The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-10-08
CITY TO ORDER
EVACUATION OF
HOOvERv|LLE
Speed Arrangements With
Realty Owners to House
EviCted Families.
CONDITIONS TERRIBLE
Immediate Removal Urged
by Health Officer; Fears
Epidemic.

evacuation Oh EOOVeTVllle ana
Curtisville, mushroom towns on the
banks of White river populated by
evicted families, will be ordered by
city officials, as soon as arrange
ments are completed for housing, it
was learned today.
1t is planned to provide houses
rent-free through the cooperation
of property owners, providing that
arrangements can be completed for
paying taxes on the houses, accord
ing to Walter Clarke, township
trustees counsel.
IF funds of the township trustee
can be used legally to pay taxes on
the property, the owners will be
willing to donate their use Clarke
said. They feel it is better to have
the houses occupied than standing
idle this winter"
Decision to order the abandon
ment of the tin shacks and drift
wood novels was reached by city
officials after sanitary conditions in
the settlements were found to be
"deplorable."
DepIorabIe Living Conditions
Last week fOurteen-foot we'll
supplying the towns with water was
ordered sealed after analysis showed
the presence of bacteria.
Few of the occupants of the
shacks have made any provision for
cold weather, and fatalities during
the winter would be almost impos-
sible to avoid, according to DR.. Her
man G. Morgan, secretary of the
health board.
Conditions under which those
people are living can not. be toler-
ated," DR.. Morgan said. For their
own safety, as we'll as the health of
the entire city, the almost perfect
facilities for breeding disease which
exist there must be eliminated.
Previous plan for improving living
conditions in the settlement while
permitting it to remain on the river
bank was declared impractical by
Charles R. Myers, president of the
board of safety.
In Overflow Zone
at is not unusual for the river
to overflow beyond the point where |
the homes are located" he said |
High water this winter and next |
spring would drive them from their |
homes at the worst possible time. |
We plan to provide for them before
an emergency arises"
Approximately thirty five families,
homeless because of evictions for
ncnpayment of rent, now are living
in the settlement. Among the group
is one widow with family of eight |
children, and there also are a num-
Der of other children of school age
in the group
According to the board of health. |
there are seven eXpectant mothers |
IN the settlement, as we'll as several |
cases of disease which necessitate
immediate hospital treatment.
Await Final Action
Proper treatment and care of
these persons is impossible under
conditions in the towns, because of
lack Of proper shelter and sanitary
facilities, DR.. Morgan said.
Several conferences were held this
week in the Office of Mayor Regi-
nald H. Sullivan. attended by Nor
gan. Myers. Clarke Chief Mike /
Morrissey and William H. Book of |
the Chamber of Commerce.
. Determination of the date OF
evacuation awaits final decision On
the housing of the families.
1t is probable that assistance will
be given the families in the removal
Of their belongings, Clarke said.