClerY.'s desk. no reasonable prospect of disposing of such Any funds appropriated_pursuant -to this act The Clerk read as follows: housing to meet a need extending beyond tb~ for defense housing or for defense public Amendment offered by Mr. McGREGo:a: emergency he shall construct temporary works and equipment therefor shall be avat~­ Page 3, line 16, strike out "$600,000,000" and units." able for transfer to any agency authorized in insert "$450,000,000." .9694 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE DECEMBER 11 Mr. McGREGOR. Mr. Chairman, as Mr. HEBERT. Mr. Chairman, will the mute to work in the defense areas, come you know, the bill now provides $600,- gentleman yield? under this bill? ' _ 000,000 for houses, and we have the Mr. McGREGOR. I yield to the gen­ Mr. HARRIS of Virginia. That is my $150,000,000 we just put into the bill tleman from Louisiana. understanding_of the bill. for facilities. In other words, the Mr. HEBERT. Does the gentleman Thus, any community or area in which bill now authorizes the expenditure of from Ohio wish to leave the impression· a defense plant is situated may obtain a $750,000,000. with the House that on his travels· over housing project under this authorization. ·The records, I believe, will prove my the country on his inspection tour he saw Now, as for the need of the $300,000,000 . statement this afternoon that we have 25,000 vacant houses in defense areas? which has been referred ~o by the gentle­ constructed 11,977 permanent houses and Mr. McGREGOR. We visited on our _man from Ohio [Mr. McGREGOR] and 1,406 temporary houses that are still inspection tour a very, very small per­ which he seeks to reduce to $150,000,000, vacant, making a total of 13,383 that centage of the projects; I would specifi­ it was shown to the committee's thorough are constructed · but yet vacant. The cally say less than 10 percent of the satisfaction that even a greater sum houses under construction number 7,458 projects. than $300,000,000 might well be used. -permanent and 3,764 temporary, making Mr. HEBERT. I would ask the gen­ The expanded program of production · a total number under construction of tleman to answer my question.- Did he for war against three nations, upon which 11,222. Adding this to the number of see 24,000 vacant houses on our tour? we now have embarked, will tremen­ houses that are vacant, you will find Mr. McGREGOR. I would answer the dously increase the housing need and in­ there are 24.605 houses vacant and under gentleman ' that I saw, in proportion to evitably mean further legislation. But; construction. the number of projects we visited, what, under this bill, requests for appropria­ Mr. Chairman, I think the time -has in my opinion, would be better than tions will have to be justified before the arrived when we can save $150,000,000. 24,000. Appropriations Committee. There has Congress will be in session from day td Mr. HEBERT. _ Where did the gentle- been some indication here of a misappre­ day, and there is no need to make an man get his figures? · hension that this bill authorizes $600,000,- authorization of $300,000,000, twice as Mr. McGREGOR. VIe got the .figures 000 for more housing. The fact is that it much as we have ever made before for from the report, as I stated in my formal authorizes only $300,000,000 additional. this particular project. · speech today, from the Executive Office But even this smaller am-ount is not to be . Mr. DONDERO. Mr. Chairman, will of the President, the Office of Manage- · appropriated in one sum.. The expressed 'the gentleman yield? ment Division, dated as of November 25, intent of the bill is that the Appropria­ Mr. McGREGOR. I yield to the gen:. tions. Committee shall·bring in the appro­ 1941. It is an official pz:ogram. priations only in the amounts for which tleman from Michigan. · Mr. HEBERT. I kno'w the gentleman Mr. DONDERO. Was there any testi­ definite and justifiable need is shown. . .mony ·before the gentleman's·committee- · does not want to .leave the House with _ The national-policy, made necessary by the wrong impression. the modern methods of warfare, is to -that the amount in the bill is the amount . _Mr. McGREGOR. Indeed not. required to ·meet the demand? erect munitions plants far inland. Most - Mr. McGREGOR. I recommend the ~ Mr. HEBERT. The gentleman did not of these new plants,. as well as the ex­ ·hearings to the gentleman, and this is mean to. say that those are vacant panded Jactories, will need houses. You .an analysis of the-hearings. They have. ·houses·; lie meant to say that they are cannot operate a factory . without work­ ·never given figures before the committee units not yet completed. . ers. You canriot bring in workers with­ of the number of-houses in the various lo­ Mr. McGREGOR. I gave the gentle­ out houses. In many places houses are cations that· are needed. Colonel Gilmore man the figures on the amount of vacant not, a~d will riot, be available. and Mr~ Johnson gave the committee houses and the amount of units not yet .. S.o, Mr. cn,airman, let u.s .not take some a fine detailed statement of the facilities completed. The total amount of vacant action here· taday that may cripple or -needed, a matter about which we heartily hous~s , that is, houses constructed and hand:cap our war-production efforts. . agreed a few minutes ago; they sn,owed .ready . for occupancy -but vacant, was Let us not begin to quibble unwisely at the us the need and the amount of' money to .11,977 permanent and 1,406 temporary most critical moment in the Nation's his­ be expended. I would like to . ask any -houses, making a total of 13,383 houses tory, when the need for war production member of this committee why we should complete and ready for occupancy but · is the greatest this Nation ever has faced. . spend $~00,000,000 riow when we have vacant. These figures are · taken 'from In this grave hour of peril we carnot af­ this enormous nui:nber of houses· yet va­ 'the report of the. Office of Management ford to put any shackles on those upon : cant. There is a need for a certain Division, the Executive Office of the whom we must rely to win this war and number of houses, but there· is certainly President, and are · up to and· including save. this Nation. I trust this .vital bill ·no need for expending $300,000,000 when .November 25, 1941. , · - may pass ·and this amendment be . you have this excess number of houses [Here the gavel fell.] defeated. · . VaCant _and others Under construction. . Mr. HARRIS of Virginia. Mr. Chair.:. . · Mr. HEALEY. Mr. Chairman, will the Mr. DOWNS. Mr. Chairman, will th_e man, I rise in opposltiori to the ·amend ~ gentleman yield? · gentleman yield? ment. Mr .. HARRIS of Virginia. I yield to Mr: McGREGOR. I yield -to the gen.- . . Flrst, .I have observed that there is the· gentleman . . tleman from Connecticut: · :some misapprehension -here. that notises · Mr. HEALEY. I would like to ask the Mr. DOWNS. .Is it not true· that Mr. to be constructed under the terms of this gentleman if the'se projects are not usu­ , Palmer, the . Housing Coor_dinator, in , bill are only to go in so-ca-lled-congested ·ally .initiated by the local people them­ . testimony before· the committee . pre- ·- areas. · The fact· is 'that -all national- , ·selves and that the place where the hous­ . sented each member of the committee ~ defense centers.Jn .which acute housing -ing is to be located is arrived at only after ' with a list of the houses to be constructed shortages would retard ·defense activi; ·consultati'on with the local officials? :under this program,' giving the names of . ties, and where private capital will not Mr. -HARRIS' of Virginia. ·In a great the yarious communities at which they . provide the needed ,houses, are eligible -.many ..instances that is true, and· where were to be located, and did he not state for projects under -this ·bill. The -Presir -the Government is going to establish a to the committee that the need had been , dent.has to determine these facts: First, .plant, it makes a survey, in consultation established? · ·whether there ·is an acute housing short­ with the local authorities, to determine if Mr. McGREGOR. A need 'was estab­ age that will retard_defense activities; · houses will be needed, and then the re­ lished as far as the total number of and, s~cond, whether or not private cap- quest eventuates from that survey. houses is concerned, but, to the best of ital will fill the need for houses. · , Mr . .HOUSTON. Mr. Chairman, will · my knowledge and belief, he certainly did Mr. HOUSTON. Mr. Chairman, will the gentleman yield?. · not break it down, as did Colonel Gilmore the gentleman yield? Mr: HARRIS of Virginia. I yield to ·· and Mr. Johnson, ·who appeared before ~ Mr. HARRIS· of Virginia. I · yield to the gentleman from Kansas. . our committee the other day in regard · · the gentleman from Kansas. · Mr. HOUSTON. The gentleman from to facilities. If such is the case, why - Mr. HOUSTON. Would areas which Ohio [Mr. McGREGOR] a moment ago . would we have 24,605 houses yet ·vacant. are . designated as defense ·areas, .and ~made a statement to the effect that there · and under construction, and then come . which are 35 or 40 miles away from .