Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-10-11
1,OOS Houses Demolished.

In the annual report of the hoard of
condemnation for the year ended June
So 1910, presented. to the Commission
erS today. il is shown that a grand
total OF l,is6 buildings. in streets and
alleys. have been examined in the four
years since the board was created OF
this number zoos have been demol-
ished, Go have been repaired and
there are 112 cases pending
During the fiscal year lyO9-1sIO, 400
buildings We're examined, 222 have
been demolished and 2S4 have been re-
paired.
Altogether there were 754 tenants in
insanitary buildings, In streets anu al
leys, who We're required To seek new
quarters through the action of the
board in condemning the structures in
which they were residing In the four
years OF its existence. the board has
similarly dispossessed 1922 residents
in insanitary houses.
The report also shows that S31 tenants
were benefited in 19U3-is10 by reason of
repairs 10 t.Ielr homes ordered by the
board. In the past four years 2,43l per-
SONS have been similarly benefited.
Without considering the value of the
land upon which condemned buildings
formerly stood the board states that tho
assessed valuation of improvements re-
moved during the year was S36 i0U, OF
which amount s:5U,SOo was represented by
houses in streets and $1,000 Dy dwellings
in alleys. The rental value of houses
removed during the year was Sl6.666.Ss.
divided in the ratio of Sl2,401-2S for
houses standing in streets and 81. .260.00
for structures in alleys.
The board made 300 inspections and
miscellaneous visits during the year. OF
the tenants affected by the removal Of
condemned buildings 456 were c0lored
and 81 We're white.
Alleys to Be Converted
Consideration is now being given by the
board to the conversion of certain alleys
into interior parks or Fairgrounds. 1t is
stated i'm the report. Willow Tree alley,
in square a34, Southwest Washington. has
been selected as the first alley to be
reached by this class of legislation
The board points to the fact that its
inspectors have disclosed many houses in
the distant suburbs where insanitary con-
dlnons exist because of the lack of sewer
ana water facilities. 1t is recommended
that both sewer and water mains be eX-
tended to such sections as rapidly as
appropriations may become availab BILE
In concluding its report. the board
voices its own conclusions regarding the
results of its work i'm this language:
The majority of houses located in the
alleys at the present time are Of such a
character, structuraliy. that under the
present law they are not condemnable to
destruction, but are kept in repair be-
cause of notices served from time to
time as conditions warrant.
The observations of the board fail to
show any considerable number of small
inSanitary houses that the board might
condemn, but against which action has
not been taken. Unsightly houses. ii Is
true, still exist in many parts of the
District. which casual observer might
regard as condemnable.
with respect to these. however, closer
examination will generally disclose that
they are properly lighted, are dry, have
tight roofs, are provided with ample ia
cilities for heating and ventilating and
are properly drained, in so far as drain
age facilities are available. Such houses,
OF course, cannot be condemned by the
board. however offensive they may be
in the senses Of beauty and neatness.
Demolition Not Too Rapid.
with respect to the charge that the
board is proceeding too rapidly. inquiry.
made under the direction of the board
during the past year, showed that there
are a reasonable number Of vacant sani-
tary houses renting from $3.50 per
month to s16.50 per month, and available
for the occupants OF such houses as
might be demolished by order of the
board.
1.-The results Of this inquiry into the
rental market have been confirmed by
the observations of the board in the
course of its work throughout the Dis
trict and are supported by the records
Of the office of the Inspector or build
ings which show the issue OF permits
for the erection of large number OK
small sanitary buildings.
The board for the condemnation OF
insanitary buildings includes Capt. Z.
NJ Markham, assistant to the Engineer
Commissioner. chairman; DIR. w q.
Woodward. health officer, District of CO.
lumbia and Norris Hacker. building in
Snector District of Columbia.