Evening star., 1942-02-22
U. 5. Maps Plans
For6,200 Homes
In Arlington
IhIder Tells Bourd
Overerowding May
Cause Epidemic


might result in an epidemic which
would prove as serious a defeat as
the loss of Singapore, John A. Ihlder,
head of the Alley Dwelling Author
Ity, told the Arlington County Board
Yesterday.
Explaining the immediate need
for additional housing in the WASH
lngton metropolitan area, Mr.. Ihlder
cited the influenza epidemic of 1919
as an example of what might result
If proper facilities were not provided.
The A. d. A. part of the program
with which he and the board dealt
yesterday was 1,700 prefabricated
homes to take care of $4,000 en-
ployes of the new War Department
5000 now employed in the
new Navy Department Building and
possibly 5000 employees Of the WASH
lngton National Airport.
Mr.. Ihlder and the board members
exchanged promises of cooperation
after the two-hour discussion, but
not before he had answered many
questions from the board members
and several persons in the audience,
some of them builders. The climax"
which County Manager Frank C.
Hanrahan had promised FRIDAY as
a result of alleged pressure" by
unspecified Government agencies
seeking to locate cheap" housing
projects in the county, did not ma
terialize.
Long Range Basis Necessary.
Mr.. Ihlder began by stating that
If it were known fact that the
war would be over in six months,
or even year, conditions might be
permitted to go along in their pres
ent status despite overcrowding.
However, plans must be made on a
much longer range basis, he de-
clared, and therefore call for ade-
quate housing in quantity and quail
ity for a varying range of income
groups.
Out of an estimated $4,000 houses
needed in the Metropolitan Area,
half of which are to be built by
private builders, a total of about
$500 to be built by Government
agencies have been assigned to
Arlington County on the basis of the
number of Government projects in
the county, since it is considered
desirable and even essential in view
of transportation needs that work.
ers live near their Offices.
The Defense Housing Corp,
subsidiary of the Reconstruction
Finance Corp, will build about 5000,
the United States Housing Author
ity, $500, including 500 for colored
families, and about 1,700 are to be
erected by the A. D. A. The A. D. A.
is participating, Mr.. Ihlder stressed,
not because the prefabricated homes
are to be built in alleys, but be-
cause it had funds available and
was prepared to start Immediately
on a project which must be started
within the next few weeks.
The homes would be substantial
and attractive but are desig. ed to
be removed after the present emer-
gency and the cost of their removal
would be included in the rent so
that no congressional action or ap-
preparation would be necessary.
They are to be erected on ground
already owned by the Government,
or leased from private individuals
for the duration of the emergency
plus one year, Mr.. Ihlder said.
Three Sites Suggested.
At mention of Government owned
property. Edwin Campbell, board
president. had presented a prepared
statement suggesting three sites, all
now owned by the Government,
along Arlington Ridge road. One
was south of the boulevard ap-
preaching Arlington National Gem
etery, formerly part of the expert
mental farm; the second, north Of
the boulevard and formerly used as
an exercise area for horses from
Fort Myer, and the third, the Nevius
tract northwest of the intersection
of Lee boulevard. now being ac-
quired by the Government for ceme-
terry purposes.
4s24 4CRhC0 llldG bllCOC
three sites were being considered
and perhaps could be used, but
would provide space for only about
800 houses, leaving 900 houses to
be located.
Basil De Lashmutt wanted to
know whether the Government
would build the houses whether the
board acquiesced or not. Choosing
his words carefully, Mr.. Ihlder re-
piled he was not making any
threats" but had come to ask the
boards cooperation in choosing
sites in the belief that it was abso-
lutely necessary in the national in
terest to build the houses at the
earliest moment.
E. l.. Usilton, president of the
Arlington Chamber of Commerce
and a member of the County Plan
ming Board, asked Mr.. Ihlder why
the $4,000 limit on residential build
ing was not raised to permit private
builders to erect homes in demand
among high-ranking Army and
Navy officers and private individ-
uals. Mr.. Ihlder answered that
the plight of a colonel or admiral
who might possibly have to live in
a mere $4,000 house did not worry
him, but that housing facilities for
the Income workers now
packed in apartments and rooming
houses did.
DoIiovod ofter Mr. Tblder ey-
planned that arrangements would
be made to defray the Governments
share of additional water and sewer
facilities and other county services
necessitated by the new housing
projects, the board members prom
ised to give immediate considera-
ton to additional sites for the 900
houses unprovided for, which would
require approximately 100 acres.