Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-06-03
Owners of Property in Slid
den City" Would Be Pro-
tected Against Loss.
SPACE BADLY NEEDED
FOR CAR-PARKING AREAS
Last Legislative Efforts to Remedy
Situation Are Anticipated by
Modern Developments.

NOTE-This is the third of
series of articles on the alley problem
in Washington and the proposals f0r
its abolition.
Since the last legislative efforts to
eliminate Washington's hidden alley
communities conditions have changed
radically in respect to the two major
elements of the problem-prof1table util-
ization of the vacated property and
housing of the evicted tenants.
The alley dwellings in the past have
represented considerable and excellent
investment. No other purpose to which
the land could be put has promised
anything near comparable return. The
1914 bill practically amounted to an
eviction order without considering the
future of the property. Naturally it met
with at least passive resistance from
some of the owners. The Government
did not offer to take the property off
their hands. Such would have been an
expensive proposition for the Govern
ment.
out in the report of John Ihlder to the
National Capital Park and Planning
Commission, are such that the Govern
ment, through the United States Hous-
ing Corporation, can take over the prop
erty with the 100000 revolving fund
and, in most instances, dispose of it
profitably. Thus the owners will be
protected against loss
Lists Significant Changes.
The significant changes Mr.. Ihlder
lists as follows:
The increasing number of automobiles
and requirements for parking and ga
rage space. If all-night parking on the
streets is prohibited, as seems likely in
the future, the need for such space will
be greatly increased. Much alley prop
erty already has been utilized for ga
RACES. Former bills mentioned only
livery stables. Automobiles were too few
to be considered
The increased number and size of
apartment houses which require much
larger areas and SO provide an economic
use for properties running further back
from the street. It Is significant that
at public meeting in 1914 when men,
ton was made of the need of regulating
apartment houses to assure light and
air two members of the audience de-
clared that Washington was a city of
homes and that the number of apart
ment houses here would never be Of
any significance.
The increased value of open space in
the rear of business buildings for load
ing and unloading automobiles. Bust
ness buildings also have increased In
size and require more ground area,
which Is not always easy to obtain be-
cause Of the many owners of small
parcels.
The increased need of open spaces
for play and recreation. Back in 1914
it was comparatively safe for children
to play in the streets. Today it is al
most suicidal. Then Washington was
smaller, had numerous vacant lots, and
the open country closer. The vacated
alleys which would serve no business
purpose always could serve as small
Fairgrounds or parks Such play
grounds would, of course, always have
a street frontage.
The housing committee of the Coun-
Gil Of Social Agencies has investigated
vacant street houses which would be
available for evicted alley jewellers, con-
centrating on squares with dwellings
most nearly like those in the alleys.
Results of Survey.
The rentals of the alley houses in
veStigated begin at from 81 to 81 SO
O33 houseS) per month per room. The
rentals of the street houses begin at
from 81 to $2.99. The greatest number
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