· 'were s·ome 24,000 units vacant ·or under fn and ask for $300.000,000 more? places where the 'workers live who com- construction and vacant or completed 1941 CONGRESSIONAL R.ECORD-HOUSE 9695 and not completed. How many units did tanks, and we want to provide for these spending probably a billion dollars on de­ the Defense Housfng Authority say would people proper places in which to live. I fense production, and we have many im­ be necessary to carry on this prograrn? hope this House will stand by what the mediate needs under title II facilities and Mr. HARRIS of Virginia. I regret I committee has recommended and sup­ utilities and very few· under housing. I have not the figure in mind, and would port this bill for $600,000,000. know that as soon as this bill is passed, have to refer the gentleman to the chair­ Mr. COLE of Maryland. Mr. Chair­ and they have more money than they man, who has the record. My informa­ man, will the gentleman yield? think they can spend in a few hours, they tion was that all these houses would be Mr. HOL]\1ES. Yes. will be trying to build public housing in occupied within ·a reasonable time, and Mr. COLE of Maryland. Has the gen­ places where it is not needed. That has there still would remain a tremendous tleman found any place in his travels been a common failure with many of the · need for additiona~ houses. more in need of this legislation than in bureaucrats during these times. One Mr. HOUSTON. I may say that in my the vicinity of the great Martin plant? gains the impression from their acts that district alone we could utilize approxi­ The gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Mc­ it is their purpose to compete with pri.vate mately 20,000 of the 24,000. GREGOR] should not be surprised if be­ enterprise: Mr. HARRIS of Virginia. The Presi­ fore long we find we need more than The distinguished chairman of the dent said that war production in this $300,000,000 to take care of the men and committee will receive my everlasting ad­ country must be doubled and, perhaps, their families in providing places to live. miration if he can stop these bunglers. quadrupled. Obviously, this will mean a I trust that the gentleman will not' insist I do certainly hope that adequate as­ great increase in the number of workers upon his amendment. surance has been provided for the serv­ who must have houses. Mr. HOLMES. Mr. Chairman, I ap­ ices of private architects. In my opinion, [Here the gavel fell.J preciate the contribution of my distin­ the bill should be more specific. Mr. HOLMES. Mr. Chairman, I move guished colleague from Maryland. These The CHAIRMAN. The time of the to strike out the last word. plants are going to be continually ex­ gentleman from Missouri has expired. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to panded from time to time and I know Mr-. LANHAM. Mr. Chairman, this this amendment to reduce the appropri­ that $300,000,000 will not be enough un­ housing is needed, and much needed. ation by $150,000,000. less private capital comes to the ~escue It was needed when this bill was reported There was conclusive evidence brought of the country. out. It was needed even back at the to our committee that at least $300,- Mr. THOMAS F. FORD. It is a plain time when the message came t : us. We 000,000 more would be needed for this case of straining at a gnat at the present have all heard the statement of the Pres­ defense housing program. I think every moment when you will probably have to ident that we are going to work on a Member of the House, if he has made a swallow a camel a week from now. 24-hour basis, 7 days a week, and that we survey of his own district, fully realizes Mr. HOLMES. .There is no question must double or even quadruple our pro­ the extent of th~ expansion of industrial but what we will need more than $300,- duction. activities in his district. Of course, this 000,000. Certainly housing is going to be more is greater in some districts than in oth­ Mr. PLOESER. Mr. Chairman, I move and more necessary under circumstances ers, -but the evidence presented by Mr. to strike out the last word. I rise in existing today than when this bill was Palmer, the Coordinator, showed that we support of the amendment, and want to reported from the Committee on Public need, in addition to those now under give what logic I can in behalf of my Buildings and Grounds. construction and those accupied now opinion. First, I compliment the chair­ Let me say furthermore that regard­ and those authorized to be constructed, man of the committee for the presenta­ less of the amount that ·is appropriated approximately, 131,750 units. This is in tion of the amendment dealing with here there is a direct and distinct pro vi­ addition to what private capital will build title II. I am very much pleased that it sian in this bill, which is only an author­ in these various areas. For instance, if has been adopted. It would be remiss ization measure, that the appropriations you will look at the situation in the upon the part of this House if we did · will be made only f-rom time to time, un­ State of Michigan, you will see that this not take occasion here to compliment der this authorization, as definite and plan, in addition to what is already being Colonel Gilmore, of the Public Vvorks Ad­ distinct need is shown to the Committee constructed, calls for 11,000 more units in ministration, on the splendid work that on Appropriations. Consequently, the that State. Evidently, we are not going tr_at Department. has done in the han­ $300,000,000 here provid~d for is not to be to break the State down into communi­ dling of applications for facilities and turned over to anybody to be spent at his ties and throw their plans out promiscu­ utilities. If as much could be said for own will and pleasure, but to be spent in ously so that real estators or financial the housing, I would support any reason­ accordance with the direction of this manipulators can go out in a community able amount in this bill, but as much Congress as they go before the Appro­ and take over this property and come cannot be said for housing. This has priations Committee and show a definite back and sell it to the Government at a been admitted by the members of the and urgent need for that defense con­ huge profit. committee from what I have lieard this struction. We are breaking it down int.o State afternoon. I think it would be well for Mr. PLOESER. Is it the committee's units. In Pennsylvania there are 13,650 this House to cut this amount on hous­ intention to act as administrator in the units, in Ohio, 10,150 units, in California, ing, even if we do have to come back at disbursing of these funds? 