Evening star., 1935-10-11

Btrator Of the Resettlement Admin
istration, said options have been taken
in more cities than those IN which
the new low-cost housing projects
would be developed. Other cities to
be included in the program will be
decided within so days. he said.
Outlining the principles Of the pro-
gram, Alexander said: I'VE are trying
to demonstrate q new method to
break down the present intolerable
situation in which the welfare of one
third of American families Is men
aced because they live in substand-
ard homes.
Cites Dangerous Results.
"The results are so damaging in
health, efficiency and morals as to
constitute a charge on the population
as a whole.
Past experience has shown that
private industry cannot afford to
build adequately for the low income
groups, nor can these groups. as indi-
Nduals, build adequately for them
selves. If, however, the Government
takes some of the money it spends
to correct the results of bad housing
and spends 1t preventively in erecting
good housing. all of us will benefit.
We will, at the same time, be giving
jobs to men in need of them"
The nearby Maryland development
will provide housing and complete
community facilities for 1000 families,
chosen from low income groups in
Washington and nearby Maryland
areas. The Resettlement Administra-
tion statement said housing for such
families In this region at present is
wholly inadequate in the face of prob
ably steady or increasing employment
for workers here.
To Plan Expansion Room.
Plans for the Berwyn Heights de-
velopment are to be drawn to provide
ample room for expansion The town
is to be so laid out that it could be
expanded later to provide 1000 to
5000 dwelling units.
In this and the other three low
cost projects. the developed area Is
to be inclosed in q protected strip, or
in green belt" as the resettlement
official terms it. This Is designed to
protect 1t from encroachment and
blight" that has destroyed so many
neighborhoods in the past. In the
green belt" will be parks and recre-
alton facilities for the inhabitants Of
the town and surrounding areas.
Each OF the communities Is to be
designed so that the houses EN-
circle" the community and automobile
trafilc Is to be diverted to the outer
rim. A system Of underpass walks Is
to make it possible for children to at
tend school, run errands and enjoy
games without ever crossing streets,
it was announced.
Began With Few Hundred Acres.
The Berwyn Heights research GEN.
ter in 1910 consisted Of q few hun
dred acres. It has been increased now
to total Of 5,555 acres.
The Government already has spent
$780, 900 on development Of the
tract, laboratories, farm buildings and
other facilities. The present annual
budget for research amounts to more
than s1,0o0.0o0, and 426 persons now
are employed under the research op-
Grafton.
When the research center is finally
completed it will be one Of the larg-
est establishments Of its kind in the
world, employing upward Of 800 per-
sons, officials said.
Construction Lagged.
In discussing objectives OF the low
cost housing phase Of the Berwyn
Heights plan. the Resettlement Ad-
ministration stated:
Washington Is q rapidly growing
city. Construction Of homes. however,
in recent years, has Jagged far behind
the increase in families. Many houses
now occupied in Washington are in
able housing standards.
"The Capital Is face to face with
housing shortage and accompany
ing higher rents have accentuated the
demand for new housing, especially
for low income groups.
Declared Ideal Site.
IAN ideal site for a community has
been selected at the western end of
the Berwyn Heights area. The land
is 200 feet above sea level, with mag
nificent views over the surrounding
country. The land is gently rolling
and attractively wooded. A small
stream which runs through the prop
erty will be used to form o lake on
the outskirts of the town."
Access to Washington from the
town can be had over an improved
express highway in 4o-minute drive.
Bus service for residents to Washing
ton will be arranged for. The Balti-
more & Ohio Railroad has . station
q mile and one-half northwest Of the
town site, from which communication
service to Washington may be had for
IS per month, with q running time of
half an hour