Evening star., 1938-05-08
Text of Housing Letters
Correspondence Between Nathan Straus and Ihlder
Made Public.

NOtb(s
either subsidized or non subsidized
housing.
For these reasons, I am not only
alarmed but in addition I am puzzled,
by the delay. If Congress adjourns
shortly without action being taken
to amend the Alley Dwelling Act.
Washington must wait at least six
months more before Congress meets
again. Even then, assuming that
next January is as propitious time
as now for giving favorable consid-
Grafton to housing legislation, the
winter is not a good time to COM
mence housing program That is
why 1 fear whole years delay #
action Is not taken Immediately.
And let me repeat. I am sure that
there are tens of thousands Of people
action. The sfum conditions here are
terrible, and program must at once
be started toward their removal on
large scale. The commencement this
summer of a Sl0,000,0o0 or more
building program in Washington is
matter upon which neither business,
labor. slum dwellers nor public
minded citizens can afford to delay.
I am always free to discuss with you
the proposals which I transmitted a
full month ago, together with such
changes in them as you deem desir-
1nt N %
Ihlden's Reply.
The following was Mr.. Ihlden's
response:
1t Is not customary for the writer
OF letter to give it publicity. especial
ly when it deals with matters that are
under negotiation. But as Mr.. Straus
has seen fit to give the newspapers
copies of the letter he wrote today,
my response must be public.
1t is impossible to answer at length
all the implications in his letter, so
shall deal only with the principal
points.
First is lapse of time. This has
concerned us more than it has him
Early last fall the Alley Dwelling Au-
thority submitted to the Budget Bu-
reau proposed amendments to it's act
After thorough study these were ap-
proved by the Attorney General and
the Budget Bureau, with one eXcep-
ton which was similar to the princi-
pal proposal submitted by Mr. Straus.
They were ready for submission to
Congress when. on January "a, Mr..
Straus wrote that he had legislation
to propose. The Budget Bureau there
fore held the Authoritys amendments
pending receipt of Mr.. Straus' pro-
posals.
After several conferences at which
Mr.. Straus made no definite proposals,
the Alley Dwelling Authority. on Feb
ruary 7, sent him copies of amend
ments previously submitted to the At
torney General and the Budget Bu-
reau. Meanwhile the President had
allocated $l0O0,0O0 to the Alley Dwell
ing Authority "as soon as funds are
made available to the United States
Housing Authority by appropriation"
No Word Received.
From February to April no word
was received by the Alley Dwelling
Authority as to either amendments
or ALLEGATION. On April 7 when
Mr.. Straus proposed amendments
were received, meeting of the Alley
Dwelling Authority was at once called.
To give time for study. another meet
ing was held a week later. The pro-
posed amendments raised questions
of administration and involved other
governmental agencies. Under these
it is the practice of the
Alley Dwelling Authority to consult
the other agencies. This 1t has done.
and this accounts for its not having
to Mr.. Straus sooner. There
would have been no time saved by
them.
The second point made by Mr. Straus
Is his concern and that of items of
Of people in Washington
who are the direct suffers from extra
ordinarily bad slum conditions"
We can assure him that his concern
Is no greater than ours. We are glad
that he sees the problem in terms of
tens Of thousands, for his proposals
to date indicate less than that, ap-
1000 families Ultimately
the number provided for must be con-
more than that.
Heartily Endorsed.
His point that Washington, the
Capital, should participate
largely and equally in the nationwide
slum clearance and low-rent housing
program, Is one that the Alley Dwell
ing Authority indorses heavily. But
his statement that his proposed
merely add to the powers
already possessed by the Alley DWELL
ing Authority is open to some question.
On their face they do, but there is
serious question as to how they will
work In practice.
Acceptance Of his proposals, he says,
would enable the A. D. A. to borrow