Evening star., 1935-09-15
P. v. A. FUNDS CUT
PER|LS D. c. S[UM,
HOUSING PROJECTS
Only TWo-Fifths of Jobs
Over Nation Can Go
Forward Now.
PROGRAM HERE is HELD
UP TO WASHINGTONIANS
Some Hold Theory That Sites Be-
ing Fought Over Will Be First
to Be Dropped.

WaShlngton'S loW-coSt housing oe-
velopment and slum clearance prof.
ect, under the Public Works Admins
tration, stand imperiled because OF
President Roosevelt's slash in funds
for this part Of the New Deal, In the
opinion of officials last night.
The Chief Executive has cut the
funds for housing from $250, 900, 900
down to s100,000.000. Public Works
Administration authorities said last
night, and this means that only two
ffths of the original program can
now 60 forward. The fact that three
fifths of the money has now been
diverted to quick relief for made work
under the Works Progress Admins
tration of Harry L. Hopkins, jeopar-
dies the housing program, not only
in Washington, but all over the Ma
tion, they said.
While the situation Is quite mud
died, because of the latest moves of
President Roosevelt in favoring the
Works Progress Administration over
the Public Works Administration, as
the officials saw 1t last night. it will
be up to Washingtonians to see that
the full program is carried ahead, II
they desire it. Whether this means
the putting up of additional funds or
the donation of professional services
by local architects remains to be seen.
Situation Similar in Other Cities.
A similar situation will prevail
where the Public Works Administra-
ton has entered cities with low-cost
housing and slum- eradication pro-
gram. Upwards of so cities are ac-
lively interested in this problem, and
plans are in the making for adding
a number of additional developments,
including one at Baltimore. Details
of these have not been announced.
As matters now stand, the Federal
Government has acquired title to land
for two low-cost housing projects in
the National Capital, and the fate Of
a third is in the hands of the District
Supreme Court, where demurrers have
been filed against Uncle Sans move
to purchase properties in the South
west. Kingman terrace, upstream
of Benning road just west of the
colored high school, near the Ana
costa River, is now in public owner
ship, and colored housing develop
ment Is planned there for families
with limited means. AnacoStia terrace.
at the junction of Ridge road and
Anacostia road southeast. Is likewise
owned by the Government. A group
of local architects probably will be
obtained by the Public Works Ad-
ministration If sufficient funds are on
hand to have the plans drawn for
these two developments. Secretary
Ickes' associates last night we're vague
on the exact procedure to be followed.
d. C. Bids Unsettled Now.
Before the recent Hyde Park, N. Y.
conference, after which the Chief
Executive announced the new set-up,
the Public Works Administration had
planned to call for bids for construc-
ton of the houses at Kingman terrace
and at AnacoStia terrace as soon as
the architectural drawings had been
completed. Just when this stage
would be reached, the officials were
unable to say.
The third project here, entangled in
legal argument, is near First and P
streets southwest, not far from the
Army War College. Its future also
is problematical
In some cases, the housing develop
ments and the elimination of slums
may have to be revamped in order to
fit the leaner purse of the Public
Works Administration. The theory
among some officials is that the land
which the Federal Government now
owns in the low-cost- housing and
slum- clearance areas will be utilized
for these purposes. In cities where
Uncle Sam is having a fight on his
hands to acquire the properties de-
sired, the projects will likely be junked
altogether. 1t may be that program
will be worked out later with the Re-
construction Finance Corporation so
the full housing program can mate
rialize, some officials limited.
Old War Chest Gone.
There are no funds left over from
the old $4,000, 100000 Public Works
Administration war chest, which might
be applied now to save the day for
low-cost housing, officials said last
night