The Washington herald., 1913-05-28
IMPETUS GIVEN
Fight ON SLUMS
President Wilson Offers Help
in Letter Written to Women
Of Civic Federation.
BORLAND MAKES PLEA
Additional Funds Are Given to
Project Of Building Model
Tenements.
BORLAND MAKES PLEA

Agitation toward the elimination OF
alley slums was given decided impetus
yesterday. The President offered hi:
help in a letter read at. meeting OF
the woman's welfare department OF the
National Civic Federation: Representa-
tive Borisnd OF Missouri, in speech
before the House Of Representatives
pleaded for the abolition of inhabited
alleys. and from the United state Sen
ate word was sent that the bill OF Sen.
ator Pomerene of Ohio. which calls FOR
the conversion into parks Of Snow
Court and Goat Alley. would be con-
sidered at the next meeting OF the Sen
ate District Committee.
The Presidents letter. addressed to
Mrs. Archibald Hopkins. chairman OF
the civic federation meeting. was read
body of Washington women who attend
ed the gathering. Mrs. woodrow Wilson
and Mrs. Thomas r. Marshall were
among the nationally prominent women
who were present at the meeting.
The Presidents letter. which was writ
ten in longhand by him. said:
Il wish II were possible for me to
attend the meeting tomorrow. Since
1t is not may 1 not at least send these
few lines to express my deep interest
In the great task OF cleaning away the
Sums Of Washington? It is work
which must, OF course. be accomplished
step by step. / sincerely hope tina,
each step may be part OF a systematic
and comprehensive plan, worked out
by the District authorities with the
full authority and support of Con-
gress. Pray feel at liberty to sugges,
to me from time to time any way in
which / may properly assist"
Mrs. Hopkins discussed at length the
letter of the President, and its signifi-
canoe in the fight to better conditions
among the poorest residents OF this city.
Members were enthusiastic over the in
terest the President has shown in the
movement.
More Funds for Work.
Mrs. Christian Hemmick gave 1000 to
the fund for building model tenements
in place of the houses now used as
homes in alleys Mrs. Charles b. Wood
increased her gift from $50 to Sl,vcO
Representative Borland's address to the
lery. Mrs. Wilson and Mrs. Hopkins,
both Of whom went to the House at the
adjournment of the meeting of the Ma
tional Civic Federation. heard the
speech of Representative BorIand.
The inhabited alley must CO." said
Representative Borland. in sounding the
keynote of his speech. He asked that the
alleys be opened and made into minor
streets, with proper sidewalks, lights,
and sewers
The highest type of legislation" said
Mr.. Morland. in part. Consists in re-
moving the causes of social disease In
this case the cause OF social disease is
the inhabited alley and the unsavory
profit which IL brings to the owner of
the alley tenement. Somebody has said
that II all the alleys We're turned into
parks the same alley population would
move elsewhere and contaminate other
surroundings. / am free to confess that
the destruction of or reformation of a
district is only half of the subject
1T is necessary to provide sanitary
houses or the displaced population.
examined with some care the buildings
constructed and now operated by the
Washington Sanitary Housing Com
pany. and il does seem to me that they
have made a complete success, limited
only by the means within their control."