Evening star., 1932-08-15
RF. Loans and the Alleys.

r, F. C. Loans and the Alleys.
In the last two sessions of Congress
there have been introduced in House
and Senate measures offering prac-
tical plan for the elimination of Wash
ington's ALLEY dwellings" The funda-
mental feature of the plan was to utll-
ize the framework, and an uneXpenoed
balance Of half a million dollars, OF
the United States Housing Corporation,
created during the war, and establish
under its administration revolving
fund for the purchase of areas occupied
by the alley dwellings and for eventual
conversion of such areas to other uses.
Annual appropriations Of S5Oo,OOO Tor
six years-the money to be repaid With
interest out of profits derived from the
Housing Corporations work Of conver-
sion-were contemplated under the
legislation. The work would be spread
over a period of ten years.
The measures have never reached
the stage of serious considers ton by
Congress, fact easily understood be-
cause of the press of emergency legisla-
ton of a national character that has
swamped both houses during the last
two sessions. But they have been con-
sidered and approved by the National
Capital Park and Planning Commission
and by most if not all, of the social
and welfare agencies of Washington. The
plan has received, in addition, the study
of national groups that from time to
time have met in Washington 1t has
been conceived from the first as ma
tional undertaking to be carried out in
connection with other projects for devel-
opment of the Federal city rather than
as a community, or strictly local,
project.
One of the Presidents broad plans in
connection with profitable utilization CT
the money available for loans by the
Reconstruction Finance Corporation is
to seek the elimination Of city slum
areas. This proposal will doubtless form
the basis for considerable discussion at
some of the forthcoming meetings at the
White House, called by the President
for the purpose, as he said Saturday, Of
organizing the private industrial and
financial resources of the country to CO.
operate effectively with the vast govern
mental instrumentalities which we have
set in motion, so that through their
united and co-ordinated efforts we may
move from defense to powerful attack
upon the depression along the whcle
national 'front.'
The necessity for elimination of Wash
ington's alley dwellings needs no special
emphasis here. 1t has been long
delayed and often frustrated project,
commencing itself, nevertheless, to all
intelligent persons The majority of
Washingtonians are familiar with the
history Of these sore spots and of the
various attempts to get rid Of them.
Now, it would seem is an opportune
time to strike. II the creation of corpo-
ration under governmental auspices and
the setting up of revolving fund-all
Of the money advanced eventually to be
repaid-are essential elements of sound
plan, the details Of which have already
been studied and approved by the ex-
from the next session of Congress the
necessary authority and to proceed? Are
not r. F. C. funds available now for just
such undertakings?
The suggestion should certainly be
taken under advisement by those who
have done such valuable and patient
work in behalf of alley elimination.
Perhaps it is already under considera-
ton The Star Is not at this time in
formed whether Reconstruction FL
nance Corporation loans could be SO
utilized, or what conditions would haye
TO be met in Washington. II is doubt
ful if anything definite could be done
without the consent OF Congress, and
the matter is one that commsnds it
Capital Park and Planning Commission
rather than to the Commissioners. But
as there IS little or no difference oi
opinion as to the desirability of elm
mating the alley dwellings, and as the
legislative plan already proposed con-
tains the elements that in general are
in accordance with the policy of lend
ing money for selfliquidating, semi
public enterprises, immediate study
should be undertaken to find out whst
can be done.