Evening star., 1943-10-12
Better HOUSING
Need Stressed
By Randolph
He or D'AIesundro
| Will Introduce Bill
| To Eliminate SIums

Chairman Randolph of the House
District Committee. discussing the
slum housing problem here, said to-
day, There is definite need for i'm
provement of living conditions for a
large portion of the population here
in the District"
Mr.. Randolph said he would not,
at this time, pledge himself to sup
port any specific legislative proposal
for slum reclamation. He pointed
out, however, that several weeks ago
he requested John Ihlder, executive
officer of the National Capital Hous-
ing Authority, to draft bill which
would provide funds for the begin
ming OF slum reclamation program
Mr.. Ihlder has advocated for the
District.
So that this proposal will be
placed before the House District
Committee for consideration, Mr..
Randolph said either he or Repre-
sentative D'Alesandro, Democrat, Of
Maryland, will introduce the bill.
Mr.. D'Alesandro is chairman OF a
House District subcommittee which
made an extensive investigation Of
slum housing conditions here last
spring.
Budget Bureau Studies Bill.
The committee is deeply inter-
ested in going into this problem
thoroughly as soon as the legislation
| can be placed before u.s." Mr.. RAN
dolph added. The responsibility
which Congress has in this i'm
portant matter in our National
Capital cannot be taken lightly"
1t was disclosed yesterday that
Mr.. 1hlder has completed the ten
tative draft and that the bill now
is being studied by the Budget Bu-
reau. In testimony before the Sem
ate and House committees Mr..
1hlder has estimated that appropri-
ations totaling sl0O,O0O,OoO over
period of 20 to Is years would be
required to reclaim the Districts
slums. 1t is understood, however,
that the bill to be placed before the
House District Committee would
provide only for the beginning of
the long-range program, which Mr..
1hlder has indicated should be
started with one-year appropria-
ton of s50O0,O00 or $4,000 900.
Meanwhile. Mr.. Ihlder today
hailed as >"encouraging' an an
nouncement from the Federal Pub
lie Housing Authority that postwar
priority would be given to low-rent
housing projects throughout the
| country that were halted in the
summer of 1910, when emphasis was
shifted to the construction of hous-
ing for defense workers,
/ Applications Invited.
The FPHA invited municipal
housing authorities to submit ap-
pllcatlons for postwar projects to
regional Offices. 1t specified, how
ever, that these must be projects
that could be put under construc-
ton within two years after the end
OF the war. The undertaking Of
archltectural work or site acquisi-
tons for the proposed projects at
this time is not recommended, the
FPHA announcement said.
In proposing the slum reclamation
program for the District, Mr.. Ihlder
has advocated that funds be made
available now, so that construction
can begin before the end of the war
If sufficient building materials can
be spared without endangering the
war effort. Mr.. Ihlder withheld
SPECIFIC comment on the FHPA an
nouncement until he has studied it
closely.
Tomorrow at 10 am, members
OF a Senate subcommittee headed
by Senator Burton, Republican, of
Ohio will make second tour of the
Districts slum areas and National
Capital Housing Authority slum
reclamation properties. The sub
committee. which is investigating
present and future housing needs
here. toured slum areas and NCHA
housing developments in the North
west section last Sot,,rGor