Evening star., 1933-09-11
Alley Improvement Experiments.

It is interesting to learn that WASH
tngton's alley dwellings have been in
cluded with the slum districts Of some
other American cities as deserving OF
particular attention from the Public
Works Administration in slum clearance
work Slum clearance projects are spe-
officially mentioned in the recovery act
Is eligible for Federal aid, and a num-
ber of such projects have already re-
ceived the approval Of the Public Works
Administration, together with tentative
allotments of loans, the actual advance
OF money awaiting the completion OF
plans and contracts.
It is fortunate that the problem Of
alley clearance in Washington Will
come directly under the attention OF
Robert D. Kohn, who is chief OF the
housing division of the Public Works
Administration. For Mr.. Kohn is also
a past president of the American In
stitute of Architects, an organization
which in the past has taken direct
interest in the washington situation.
The Washington chapter of the insti-
tute has proposed alley improvement
legislation which received the indorse-
ment of individual members of Con-
sress, the National Capital Park and
Planning Commission and other in
terested agencies. Mr.. Kohn is there
fore familiar with the situation in
Washington, and working with him to
see what can be done is Mrs. Roose-
welt.
The recovery act declares that the
Public Works Administrator. under
the direction of the President, shall
prepare comprehensive program of
public works which shall include,
among other things, the following
construction, reconstruction, alteration
or repair under public regulation or
control Of low-cost housing and slum-
clearance projects" In another part
Of the act 1t is set forth that the
President "is authorized and en-
powered, through the administrator or
through such agencies as he may desig-
nate or create to construct. finance
or aid In the construction or financing
Of any public works project included
IN the program"
It would seem that under this act
there Is greater opportunity for alley
clearance and improvement work in
Washington than ever before. Ap-
parently there would be no necessity
for additional legislation, for the Pres
icent may himself establish the agency
for alley clearance and finance 1t III
It's work.
Washingtons experience in the past
with alley dwelling elimination, under an
other Democratic administration which
supplied leadership from the White
House, demonstrated that it is OF little
Use to clear the alleys and get rid OF
the dwellings until the alley dwellers
are furnished with available housing
somewhere else. 1t has also been shown
that governmental assistance, through
such an agency as a housing commits
sion with the power of condemnation,
Is necessary before the efforts OF In
dividuals through limited dividend COR
porations, ETC., can be made effective.
There Is little to tempt private enter
prise in alley clearance or slum clear
ance work, and the philanthroplc
motive, with adequate financial back
ing, must be present.
Mr.. Kohn, In his interview In The
Sunday Star, suggests something in the
nature of an experiment here. sue
cessful demonstration of what can be
done in slum clearance under correct
conditions would be watched with in
terest, not only in Washington, but in
many other cities where the problem
represented In congested slums Is even
more pressing