The Washington times., 1913-05-30
Look TO CONGRESS
TO REMOVE SLUMS
Women Declare They Will Keep
On With Fight Till Alleys
Are Eliminated.

mo rest until the alleys are gone"
IL the banner under which there en-
lfsted today the sponsors, both in and
out Of Congress. for the cleanup WASH
ington movement Mrs. Archibald Hop
kins announced her intention to bring
constant pressure upon the Senate and
louise District committees, and Senator
Work asserts he will ask prompt action
on his bill for housing the needy popu-
lation Of Washington.
"My address for the last two weeks
has been Madison alley; now 1t will be
at the offices of the two committees"
said Mrs. Hopkins, at the meeting held
yesterday afternoon at the home of
A. J. Parsons, Eighteenth and streets
northwest. The ALLEY" meeting was at
tended by Mrs Woodrow Wilson and
other women interested in the SUM
problem. and representatives Of the
Board OF Trade. Chamber of Commerce.
Associated Charities, Sanitary Housing
Company and Women's Welfare Depart
ment Of the National Civic Federation.
simultaneously Senator Works intro
duced in the Senate q joint resolution
to create a housing commission in
Washington
Kahn Gives q Tip.
Congressman Kahn gave Mrs. Hop
kins and her co-workers the tip to
camp on the trial. of the Senate and
House District Committees. which will
handle the legislation for the elimina-
ton Of the slums.
Gen. George NJ. sternberg. president
Of the Sanitary Housing Company.
spoke at the meeting yesterday. explain
tvnr fg y>1o 70 h,sfl Aax
rent for IS or IS month to people who
Will be made homeless when the alleys
are eliminated.
Senator Works indicated today he
would press the proposed legislation TO
passage at the earliest possible date.
He hopes to get early consideration by
the District Committee
The California Senator introduced a
joint resolution for a commission Of
fve, consisting of three men and two
women. to devise plans an dmeans for
housing the INDECENT. t.-improvident, and
alno introduced bill for the construo-
oon and location of dwelling houses.
Named By Wilson.
The commission is to be named BY the
President. is to report to him. ami he Is
to transmit the report to Congress with
his own recommendations. The ,ollow-
ing points are to be reported on:
A suitable location for a sufiicient
number OF model sanitary houses for
the accommodation Of such persons as
should be cared for under the direction
Of the National Government
The kind and probable cost Of such
suitable houses as may be needed for
the proper housing and care of such
persons.
The best means of renting or other
wtee providing such houses for persons
able to make compensation therefor.
The best and most practicable way Of
pelicfnE. superintending. and securing
houses and the grounds provided for
their construction. and OF improving the
moral and sanitary conditions Of the
people 80 provided for.
Any other data or facts that the COM
m1sston may desire to submit, and sug-
gestions It may desire to make a. to
the kind Of legislation needed to carry
out such plan as 1t may report for the
better housing and care Of such persons.
Rich Homes Unhealthful.
Senator Works said:
"Mr. President, my soiicitude for the
Inhabitants of the city OF Washi1gton
70 not confined to what We are pleased
to call the lower class There are a
good many Of the rich and well-to-do
VINO are living in insanitary houses in
this city At the present time. We have
rows and rows Of what are known as
attached houses They sometimes ex-
tend the fun front Of q square, and, 1
think In some places. they entirely en-
circle the square.
There IL no means Of ventilatiuy
these dwelling houses except from the
front to the rear. There are thoueand
Of rooms In houses Of that kind In this
city that are never touched by q ray
OF sunshine and that are only ventilated
BY the passage Of the air through some
other rooms to reach them, and often
II is the kitchen.
The Government never should have
allowed the construction Of such houses
1t should be criminal offense to erect,
maintain. sell, or rent houses of that
Kind. No man should be willing to live
IN one of them and bring up his chill
dren. Every family in the city Of
Washington should have free light and
sunshine on all sides OF the house. and
should have at least a small plot of
ground. OF course, the Government can
not condemn all of these houses and
destroy them as II does In the case Of
the poorer classes but IL can nreysuf