Evening star., 1934-09-06
LOW-COST HOUSE
BUILDING, EARNING
D. c. RELIEF PLANS
Rehabilitation Corporation
Holds First Meeting Hint
ing at Needed Projects.
SUBSISTENCE FARMS
\ REQUIRE LARGE FUND
Full Announcement Of Set-up
Awaiting Grants From
Federal Agency.

C0CA al AA6SASJ'
Construction of low-cost housing for
Washington relief families and oper-
tion of large-scale subsistence farming
projects will be started soon by the
District government if Federal funds
are granted for the programs, it was
indicated today at the District Build
ing.
Directors of the District Rehabilita-
ton Corp, holding their first Formal
meeting late yesterday In the Office Of
Commissioner George z. Allen, decided
to forward requests for funds for two
projects to the Federal Emergency Re-
lief Administration.
Allen and other officials declined to
announce the nature of the two prof.
ects they had approved. but specula-
ton In informed quarters pointed tc
the housing and farming projects. II
has been known for some time that
these two were being favorably con-
sidered by Allen, who is relief admin
istrator for the District.
Plans Formally Announced.
Shortly before Allen left August !
for month of vacation he announced
that plans for construction of low
cost housing were being considered by
District and Federal officials. Also, II
has been announced, plans for SUBJ
sistence farming were being developed
It is expected the development OF
housing for relief families will be
started in comparatively small way,
but If the initial projects prove a
success this program may be expanded
into large-scale program.
1t is understood, however, that a
rather large sum is being requested
for the establishing of subsistence
farms, somewhere within easy reach
of Washington, on which would be
placed a considerable number of fam
lilies on the Washington relief list.
One report is to the effect that a
grant running into six figures is
being asked for the farming pro-
grams.
80 Await Federal Action.
District officials explained that they
could not announce the nature of the
two projects for which funds are
sought because their success depends
on Federal grants. They said an
l1ouncement must be withheld until
Federal officials have taken action.
The District now Is spending more
than 100000 a month out of its
relief funds, most of which come from
the Federal Government, for the rent
Of housing for its relief families. The
idea of the housing program is to
use unemployed mechanics and. labor
in construction of cheap but con-
venient and sanitary houses which
would be rented to relief families
The rent would come from relief
funds granted to the individual fam
lilies.
Over a period of years, some Of
ficials believe, the cost of the housing
would be repaid out of the relief
budgets of the relief families. Ma
terials and other elements Of cost
in the housing plan would be pro-
vided by Federal funds.
Plan to Rehabilitate Families.
The subsistence farming projects
are based on the idea of the rehab-
ilitation of families on relief by en-
gaging them in various kinds of
farming occupations on land to be
acquired for the purpose by the Dis
trict.
To avoid difficulties in the acquisi-
ton of land for the housing devel-
opments, it is anticipated the Re-
habilitation Corp. will seek to acquire
lots at scattered points, for the build
ing of a few row houses here and
others at different points.
The houses are expected for the
most part to follow the plans OF
the Washington Sanitary Housing
Corp. which for many years has beer
operating low cost dwellings here fol
persons in the low income groups
This corporation is limited profit
organization.
Commissioner Allen was elected
president of the Rehabilitation Corp
Elwood Street, director of welfare, wa.
named vice chairman; Elwood Seal, as.
sistant corporation counsel, secretary
and Howard Long, assistant superin.
tendant of schools, treasurer.
Executive Committee Members.
The Executive Committee member
are Commissioner Allen, Col. Law
renee Westbrook, an official of tn,
Federal Emergency Relief Administra
ton, and Seal. Other directors o
the Rehabilitation Corp. are Jacol
Baker, head of the surplus foods di
vision of the F. E. r. A., and j. Phi
Campbell, an official of the Depart
ment 6f Agriculture.
The organization was incorporates
under the laws of Delaware. The in
corporation plan is very broad, givinI
the directors authority to engage il
wide variety of projects for unem
ployment relief. Seven shares o
stock were issued, one to each direc
tor. and these were assigned yester
day back to the corporation and ar
to be deposited with Federal official
as security" for funds granted TO
operation of corporation projects.
The ordinary self help" project
which may be placed in operation ar
TO come under the direction of Com
missioner Allen as District relief ad
ministrator, while the larger project
WIN be directed by the Rehabilitation