7,800 units. an early time and increase it again. It Mr. LANHAM. No; the Appropria­ Mr. McGREGO.ft. Mr. Chairman, will might be notice served on that adminis­ tions .Committee, just as we have done the gentleman yield there? tration that waste is not the order of for years and years with reference to all Mr. HOLMES. Wait until I have the day in public housing, nor is inter­ Federal construction. When it comes to finished rny statement. In New York, ference with private enterprise an order building post offices we pass a blanket 7,700 units and in New Jersey, 7,200 units. of any day. The housing part of this authorization of a sum of money from In Indiana there are 5,400 units; in thing could well take a lesson from the the Public Buildings and Grounds Com­ Kansas, 3,500 units; in Washington, 3,600 Public Works Administration in accord­ mittee, under the present law, and then units; and in Texas, 3,500 units. Those ance with the method in which they have under that authorization they must go. are the 10 leading, besides all of the· consulted local authorities and local to the Appropriations Committee to get other States, which make up one­ conditions before attempting to foist on a specific and definite appropriation for hundred-and-one-thousand-plus for in­ any locality, something that is not each particular place. They will have creased plant expansion. Then it is needed. As a matter of fact, they have to do the .same thing under this act. estimated that an additional 30,000 units made it most difficult for most localities Mr. BATES of Massachusetts. Will will be needed in further plant expansion. to obtain some of the things that are the gentleman yield? · We find ourselves now with three wars necessary, and I think that is a healthy Mr. LANHAM. I yield. on our hands, ahd these plants have to thing. Mr. BATES of Massachusetts. You be materially enlarged to take care of I know it applies particularly to my used the words "specific appropriation," the munitions to be manufactured, and own district, wherein I have had a lot of after the authorization has gone through.' we are going to need in those plants three experience with Colonel Gilmore's de­ Mr. LANHAM. That is the intent of· times the number of men to turn out the partment. In the surrounding area of the act. We consulted with counsel with munitions, the shells, the cannon, the the Twelfth Missouri . District we are reference to the provision here. You 9696 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE DECEMBER 11 will see that this money will be used only It so happens that there are nearly a suggestions of a bunch of congenital · as appropriations are made from time to thousand vacancies in that large unit spenders we are going to be on the tobog­ time under the authorization, as Con­ which you gentlemen visited there this gan toward financial ruin. gress may direct. year, but the reason for it is this: A Much has been said this afternoon Mr. BATES of Massachusetts. But I young man comes from Oklahoma, about the Glenn Martin plant. I was used a word that you used, "specific" ap­ Texas, or Carolina, or New York, or from over to visit that plant a few days ago. propriation. Do you object to inserting somewhere throughout the country; and They had a little more than 30,000 em­ the word "specific" in this bill? he gets a job in the aircraft industry in ployees. It is my judgment considering Mr. LANHAM. It is not necessary. San Diego. He has no money. He goes the age of the employees there that not Mr. BATES of Massachusetts. There out to this housing project and they say, 25 percent of them are married men. is no harm in putting the word in there "YJU have to put down a month's rent. They are mere boys. A large percentage if it is the general practice of the Appro­ You will have to buy some furniture to of the workers in these defense industries priations Committee, is there? put into this house." He does not have are what we refer to as suitcase em­ Mr. LANHAM. Well, if the gentleman it, so what does he do? He goes down to ployees. The Congress is in continuous does not have confidence in the Appro­ onE:! of the shacks that he can rent from session. If it develops a little later that priations Committee and in the purpose day to day for a dollar, and he puts his this entire sum is needed we can make and intent of. the act, I think it is sur­ family in there. As soon as we reach the authorization. plusage and unnecessary. We have cer­ that Person we show him the advantages There is too much waste in our war tainly made the intent of the act very of going out there, and now we are trying effqrts. Last week I visited Nevada, clear. to get the aircraft industry to advance Mo. There the Federal Government has Mr. DONDERO. Will the gentleman him the money, or on some basis that will an investment of more than $3,000.000 yield? permit him to have decent housing. in Camp Clark. The buildings are in Mr. LANHAM. I yield. They tell me it is only a question of time fine condition. There is a railroad line Mr. DONDERO. If those who are in before all these houses will be taken up into the grounds, which consist of more doubt on this floor knew that this act was by people now in the industry. That t~an 1,200 acres. If necessary, addi­ going to be administered by the splendid numbers today only about 40,000. It will tional acreage can be secured, I am as­ and able chairman of the Public Build­ be 80,000 6 months from now. So you sured by the Chamber of Commerce of ings and Grounds Committee there would see we will have need not only for the Navada, Mo., for not to exceed $30 per be no doubt on this floor this afternoon. houses that are vacant today but for acre. Camp Clark is on two transconti­ Mr. LANHAM. I appreciate that yery many thousand more. I do not know nental highways, 54 and 71. It is on a much from my distinguished friend. I whether the Government is going to put great railway system; it is adjacent to will say further that it is the purpose of any of these units in my district or not. a town where a great many houses are this committee, by reason of criticism If they find that private capital will do now vacant because the people have left that has been heaped upon it because the job, I know they will not, and I would to take jobs in other sections of the of some abuses for which it is in no way not ask them to. country. I have pleaded with the War responsible, to follow through and see I have heard San Diego mentioned Department to use those splendid build­ that such criticisms cannot be made in several times today. I have not injected ings and facilities at Camp Clark. Last the future. myself into the debate. It was unfortu­ week this House appropriated more than Mr. DONDERO. And I am confident nate that when the committee came to $8,000,000,000 for defense purposes: it will be done. my district I was out inspecting with the · I understand that additional camps Mr. JENKINS of Ohio. Mr. Chairman, Naval Affairs Committee and could not are to be built, that additional airfields will the gentleman yield? be there. However, I know that the are to be provided, but so far I have not Mr. LANHAM. I yield. committee went thoroughly into the situ­ been able to interest the Department in Mr. JENKINS of Ohio. The gentle.;. ation in San Diego and I have only the the great Federal holdings at Camp man is always fair and he knows I think finest reports from the civil authorities Clark, Mo. I · repeat, Mr. Chairman, we he is one of the finest men in this Con­ out there on the fine impression this need to exercise a little business judg­ gress, but the analogy hardly runs comnJ.ittee made. I know we can depend ment under these very serious conditions true, where the gentleman compares on the recommendations of ·the commit­ confronting our Nation. If this House post-office buildings with this appropria­ tee as to the need for this housing and continues to authorize appropriations as tion. A post-office building will be in the need for the facilities that our mu­ requested, whether really necessary for town A and will cost $150,000, but this nicipalities must have help in in order national defense or not, then we are will not go through like this. This will to provide hospitalization, water, fire, and going to be bankrupt before we get well have to be so much to a ·certain com­ police protection, and all those things into this war. munity. You do not know how many that go with a modern city. fHere the gavel fell.] units there will be. I certainly trust that the original The CHAIRMAN. The question is on Mr. LANHAM. But the need for so amount contained in the committee's the amendment offered by the gentle­ many units, the need that can be met recommendation will go through with­ man from Ohio. through private capital, must all be out a dissenting vote. The amendment was rejected. shown to the Appropriations Committee Mr. BENNETT. Mr. Chairman, I Mr. BATES of Massachusetts. Mr. before the appropriation is made. · Now, move to strike out the last word. Chairman, I offer an amendment. that is very definite. That is very clear. