The Washington times., 1922-04-01
ASK BOSS
TO ASSIST
INH0Us|NC
Name Of Realtors Head In
cIuded In List Of D. c.
/ Subcommitteemen.

Decision of the steering COM
mittee of the District Housing
Committee on the tentative selec-
tions Of sub-committees by sub
committee chairman, will be
given at q meeting Of the COM
mittee within the next few days,
Mrs. Eli A. Helmick, chairman Of
the general committee announced
this morning.
Donovan Has List,
The lists of the selections of six
committee chairmen were in the
hands of Daniel ]. Donovan, District
auditor and secretary of the general
committee, before noon today. Major
Donovan said the suggested names
would not be made public until the
steering committee had acted, be-
cause of possible duplication OF
names on the subcommittee. The
selections are being made from the
membership of the general COM
mittee.
C.. Clinton James, chairman OF the
subcommittee on rents ana rent legis.
lation, said this morning he had ten
tattvely suggested the name OF Harry
X. Boss, president Of the Washing
ton Real Estate Board. to serve on
his subcommittee. The Washington
Real Estate Board has a member
ship opposed to the Ball Rent Act.
District Commissioner Cuno H.
Rudolph and Mrs. Helmick said they
regarded Boss as unpre1udiced
member of the general committee as
Henry r. Brigham, the chairman Of
the housing committee Of the Ma
tional Association of Real Estate
Boards, against whose appointment
Capt. Julius !. Peyser, chairman Of
the steering committee, yesterday
protested to Commissioner Rudolph.
Brigham As Advisor.
Commissioner Rudolph said he
would not make public the text of
the letter received from Captain
Peyser. He declared he knew of
Brigham's connection with the real
estate men when he made the ap-
pointment, and declared he appoint
ed him to an advisory capacity on
the committee because Of his expert
knowledge of housing conditions.
Every man who has direct in
terests," said Commissioner Ru-
dolph, ''is, in a way, prejudiced.
regard Mr.. Brigham ne more preju-
diced than any one else on the com
mittee: You might just as well say
that Harry K. Boss is prejudiced."
AS to calling a man from Boston
to fill a position on q local com.
mittee, Rudolph said 1t was not un-
usual to request outside advertisers
when expert knowledge was needed.
Mrs. Helmick professed herself
neutral" on the subject of Brig
hams appointment.
Being connected In Boston, how
ever" she said, ~ don't see how
Mr.. Brigham will be able to attend
many committee meetings. / be-
lieve that everyone on the commit
tee will work sincerely toward the
betterment of the housing situation
In Washington"
Mrs. Helmick stated that one of
the major activities of the COM
mittee would be the Improvement
Of alley conditions In Washington.
She indicated that the committee
might recommend the complete abo-
lition of alley dwellings in rhe city
II conditions were found to war.
rant such action.
Alleys Held Menace.
Alleys are the great root Of evil
In Washington" said Mrs. Hell
mick. you notice that a large de-
gree of crime in the city comes
from the alleys. The conditions
that exist In some Washington al
leys are a menace to the city. Peo-
pie do not realize how bad they
are. I would not give my time and
attention to this work II were not
sure the committee would make
some notable progress in regard to
alley dwellings,"