Evening star., 1943-04-04
Federation Demands
D. {. Designation as
Critical Housing Area
Return to ADA Plan
Of Permanent Projects
Also Is Sought

Demands that Washington return
to the original permanent housing
program of the Alley Dwelling Au-
thority and that the city be desig-
mated officially as a critical housing
area in order that materials for
permanent housing may be obtained
were made last night by the Hous-
ing and Rent Control Committee of
the Fedora ton of Citizens Associa-
tlOns.
A resolution adopted by the fed
Grafton called on Congress to in
stitute its own investigation to
verify the facts and put into effect
the recommendations" contained in
the report.
The report, which is the result of
several months study by the COM
mittee. headed by Joseph H. Deck
man, also recommended:
l. Elimination of the Immigrant
restrictions now governing eligibility
for housing.
.. Removal or moderation of pres
ent building limitations to permit
additional bedroom capacity to be
built into such units as may be con-
structed and so that additional sites.
now available because of coming, re-
strictive covenants and economics,
can be utilized.
3. Effect savings in critical ma
terlals and manpoWer by elimination
Of further temporary housing units.
Calls Temporary Projects Costly.
Mr.. Deckman charged in his
housing report that temporary hous-
ing was costly and does not aid
materially in solution of the hous-
ing problem" He argued further
that temporary housing used large
amounts of lumber, critical
material which had to be hauled
long distances. while brick, tile and
cinder block for permanent housing
is on hand.
mo more critical material for
plumbing, heating and electrical ap-
pliances is used in either case" he
added.
Permanent housing constructed by
small private builders can utilize
vacant lots in areas already serviced
with sewers, water, transportation
facilities and other utilities, Mr.
Deckman said, whereas demounta BILE
and demolishable public housing re-
qulreS isolated areas usually lacking
some public service. He pointed out
also that permanent private hous-
ing. which must conform to local
zoning and building code regula-
tions. does not destroy any prop
erty values
In reviewing the various steps
which the federation has advocated
In regard to housing during the last
few months. Mr.. Deckman said no
progress can be reported in efforts
to have vacated commercial build
ings = used for Government Of
fees instead of apartment houses
now in use Although he said that
contact had been made with Off
cials. the attitude of these officials
appears to be one OF disinterest
toward the Washington housing
problem"
Cites Navy Policy Change.
Mr.. Deckman said 1T may interest
this federation to know that the
weight of its approval to this COM
mittee's protest has assisted mate
rally in leading to a change of
policy on the part of the Navy De-
partment, whereby that department
is now providing dormitories of new
construction to house the WAVES
instead Of using permanent apart
ment houses.
On motion of Baxter Smith. chair
man of the Safety Committee, the
federation voted the following
recommendations: % That the
building code be revised to require
exits of all restaurants, theaters,
night clubs. clubs, hotels, auditor
iums. churches, stores and public
buildings. having a floor space of
1000 or more square feet, to open
outward, '2> that an investigation
be made of the conditions existing
at all such places and measures
taken to correct any dangerous con-
ditions found; and ~ that Congress
be requested to provide the Build
ing Inspectors Office with sufficient
personnel to enable the Office prop
erly to enforce building regulations.
River Terrace Unit Rejected.
The application of the River Ter
race Association for membership in
the Federation was rejected by a
vote of 36 to22 after prolonged
and bitter debate. In parliamentary
moves to sidetrack immediate deci-
sion. motion to recommit the mat
ter to the Membership Committee
was lost. Al to 10. and a motion to
table the report fayoring admission,
and to recommit, was lost. As to g.
Attack on admission of the group
was led by Robert Clements Of the
Benning Association which claimed
that the River Terrace group was
within its territory. Mr.. Clements
asserted the River Terrace Asso-
citation was organized to retain the
right to burn gas in homes rather
than coal and that it became a
citizens association as an after
thought" He said he was "f1abber-
gasted" at the favorable report of
the membership committee. which,
he charged, denied rehearing.
Membership Chairman Queried.
Referring to zoning fight in the
Benning area more than year ago,
Mr.. Clements said the question of
forming a separate River Terrace
group came up and was rejected
overwhelmingly. Mrs. Olive G.. Fair
cloth, chairman of the membership
committee, was asked if the favor
able report on admission was re-
Election on the integrity of Benning
Mrs. Faircloth replied that the COM
mittee felt the Benning group had
made no real effort to have men,
bers of the River Terrace Associa-
ton to join them.
The Federation also opposed leg
islation which would prevent grade
labelling of processed foods: sup
ported H. R. 2l58, bill to provide
special assessments for the laying of
curb and gutter. now before the Dis
trict Senate Committee. and voted