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the The Clerk read as follows: The Committee on Appropriations so · amendment offered by the distinguished Amendment offered by Mr. BATES of Mas­ understands it and I have conferred with gentleman from Ohio. sachusetts: several of its members with reference to Mr. Chairman, I have supported every Page 3, line 18, after the word "make", it. That is the reason we put this provi­ measure that has come before the Con­ insert the word "specific." sion into the law, that there should be gress this. year for the defense of our own Page 5, line 23, after the word "authori­ this supervision, and that we would not country, and if I thought this entire sum ties", insert the words "to ascertain the needs have vacancies that were unpardonable; were necessary at this time I would gladly of additional housing facllities." that we would not have duplication of support the bill as it now stands. This is Mr. BATES of Massachusetts. Mr. some miserable eyesores that have been a serious time. Our Republic faces graver Chairman, I wholly approve the recom­ constructed. dangers today than ever before in its his­ mendations of the committee so far as [Here the gayel fell.J tory. When we entered the first World the appropriations are concerned that Mr. IZAC. Mr. Chairman, I move to War our national debt was approxi­ are requested in the authority sought in strike out the last word. . . mately $1,000,000,000. Today we are en­ this bill. I want to say, furthermore, Mr. Chairman, I feel constrained to tering the second World War with a debt that I believe the committee has done a reply to my friend the gentleman from more than twice as great as the national very excellent piece of work in the in­ Ohio [Mr. McGREGOR] and to try to an­ debt was at the end of the first World spection they have carried out and the swer for him one of the reasons why War and it behooves us to be careful very critical report they made to the there are vacancies existing in a place about the appropriation of money. Just House. I am somewhat familiar with even like San Diego. so long as we continue to listen to the housing projects, particularly pertaining 1941 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD~HOUSE 9697 to naval facilities, and the naval needs of We had a hearing on that before the mittee emphatically that there was no the country. I believe the House is committee, and we had the Representa­ question at all about Long Beach needing under a debt of gratitude to the mem­ tive from that district before the com­ the houses and to him it did not "ll.ake bers of this committee for their construc­ mittee, who said that they needed it, much difference whether they stopped tive criticism of the program that has and the_y finally asked for it to be located there and lost practically $400,000 which been carried out heretofore. in the place where it was originally had already been spent and moved across The amendment I offer here this after­ intended. the line about three-quarters of a mile noon simply provides that where an at­ Mr. BATES of Massachusetts. He into San Pedro or not. At the present tempt is made by Federal authorities to says: time they are contemplating building in institute a new housing program they There is absolutely no need for Govern­ San Pedro 1,600 units. Adding these 800 first shall consult with the authorities of ment-built houses in Long Beach. Our cit­ units to the 1,600 units allocated to San the city or community to ascertain the izens, developers, and builders are adequately Pedro would make 2,400 units about need for additional housing facilities. providing all homes necessary. · With the three-fourths of a mile from this loca­ Furthermore, in view of the recommen­ additional thousands of home units in the tion. We called up the city manager, process of construction .and projected to be and the gentleman from Alabama [Mr. dations of the committee this afternoon built, all future needs will be amply pro­ and the free criticism of the administra­ vided for all defense workers. BoYKINl, the gentleman from Connecti­ tion of this work, I believe we ought to cut fMr. DowNs], and myself talked with have an additional safeguard in the bill That is from the city manager of the him on the telephone, after which he that would make it necessary for the Ap­ city of Long Beach. My amendment wired back stating that they saw no ob­ propriations Committee, after this au­ makes it imperative that the Appropri­ jection to the construction of these units thorization bill becomes law, specifically ations Committee approve each specific provided they will be turned over to the to approve each project. appropriation. Navy when the Navy needs them in the I have in my hand, Mr. Chairman, a [Here the gavel fell.] future. We know definitely the Navy is letter signed by the city manager of Long Mr. HOLMES. Mr. Chairman, I rise going to need them. The thing was set­ Beach, Calif., and also a letter signed by in opposition to the amendment offered tled to the satisfaction of the city man­ the mayor of the city of Long Beach, by the gentleman from Massachusetts ager and I believe to the satisfaction of Calif. [Mr. BATES]. the community. They told us definitely It seems to me that before the Federal Mr. Chairman, may I say to my good at the hearing held at Long Beach that authorities go into any community and friend from Massachusetts that those of if tpe Navy were going to use those houses spend a tremendous sum of money in the us who were at Long Beach and attended they would not have offered one voice of construction of additional housing facil­ the hearings can appreciate the need of objection, and the gentleman represent­ ities, the recommendations and the.point that community. They need more ing that district told us the same thing. of view of the local officials ought to be houses, but fortunately Long Beach is in [Here the gavel fell.] taken into consideration. a position where it is amply able finan­ The CHAIRMAN. The question is on The mayor of the city of Long Beach cia-lly to build thousands and thousands the amendment offered by t.he gentleman had this to say Jn a letter addressed to of units. They were under the impres­ from Massachusetts [Mr. BATES]. the committee, copy of which I have in sion that they could take care of the The amendment was rejected. my hand: influx or their needs. In order that the Mr. MEYER of Maryland. Mr. Chair­ Government housing project, which we Members of the House may have the man, I offer an amendment to section 1, tried to stop when you were here with your complete picture of this territory, origi­ which amendment is on the Clerk's desk. committee, is going ahead. Long Beach is nally this land was purchased for the The Clerk read as follows: particularly anxious that no such project Navy. The Nav-y acquired the property be located here as we pointed out to you. and built 400 houses for the Navy em­ Amendment offered by Mr. MEYER of Mary­ Can anything be done to eliminate this un­ land: On page 2, before the colon in line necessary housing project? They are actu1,1Uy ployees-that is, civilian employees. 