The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-03-30

I : HOMESTEAD PROJECT


XXTr1 artlculate opposition in full swing
w ags ( the proposed subsistence home
stead prc ct in Wayne Township. it seems
only fair mat some mention should be made
Of the governments side Of the story.
The situation. stripped Of all opinion. is
this.
A. the last session Of Congress. s2500o00O
vas appropriated for building subsistence
homesteads and Of this amount s25000OO was
si.ocated Tor projects in which the home
rteadcrs would b. largely Negroes. Indian
spolis is merely appealing for a share Of It.
since Federal surveys show this city TO have
some Of the worst housing facilities for Ne
groes In the United States.
The local project calls for the purchase Of
$40 acres in Wayne Township. Local labor
only Is 10 be used and the maximum cost Of
the project has been set at $4,000. Wayne
Township was selected by the committee in
charge Of the planning because, with the ex-
ocntion or Center. il has the largest popula-
ton OF Negroes in Marion County. There is
already a settlement Of Negroes near the pro-
posed site and also Negro cemetery. The
NlaAlAA4E anu tAA-AllttlAAAk has bINAA NoA4N ~
the State Planning Board and by volunteer
local technicians working under the direction
Of the Department of Interiors Subsistence
Homesteads Division.
TINE project calls for the settling Of 40
i families with no racial discrimination
to be made in the selection. The families
were to be chosen from those with incomes
ranging from s7OO to $500 a year and some
families with higher incomes were to be in
cluded for community leadership purposes.
The settlement is to be under Federal super
vision through a federslly- appointed project
manager who will administer the business
managemen, and act as the community
leader
State and Federal agencies. along with 10
cal social service units. will cooperate in
agricultural civic and social programs for the
homesteaders and some cooperative business
enterprises may be run by the community.
such as a grocery. filling station and dairy.
The homesteaders are to be selected from
those employed in indianapolis industries
who during slack" seasons or due TO short
work weeks will be able to raise their own
subsistence and thus maintain, or raise. their
standard OF living. 1t is not a relief measure
and is not designed for persons who are IN
employed or unemployable.
one Of the problems presented by Wayne
Township officials is that of schooling The
Subsistence Homesteads Division asked If the
government would build a school on the site
and lease it or sell it over long term. would
it be accepted by the township and main
tained2
THE INDIANAPOLIS TINES realizes COM
pletely the problem facing Wayne Town
ship in its schooling facilities Wayne Town
ship is faced with an acute over-crowding prob
lem and The Times takes the position that
the government and Wayne Township should
get heads together" as soon as possible to
iron out al possible points OF the Federal
offer. should the homestead project be
approved.
The cost OF the land is approximately
S2sOO0 leaving s462.OOO TO be spent for local
labor and building materials.
Objections have been made that the sites
proximity is within 100 yards OF the Girl
Scout Camp. but homestead officials point out
that actually the nearest part OF the tract is
half mile from any part OF the 400 acres
held BY the Girl Scouts and a mile by road
from the Scout entrance gate.
In further debate on the subject. it is only
fair that proponents OF the measure study
carefully every objection voiced and equally
fair that every opponent study the proponents
side OF the story.