Evening star., 1937-06-04
SLUM CONDITIONS
HELD CHALLENGES
worst of Any City," Says
Dr.. BIackWe|der, at XII
wants Luncheon.

Vividlv portraying the "unbelieva BILE
/ conditions witnessed on recent early
morning slum tour. DR.. Oscar Black
welder, pastor of the Church OF the
Reformation, charged at a luncheon
of the Kiwanis Club yesterday that
'slums in the National Capital are the
worst of any city in the world"
After hearing his indictment of con-
| ditions here the club adopted resolu-
ton requesting the groups board OF
| directors to consider the adviSa bilitv
Of naming a committee to make spe-
cial study Of the problem, especially
/ as it concerns disease crime and pub
| lie relief"
We did not find these slum condi-
| tionS in alleys" Dr. Blackwelder de-
clared. but in houses on streets and
avenues.
Some of the most distressing living
spots are within hollering distance OF
the Capitol he pointed out, adding
that when We visited one small room.
insanitary and utterly filthy. we found
| five persons sleeping in a single bed
mother, father and three children
In tiny adjoining room four other
children were crowded in another
| bed
DR.. Rutland a Listener.
During DR. Blackwelders address.
District Health Officer George C. Run
land and DR.. Daniel L. Seckinger
guests at the luncheon, listened at
tentively
The tour referred to by Or. Black
welder was made several days ago in
company with Police Supt. Ernest w
Brown, who has long been a cam
paigner to rid the city OF such condi-
tions. George Mangan, president OF
the Kiwanians: Lewis T. Breuninger
Mark Lansburgh and Risley Hunt. all
Kiwanis Club members, also were in
the Summing party.
| Statistics showing the death rate
here from tuberculosis, diphtheria
and typhoid to be far greater than
that of other large cities we're quoted
| by DR.. Blackwelder. who has made A
study OF similar circumstances else
where.
| The sum problem is direct chal-
lenge to the citizens Of Washington"
he asserted. He told Of meeting on
| the tour colored man whom he rec
ognized as having worked in barber
shop he formerly patronized. DR..
! Blackwelder suggested that families
| hiring domestics have them submit to
blood tests, citing case in which
a servant who had cared for the chill
dren Of one family for Is years was
| found to be in the advanced stages
OF syphilis.
Mai Brown said that 1t was such
insanitary living that led him to estab-
lish the Metropolitan Police Boys Club
in Washington so youths of such
families might receive some sort of
attention and medical care.
Conditions Eye-Opener.
There is no question but what any
one who makes personal investigation
of the slum conditions will have his
eyes opened" Maj. Brown declared.
Those who were on the tour, lifelong
residents Of the District, were stupefied
over what they saw"
The work of the Police Boys Club
was described by Clifford C. johnson,
director of the current $4,000 cam
paign to cover club expenditures in
1897.
This club" johnson said. has
proved great benefit to many helpless
youths who must live under conditions
such as you have just heard described -
Delinquency has been reduced from
between As to 70 per cent in each Of
the areas where a club exists, johnson
pointed out.
President Mangan presided at the
meeting held at the Maynower Hotel.