The Washington times., 1913-05-22
WHITE HOUSE CAR
DOES SLUM WORK
Mrs. Wilson Loans Automobile
to Parties Who Investigate
Washington's Alleys. :,
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full that more women and men will fol-
low the lead of the society women who
yesterday subscribed for stock in the
Washington Sanitary Improvement
Company. which is erecting model
homes.
Not Charity.
Miss Janet A Richards, who opened
the contributions yesterday, writes: las
this is not charity. but a substantial
per cent investment. We trust that
many others will be moved to pledge a
similar amount TO this most worthy
cause"
The list of contributors of the $500
fund was announced today by Miss c.
F. Smith, secretary of the women's sec
ton Of the National Civic Federation. :,
Mrs. woodrow Wilson. $l0o; Clifford
chsTles Gas soTsSton loasa WOOD hi $685. censress
man Kahn. 500; Miss Janet Richards,
Mrs. Julius Lansburgh. Miss Helen
Jones. Mrs. Selfridge. Mrs. Chaplin. Mrs.
John K Shields. Mrs. Willard Sauls-
bury, Mrs. A. Z. Bates. Mrs ]. w.
Thompson. Mrs Charles Richardson.
Mrs. Charles Wood, Mrs. E. X. kerp.
Mrs. Charles Goldsmith. Mrs. James
Harlan. Mrs. Young. Mrs. Ridgeway,
and Mrs. Macdonald, 500 each; total
Congressman Ben johnson. chairman
Of the House District Committee. when
seen at his Office today and asked about
his tour Of the alley sections of the city,
made the following Illuminating COM
ment:
81 do not care to be interviewed
about that"
Pressed for an answer. he answered
that he had forgotten.
Expect Progress.
Progress in the crusade instituted by
Mrs. Woodrow Wilson and Mrs. Archi-
bald Hopkins is expected to follow the
actin of the Commissioners in taking
under consideration today plans for the
removal of certain legal obstacles in the
way. OF the work.
With an appropriation Of 10000 avail
able for the conversion or alleys into
interior streets. the District for the last
year has been unable to accomplish
any work in this direction. according to
District officials. owing to a provision
In the law that the entire cost shall be
assessed as benefits against surround
ing property. To correct this condition,
the Commissioners probably will offer
as an amendment to the bill for the
improv ement OF SHOWS court, when it il
referred to them for report, a provision
that the condemnation jury in such cases
shall assess for benefits in ..the proper
ton in which they are found."
a Statements of the situation were OBJ
tained today from Alonzo Tweedale,
acditor Of the District; NJ. c. Haxen,
surveyor, and Corpora alton Counsel E.
ID Thomas Congress provided a fund
for the work with the provision that
the District should be reimbursed for
all expenditures. In assessing sur
rounding. property, however, the con-
demnafion juries have declined to place
the entire burden of cost on the prop.
erty owners. the courts then dismissing
the cases.
The result is that. with a plentiful
supply of funds at its command. the
District is unable to proceed. under
present legislation, in the work of the
elimination of the alleys. bur must de-
pend upon special legislation in each
separate case.
Inspection To Be Made.
With a view of recommending to the
Commissioners legislation for their
Improvement, inspection of the alleys
and slum districts will be made by
the board for the condemnation of in
sanitary buildings within few
weeks. The boards recommendations
will be contained in its next annual
report About twenty-five alleys in
every section of the city will be visited
by the board The plan proposed by
Roy Z. Haynes, secretary to the board.
is to obtain each year appropriations
Ior the Improvement OF TWO or three
OF the more congested alleys, so that
In course of time the slum district will
be entirely removed.
A beginning has been made by the
conversion of Willow Tree alley. work
On which is now in progress. This is
to be followed by the Introduction in
both the House and Senate of bills
for the condemnation of Goat alley
and SHOWS court. The board has rec
ommended also that Navy place, be-
tween Sixth and Seventh, I and @
streets, northeast. be converted into
q minor street running east and west
One Third Assessed.
In the conversion of Willow Tree
alley into an interior park one-third Of
the cost was assessed on surrounding
property as benefits. Secretary Haynes
said today he believed the assessment
area In such proceedings should be
largely increased. as the elimination
of slum Ia of direct benefit not only
TO the immediate neigh borhood but to
property far removed.
Discussing the elimination Of inhabit-