Greenbelt cooperator., 1940-01-11

by the Citizens Association Monday gt for
tation to DR.. Will Alexander, head of Farm Security
Admin istration:
The Citizens Association of Greenbelt, Maryland
respectfully draws your attention the effects of
policies of Admin stration relative income
qualifications for continued tenancy in
ity.
Taking at its face value the slogan "Greenbe1t,
Planned Community" used 80 frequently in connection
wi tn this project, the citizens of this cowni ty
have endeayored to implement the opportuni ties
piled by the slogan The creation of all the clubs
churches, the consumer cooperative, Credit Union,
Health Association, Athletic Association, Parent
Teacher body, and other democratic insti
based the assumption that Greenbelt is home
an abiding place. AL improvements to the real
property undertaken by the tenants the gardens,
shrubs, flowers planted in the general benefit
under wi tn the prospect of continued enjoyment
of Greenbelt home place. More serious, addi-
tions to Grecnbelt families are made on the indis-
putable assumption that Greenbelt is good place
raise family.
The education of our hildren is vitality affected
by the permanence of residence. For example,
the Greenbelt School the progressive method of
teaching, which is entirely different from
ried on in other public schools in Washington and
the vicinity. Any change of school is hard
child; change from progressive school to
ing the standard system upsets the childs whole
concept Of learning. Furthermore, it is of far
value, educationally, to train small group Of
children under the progressive method, which
phasizes reasoning and initiative, than to give
larger, shifting group of children only attering
of this sort of training. This is only way in
which the present instability of affects
children well ourselves.
Greenbelt folk have put down roots from which
democratic, cooperative corit ty life is beginning
to flower which already is inspirational
to other American comni ties. We believe this full
fills the original philosophy that led to the
struction of Greenbelt.
In this process of conscious building of the
mlnity spirit, the leaders of our group endeavors
confronted wi tn problem sufficiently to
warrant seeking your review and assistance. It
is the problem of how to retain the help of those
citizens desirable in the life of the con1 ty who
penalized by their in their jobs out
side. Inevitably, it is that who gives most to
his comuni ty, who has those qualifications which
meet wi tn reward In his job. 1t is that kind of
who gets the salary increase which makes him in
eligible for continued tenancy in Greenbelt and
eventually deprives community of his leadership
qualities. The present policy, as you know, is to
permit increase of 25S the maximum income
allowed for dmittance. The choice of this percent
age has in itself created admin strative problem
tnaanuch the increase does not coincide with the
Government salary schedules under Whi ch 8o% of
people paid For instance, four member famil ly
is admitted at maximum income level of $1,000.
Under present policy, this family cannot exceed an
income of $500 per annm. In eight cases out of
ten, however, when promotions occur, they are for
$4,000 or $26oo. The with two children who
ceives promotion to $2ooo is therefore Ineligible
to continue his residence here for mere 500 per
annm; and is compelled to uproot himself, deprive
the community of his services and accept, in the
net, lower standard of living.
We fully alive to the possibility of crttt-
ciam in allowing the continued residence of such
families, but feel that such infrequent
could be dealt with by the issuance Of lease
at proporttonately higher rental. We are also
of the desirability of policy which will
allow continued inflow Of less fortunately housed
families into Greenbelt but feel that this point
is amply cared for in the natural turnover due to
Government and other transfers, which is something
better than 2oS per better solution of
this problem is to build houses at Greenbelt
permit ci itizens to do
We feel that in presenting these views, We have
adopted logical, desirable, and defens1ble attt-
tlde in the problem of whether Greenbelt is to be
Commlni ty a transient housing scheme. 1t is de-
plorable, but it is fact, that you Will not dis
family in Greenbelt which has the feeling
of security of tenure which is the essence of home
life and of coumni ty life. Almost invariably the
for this attitude is that day the family
will get a raise and have to move.
This is the bed Of sand on which we attempt
inn TO mi ty