The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-06-29
STRICTLY CASH. No Goods Approval and None Taken Back
MRS. WILSON IN FIGHT TO ABOLISH
CONDITIONS IN SLUMSO WASHINGTON
Wife of Nations Chief Executive Long Interested Social Welfare Work
Devotng Much Time and Thought the Problem That Lies
Capitals Toruous Alleys

was stimulated. It was founa profita-
! hle To erect only shallow buildings on
/ the street fronts Of the blocks. In
this way large unused space was
I left in the interior of many blocks,
/ The growth OF population brought
TO the city a large influx of domestic
workers mainly negroes. and a de-
mand arose for dwellings for this
class within easy reach OF their places
OF work. 1t was then seen to be
profitable 10 make use of the hither-
to wasted centers of some of the
larger blocks for the erection of
( tenements, and gradually the spaces
were filed with such dwellings, In
many cases alleys of a peculiar struc-
ture were formed among the tene-
ments, branching and turning into
small labyrinths.
Under such circumstances, only
small fraction of the alley can be
seen from the street entrance. 1t is
this type of blind alley that has
proved the worst from the points of
view of sanitation, morally and GRIM
inoIogy.
Two methods of doing away with
the present alley conditions have been
suggested: TO turn the interior Of the
blocks into parks, and to enlarge and
straighten the alleys into minor
streets. Which plan will be the more
satisfactory in a given case will be
best determined, no doubt. by local
consideration, but l am of the opinion
that in most cases the creation of
minor streets will be found advisable
elimination of the alley tene-
ments by either plan. OF course, will
make II necessary that other and
more desirable dwelling places be
provided for the tenants. Otherwise
lit would probably be merely mat
ter of transferring the slums to a
new location. ! have been much in
terested in studying municipal hous-
ing plans a. practiced in other coun-
tries. and / am convinced that 1t is in
! this way that the problem can best
beaolSea.
What is known AS the English loan
system is probably the most feast
HE plan now in operation. Under It
fund is provided by the governmental
agency having the project in charge.
From ii either the government itself
or private company or individual
may borrow for the purpose OF erect
ing dwellings, provided the builders
furnish satisfactory security, and build
under government specifications and
regulations. The rental rates charged
and the general administration of the
properties must also come under gov
eminent control.
THE problem here In Washington is
I by no means too big to be easily solved.
! A careful survey made by the wo-
/ mans welfare department OF the Ma
/ tional Civic federation shows that there
are close TO 1000 alley tenement dwell =
| about $4,000 people. A modern SAINT
! tary tenement Of brick of excellent
design and commodious enough to ac-
commodate two families can he con-
structed for $4,000. This means that
1 the actual cost of the dwellings neces-
! sary to house all the inhabitants OF
the alley slums would be about three
The land can no doubt he purchased
I reasonably enough, SO that the whole
j matter can be satisfactorily financed
on, fund Of between three and six
1 t bv actual Experience in washfngton
that such dwellings, can be rented as
/ reasonably as the -sum dwellings are
! now rented, and at the same time can
be made TO return fair rate OF an
terest on the investment