The Washington times., 1915-03-09
CONGRESS LEADERS
PROMISE TO MODIFY
PRESENT ALLEY ACT
Mrs. Ernest P. BickneII, Who
Urged Legislation, Says
Change viii Be Made.
BILL WAS HURRIED THROUGH
Act Not Sponsored BY Women
Here, and Was Passed Only
to Honor Mrs. Wilson.

congressional leaders have pledged
themselves to legislation which will re-
lieve the situation created by the hur-
ried passage OF the bill which closes
Washington alleys after July ]. 19ls
This announcement was made today
by Mrs. Ernest P. Bicknell. president
Of the Monday Evening Club. and chair
man of the alley committee of the Ma
tional Civic Federation. These two or
ganixations urged alley legislation for
several years.
Mrs. Bicknells statement today fol-
flowed the protests against the present
bill registered last evening by Albert
schulteis before the committee on mu-
nicipal legislation at the Chamber OF
Commerce. and by Mrs. Albert n. Wood,
Of the District branch of the Associa-
ton Of Collegiate Alumnac. The matter
also was threshed out yesterday by Her
bert J. Brown and w. d. Mackenzie
before the single tax mass meeting at
the Public Library.
Not Their Bill.
Mrs. Archibald Hopkins, president Of
the woman's department. National Civic
Federation; Mrs. Bickncll. and Mrs.
Wood, who also was O worker for the
legislation, explained that the present
bill was not that recommended by them.
This bill was framed in few hours.
when Mrs. Woodrow Wilson was report
ed dying. apd it was suggested that al
ley legislation be passed as tribute to
her. Senator Smith of Maryland, who
introduced tho bill to close alleys by
July /, 1918. Is one Of the men who has
promised his support to an amendment
which will make the process OF alley de-
population more gradual.
In the last hours OF Congress des-
perate attempt was made to have the
minor street" bill! passed. This was
preparation bill. but was killed when
Senator Stone raised point Of order
against It.
This bill, tho same as that introduced
by Congressman Henry George two
years ago, aims to open the alleys by
having them converted into minor
streets. Under the present law many
of the alleys, II opened. would have to
be paid for by the property owners on
the block surrounding the alley. Under
the proposed bill this expense could be
distributed over as large an area deem
ed by jury to include those benefited
Oy the Improvement.
Will Act Soon.
Senator Jones, chairman of the sub
committee in charge Of the alley legs
lation, has promised. Mrs. Bcknell
stated. to have his colleagues, Senators
Pomerene, Dillingham;. John w. Smith.
and Works, consider the various meas
ures now pending early in the new ses-
sion. These measures include the hous-
ing commission bill! OF Senator Works.
the Government loan bill as fathcred by
Senator Pomerene and Congressman
Borland. the original Commissioners
bill providing for the gradual evacu-
alton OF the alleys.
Under the present bill according to
Mr.. Schulteis. who attacked the meas
ure before the Chamber of Commerce
committee, millions of dollars worth
Of houses will be legally rendered unin-
hatitable as dwellings,
This is not fair to property owners, "
said Mr.. Schulteis. "and in many cases
persons cannot stand such loss. There
were clauses in the original bill, spon-
sored by Mrs. Wilson, providing for the
but they were defeated in the rush to
pass the law. 1t is the duty of the
Government to reimburse the alley
dwellers when they are deprived Of the
use OF their property"
AnO ther Protest.
w. D. Mackenzie registered similar
protest at the Public Library.
washington is confronted with a se,-
ious situation, he said. and immedi-
ate steps should be taken to provide for
the families who are to be driven from
the alleys by 1918 Most OF the con-
gested areas in Washington are to be
found in the interior alleys. We have
275 inhabited alleys. containing a pop
& haS q
long been recognized that these alleys.
80 located as to render proper police
supervision impossible, do not reflect
credit on this city.
Legislation was secured in 1902 for
bidding the future erection of buildings
in alleys. and this has been followed by
the recent law which declares that the
use or occupation as dwelling of any
lawful on and after July |. 1918, such
use or occupation being declared m
furious to life. to public health. morals.
safety. and welfare What remains to
be done is to secure legislation for the
conversion of the alleys into minor
streets. and last. but not least to pro-
vide a sufficient number of small and
sanitary dwellings,, at a low rental, for
This Is the housing problem with which
Washington is now confronted. The
families in the alleys are those Of un-
skilled workers, receiving small wages.
than Sc to $40 month. There are a
large number of houses for rent In this
city, but few for less than SIS to SEQ
month. Unless something is done to
provide proper housing for this alley
population. the vacating Of the alleys,
In addition to causing much hardship
will reproduce overcrowded and unsani-
tary conditions In other sections of our
city"
Though she is working earnestly for
legislation to modify the present bill
the situation for the alley dwellers has
been exaggerated. Mrs. Bicknell be-
lieves. She pointed out that a recen,
census slowed 600 habitable small
houses that rented for SIS or less a
month available at the present time fol
those who would now move from alleys
1.-The hoNses of the Sanitary Housing
and Improvement Company" she said
rent for rates as low as $3.50 per month
and not higher than Sl2 90 per month
These houses represent an attempt tc
meet the housing need by subscriptions
to a stock fund upon which the divi'
dend Is limited to per cent But thirt'
OF these excellent houses have bee
vacant all winter.
''If the plan OF Mrs. Archibald Hop
ktns to build row of houses on &
similar plan. as memorial to Mrs
Woodrow Wilson. Is carried out, 1,p