Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-05-31
ALLEY CRUSADERS
ASK UNIFORM LAW
Urge Naming of Congress Sub
committees to Deal With
the Subject.
BENEFIT ASSESSMENTS
ONE OF HARD PROBLEMS
Wider Latitude for Commissioners
Advocated as One of the
Pressing Needs.

After several picturesque weeks of
alley missionary work, the general
housing committee, of which William
II. Baldwin is chairman, is prepared tC
go forward next week advocating legis-
lation with three distinct characteristics
Following the meeting of the committee
at the home of A. j. Parsons Thursday
afternoon, the committee finds TODAY
that with several alley bills already in.
troduced. and with more alley bills in
sight. to come from private sources and
real estate syndicates. the one big need
IN congress is to arrange for subcom.
mittees of the District committees
whose first duty shall be to harmonize
the several elements in the proposed
alley leeisla ton.
Although at first blush it seemed an
easy matter to obtain a law by which
the commissioners can have broad
sweep OF a paternal hand in dealing
out concentrations and alley improve
ments. this is far from being the truth.
along with the need for alienation Of
SUM conditions there arc always to he
round the hard and fast rights of
property owners. and it is recognized
that under the present law property
rights and an inequitable alley con-
demnation law leave the slums hang
ing between them with no definite
hope of betterment.
Wider Assessment Range.
Therefore. one of the needs in the
coming alley legislation, according to
members of the general housing COM
mlttee. is paragraph providing for
assessments of damages and benefits
Wherever they may be found To ex-
plain this to the uttermost detail would
require great space. but briefly it is
explained by saying that at present
the law confines the assessment of
Dement'S to a restricted area
When alleys are to be cut ont and
parks or minor streets placed there I'M
der the present law. the jury has no dis
cret1on-n must charge the property
owners in restricted neighboring sec
ton with the costs of the improvements
This gives rise to inequtable Charges.
olscontented property owners and is di-
rectly responsible for the refusal of the
commissioners in some instances to pro-
ceed with alley Improvement 1t is on
this point that much influence has been
brought to bear. Representative George
Oh New York introduced a bill to cover it
last session. Chairman II. Baldwin of
the general housing committee combin-
Ing representatives of seven local organi-
cations. made strong Recommendations
for change in this situation when he
was member of the Presidents homes
commission.
IL Is also necessary. according to mem
Ders OF the general committee to have
Incorporated in the coming law pro-
vision by which - per cent of the bene-
MS may be assessed against the prop
ertv owners surrounding in cases where
IL is impossible to find that the property
is benefited 100 per cent
II John Smith. for instance. owns prop
erty near an alley which is to be con-
demned. and there is considerab BILE doubt
as 10 the dement, his property will receive
from the change, the jury would have the
right to assess him - per cent of what
they would ordinarily. and take the re-
naming - per cent from the general
fund OF the District