Evening star., 1943-05-23
Federal Planners Cite
War Ma|adjustments
OF Washington Area
Rop Housing Shortage
And Unwise Distribution
Of Government Offices
BY NELSON M. SHEPARD.

what the war has cone TO create an
unsolved housing shortage for a
population increase of 100000 per-
sons in the past three years and to
bring about an illogical distribution
Of Government employment centers
with attendant traffic problems.
A statistical study of the popula-
tion growth since the 1910 census in
relationship to the housing pro-
gram revealed, among other things,
an increase of only $4,000 residential
units. OF this inadequate number
for the swift growth in population
$4,000 units were built by private
enterprise and $4,000 represent pub
lie units completed or still under
construction.
John Nolen, jr.. director of plan
ming for the National Capital Plan
ming Commission, who gathered the
statistics, said there is still serious
shortage of family dwelling units as
contrasted with units for single
workers.
Gas Rationing HELPS.
More than 100000 Federal en-
ployes, or slightly over one-third
of the total number in the entire
Washington region, are concen-
trated in permanent buildings in the
central area west of the Capitol to
the Potomac River. This would
. have led to an 'intolerable traffic
problem, Mr.. Nolen said, but for
the gasoline rationing during the
past year.
This concentration, he pointed
out, has served to disrupt well con-
ceived plans for distributing Fed
eral employees over the central area
east of the Capitol to the Ana
costa River. The number of Gov
ernment employees in that area is
quite small.
OF the total number of employees,
one-third are located outside the
central portion of the city, with a
large proportion in Maryland and
Virginia. The greatest concentra-
ton, of course, is in the Pentagon
Building and in the vicinity of the
National Airport.
The remaining third are housed
In temporary buildings and leased
Offices scattered through Washing
ton.
100000 in D. c. Region.
Returning to the population
figures. Mr.. Nolen estimated the
total population of the Washington
region, including Arlington and
Fairfax Counties and Montgomery
and Prince Georges Counties was
1,360,000 as of January l, 1943 The
increase since 1910 estimated at 392.- =
900, was more than 100000 over the
entire increase between 1880 and
1910 and meant that the population
has almost doubled since 1880.
Roughly, the regional area in
cludes about $4,000 more persons
than in the so-called Washington
metropolitan area.
Washington City, with a popula-
ton estimated now at 100000, has
shown an increase of about 237, 900
in the last three years.
This population increase, together
with the none too wisely planned
distribution of Federal employment,
officials said, presents a war prob
lem that has been created which
taxes the ingenuity of any planning
agency.
Permit Figures Cited.
The estimated total number of
residential units in Washington
region, based on building permits
issued to December 81, 1912, was
given as 100000 comparing with
10000 units in 1880. The increase
OF approximately $4,000 units in the
last three years, includes each
dormitory room and each one
family apartment as a single unit.
Since the 1910 census. Mr.. Nolen
pointed out, only 1900 public family
dwelling units of both temporary
and permanent type have been COM
pleted. In addition, only 1000 single
worker units have been completed,
with $500 other units of this type
under construction. That accounts
for total OF 22,8OO units, all told,
completed or under construction, in
the defense housing program.
In this connection. the Planning
Commission also considered the
pending request of the Alley Dwell
ing Authority for a $5,oOO,O 900 appro-
prlation to initiate a permanent
housing program for low-income
families, who are admittedly most in
need of sanitary living accommo-
dations.
Could Advance Program.
AS to that program, the commits
sion felt that it might be advanced
at least a year by a provision of
funds to plan sites, obtain land op-
tions and make ~-1rveys. That pro-
posal, officials said was in harmony
with the procedure usually author
lied by Congress in advancing funds
prior to the actual start of con-
struction.
The Federation of Citizens Asso-
Citations had recommended in a
housing report that in addition to
the A. D. AS proposed program,
the Government should lift the ban
on the construction of permanent
single family dwellings now limited
to cost of $4,000. The report
contended that such construction
would involve no more critical ma
terials than temporary construction
using wood, which is also a critical
material.
Under this suggested revival of
building, the Federation proposed
that only vacant lots be utilized
on existing subdivisions where pub
lie utilities already are available.
While the Planning Commission
felt that the Federation's proposal
had merit in meeting the existing
housing shortage, it took the posi-
tion that the general attitude of
the War Production Board would
preclude the undertaking of the
program at this time.
Study Traffic Problem.
A study Of the traffic problems
that are worrying 1,500 employees
OF the General Accounting ONCE in
the vicinity of Mclean Gardens on
Wisconsin avenue was given to in
.dicate another aspect Of what the
War hoe dnpa IN Sic1ooeko yXyo eb