24, insert the following: When those houses were completed, there breal:- ~ ng ground at the moment and imme­ "Provided, That notwithstandmg any other diate action is necessary. was a tremendous demand for more provision of this act, all defense housing (ex­ naval houses and units in San Diego. cept temporary units) constructed pursuant The city manager of the city of Long At that particular time the fleet, which to this act shall be either (1) constructed and Beach had this to say, and this letter is was stationed at Long Beach, was ordered managed by public housing agencies eligible dated only a short while ago: to sea, which did away with the pressing for assistance under title II of the act of There is absolutely no need for Govern­ need for the Navy; therefore, t~e need for June 28, 1940, entitled "An act to expedite ment-built houses in Long Beach. In behalf a.dditional houses for the Navy was tem­ national defense, and for other purposes," or of Long Beach I therefore respectfully request under the United States Housing Act of 1937, porarily eliminated, but ther~ was just as you cancel approval of projected 800 defense­ as amended, by means of loans or other au­ housing units and advise me accordingly. great a demand from the civilian employ­ thorized assistance to such agencies, or (2) ees working in the navy yards, in other constructed and managed by the United Mr. Chairman, when we are about to factories, including munition factories, States Housing Authority in cases where such embark on a tremendous program seek­ and so forth, so that another unit ac­ housing cannot be constr\lcted by means of ing to carry out the cost of this war, quired the land to build the houses for a loan or other authorized assistance to a when-the debt of this Nation is reaching civilian employees in the industrial public housing agency. Loans to such pub­ skyward, when we are asked to institute plants. lic housing agencies shall bear interest at such rates as the President m~:~.y determine." expenditures that are going to rest on Mr. LANHAM. Will the gentleman the taxpayers of this Nation, it seems yield? Mr. MEYER of Maryland. Mr. Chair­ to me it is imperative that the need for Mr. HOLMES. I yield to the gentle­ man, the Committee on Public Buildings the project be first determined by con­ man from Texas. and Grounds, as well as all Members of sultation with the local authorities be­ Mr. LANHAM. Is it not a fact that Congress, has been confronted with fore the Federal authorities step in in we had the Representative in Congress criticisms emanating from one source or the manner they have before and are from that district before our committee? another as to the need for · change in doing now and spend millions of dollars Mr. HOLMES. Yes. We agreed with the administrative set-up for carrying of public money where there is no need the city manager that under those con­ out our defense housing program. , This or occasion to do so. ditions the houses should not be built. criticism has not entirely been directed Mr. LANHAM. Will the gentleman However, the Government owned the land against any particular agency or official yield? and the authorizatioT' to build 800 units but has rather been directed against the Mr. BATES of Massachusetts. I yield had been issued. Then we got this de­ mechanics of the present method of ad­ to the gentleman from Texas. mand. However, we asked the repre­ ministration. As my contribution to­ Mr. LANHAM. Does the gentleman sentative from Long Beach to come and ward the solution of the problem and say that the need does not exist at Long sit in with our committee when we had clarification of the administrative set­ Beach? this last telegram from the mayor telling up, I had proposed to my committee an Mr. BATES of Massachusetts. Yes. us that construction was continuing and amendment to pending legislation which Here is the letter. was there not something Congress could would place responsibility for and con­ Mr. LANHAM. They said the need do to stop the construction. The repre­ trol of the program in the various local did not exist there, but did at San Pedro. sentative from that city told our com- housing agencies, and, in their absence, 9698 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE DECEMBER 11 in the United States Housing Authority. United States Housing Authority undertakes ment on defense housing which has On December 2, 1941, the Baltimore sun to supervise and channel Lanham Act defense been publicly acclaimed by the special printed the following editorial entitled housing to local housing authorities. Senate committee investigating the de­ "Remote Control Is Bad in Federal De- We must bear in mind Mr. Palmer's fense program. It is the agency which fense Housing": unquestioned ability and integ:~.:ity and is best equipped to do the .iob, working­ [From the Baltimore sun of December 2, the high office which he holds in relation as it always does-with local housing 19411 to the defense housing program. authorities who know local conditions. REMOTE CONTROL IS BAD IN FEDERAL DEFENSE 1. PURPOSE OF AMENDMENT Typical of the relative efficiency of uousiNG It would provide that all defense hous- U. S. H. A., and the newer agencies en­ Representative MEYER's recommendation ing, except temporary housing, shall be gaged in defense housing, is the fact that that an Federal defense housing activities undertaken by local housing authorities defense-housing .projects constructed and be placed under the control of the United with funds obtained thTough repayable managed by local housing authorities States Housing Authority is timely and opens loans from the Governm·:mt. Where no with assistance from U. S. H. A. under a subject discussion of which is particularly such local housing authorities exist, such Public, No. 671', have an occupancy of welcome tn Baltimore. At the present time housing would be undertaken by the 97 percent of the dwellings available for the United states Housing Authority is build- United States Housing Authority, the occupancy, as against an occupancy of ing defense houses, but only in the capacity of agent for the Federal works Agency. The agency with years of experience and sue­ 70 percent in the case of projects man­ latter holds the reins and distributes the cess in _public housing. aged or supervised by the Division of De­ money Under the provisions Of the Lanham 2. DECENTRALIZATION AND U5E OF LOCAL fense Housing under the Federal Works Act. AGENCIES Administration. This system is not working well in Balti- Housing is a local problem and should 4 . FINANCING BY REPAYABLE LOANS TO LOCAL more. To date the Federal Works Agency, HOUSING AUTHORITIES INSTEAD OF DIRECT FED­ through the United states Housing A·uthor- be handled by local government and ERAL BUILDING ity and the F'ederal Public Buildings Admin- local citizens who know the local condi­ istration, has authorized 7 housing projects, tions. It is not wise to coneentrate in a Fully repayable loans would be made with a total of 2,304 dwelling units, within bureau or administrator in Washington to local housing authorities. These local the city limits. Under the Lanham Act these all the decisions on a Nation-wide hous­ housing authorities would operate the projects can be pushed without reference to ing program, so that everything from the projects on the basis of collecting . rents local laws and regulations. designed to pro- selection of sites and the selection of which would be applied toward repay­ teet the public health and safety. Whether architects to the selection of tenants is ·ment of the loans obtained to construct the plans for the projects do, in fact, violate dictated from Washington. the projects. Under this plan of loans local laws and regulations is not readily de- - The proposed amendment will tend to and ownership and operation by local terminable. Suffice it to say that municipal officia~s are dissatisfied and fear that the way bring about a Closer cooperation between housing authorities, there will be local is open for serious difficulties in the future. the local authorities representing the responsibility and a greater assurance Representative MEYER claims that the trou- Federal Government and local municipal that the Government will recover the ble arises from the fact that the Federal and State authorities, and so forth. This funds expended for defense housing. Works Agency has little knowledge or appreci- should bring about an elimination of 5. PROTECTION AGAINST DEMORALIZATION OF ation of local conditions and that close co- the sort of friction that developed in REAL-ESTATE MARKET operation between