Evening star., 1938-05-09
STRAUS CONFERS
WITH PRESIDENT
Districts SIum Clearance
Problems Discussed at
White House.
BY NELSON NJ. SHEPARD,

Losing no time after President
Roosevelt's return from the South
Administrator Nathan Straus of the
United States Housing Authority went
to the White House this morning to
discuss housing matters with the
Chief Executive, and, it was believed,
to lay before him the Districts own
muddled slum clearance problem.
In doing SO. he stole a march on
John Ihlder. executive officer of the
Alley Dwelling Authority, who is
charged by Mr.. Straus with obstruct-
ing proposed sl0,000,0 900 housing
project for Washington. Mr.. Ihlder,
whose views on proposed amendments
differ with those of the Federal ad-
ministrator. also is anxious to get to
the Presidential ear. His appointment,
however. is not until tomorrow morn
ing.
Meanwhile, John Locher, president
OF the Central Labor Union and ex-
ecutive secretary of the Buildings
Trade Council. expressed hope that the
two housing officials would be able to
reconcile their views. He said he
favored the start of large low-rent
housing program in Washington if it
would not deprive the Alley Dwelling
Authority Of any of its rights.
Will Leave TOnisht.
Mr.. Straus is leaving Washington
for Youngstown. Ohio. where he is to
take part tomorrow in inaugurating a
housing project in that city under the
Nationwide program. Unless he is
able to discuss matters with the Presi-
dent today. he might not be able, to
get another appointment until later
in the week.
1t was at President Roosevelt's di-
rection that he sent proposed amend
ments to the Alley Dwelling Authority
on April 7. Since then. Mr.. Straus
charged, he has no further word from
the A. D. A.
There was possibility of President
Roosevelt taking hand directly in
the matter to end a deadlock over
local housing prooiens.
Watches Situation Closely.
Mr. Locher is watching develop
ments in this situation very closely.
"Of course, the Building Trades
Council is anxious for Washington to
share on an equal basis with other
cities in the national slum-clearance
program" he said. In saying that I
have no criticism to make of Mr..
Ihlder. The Alley Dwelling Authority
has been doing splendid work in
Washington and I have no fault to
find with it."
On the other hand. Mr. Locher
pointed out, he said he believed the
two housing officials concerned should
get together and reconcile their diff
ferences in policy.
Understand" he said, we do not
want anything done that would take
away the independence of the Alley
Dwelling Authority or deprive it Of
the right to continue its own special
program which has served a useful
purpose for three years. But if the
U. S. H. A. project can be carried out
here as a supplemental program see
no reason why Washington shouldn't
be on the same basis as other cities"
Mr.. Locher agreed that a $1O,00O.-
600 housing project would be a great
benefit to the Washington building
trades from labor viewpoint.
Complained Of Delay.
With Congress to adjourn shortly,
Administrator Straus sought to bring
the issue into the open Saturday when
he wrote Mr.. Ihlder to complain about
the delay on pending amendments. He
a4o invited an immediate conference.
The A. D. A. official, however. indi-
Gated then that he first desired to dis
cuss the amendments with the Presi-
dent and would do so before he would
agree to meet with Mr.. Straus.