Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-05-11
COMMITTEE OF CONGRESS FINDS
DEPLoRABLE CONDITIONS IN
NATIONAL CAPITAL.
ELEVEN THOUSAND PEOPLE
LIVE IN FILTHY ENviRoNs
Unsanitary Surroundings in Shadow Of
Capitoi-Inhabitan Of Alley Dis.
tricts Largely Nesroes-Death Rate
Among Them Enormous-Breedins
Places For Disease and Crime.
Especial Correspondence


of the wretched, diseased and utterly
, indefensible conditions prevailing in
the inhabited alleys of Washington
We're drawn recently before sub
committee of the senate committee on
the District of Columbia, of which
Senator John Walter Smith is chair
man.
Strong pleas for legislation to REM
edy the situation with respect to these
slum alleys, which are breeding places
Of disease and crime. We're made by
District Commissioner Siddons; DIR.
w. Z. Woodward. health officer Of the
district: Rev. DR.. John Van Shack, Jr.,
Mrs. Z. e. Woods, Philip S. Henry and
Mrs. Ernest p. Bicknell. Probably few
people not residing here have any idea
OF the fact that the Slums in the alleys
of the national capital are among the
most sQualid and Wretched in the
country.
Committee Is Impressed.
The subcommittee, apparently. was
impressed with the gravity Of the prob
lem called to its attention. 1t Is be-
lleved that from the subcommittee will
come recommendations for legislation,
though just what form that will take
is not yet indicated. The subcom-
mittee consists Of Senators Smith Of
Maryland. Jones, Hollis, Pomerene and
Dillingham;.
Commissioner Sddons was first
heard and made a lengthy statement
about the slum alley conditions. He
said his attention had first been called
to the facts about ten years ago. At
that time, about $4,000 were living in
the alleys. principally in the older parts
of The city. They were wretchedly
housed and the places were disease
spots"
Mr.. Siddons enumerated several laws
which had been passed which had
helped conditions, one being the law
for condemnation of unsanitary build
ings He recalled that as a member
or the Homes Commission. appointed
by President Roosevelt he had looked
into alley conditions here He declared
that in some OF the souses people were
found packed in like sardlnes."
I'VE want TO end the living Of human
beings in the alleys and courts" said
Commissioner Siddons.
Thousands Live in Alleys.
He pointed out that the police census
showed that about 1000 people are
now living In the alleys and courts OF
Washington. This is reduction Of
$4,000 from what the alley population
was at high tide. There are 26s alleys
or courts which are inhabited. In some
cases. only three or four persons live
in an alley.
Among other things, he brought out
that president Wilson and Mrs Wilson
were deeply interested in remedying
the alley situation here.
1T Is a matter of public knowledge
that the president Is interested in this
matter and I think l am violating no
confidence in saying it" said the COM
missioner.
Questioned by members Of the sub
committee. he said the President was
not committed to any particular bill.
Commissioner Siddons discussed the
profits made by some Of the owners of
| property in the alleys and said they
| netted in some cases II TO 16 per cent
| per annum.
Favors Federal Houses.
An interesting phase Of the statement
Of Mr.. Siddons related to building OF
| sanitary homes.
Speaking for myself personally, and
not for the commission as a whole.
favor the building by the government
of sanitary homes" said he.
This led to interjection Of remarks
| by Senator Smith, who thought it toe
broad a scheme for the government &c
engage in
Commissioner Siddons admitted 1,
! was broad but reminded the subcom
mittee that much had already beer
done in this line in Berlin and various
European cities.
Senator Jones. who has a bill Of this
| kind, asked if a measure was passed
to prohibit residence in alleys after
a certain date IL would not end the
evil Mr.. Siddons admitted 1t might
do so.
| Senator Jones thought property own
ers had no right to seek to have build
| ings in alleys inhabited.
Local public opinion i.s strongly ir
favor of this reform" said Commits.
sioner sidGons.
Senator Jones thought the bill Of the
commissioners too lenient to the prop.
erty owners who owned the inhabited
houses and shacks in the alleys.
"Instinctirely we rebel against Nv
ing under these conditions" said thu
commissioner wherever we find them
we find crime and disease and a heav!
mortality"
These evils" questioned Senate
Jones. ARE evils that affect the stat
and should be taken account Of in con
sidering the cost Of living?"
Higher standards Of living amon
the people themselves had been cause
by going out of these alleys, the com
missioner said. Gradual degeneration
was caused by life under alley condi
tions.
ct was never intended the alley
should be place of residence said tn
commissioner ut really began as on
Of the results of the civil war. A grea
influx Of refugees occurred at the tim
and many Of them settled in alleys
Majority Are Negroes.
r Health Officer Woodward followe
e Commissioner Siddons. He discusse
e many phases of the alley problem.
C brought out the fact that as matte
a of fact the diminution of alley popula
|, ton had been gradual. He indicate
: it had been more gradual than tn
d figures Of commissioner Siddons woul
|. indicate. In 1872 or 1873 1t was $500
e and 1t had taken all these years
~