Evening star., 1934-01-07
SOUTHWEST GROUP
TO AID HOUSING
Mass Meeting Agrees to Co.
operate on LoW-CoSt
Projects.

Citizens OF Southwest Washington
indicated at q mass meeting last night
they would cooperate in any low cost
housing plan the Government may in
stitute in their area, after they had
been told by J. M. Schaffer, president
of the Southwest Citizens Association.
that they stand as good chance Of
getting one as any section or city in
the country"
More than 100 citizens. meeting at
Neighborhood House, 470 N street
southwest, heard Schaffer explain the
projects built with Public Works funds.
They agreed to cooperate IN any plan
for purchase Of their property at rea-
sonable prices, or financing of any
rehabilitation projects which might be
undertaken.
Schaffer said he spent some time
yesterday with Robert Kohn, head OF
the Public Works Housing Committee,
telling him southwest citizens would be
interested in such development.
Charges Determination.
Schaf1er told the group the South
west section has been Disseminated
against long enough and that from now
on it was going to fight for improve
ments Along with Harry Wendar,
chairman OF the Law and Legislation
Committee of the association, he said
they believed the Southwest was the
"only community of more than 10000
in the world" that had an inadequate
Junior high school and no senior high
school. He also pointed out that until
recently the section had no jail or po-
lice station and that its inadequate
| library was almost taken in the name
Of economy. He also cited many other
"injustices' which he said the citizens
now seek to correct.
We want to rebuild the Southwest
as residential section. as it once was" !"
Schaffer declared. I'VE cannot do it
without the things that go to make up
a residential section-schools, libraries,
police facilities and homes"
Mrs Clara Neigh, head Of Neighbor-
hood House, pointed out the many his
toric places in the Southwest that used
to be, when it was one of the city's
best known residential sections"
Commenting on the Jefferson Junior
High School, which was declared unfit
for service more than 80 years ago
Schaffer said the long-sought new
building for the school appears more
promising than ever" He reviewed the
| campaign of the association for the
!, structure which has been delayed by
difficulties in the Districts efforts to
purchase q site and said: IF we put
up a fight, we're going to get It,"
Other Projects Sought.
| Schaffer told Of the different projects
which can be had If they are kept be-
fore those who make the laws. "Ot
course, all other sections are asking for
| things for themselves, and they get
them. There is no reason why we
can't get Fairgrounds, and all these
other things for ourselves. If we are as
persistent, or more persistent. than
they are.''
Wendar said he had been told by sew
eral members of Congress they would
help in some of the projects If he would
prepare legislation Schaffer said Com
| missioner Hazen, a former resident OF
Southwest and a member Of Southwest
Citizens Association, had agreed to CO.
operate, and that other District and
Federal officials had signified will
ingness.
1.-THE money will go to other sections
if we don't stand up and talk. If we
cooperate In these things, and in the
low cost housing project, the South.
west-'the forgotten section'-wtn gel
q new deal"