Evening star., 1942-06-18
Plan Accepted
To End Housinq
Law Violations
Act Providing for Jail
Term, Faster Check
To Be Drafted

Complete agreement on steps to
be taken to correct insanitary hous-
ing conditions in the Capital was
reached by District officials and
representatives of interested groups
at hearing today before a House
District Subcommittee.
Action in the subcommittee,
headed by Representative Dale
sandro, Democrat, of Maryland,
followed a conference Monday at
tended by the Commissioners, the
corporation counsel, representatives
of the various District government
agencies and representatives of the
Washington Housing Association.
the Washington Building Congress
and the Alley Dwelling Authority.
1t was agreed that the Commits
sioners now have sufficient authority
under the basic law of 1892 to issue
regulations for the protection of
life and health in buildings found
to be insanitary or of faulty con-
struction. Some of the present reg
ulations are to be brought up to
date and supplemented.
Jail Sentence to Be Provided.
Corporation Counsel Richmond 3.
Keech is to draft new legislation as
soon as possible to supplement these
regulations. The proposed act will
provide a Jail sentence as well as a
fine for persistent violatorS of the
housing regulations. A second pro-
vision will be designed to speed up
correction of insanitary conditions
in buildings after inspection.
1t was agreed that a central Office
under direction of the Commits
sioners and with constant person.
mel" would receive all complaints
and be responsible for seeing that
they were investigated One in
spector would bring in recommended
tions where insanitary or unsafe
conditions are found. If a tech
nical investigation was necessary
specially trained investigator
would make supplemental inquiry.
J. Bernard Wyckoff, president OF
the Washington Housing Associa-
ton, said his organization accepts
the plan and will cooperate thor
oughly. He advised Chairman
D'Alesandro that he believes a start
has been made toward prompt and
| efficient correction of the poor hous-
ing conditions. He advocated, how
ever, extension of the rooming
house code to all homes and urged
that Congress support the Com
missioners in enforcing such a code.
Adequate Funds Urged.
Mrs. Helen Dewey Hoffman. a
director of the Washington Housing
Association, asked whether the CEN
trail authority would be placed in
the Health Department and was
told that the Commissioners have
not yet decided. Mr.. Keech said
what is really needed is for all those
interested in correcting the present
situation to get together and obtain
appropriations to make an effective
inspection possible.
Horace Peaslee, representing the
Building Congress. said the proposed
legislation not only gives the Com
missioners authority. but is a man.
date to them since they themselves
contend they have had authority
since the Act Of 1892
He also argued that the Com
missioners should take the initiative
in improving conditions and not de-
pend on individuals to make COM
plants. He said. however, that his
organiza ton will be glad to help
under the plan and that he believes
the present unsatisfactory situation
will be corrected as soon as passible.