Evening star., 1918-08-28
HOLDS UP HOUSING
!. PLAN BY DEMANDS
Man in Southeast Washing
ton Wants $4,000 for Prop
erty Assessed at $4,5W.
OTHERS ASK BIG SUMS

One man. holding a small piece of
property assessed at $4,000. for which
he demands $4,000. has been endeavor-
ing to block the housing development
for navy yard workers in Southeast
Washington. Similar efforts to hold up
the United States Housing Corporation
have been made in other parts of the
country.
This was the report made to Congress
today. when steps were taken to amend
the law as it how stands. so that the
United States Housing Corporation in
such extreme cases will be given the
right to seize property forthwith when
it is an essential part of a big develop
ment project.
Facts Given to House.
These facts were brought out today
at hearing before the House COM
mittee on public buildings and
grounds. Otto NJ. Eidlits, director of
the housing corporation: Herbert E.
Shannon, IN charge of the Washing
ton development; Phillip Hiss,
special assistant in the Navy Depart
ment, and others testified before the
committee.
Mr.. Shannon explained that a small
piock on which is shanty, rented
Tor not more than $40 month, is in
the very center of the southeast
Washington development for. navy
yard workers. and is being held for
the exorbitant price of $4,000.
In order to seize and occupy dwell
ings the housing corporation must
petition the court and then show two
things; first, the absolute need for the
property, and second, that a govern
ment building is to be erected tnere-
on.
Mr.. Shannon stated his belief that
the tenant OF the property is being
paid to remain there and hold out for
the price against the government. The
counsel for the housing corporation
said that petition to the court is
now being prepared, and explained
that the local situation is eompli-
Need Particular Area,
1t was explained that this particular
development because it has 80 per
cent OF the public utilities needed.
Representative Austin of Tennessee
stated emphatfcally that the present
law should be amended and that he
is in favor of sending such an amend-
ment to the Senate as soon as possi-
BILE.
1.-The work of this important bu-
reau should not be paralyzed by one
man in Washington. unpatrioticalIy
holding out against the government,
and l do not believe that Congress viii
allow such tactics to prevail,' said
Representative Austin. Others of the
committee voiced the same opinion,
Director Eidlitz testified that the
shipping board has absolute authority
to requisftion whatever properties it
may need.
Losing Many Employees.
That the navy yard is losing many
valued employees on account of rent
prof1teering was testified by Mr.. Hiss.
who stated that Secretary Daniels feels
deep concern in this matter. Mr.. Hiss
said that some of the navy yard em-
ployes are being held up for a go and so
per cent increase in rent, and that the
department is greatly Inundated in not
being able to protect such workers, MANY
Of these are leaving to go to work for
the Emergency Fleet Corporation. be-
cause that corporation can protect them
from rent profiteers.
In response to question, Director Efd-
litz named forty-four housing project de-
velopments on which his board is now
ct work in various sections Of the coun-