Evening star., 1943-11-16
Byrd Will Investigate
Rumored Navy Plan
To Take Chast|eton
Senator Asks Department
For information on
Reported Eviction

An inquiry into reports that the
Navy plans to take over the Chas-
tleton Apartments as WAVE
dormitory was launched today by
Senator Byrd, Democrat, of Virginia
as chairman Of the Joint Committee
on Nonessential Government Ex-
penses.
Senator Byrd announced he had
called on the Navy Department for
information. He said he wanted to
find out whether they want the
Sixteenth street building and, If so,
for what purpose and under what
circumstances.
He was expected to ask about
costs, how great the need for addi-
tional quarters is and whether any
other place could be considered by
the Navy Department.
The Navy has declined to COM
ment on the reports and the owner
OF the building, Washington Proper
ties, Inc, has denied that the Chas-
Teton had been offered the Navy for
sale or rent.
Oficers Seen in Building.
The presence of Navy officials in
the building last week, however,
spurred the tenants to launch a
protest against possible eviction.
They plan to hold their third protest
meeting tonight.
About 500 tenants crowded into
the dining room of the apartment
hotel last night to hear what their
committee had learned about the
reports. They agreed unanimously
to invite Thomas D. Carson. presi.
dent OF Washington Properties, Inc.
to appear at tonight's meeting.
Petition to Congress.
c. D. Ketcham. chairman of tn.
Apartment Tenants Committee, de.
clared last night that I'VE have 1t or
fairly good authority that the sale /.
going through"
Tenants signed a petition asking
members Of Congress to determine
whether the Navy's proposed action
is reasonable. economical and vitality
necessary for the successful prosecu-
ton of the war, and whether all
other feasible means for providing
the temporary housing referred tc
have been examined prior to selec-
ton OF this present residence OF
some 1900 tenants"
Also unanimously adopted was 9
resolution calling for a hearing OF
the Tenants Committee and officials
OF the Navy Department in which
the rights Of all parties concerned
will receive full consideration"
The petition maintained that ap-
proximately 80 per cent of occupants
are engaged in essential war work
and that the remainder are depend
ents OF members of the armed forces
or are aged and crippled.
If it is helping to promote the
war effort, we would not hesitate
five minutes in getting out" Mr.
Ketcham declared. From another
member Of the committee, Charles
Paul, came the observation that
whether we win or lose, we will.
still put up a fight"
Suggests Dirksen Speech.
One woman tenant suggested thai
Representative Dirksen, Republican
of Illinois be asked to deliver a five.
minute speech on the floor of the
House in support of their fight anc
that other members of Congress fol.
low up with one minute talks.
Paul j. Miller, president Of the
Washington Guest House Associa
ton, told the group that they were
protected under the Rent Contro
Act. He said he did not see why the
Navy Department had to take ovel
the Chastleton on temporary basis
when there are thousands of rooms
available in the city"
He also warned that II the NAVY
did not succeed in taking over the
hotel, they will try elsewhere ,
Turning to the denial of the owners
Mr.. Miller asked: DO we have q
representative of Washington Prop.
perties here tonight to deny the re.
port?" He was met with a louc
no"
1t was at this point that the sue-
gestlon was made that Mr.. Carson
IN evayy - -