the agency and municipal Baltimore City recently, when Federal By the use of local housing authorities officials is impossible. He feels that this authorities, acting under instructions . situation would be remedied if the United and the U. S. H. A., it will be possible states Housing Authority took over because from Washington, ignored, or were about to avoid glutting the real-estate market it would be represented locally by the Balti- to ignore, the building code of Baltimore after the emergency, which would other­ more Housing Authority, the heads of which City. This disregard of local laws and wise result from the unloading of hous­ are Baltimoreans with a thorough under- regulations naturally results in strained ing for rental or sale to those whom standing -of local conditions. relations between Federal and local au- private industry can and should serve. Mr. MEYER's plan has a plausible sound and thorities and governments. It also re­ ·Instead, under this amendment, projects deserves full consideration. A better pro- suits in popular. resentment among the initiated during the emergency would be cedure for defense housing activities is surely local population aga1nst the Federal needed. A change would be timely because transformed through the medium of the Congress bas before it a bill authorizing a Government and its agencies. At a time local housing authorities and the U. S. second appropriation of $300,000,000 for de- like this unity and harmony should pre- H. A. into projects for ·the rehousing of fense housing. This means that there are vail. Any legislation effecting structural slum dwellers once the emergency is more Federal housing projects in store for changes which tend to alleviate strained over. By making the projects available Baltimore and, under the present system, Federal-local relations should be wei- to slum dwellers whom private industry more headaches. come and would be a boon to domestic cannot serve, local housing authorities The committee rejected this amend- tranquillity and· will promote the general and U.S. H. A. will be protecting private ment but has in turn recommended to welfare. Local agencies of the Federal industry from disastrous competition this House amendment of present legis- Government are bound to work more and would avoid the demoralization of lation placing control in the Public amiably with local authorities than Fed­ real-estate markets at a time when their Buildings Administration with discretion eral agencies far removed from the local protection will be most important. in that agency to utilize the services of scene. The local housing authorities In conclusion, I call attention to the local housing authorities. I am now have, by time and experience, gained the testimony of Mr. John M. Carmody, pressing my amendment on the floor in confidence of local authorities and· have former administrator of the Federal lieu of the committee's amendment, a first-hand knowledge of local problems, Works Agency, now a member of the which I consider as a compromise on laws, regulations, and local feeling. Maritime Commission, before the Com­ my amendment. · Common sense seems to indicate that the mittee on Public Buildings and Grounds I have here clippings from the New housing authorities are best fitted to presented on Friday, July 11, 1941, re­ York Times and the Washington Times- carry on the work of defense housing. ported at page 54 of the Report of Hear­ Herald, both dated December 3, 1941, 3. ELIMINATION OF EIGHT DUPLICATING AND ings on the pending appropriation. Mr. car:z:ying criticism by Mr. Charles F. coMPETING HousiNG AGENCIEs Carmody is well known for his integrity Palmer, Defense Housing Coordinator, of Instead of continuing the use of eight and candor. He said: the committee amendment; and, in my duplicating and competing housing Then we have the United States Housing opinion, impliedly, if not expressly, en- agencies with resulting ove.::-lapping and Authority-U. S. H. A.-a constituent unit dorsing an amendment such as mine. waste, there should be one Government of the Federal Works Agency. They have These clippings report that "Mr. Palmer, agency responsible for all public-defense built housing projects in approximately 200 despite his disagreement with Nathan housing except temporary housing. This cities in the United States. And they have Straus," protested against the commit- whole problem of defense housing should relationships with local officials and local housing authorities. These local housing au­ tee amendment. Mr. Palmer wrote as be handled by a single trained and com- thorities are made up of businessmen or follows: petent agency, the one which on the rec- professional men, and in some cases local Not simplification but further confusion ord has done the job best. The U. S . officers. They know a good deal about their wm be created if any agency other than the H. A. has a record of successful achieve- needs. · 1941 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-HOUSE 9699 In all fairness, I might state that he Mr. MANASCO. Does the gentleman The CHAIRMAN. Is there objection also went on to pay tribute to the Public believe the Federal Government should to the request of the gentleman from Buildings Administration, but, as he be hamstrung by the provisions of some Texas? pointed out, this agency- local city council in constructing houses There was no objection. has to do with the management of post offices in these defense areas, so. that the houses Mr. LANHAM. Mr. Chai:--"man, I move and courthouses and public buildings all over might not be suitable for the workers? that the Committee do now rise andre­ the United States. Mr. McGREGOR. -Using the gentle­ port the bill back to the House with We must not lose sight of the fact that man's word "hamstrung," may I say that sundry amendments, with .the recom­ here we are dealing not with construc­ if we would hamstring the Federal Gov­ mendation that the amendments be tion of office buildings but with the con­ ernment more and give more self-con­ agreed to and that the bill as amended struction of low-cost defense housing. trol to the local people; we would be do pass. The United States Housing Author­ better off. The motion was agreed to. ity and the local housing authorities Mr. LANHAM. Mr. Chairman, I rise Accordingly the Committee rose; and are geared to handle this type of job. in opposition to the amendment, merely the Speaker having resumed the chair, We must not lose time in turning the to say that I think the distinguished Mr. BEAM, Chairman of the Committee job over to an agency which, while per­ gentleman from Tilinois [Mr. DIRKSEN] of the Whole House on the state of the forming splendid service in its field, answered the argument for this amend­ Union, reported that the Committee hav­ would have to be geared for this new ment in his remarks in opposition to it. ing had under consideration the bill job. Time is of the essence. Let us I adopt those remarks as my own, and ervations, naval vessels, and other naval 3, 1909, as.amended, so as to extend commis­ of the old Coast Guard station building at and military properties, and for other pur­ sary privileges to such other persons as may Two Rivers, Wis., to the Eleven Gold Star poses; to the Committee on Military Affairs. be specifically authorized by the Secretary of Post, No. 1248, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Two S. 1850. An act to authorize officers and the Navy; to the Committee on Naval Affairs. Rivers, Wis.; enlisted men of the United States Navy and S. 2093. An act to provide for the extension United States Marine Corps to accept such ENROLLED BILLS' AND A JOINT RESO­ of enlistments in the Navy in time of war, medals, orders, decorations, and presents as LUTION SIGNED and for other purposes; ha1•e been tendered them by governments of Mr. KIRWAN, from the Ccmmittee on S. J. Res. 117. A resolution removing restric­ the Western Hemisphere, other than Canada; Enrolled Bills, reported that that com­ tions on the territorial use of units and mem­ to the Committee on Naval Affairs. mittee had examined and found truly bers of the Army of th":! United