Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-01-30
PRESIDENTS Aid ASKED
IN HOUSING PROBLEM
Supply of Dwellings Commit
tee Writes of Needs of Hog
Island Workers
CALL FOR COMMISSION
Demands of War Industries Set
Forth in Plea for Federal
Intervention

Ecr the purpose of Fastening the work
or housing the thousands OF men en-
ployed at Hog Island and those engaged
III war industries all over the Coun-
try an appeal has been made direct TO
President Wilson by the supply dwellings,
committee OF the Philadelphia Housing
Association.
The committee urges the establish
ment by the Federal Government of
housing administration or commission
with power to buy and requisition land
and build houses for workers I'm war
industries. The Presidents attention is
called to the fact that new constrlic-
tton by private builders has virtually
ceased, while the demands of war indus
tries have attracted many thousands TO
! those districts where supplies are pro-
duced. Especial stress was laid by the
committee on tho importance of the
Philadelphia district
While the dwellings committee sup
ports the bill now before Congress.
which gives the Fleet Corporation power
tc "equisition land and buildings, the
committee believes that this will only
partly meet the need.
The letter to President Wilson fol-
lows:
Tc the President of the United States.
Sir-We respectfully urge the i'm
inent by the Federal Government of n
housing admin istr ton or commission
with power to buy and reuustion
iand. buy. requisition and build houses
Tor workers In war industries so that
actual construction may begin at the
/ earliest practicable moment.
You have doubtless noted the two
factors which make the present hous-
ing situation so serious; new con-
| struction by private builders has
! virtually ceased while the demands Of
war Industries have caused a great
/ migration of population to those dis
| tricts where war supplies are pro-
duced.
The Philadelphia district is one OF
! the most important Of these. Since
| last September our association has
| sought through every means that
seemed TO promise any success to get
! definite action which would relieve the
acute housing situation here. We are
| informed that our situation is SINH
! lar TO that in other districts in which
large war orders have been placed.
Yet we seem no nearer actual con-
| struction than we were months ago
| except for comparatively small
! number of houses TO he erected by the
Emergency Fleet Corporation. Even
| these have been delayed by the Fleet
Corporations lack Of power to requisi-
| tion land.
The bill that passed the Senate a
| week ago last Friday giving power
/ and money TO the Fleet Corporation
seems TO us a step in the right di-
| rection, but il meets only q fraction
of the need.
We believe that what is needed now
/ is an organization that will have
| jurisdiction over all housing work for
! the Government, army and navy, as
| well as shipping board. with power TO
| make decisions. execute contracts, re-
! QUESTION land and improvements, and
go ahead.
! Whatever housing work is done by
/ the Federal Government should be
well done. If II is to serve its purpose
effectively. This means the exercise
/ Of forethought But the time for such
forethought is growing short. Within
| n month we shall probably be faced
with the necessity of putting aside
| all plans and simply throw up shell
ter of some kind, regardless of eff
cheney. effects upon transportation or
This would be an act of despair.
| II would involve tremendous waste or
money. 1t would be acceptance or un-
satisfactory and makeshift results, IL
would mean constant trouble and lack
of efficiency during the period OF the
war. And It is entirely unnecessary
provided time is not wasted now.
We respectfully call this matter TO
will use your great influence in secur-
ing the necessary legislative action.
Sincerely.
MOLCOLM LLOYD: Jr,
JOHN IHLDER.
Secretary.
THE committee includes Edgar g
Cross, Daniel Crawford. Jr., George T..
Datesman. Miss Mary X, Gibson
Thomas = Gates, Charles H. Luding
tor, Or. Wilmer Krusen. Bernard j
Newman and John p. b, Sinker