Evening star., 1924-02-08
Plea for Alley Dweners.
-. i--~-------
Practical Aid, Not Criticism.
~? Needed, Says Writer:
10 the nditor Of The star.

70 the Hditor Of The Star.
+ During the last four years Wash
lngton has. come to the conclusion
that as a social Improvement our
alleys should be abolished. first, be-
cause they constitute breeding place
Tor crime: second, Hvingi conditions
are very, insanitary and a menace to
the health OF not only the dwsllers
therein. but those surrounding the
alleys; third. tho Ore hazard is great;
fourth. they mar the beauty Of the
National Capital. Now all Of these
high-sounding phrases appeal to the
rent gouger and those who live and
can afford to live in comfortable
homes. but TO- the alley dweller in
the cease at present 1t will bring on
hardships, which in numerous in
stances cannot be explained.
The alley dweller has been made the
goat for landlord, health department,
police department and all the rest
who are now struggling to abolish
his place Of abode, without even try
ing to render aid, when 1t fs sadly
alley population numbers 10000. nine
tenths would not be there II they
could move elsewhere. and while the
sanitary, social and criminal condi-
tions are exposed it would be fitting
to take into consideration 1.-The eco
nomic and industrial conditions as
we'll. The majority of the males are
common laborers and the females
domestic workers. SO considering the
economic side, where they may in
some cases be able to pay SIS to $50
ton and healthful living conditions
would not be improved because there
would be better homes for few. but
crowded homes for the majority that
could not pay big rent and as result
would have to rent out part OF their
home.
Since 1914 the alley dwellers have
been tho victims of exploitation by
some Of the most unscrupulous land,
lords in any place on earth. Year by
year. they have, in tho most dismal
reason without making the smallest
effort to improve the properties. and
having been bled to the utmost where
their earnings would not AFFORD them
to pay more, the houses are lett 10
decay even upon the victims.
Crime in the alleys is fostered ana
fed by those who do not and would
not live in one. Space will not permit
me to divulge the instances OF well
dressed citizens freQuentfng the al
amid filth, disease and everything
that goes with it. Why, you can flnd
men today who will go in an alley
to buy drink that wouldn't go In a
saloon when they were open.
The city ash and trash collectors
do not go in most alleys to collect
trash and ashes unless the backways
Of houses on the street force them TO.
AS the regulations call for ash cans
and trash bags. most OF them Will not
empty any otaer receptacle and this
is one of the main causes of the ac-
cumulation of dirt The garbage man
and the sweeper do manage to get In
them once a week or every ten days
Policemen as a rule visit alleys
when they hear an unusual disturb
ance, to serve q warrant or subpoena,
so non-vigilance of the law also afds
in fostering some Of the evils.
This statement is not in defense OF
the alleys. ] for one would gladly
approve Of the project to abolish
them. But why swop the devil for the
witch? If we must abolish one OF the
National Capitals eyesores, lets take
in consideration the economic ano in
dustrial side as we'll, be lenient with
the unfortunate victims OF circum-
stances, take them out of the alleys
and with that charity OF Christian
brotherhood lend them the necessary
aid to social and heAlthful uplift.
If we can aid the orphans OF Ar
menia and Greece, the starving Chi.
nese and Germans, the war victims of
Belgium and Italy. disorganized Rus
STA and Austria-Hungary, let US turn
our eyes toward home in the nations
beautiful Capital city and help the
victims OF the alleys. True charity
oee HOWARD A. WALKER.