The Washington times., 1916-05-14
Would Include Inquiry
Into All Phases of Life

unto All En&ees Oh Lie
Such a survey would include a search
ing investigation OF every phase OF
washiugton life-school facilities, pub
lie health. dance halls. theaters. work.
ing conditions, and wage scales. the
cost of living IN. the different localities
, ofJthe. city-grouped. perhaps. as each
happened to fall beneath three general
ciassfications: Necessities. recreations.
and education.
From the statistics gathered in such
q manner by trained and unbiased In
vestigators. a program could be drawn
establishing the definite needs of the
city In relation to one another.
From what I actually know Of con- con;
lawrence WELLER, secretary Of the Ma
tioral Housing Association. ~ agree
FULLY with Mr.. Glenn that a survey
should precede an effort to make WASH
1pgtcp a model community.
with data in hand as to the present
conditions as regards housing, chari-
ties, and corrections. loan shark laws,
and public health, as well as data con-
municipal existence. steps could then be
taken to free Washington from the
domination of Congress.
1T do not believe that any national
legislative body Is qualified to direct
the destinies Of a city as great as Wash
ington. I do not believe that city can
be made what It should be-and WASH
angtop should be the model city OF the
countfy-so long as such state Of af-
fairs exists.
my present impression is-speaking
TO the question OF housing which is
nearest my heart-that the people OF
Washington are prone to regard their
-go-cailed slums and their alleys as the
washington, believe. has been sur
xering from what might be called AL
HAs a mater Of fact the alleys might
prove at the conclusion OF proper sur
.vey. to be the least important. although
tho most sensational, part OF the ques-
ton. And yet believe 1t to be fact
that the housing question in Washing
ton has been discussed largely in terms
my experience has taught me that It
81 q mistake to approach the housing
question in any city from this angle
exclusively; for I have known far more
ing. to be found among the better class
of apartments in many cities, than in
the alleys. and do not see why WASH
ington should prove any exception.
Everything Done So Far
Along the Proper Line
: What already has been done in
Washington to relieve the conditions
which previously existed in the slums,
has been entirely. SO far as can learn.
along the proper lines. The Ellen Will
SON Homes, and the workingmen's
homes, which were constructed largely
through the efforts OF the late Brig.
Gen. George M. sternberg. are ideal.
''But the general housing conditions OF
Washington have been shamefully neg
lected. There is no housing law in eff
feet, and this Is a crying need which
Garden suburbsY Yes. Washington
shoulo have garden suburbs. but 1 do
not believe that garden suburbs in
Washington would be practical for the
poorer classes. such communities. how
sound paying basis for the better paid
classes Of mechanics, for instance.
People want city conditions, now
adays ! find. Therefore. any garden
suburb which might be established
and these could not be 81 ven to COM
munities based upon the living scale Of
To Mr.. Glenn's suggestion for a sur
yey and Mrs veleTs ideas so Concerning ddnS
an entirely new and far-reaching. idea,
which he admits must come some time
IN the future, II at all.
Its looking away ahead" said Mr.
Folks, but take II for what 1t Is worth,
and believe 1t would be move in
the right direction for better public
health.
Organize all resident physicians OF
Washington as an essential part or the
public health service of the city. II
this were accomplished the Health De-
partment, the hospitals and the dis
pensaries would no longer stand in the
light OF competitors to the general fam
lily practitioner.