Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-03-31
HOUSING CONDITIONS
Effort to Improve Domiciles
of the Poor.
COMMITTEE FORMED
MEETING OF CITIZENS IN THE IN
TEREsT OF CHARITY.
Plan of Operation Outlined by Charles
F. Weller, Secretary of Board
of Charity.

Mr.. S. W. Woodward presided at a meet
ing of representative residents of the capt.
tai Saturday afternoon. in the rooms of the
Associated Charities. when committee for
the purpose of securing better housing con-
ditions for the poor was organized. Two
subcommittee were appointed, and sec
ond meeting will be held next Saturday af-
ternoon. In addition to Mr.. Woodward
there were present Messrs. John Joy Ed
son, George Truesdell, George NJ Sternberg,
Cuno H. Rudolph, Charles P. Neill, John
B. Henderson, George S. Wilson. and J. B.
T. Upper. John W. Foster, Bishop Satter-
lee, Gen. w K. Van Reypen, Waiter Wy
man, B. T. Janney and B. H. Warner have
signified their intention of taking part in
the movement.
The committee meeting Saturday was the
outgrowth of a statement recently made
to the board of managers of the Associated
Charities by Mr.. Charles F. Weller, the
secretary. Mr.. Weller said he had made
study of housing conditions among the
poor 81 most of the large cities, and he de-
clared the conditions here to be worse than
in New York or Chicago. Mr.. WellerS
statement was referred to the executive
committee, and considered by that body,
with the result that letters were addressed
ing them to begin the movement. toward the
desired reform. Mr.. Weller was present al
the meeting Saturday afternoon and was
chosen as secretary. In the letters sent out
by direction of Mr. Woodward it was
stated the action of a group of influential
citizens might not only aid in drawing up
appropriate legislation from time to time,
but might go further and develop public
opinion and promote also the adequate
forcement of existing laws Mr.. Woodward
declared effort in behalf of the poor
could be more important at this time. The
movement would also take part in the beau
LITIGATION of the capital city.
Plan Outlined.
Mr.. Weller read a statement outlining a
plan of operation for the committee, in
which he said:
Among all the services which philan-
thropy may render none is more important
than to gradually raise the standard of
life among the people by promoting the i'm
provements of their homes. This attacks
the causes of poverty and clarifies the
sources of good citizenship. Improved
homes mean decreased expenses for work
houses, jails, criminal trials, police protec-
ton and charitable relief. The tenement
housing evils of other large cities are all
present here, in type at least. though not in
such intensity or to such an extent as in
Boston. New York, Chicago. Baltimore and
other cOngested centers. In some particu-
even worse than do the other cities named.
Nothing less than an alert informed pub
lie interest in the subject can assure whole
some conditions in any city. In Washing
ton attention is especially needed because
so little has been given. Boston, New York,
Chicago. Baltimore and other cities have
preceded the national capital in organizing
such a committee as it is proposed for this
city
District officials to Participate.
opio
and building inspectors departments be in
ivted to attend the next meeting of the
committee and tell something of the exist
ing laws on the subject of housing condi-
tons and what remedies would be proposed
by the government. This suggestion was
adopted, and invitations will be extended
to DR. Woodward and Mr.. Snowden Ash
ford to delegate some one of their assist
ants to attend the meeting and furnish the
desired information.
II was also suggested that each member
of the committee make it point to visit
some of the dwellings, that are termed OBJ
jectionable and see for themselves just
what is needed to accomplish the reform
movement they desire to launch. Mr. Well
Ter spoke of what has been done in other
cities and what could be done here. His
views We're listened to with attention by all
those present, and when he had concluded
a general discussion was INDUCED in, which
showed that every person present was IN
terested in the work, and each promised
to do what he could toward the betterment
of the conditions that now exist.
The permanent organization of the COM
mittee was effected before the close of the
meeting. Mr.. Woodward was elected per-
manent chairman, and Mr.. Weller perma-
nent secretary. The other officers will be
Colonel George Truesden first vice chair
man, and DR.. George Kober, second vice
chairman.
subcommittee Named.
Two subcommittee We're appointed The