Evening star., 1942-04-01
A. D. A. Project
Protested by5
Communities
Nearby Montgomery
Residents Oppose
Demountc5Ie Homes

Demountc5Ie Homes
Residents Of five communities in
nearby Montgomery County (Md)
today were ON record as "unalter-
ably opposing" the proposed con-
struction by the Alley Dwelling
Authority Of 800 demountable
homes for war workers near Chevy
Chase View following a mass meet
ing last night of more than 300
home owners in areas adjacent to
the proposed site.
In attempting to explain the need
for the project, John Ihlder, execu-
tive officer of the A. D. A., was fire.
quently interrupted by jeers from
his hostile audience that met in
the Kensington Junior High School
The five communities represented
were KenSington, Chevy Chase View,
Rock Greek Hills, Garrett Park and
Locust Hills.
Although Mr.. Ihlder described
the need for additional housing for
Government workers as a matter
of life and DEATH" the assembly,
after bitterly attacking the A. D. AS
choice Of site for the temporary
homes, approved a resolution de-
mandfng immediate abandonment
Of the project.
Adjacent to Chevy Chase View.
The 200-acre property on which
tt Is proposed to build the houses
Is known as the Straight tract" and
Is bounded by Dresden street on
the north, Saul road on the south
and extends to Rock Creek. 1t is
Immediately adjacent to Chevy
Chase View.
The resolution, which was drawn
by the Chevy Chase View Citizens
Committee, governing body of that
community, was presented by Capt.
John Griffee.
1t asserted that there are numer-
Gus other areas in the county which
would be more suitable for erection
of the homes; that the project
would have most detrimental ef-
feet" on the more expensive homes
IN the area; that the proposed loca-
ton Is more than 10 miles from
Government Offices in Washington;
that bus transportation for residents
of the area is now inadequate, and
that there is grave doubt that the
dwellings constructed as proposed
viii ever find occupants"
Harry Booth, who presided, named
Herbert Schiefer chairman of the
committee, which under terms Of
the resolution is to confer with
county and A. D. A. officials in an
effort TO halt the project. Other
members of the committee are T. S.
jackson, DR.. Arnold H. Scott, John
?. Mutchler and Raymond j. Cons
ley.
One Opponent Speaks.
In the only opposition expressed
against the resolution by a resi-
dent of the area, Alfred D. Noyes
of Kensington appealed to the group
to support Mr.. Ihlder and the A. D.
A. and make that small sacrifice
to help defeat Hitler and the Japs.'
He charged that proponents OF
the resolution were "bucking" ef-
forts by the Government to alleviate
housing conditions among the people
who "are coming here to serve us"
The keynote of the opposition to
the project was sounded by Thomas
S. jackson of Chevy Chase View,
who declared that "the site is i'll
chosen when there are so many
other communities that would be
glad to have such a project"
Harry Martin asserted that he
could deliver to the Government a
234-acre tract on the edge of Kens-
ington that would save the A. D. A.
$50 900 and permit the construction
of more than 1000 homes instead
of only 800 as planned. Mr.. Ihlder
replied that his agency had been
looking for possible housing sites
for weeks and that its program for
this area was $4,000 homes.
Consulted officials.
In answer to complaints that he
had not consulted with residents Of
the area affected prior to announc-
ing plans for the project, Mr.. Ihlder
said:
Time is too short to spend time
talking with every individual citl-
zen. We did consult with your Off
cials. But we can't win battles by
debating at home"
He assured the group that the
proposed homes would be attractive
and that the streets, sewer and
water facilities would be permanent.
The homes, he said, would be torn
down after the war, If at all pos
sible.
He also expressed his willingness
10 agree to the placing of certain
in the covenant of the
tract after it reverted back to pri-
vate ownership. One of the restric-
tions would provide that lots be
sold only in 100-foot widths and
that a price restriction be placed
On privately-built homes on the
tract after the temporary homes had
bean torn down.
His plea for cooperation was
echoed by Joseph A. Cantrel, attor-
ney for the county commissioners,
who warned the residents that the
A. D. A had the power under law
to 60 anywhere and take any land
1t wants for national defense with
out consulting anyone. 1t doesn't
even have to ask for a building
permit, he added.
Transportation Being Considered.
When asked after the meeting
whether additional transportation
facilities would be sought for the
xite, Mr.. Ihlder said that the A. D. A.
was considering the matter but that
no definite arrangements for obtain
ing additional transportation had
been completed as yet.
In this connection, E. II. Riecks,
assistant general passenger agent of
the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad,
when asked earlier in the day
whether the railroad could expand
ite cor,r1Iiter Servica in nearhu