The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1922-03-29
Meeting Divides Problems
In Order to Hasten
Investigation;
MAY TAKE 6 WEEKS
TO FINISH WORK
Public Hearings Will Be
Held to Hear Com
plants and Ideas.

The problems facing the housing
survey committee. recently ap-
pointed by the District Commits
iioners. were sorted and graded at
asst nights meeting of the steer
ng committee at the District
3uildinG.
As a result seven subcommittee
If the general committee were au-
.horized and their respective chair
men chosen. The subcommittee
ire as follows:
l. On housing survey-TO deter
nine the existent supply of dwell
ings for rent and for sale. to de-
.ermine the character of SUCH
dwellings,, and to determine the
number of dwellings needed. Chair
man John Ihlder. manager of the
civic development department of
the U. S Chamber of Commerce.
To study Building Costs.
?. On building materials-To de-
!ermine the costs of materials, both
wholesale and retail. to determine
the supply of building materials
md to compare costs with those in
leighboring cities. Chairman, DR..
-ohn NJ. Cries, chief of the housing
bureau of the Department of Com
nerce.
3. On labor-To determine the
Ost of labor, to determine the sup
by of labor, and to compare the
'ost of labor in washingtn with
hat in other cities. Chairman.
'harles A Baker. president of the
federation of Citizens Associations.
4. On fnance-TO determine the
mount of money needed to finance
he erection of new dwellings, to
determine the source of money
hat might possibly be put to such
Use, TO determine the cost of
money in Washington and else
where, to consider tax exemption
or the small home owner. and to
consider the question of first and
recond mortgage loans. Chairman.
Thomas Bones. real estate expert.
To study Construction.
5. On construction practice-To
.etermine the present practice in
welling construction in Washing
on, and to determine on such
ther methods as might meet the
Ousing needs should they be found
exist Chairman. Frank Upman,
resident of the Washington Chap
er of the American Institute of
l-chitects-
6 On Iand-To determine what
and is available and where it is
ocated. to determine the cost Of
and in Washington. and to deter
nine the time. cost and availability
transportation. Chairman. Will
am Deane Ham, president Of the
1utual Homes Society.
7. On rents and rent legislation
% investigate all phases of rents
nd rent legislation, including the
SalI rent extension act. Chairman,
: Clinton James, president Of the
:ouncr of the Building and Loan
associations of the District.
Hold Public Hearings.
In addition to the work done by
.hese subcommittee it was decided
hat it would be advisable to hold
number of public hearings in
which members with complaints or
leIpful suggestions may appear and
1--WE evidence. These public hear
ngs will be attended by the mem
1ers of general committees In
IOdy.
approximately six weeks to cOm~
Lete. Following the gathering OF
acts by the various subCommIt-
ees. the entire mass of evidence
will be submitted to the general
Ommittee and committee ap-
IUinted summarize the findings and
draft a set of recommendations
he recommendations will then be
ubmitted to the District Commits.
toner's and used by them as basis
or specific recommendations tc
congress.
VIII study Alley Problem
The alley problem will be !nves-
igated through the committee on
urvey until the facts are ascer-
aimed. 1t will then be handled
~ a special alley housing COM
nittee.
1t is expected that the subcom-
nittee will enlist the aid of the PO-
ice Department. the Postoffice De-
artment, the Real Estate Board.
ariOus government agencies, and
ublic- minded citizens who will
olunteer their help. There are no
unds available to carry on tine work
nd each of the committee members
being called upon to contribute
the costs. Congress may be ap-
=SIed to for financial help.
VIII Await Reports.
Those present at last nights
aeeting of the steering committee
Tere John DOnlin. John NJ Cries,
ohm lhlder. Mrs. Clara Sears Tay-
81, Mrs. Eli A IIelmick. John B.
arner. Julius l. Peyser, and Daniel
Donovan. secretary to the gen.
raj committee.
No date WAS set last night fo-
he next meeting of the steering
Ommittee, but it was indicated that
soon as the chairman of the SUBJ
pmmittees had selected their five
Ommittee members and removed
IL Implications OF names, that a
epOrt would be made to the gem
raj committee.