Evening star., 1938-10-18

has stimulated more than $500, ,000.-
900 worth of new construction and
modernization.
This means not only new or i'm
proved homes for the average citizen.
It means q free channel for the choked
funds of banks, trust companies, in
surance companies and every type Of
financial institution. It means that
confidence has been restored in the
long-term future of business. And last
but not least, it means that employ
ment Is definitely on the upswing.
The National Industrial Conference
Board recently reported that employ
ment in the construction industry in
creased by more than 265,oO0 during
the middle Of this summer. And when
we add to this the fact that for every
worker employed on construction at
the site, more than twice that many
workers are employed in the manufac-
ture Of building materials or their
transportation, the full importance Of
this Unemployment program strikes
home.
The great material progress OF this
new housing program illustrates how
industry, labor and government can,
each in its proper sphere. cooperate
to expand and further the interests
of the entire country. Patient and
considered understanding Of mutual
problems has laid firm foundation
for the steady expansion Of this great
private industry.
Problem Of SIums.
Despite the fine development Of this
new private housing program. and its
even greater potentialities, we must
recognize that its benefits do not reach
the lowest third Of our population
the families who live in the slums
The one-third Of Americas families
whose incomes are below $500 year
cannot hope to pay rental Of $50 a
month-the rock-bottom minimum at
which private industry can build re-
spectacle living quarters. These unfor-
tunate families, supported by hard
working, earnest and sincere wage
earners, have been condemned to live
in the cast-of1 homes of preceding
generations, frequently under condi-
tions which are absolutely UNIT for
human habitation.
There is hardly city in the country
which does not have its share Of fes-
tering slum areas. Millions of people
are forced to live in ramshackle and
dangerous tenenents where a careless
spark may lead to a blazing inferno.
Children must play in filthy, polluted
streets and alleys, a constant prey to
disease and unwholesome influences.
Rooms are small. dark and poorly
ventilated. Heating, plumbing and
sanitary facilities are Of an almost
primitive nature.
This issue was simple and had to
be faced forthrightly. Every study Of
slum conditions has proved conclu-
sively that slums breed crime, and are
the focal points for virulent diseases
which endanger the health and lives
OF all the inhabitants of the city.
Society pays high cost-not only in
illness, death and the destruction Of
human values-but also in expendi-
lures for fire and police protection
and institutional care for those already
victimized by their slum environment.
My slum- m-clearance and low-rent
housing law rejects this wasteful sys-
tenn. The money which would have
to be spent to rehabilitate the victims
Of the slums, we are using to remove
the conditions which have blighted
their lives. With the funds which
would have to be employed in building
hospitals and reformatories, We are
instead building new homes where
men, women and children can live
their lives happily and healthfully.
Instead Of subsidizing misery, crime,
disease and discomfort, we are using
the same money to give new freedom
to those who have until now been
denied the basic elements OF the
American standard of living.
Progress Reported.
Already We can report remarkable
progress. The United States Housing
Authority has signed contracts which
will lead to the construction Of new,
clean, airy homes for slum dwellers in
43 cities scattered throughout every
section of the country. More than 200
cities are already actively in the pro-
gram. The number of units under
construction Is increasing at the rate