States, extend­ S. 1927. An act to reserve certain public ing the periods of service of such personnel, lands in California for the benefit of the enrolled bills and a joint resolution of and amending the National Defense Act with Manchester Band of Porno Indians of the the House of the following titles, which respect to the meaning of the term "Army of Manchester Rancheria; to the. Committee on were thereupon signed by the Speaker: the United States"; the .?ublic Lands. H. R. 527. An act to amend the Canal Zone S. J. Res. 119. A resolutio~ declaring that a S. ,.943. An act to authorize the presenta­ Code with respect to the trial of joint de­ state of war exists between the Government tion of a Distinguished Service Cross to fendants, the removal of fugitives from jus­ of Germany and the Government and the Thomas Orgo; to the Committee on Naval tice, and the regulation of criminal procedure people of the United States, and making pro­ Affairs. in the Canal Zone; vision to prosecute the same; and S. 1957. An act to establish the naval pro­ H. R. 529. An act to amend the Canal Zone S. J. Res. 120. A resolution declaring that a curement fund, and for other purposes; to Code; state of war exists between the Government the Committee on Naval Affairs. H. R. 2297. An act to prohibit the introduc­ of Italy and the Government and the people S. 1961. An act to ~liminate the prohibition tion of contraband into the District of co­ of the United States, and making provision to against the filling of the first vacancy occur­ lumbia penal institutions; prosecute the same. ring in the office of district judge for the H. R. 2799. An act authorizing the convey­ ADJOURNMENT district of New Jersey; to the Committee on ance to the State of Virginia., for highway the Judiciary. purposes only, a portion of the Naval Mine Mr. HAINES. Mr: Speaker, I move S. 1974. An act for the relief of Francis Depot Reservation at Yorktown, Va.; that the House do now adjc urn. Howard Robinson; to the Committee on H. R. 3149. An act providing for the pay and The motion was agreed to; accordingly Claims. allowances of retired officers of the Navy and (at 5 o'clock and 59 minutes p. m.) the S. 1994. An act to provide for the prompt Marine Corps on active duty; House adjourned until tomorrow, Friday, settlement of claims for damages occasioned H. R. 4495. An act to amend the Canal Zone by Army, Navy, and Marine Corps forces in Code; December 12, at 12 o'clock noon. foreign countries; to the Committee on H. R. 4854. An act to facilitate and sim­ Claims. plify the administration of the Federal rec­ S. 1995. An act to amend. the act approved lamation laws and the act of August 11, 1939, EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS, ETC. June 23, 1938, entitled "An act to regulate as amended; Under clause 2 of rule XXIV, executive the distribution, promotion, and retirement H. R. 4871. An act to amend section 96, title communications were taken from the of officers of the line of the Navy, and for 2, of the Canal Zone Code, and for other pur­ other purposes"; to tbe Committee on Naval poses; Speaker's table and referred. as follows: Affairs. H. R. 4993. An act to extend the times for 1154. A letter from the President, Board of S. 2011. An act for the relief of Willard R. commencing and completing the construc-:­ Commissioners, District of Columbia, trans­ Centerwall, formerly superintendent and spe­ tion of a bridge across Sarasota Pass and mitting a proposed bill to amend the Dis­ cial disbursing agent at the Tongue River across Longboat PaEs, county of Manatee, trict of Columbia Traffic Act of 1925; to the Indian Agency; to the Committee on Glaims. State of Florida; Committee on the District of Columbia. S. 2026. An act to provide for the post­ H. R. 5074. An .act to provide additional safe­ 1155. A letter from the Secretary of War, humous appointment to commissioned grade guards to the radio communieations service transmitting a letter from the Chief of Engi­ of certain enlisted men and the. posthumous of ships of the United States in the interest neers, United States Army, dated August 26, promotion of certain commissioned officers; of national defense, and for other purposes; 1941, submitting a report, together with ac­ to the Committee on Military Affairs. H. R. 5377. An act to amend section 11, title companying papers, on a preliminary exami­ S. 2028. An act to amend section 3 (a) of 18, of the Code of the District of Columbia, nation and survey of Waccamaw River, N.C. the act entitled "An act to authorize the with respect to designation of deputy clerks and S. C., authorized by the Flood Control Secretary of the Navy to proceed with the by the clerk of the District Court of the Act approved June 28, 1938; to the Committee construction of certain public works, and for United States for the District of CJlumbia; on Flood Control. other purposes," approved June 2, 1939 (53 H. R. 5476. An act to provide aviation edu­ 1156. A letter from the Secretary of War, Stat. 800) , so as to transfer the administra­ cation in the senior high schools of the Dis­ transmitting a letter from the Chief of Engi­ tion of the naval supply depot, Oakland, to trict of Columbia, and for other purposes; neers, United States Army, dated September the commandant, twelfth naval district; to H. R. 5509. An act to authorize the Secre­ 4, 1941, submitting a report, together with the Committee on Naval Affairs. tary of the Treasury to purchase or accept as accompanying papers, on a preliminary ex­ S. 2032 . An act to amend section 7 (a) of gifts motorboats, yachts, and similar vessels amination of channel or channels across the act of May 21, 1920 "( 41 Stat. 613) , as for Coast Guard use; Padre Island, Tex., from Laguna Madre to the amended by section 601 of the act of June H. R. 5694. An act to prevent the sale of Gulf of Mexico, authorized by the River and 30, 1932 (47 Stat. 417), to authorize inter­ unwholesome. food in the District of Co­ Harbor Act approved August 26, 1937; to the departmental procurement by contract; to the lumbia·; Committee on Rivers and Harbors. Committee on Military Affairs. H. R. 5757. An act to define and punish 1157. A letter from the Secretary of War, S. 2C47. An act to amend section 5 of the vagrancy in the District of Columbia, and for transmitting a letter from the Chief of Engi­ act entitled "An act to establish a Board of other purposes; neers, United States Army, dated August 26, Public Welfare in and for the District of H. R. 5876. An act to amend the Canal Zone 1941, submitting a report, together with a,c­ Columbia, to determine its functions, and for Code so as to provide for control of photo­ companying_ papers and an illustration, on other purposes," approved March 16, 1926; graphing, possession of cameras, etc., in areas reexamination of the Arkansas River and to the Committee on the District of Columbia. of the Canal Zone; ana tributaries, with a view to improvement in S. 2086. An act to authorize the employ­ H. J. Res. 221. Joint resolution to declare the interest of navigation, flood control, ment of nationals of the United States on abandoned the title of the city of Marquette, water power, or irrigation, and particularly any public work of the United States in the Mich., to certain land in the county of Mar­ with a view to constructing dams on the Territory of Hawaii; to the Committee on the quette, and to vest control of such land in upper section of the South Canadian River, Territories. the Secretary of the Treasury for Coast Guard N.Mex., Tex., and Okla., requested by a reso­ S. 2087. An act to extend the time for exam­ purposes. lution of the Committee on Rivers and Har­ ination of monthly accounts covering ex­ The SPEAKER announced his signa­ bors, House of Representatives, adopted on penditures by disbursing officers of the United June 15, 1938 (H. Doc. No. 455); to the Com­ States Marine Corps; to the Committee on ture to enrolled bills and joint resolutions mittee on Rivers and Harbors and ordered Expenditures in the Executive Departments. of the Senate of the following titles: to be printed, with an illustration. S. 2088. An act to authorize