Evening star., 1940-08-14
Leaders Favor
Change in Setup
AT Greenbe|t
Mayor Sees Shift in
Control Facilitating
Decisions on Policy
By JOHN D. LEONARD.
Star Staff Correspondent.

GUAR 0tdll SoiiSopShoSht'
GREENBELT, Md, Aug. "A
Approval of the proposal for the
Federal Government to relinquish
control of Greenbelt, one of its three
towns of the future" was revealed
today in a survey of leaders of this
community.
However, administrative officials
here, deluged with inquiries about
the new plan, declined to comment.
AS one official put it, "the project
is matter calling for resident opin-
ion rather than ours"
The Farm Security Administrator
is planning to transfer its SIS 1000, 900
investment in Greenbelt to a hous-
ing authority or an incorporated
residents association" Similar plans
are being discussed for Greenhills,
Ohio, and Greendale, Wis. 1t is
understood the F. S. A. favors
housing authority for Greenbelt.
Building Organization Planned.
1t also was learned today that
cooperative me-building organi-
Zation, to be known as "Greenbelt
Homeowners Services" and which
will direct the plan whereby Green
belt residents and others may build
their own homes in the community,
will be incorporated within a week.
The new organization, which will
apply the principle of cooperative
purchasing to home building, will
work though a single architect and
contractor and will also act as
purchasing agency for individual
home builders for such equipment
as stoves and heating plant. 1t is
hoped that the group ultimately
may be able to buy fuel oil as we'll
Under the new plan of private
homebuilding which was recently
approved by the Farm Security Ad-
ministration and which will not be
affected by the transfer of Govern
ment control, a tract within the
boundaries of Greenbelt has been
laid out in 200 lots. Already go ap-
plications have been received from
prospective homebuilders.
Approved applicants will be re-
quired to buy share of stock for
$40, depositing an additional $40,
non-refundable, to meet organiza-
tion expenses. In addition, they will
have to satisfy the board that they
will build or at least break ground
for a home within a years time.
No Apparent Change.
Despite assurances by the F. S. A,
Greenbelt residents anxiously ques-
toned officials as to whether they
will have to move out or If the rent
schedules and tenant selection basis
will remain the same. Under the
new administration setup F. S. A.
officials have emphasized that the
change will not affect rent schedules
and tenant selection. In fact, the
people will hardly know there has
been a change" according to one
official.
Terming the new project "a step
in the right direction. Mayor George
A. Warner said it would facilitate
decisions on matters of policy.
In addition. Mayor Warner said,
the new plan would "allay'' talk
that Greenbelt residents are wards
of the Government and are being
heavily subsidized
Approval of the project was also
voiced by two Council members,
Edward Walther and Mrs. Ruth
Taylor.
Civic Head Approves.
Joseph E. Bargas, president of
the Greenbelt Citizens Association
calling the new plan excellent" !"
said it would give every person liv-
ing in Greenbelt stake in the COM
mnuity and would stimulate in
creased participation by residents in
community affairs