Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-11-20
LOCAL HOUSING CONDITIONS
PRESIDENTS HOMES COMMITS
SION HOLDS MEETING.
Address by Gen. Sternberg, DR..
George NJ. Kober, Commissioner
Mcfarland and Others.

The housing and social conditions of the
Capital city were discussed at length at
a conference held last evening at the resi-
dence of William J. Boardman. 1901 P
street northwest. Members of the Pres-
dents homes commission. together with
others prominent in social work in the
city. participated.
Gen. George NJ. Sternberg presided over
the conference. and at the opening spoke
Of the formation Of the commission by
President Roosevelt on May 4. 1907. in
pursuance of a recommendation made in
a report prepared for and submitted to
him at his request by Mr.. James Bronson
Reynolds. which gave the results Of an
investigation into the housing conditions
Of the poor of the District of Columbia
made by Mr.. Reynolds. He declared the
designations by the President to aid in
work of such high character required
an earnest effort upon the part of each.
He then presented DR.. George M. kober.
who spoke of the evil effects of insanitary
houses. During his remarks DR.. Kober
made a special plea to those in attendance
to aid in the effort to do all in their power
to improve the housing conditions In
various parts of the District Of Columbia
In an address upon progress In the con-
struction of sanitary houses Gen. Stern
berg explained at length the methods of
a local company which at the present
time is engaged in the work of building
sanitary two-f1at buildings for occupancy
by persons whose housing conditions are
greatly improved by their residence
therein.
Secretary Charles F. Weller of the As
ISOLATED Charities gave steropticon ad-
dress on insanitary and model houses.
In his address Mr.. Weller told of the i'm
provement in various of the housing con-
ditions in the southwest and southeast
sections of the city. He then brought his
audience by means OF the lantern sil9es
Gle, where the conditions, he stated, are
far from being model.
Hope Of Success.
Mr.. H. B. F. Mcfarland also made
brief address, saying:
II believe that the commission will
prove of great benefit to the National
capital. Its preliminary report shows
that it approaches it's task in the right
spirit and with the right purpose. This
was to be expected from its personnel.
The President wisely chose those who
were already active in just such work. 1t
is fortunate that the commission VIII COR
tinuc the process which its members ana
other public-spirited citizens, in and cut
of Office have been carrying on for the
imp oyement of conditions of houses ind
of homes IL the National capital! L be-
lieye that we have more phlanthroDic
and public-spirited men and womal here
than anywhere else, in proportion to the
population.
For many years they have BAN work
ing at this particular problem, anf. much
has been accomplished. Much remains
to be done. but it will be done. I take
q very hopeful view because our problem
in this respect is not as difficult SIS in
crowded cities. where they have not
| broad streets and parks and other favor
able conditions, including plenty of land,
and because of the character of those who
are lahering> officially and unoffic,ally in
| this cause"