aircraft flight S. 165. An act to provide for continuing in 1158. A letter from the Secretary of Agri­ rations for officers, enlisted men, and civilian the service of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, culture; transmitting a report of a survey on employees of the Navy and Marine Corps and Coast Guard of the United States beyond the watershed of Codorus Creek, Pa. and Md., 9704 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-SENATE DECEMBER 12 a tributary of the Susquehanna River; to the By Mr. FISH: the Senate; agreed to the conference Committee on Flood Control. H. R. 6214. A bill for the relief of John asked by the Senate on the disagreeing Henry McVey; to the Committee on Military Affairs. votes of the two Houses thereon, and that REPORTS OF COMMITTEES ON PUBLIC Mr. FULMER, Mr. FLANNAGAN, and Mr. BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS HOPE were appointed managers on the Under clause 2 of rule XIII, reports of part of the House at the conference. committees were delivered to the Clerk SENATE The message also announced that the for printing and reference to the proper House had passed a bill (H. R. 6128) to calendar, as follows: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1941 amend the act entitled "An act to expe­ dite the provision of housing in connec­ Mr. SABATH: Committee on Rules. House The Very Reverend Z~Barney T. Phil­ tion with national defense, and for other Resolution 386. Resolution for the considera­ tion of H. R. 6135, a bill to authorize the ap­ lips, D. D., Chaplain of the Senate, offered purposes," approved October 14, 1940, as propriation of an additional $150,000,000 to the following prayer: amended, in which it requested the con­ carry out the provisions of title II of the act Most Merciful and Compassionate currence of the Senate. entitled "An act to expedite the provision of Father, from whom nothing can be hid­ ENROLLED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLU­ housing in connection with national defense, TION SIGNED and for other purpos3s," approved October 14, den, for Thou dost read our inmost 1940, as amend€d; without amendment (Rept. thoughts: Enable us to put o:ff all pre­ The message further announced that No. 1494). Referred to the House Calendar. tense so that from henceforth we may the Speaker had affixed his signature to Mr. RANDOLPH: Committee on the Dis­ live a life of freedom and sincerity. In the following enrolled bills and joint trict of Columbia. H. R. 6208. A bill to au­ these solemn days of national trial, do resolution, and they were signed by the thorize black-outs in the District of Colum­ Thou make known to us the blessedness Vice President: bia, and for other purposes; without amend­ of service, the joy of those who bear the H. R. 4854. An act to facilitate and sim­ ment (Rept. No. 1495). Referred to the Com­ Cross that others' lives mn.y be enriched. mittee of the Whole House on the state of plify the administration of the Federal rec­ the Union. Redeem the days that we have wasted, lamation laws and the act of August 11, Mr. COCHRAN: Committee on Accounts. lift from our hearts the burden of our 1939, a..s amended; House Resolution 384. Resolution providing mistakes, and reveal to us the true mean­ H. R. 5074. An act to provide additional the expenses of conducting the study and in­ ing of the life we have so nearly lost, that, safeguards to the radio communications vestigation authorized by House Joint Reso­ by Thy Grace which doth renew the souls service of ships of the United States in the lution 294 of the Seventy-seventh Congress; interest of national defense, and for other of men, we may be comforted and glad­ purposes; without amendment (Rept. No. 1496) . Re­ dened as we face the future. ferred to the House Calendar. H. R. 5757. An act to define and punish Mr. COCHRAN: Committee on Accounts. May we feel a Hand in ours, may we vagrancy in the District of Columbia, and House Resolution 385. Resolution providing find a Companion on the weary way, and for other purposes; the expenses of continuing the investigation as we are led through the deeps of our H. R. 5876. An act to amend the Canal and study authorized by House Resolution own nature past the gateways of our Zone Code so as to ·provide for control of 290 of the Seventy-sixth Congress and con­ thought, grant that in gazing upon the photographing, possession of cameras, etc., tinued by House Resolution 15, House Reso­ Face of the Eternal, we may never fear in areas of the Canal Zone; and lution 188, and House Resolution 383 of the the face of man. And, finally, we ask H. J. Res. 221. Joint resolution to declare Seventy-seventh Congress; without amend­ Thee to preserve us from all evil, now and abandoned the title of the city of Mar- . ment (Rept. No. 1497). Referred to the House forevermore, through Jesus Christ our quette, Mich., to certain land in the county Calendar. of Marquette, and to vest control of such Lord. Amen. land in the Secretary of the Treasury for THE JOURNAL Coast Guard purposes. PUBLIC BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS CALL OF THE ROLL Under clause 3 of rule XXII, public On request of Mr. HILL, and by unani­ bills and resolutions were introduced and mous consent, the reading of the Journal Mr. HILL. I suggest the absence of severally referred as follows: of the proceedings of Thursday, Decem­ a quorum. ber 11, 1941, was dispensed with, and the The VICE PRESIDENT. The clerk By Mr. SUMNERS of Texas: Journal was approved. H. R. 6206. A bill to expedite the prosecu­ will call the roll. tion of the war; to the Committee on the MESSAGES FROM THE PRESIDENT-AP­ The Chief Clerk called the roll, and Judiciary. PROVAL OF JOINT RESOLUTIONS the following Senators answered to their By Mr. DUNCAN: Messages in writing from the President names: H. R. 6207. A bill to amend section 2405 of the United States were communicated Aiken Gerry O'Daniel of the Revenue Act of 1941; to the Committee Andrews Gillette O'Mahoney on Ways and Means. to the Senate by Mr. Miller, one of his Austin Glass Overton By Mr. RANDOLPH: secretaries, who also announced that the Bailey Green Pepper H. R. 6208. A bill to authorize black-outs President had approved and signed the Ball Guffey Radcliffe iollowing joint resolutions: Bankhead Gurney Reed In the District of Columbia, and for other Barbour Hatch Reynolds purposes; to the Committee on the District On December 11, 1941, at 3 :05 p. m., Barkley Hayden Russell of Columbia. E. S. T.: Bilbo Herring Schwartz By Mr. MAY: S. J. Res. 119. Joint resolution declaring BrewE>tel' Hill Shipstead H. R. 6209. A bill to expedite the produc­ that a state of war exists between the Gov­ Bridges Holman Smathers tion of equipment and supplies for national Brooks Hughes Smith ernment of Germany and the Government Brown Johnson, Calif. Spencer defense; to the Committee on Military Af­ and the people of the United States and mak­ Bulow Johnson, Colo. Stewart fairs. ing provision to prosecute the same. Bunker Kilgore Taft On December 11, 1941, at 3:06 p. m., Burton La Follette Thomas, Idaho E. S. T.: Butler Langer Thomas, Okla. PRIVATE BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS S. J. Res. 120. Joint resolution declaring Byrd Lee Thomas, Utah that a state of war exists between the Gov­ Capper Lodge Tobey Under clause 1 of rule XXII, private Caraway Lucas Truman bills and resolutions were introduced and ernment of Italy and the Government and Chandler McCarran Tunnell severally referred as follows: the people of the United States and making Chavez McFarland Tydings provision to prosecute the same. Clark, Idaho McKellar Vandenberg Ey Mr. FISH: Clark, Mo. McNary VanNuys H. R. 6210. A biH granting an increa.se of MESSAGE FROM THE HOUSE Connally Maloney Wallgren pension to Frances Beach Taylor; to the A message from the House of Repre­ Danaher Maybank Walsh Committee on Invalid Pensions. Davis Mead Wheeler sentatives, by Mr. Swanson, one of its Downey Murdock White H. R. 6211. A bill for the relief of Abraham clerks, announced that the House insisted Doxey Murray Wiley Sperak; to the Committee on Claims. upon its amendments to the bill