Evening star., 1934-07-14
Statement by Commission
er Comes With Prediction
OF Rent Increases Due to
Code Requirements.
PROGRAM MAY TIE IN
WITH NATIONAL DRIVE
Seven Are Announced as Direc-
tors of Projected Rehabilita-
tion Corporation - 1ncorpOra-
ton Under Laws of D. c, Is
Found Impossible.

The District Commissioners will
embark upon program OF construc-
tion OF low-cost housing units, 1t was
announced today by Commissioner
George Z. Allen.
The announcement came at the end
of a long session with Elwood street,
director OF public welfare. Beyond
q simple statement, Allen refused 10
amplify the matter in any respect,
saving additional details would be
given out later as they develop.
Aliens statement conceded with
publication of another statement by
the Building Owners and Managers
Association, predicting an increase
in rents because of an increase IN
costs principally caused by N. r. A
codes. AT the time he made his
announcement, however, Allen said
he did not know the owners and
managers association had made their
prophecy. He hastened TO point out
that the low cost housing scheme
has been under consideration for sew
eral weeks
Withholds More Details.
The Commissioner resisted all ef-
forts OF newspaper men to get from
him more than his bare announce
rnent.
There is good reason to believe,
however, that the District intended TO
tie in a municipal housing scheme
with general efforts on national
scale in this direction. 1t is expected
that when their plans are complete
the Commissioners will undertake to
build low cost housing units for rent
or sale to persons in the extremely
low income groups.
At present, there are 10000 families
in the District on relief, and although
their rent payments are not accounted
for separately. 1t is believed that not
less than 100000 per month of their
relief payments goes for rent. 1t Is
to this class primarily that the low
cost housing units will be made avail
able.
The fact that Street and Allen, pre-
vious to Aliens announcement, had
been discussing the affairs of the
projected District Rehabilitation Cor
poTation lent some color to one rumor
that the building operations would
be undertaken by this corporation, al
though this is not definitely known.
Seven to Serve as Directors.
Allen announced the names of the
seven persons who will serve as direc-
tors of the corporation. They are
Col. Lawrence Westbrook, assistant
director of the Federal Emergency
Relief Administration in charge OF
rural rehabilitation; Jacob Baker. an
other f. K. r. A. assistant director
in charge OF Self-help and co-opera-
tives; j. Phil Campbell of the Agri-
culture Department; DR.. Howard H.
Long. assistant superintendent of the
District public schools, in charge OF
research; Commissioner Allen, Assist
ant Corporation Counsel Elwood H.
Seal and Welfare Director Street.
1t was also announced that it had
been found impossible TO organize
the proposed corporation under the
laws OF the District A conference
will be held Monday among interested
officials in order TO select a State in
which the new organization will be
incorporated.
The Commissioners decision to
launch into low cost housing in the
District recalls several of the recon-
mendationS of the Public Utilities
Commission made on the basis of
their rent investigation The first of
these was that steps should be taken
10 provide the low wage Garner with
sanitary living accommodations with
In his means. This was followed up
with a recommendation for cleaning
up the alleys OF their dilapidated
houses, where even a small rental
constitutes an exorbitant charge.
Taxpayer Has Interest.
The report said. in part;
The taxpayer has a deep interest
in remedying these conditions ire
ferrinE 10 the dilapidated alley build
ingS), and perhaps a properly spon-
Eored limited dividend corporation
should undertake this task If the
Government does not care to invade
the field.
The rehouSing of the alley and
street shack population is problem
Of legitimate concern in this connec-
uon. In this case, TOO. governmental
participation cannot but have happy
results, The construction of low cost
housing for persons evicted from the
alleys should be undertaken only in
conjunction with plan for systematic
inspection and careful management
OF the flats or houses 10 which these
people would be moved. BY this plan.
two important economic groups of
the cityS population may be served
the low paid Government employe
and the poor residents of the alley
Elums"
Although Allen declined to give
any indication Of the source from
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