Evening star., 1942-12-06
Federation Opposes
Prefabricaied Homes
On Public Grounds
Citizens Group Urges
Safeguards for All
Reauisitioned Lund

~SssS
In approving three resolutions Of
its Zoning Committee, the Fedora
ton of Citizens Associations last
night placed itself on record against
the building of prefabricated hous-
ing units on public land along Fort
drive or other public grounds, op-
posed transfer of authority from
the zoning Commission to the Ma
tional Capital Park and Planning
Commission and urged zoning safe
guards on requisitioned property.
George A. Corbin of Manor Park,
new chairman of the Zoning Com
mittee, presented the motions. He
said it was understood that 1000
units of prefabricated houses for
war workers are either built or
proposed, but added that the reso-
luton concerned only those pro-
posed for construction on public
property paid for by the District
taxpayers and held in the title Of
the United States" Among the
listed objections were:
Cd They will reduce values and
disturb investments: (2) they will
overcrowd land; 90 they will in
crease transportation difflculties;
a they will be on public park prop
erty under different police jurisdic-
ton than adjacent private property;
90 IL will be taking public property
for private use; 60 the buildings
will be on public property paid for
by the taxpayers, which will be used
against such taxpayers in the re-
duction Of home values but not Dis
trict taxes on real estate; CD they
will cause additional bhghted
areas; 90 I'VE know of no statute
which permits the use of public
land along Fort drive for private
use Of individuals"
Suggest Mall as Site.
A. D. Calvert of Lincoln Park
suggested that temporary housing
could be provided on the Mall, thus
solving the transportation difficult
ties. A motion to refer the matter
back to the committee was defeated.
Mr.. Corbin described the pro-
posed transfer of authority from the
local Zoning Commission to the
NCPPC as liberalization" Saying
that he understood the District
Commissioners had sent report on
the matter to the Budget Bureau,
he said he "abhored the secrecy" In
the matter.
1--WE strongly register our objec-
ton to any transfer of authority"
Mr.. Corbin declared.
Safeguards Sought.
Pointing to the acquisition of
Mount Vernon Seminary and Junior
College by the Navy, Mr.. Corbin
cautioned in the resolution that ANY
requisition of private property or
institutions for the war effort"
deemed necessary, should have "all
safeguards, checks, and balances OBJ
served which will render mistakes or
errors at minimum"
Saying that the committee was
not unmindful of the authority
vested in the Government for con-
demnation proceedings for military |
and naval purposes, the resolution
stated:
Nevertheless, this federation is
inclined to the view that despite the
authority contained" in the act, the
spirit If not the letter of the Dis
trict Zoning Act requires in this
case and in other similar purchases
in the District, consideration by the
National Capital Park and Planning
Commission in order to insure uni
formity in development of the Ma
tional Capital with the zoning prin-
sciples provided in section 16 of the
District Zoning Act"
Section 16, Mr.. Corbin explained,
provided that the heights, bulk and
size of Federal public buildings were
subject to the approval of the COM
mission.
Committees Grouped.
Harry S. Wender serving as
president for the first time, an
nounced that all standing and spe-
cial committees have been divided
into three groups for direct super
vision by the presidents and vice
presidents. The president, he said,
will supervise the committees on
law and legislation, public utilities,
war effort, housing and rent control,
public relations, annual dinner and
constitutional and rules amend
ments.
First Vice President Walter Was
son will supervise the Committees
on Education, Safety. Zoning, High
ways, Bridges, Rivers and Harbors,
City Planning and Parks. Auditing,
Recreation and Consumers Inter-
7sts. Fred S. Walker, second vice
president, will supervise Membership
and Credentials, Fiscal Relations
and Taxation, Police and Fire,
Health. National Representation,
Local Suffrage. Public Celebrations
and Historic Sites.
Tributes were paid to William
NICK. Clayton. first president of the
Federation, and DR.. George H. Rich
ardson. first president of the Feder-
alton of Civic Associations. Both
died within a week of each other.
A memorial on Mr.. Clayton was
presented by Dr. John Clagett Proc
tor and a eulogy was delivered by
Mr.. Calvert. Other tributes came
from Fred Emery, former delegate
and vice president of the Associa-
ton Of Oldest Inhabitants, Harry
N. Stull. Wilbur S. Finch and
Charles Bates.
Special Officers Named.
Jesse C. Suter praised DR.. Rich
Ardson as an outstanding citizen"
and one devoted to the best inter-
ests of the people of the District
of Columbia" Mr. Stull said he
never worked with a man for
whom he had greater respect"
Mr.. Wender named Mr.. Stull, Mr..
WasSon, Mr.. Walker, Mrs. Eliza
beth T. Sullivan, William Greene
and himself as six of the eight dele
gates to the Interfederation Con-