Evening star., 1942-04-05
Group Created
To Plan Housing
For Servicenen
Unit of Recreation
Committee Seen
Solving Problem

Placing of the servicemen's hous-
ing problem under the newly formed
District Recreation Committee of
the District Defense Council and
appointment of a special subcom-
mittee to handle details of provid-
ing adequate quarters for service
men on leave here were disclosed
yesterday by Conrad Van Hyning.
chief of civilian mobilization of the
council.
Hugo w. Wolter, who as director
OF recreation services for metro
politan civilian defense has had
supervision of the housing problem,
was named chairman of the sub
committee.
Creation of the subcommittee, first
order of business at the organiza-
ton meeting Of the District Recrea-
ton Committe Thursday, was seen
as clearing the way for speedy solu--
ton of the problem first called to
the attention of the city several
weeks ago in stories by The Star.
Four Appointments Made.
Four subcommittee members have
been appointed, Mr.. Van Hyning re-
ported, while a fifth, representing
United Service Organizations, is to
be named this week.
Assisting Mr.. Wolter will be 1t.
Comdr. William A. Corley, U. S. N,
retired, of the American Legion;
Ray D Brown, adjutant of the Saliva
ton Army here; Grover Hartman,
Defense Commission director of the
Washington Federation of Churches:
and Winfree E. Johnson, supervisor
of athletics for Welfare and Recre-
ational Association
The last named group is super
viSing sleeping accommodations at
Service Mems Club No. l.
Among the first assignments
taken over by the new committee
is the collection of accurate data
on the number of soldiers and
marines requiring sleeping quarters
while on leave here, Mr.. Van Hyning
said. The survey was begun last
week end by Mr.. Wolter will be
continued for several weeks.
A check with commercial lodging
houses and interviews with service
men stopping off at Union Station
will be made by civilian volunteers
next week.
Housing Survey to Continue.
The committee also will continue
surveys of establishments recently
offered for housing servicemen to
ascertain their adaptability, Mr..
Wolter said. Earlier this week, he
disclosed that two offers had been
received affording facilities for ap-
proximately 1850 men.
One of those, it was learned yes
terday, is the old National Hotel
building, formerly the National
Guard Armory and headquarters for
District Selective Service, which
would accommodate about 800 men.
District Commissioners Mason and
Young said yesterday they were
willing to turn the building over to
the defense council, provided it was
found safe.
Engineer Commissioner Kutz is
expected to submit a report on the
building by District health. fire and
building inspectors, to the Board of
Commissioners this week.
Comdr. Corley has been assigned
to explore the possibility of using
several of the local boys clubs
buildings, which are usually de-
serted by 10 O'Clock each night, while
Mr.. Hartman will investigate utili-
zation of church halls for service
men.
Funds Will Be Sought.
The committee also will investi-
gate available space in Government
buildings, such as garages and store
houses.
when we get all the data and
figures we possibly can, then we
will make overtures to the proper
authorities for funds" Mr.. Van
Hyning said. That would include a
request for an appropriation from
the Federal Security Agency, it was
explained.
To transport servicemen to the
recently reopened Washington Re-
creation Area in Arlington, where
they were able to find sleeping quar-
ters in tents, arrangements were
made yesterday to operate a num-
Der of buses to the encampment
from the downtown area.
Because of last weeks blizzard
only handful of men took advan-
tage of the lodgings there, though
accommodations are available for
500 men.