Evening star., 1923-03-05
ALLEY DWELLERS !.
MAY SEEK COURTS
Appeal for Injunctions to Stay
Operation of Law Only
Hope Seen.
D. c. OFFICIALS UNEASY
Commissioners Fear Great Suffering
If Poor Are Forced to
Leave Homes.
d. C. OFFICIALS UNEASY

An appeal to the District Supreme
Court by property owner for an in
junction is the only means left to
prevent eviction Of 10000 alley dwell
ers from their homes on June /.
This was the consensus among Dis
trict officials, who are viewing the
alley situation with uneasiness today
following the failure of Congress to
extend the date for the enforcement
Of the act.
There Is absolutely nothing the
District government can do to fore
stall the closing. Corporation Counsel
Stephens stated. despite the fact that
the Commissioners are convinced
housing conditions are such that
many of the alley dwellers may be
left homeless
To Take Census.
Commissioner Oyster announced to-
day that he would have the police
take another census of the alleys
throughout the city to ascertain ex-
actly how many families are now
living in these by-ways In making
this survey it Is probable the police
will be asked to observe the general
condition OF the alley houses.
1t was learned today that lawyers
In Washington have been inquiring
into the constitutionality Of the al
ley-closing law and District officials
believe that undoubtedly some owner
OF alley houses will go into court
and seek restraining order on the
ground that his property would be
taken without due process Of law.
Commissioner Rudolph, chairman
Of the board Of Commissioners, indi-
Gated plainly today that he is deeply
concerned over the situation which
has been thrust upon the city by the
failure of the lawmakers to extend
the period OF grace.
Not Time for Enforcement.
The Commissioner said he is still
of the opinion-and his colleagues
hold the same view-that conditions
In the National Capital are far from
ripe for the enforcement OF this law.
The Commissioners are sworn to en-
force it. however, and they will have
10 do SO unless the courts intervene.
Commissioner Oyster. conferred at
length today with Health Officer
Fowler and Assistant Building In
spector Atkinson. who are connected
with the board for the condemnation
OF insanitary dwellinga
In answer to question from the
Commissioner. Mr.. Atkinson said that
In the alleys of the northwest Sec
tion the average rental paid by the
inhabitants is IS or 50 q month.
Some of the larger houses rent for
SIS and $40, but the average is about
half that sum.
Could Not Pay Rents.
This fact brought out the thought
In the mind Of the Commissioner that
the families living In these houses
hardly would be able to rent even
small houses on front streets, pro-
vided such houses were available for
them to rent.
Although home building is going
forward rapidly in all sections Of
the city, it Is doubtful whether many
of the new dwellings would be within
the means Of alley dweliers.
DR.. Fowler said that even IL the
alley dwellers found some temporary
places Of abode in June. winter would
be on them again within q few
months and then real hardship prob
ably would ensue.
Even II private investors could
find 1t profitable to begin now the
erection OF dwellings that would be
within the reach Of the alley fam
Tiles they would have less than three
months In which to do the building.