The union times., 1943-07-31
Practice Is Seen As
 Anti-War Measure
Continued from Page One)

preach, but, then, I am not an author ity."
 Russell H. Allen, executive-secre- tary of the Hartford Housing Authority:
 Every day we have evictees in this distress who come to us with the story that they are barred from suitable liv- ing quarters because they have child dren. Of late this problem has been eased somewhat and I believe that the Rent Control Program has been re- sponsible for alleviating the situation.
 Public housing has been of some help. We take the opposite view, preferring families with children rather than those without them. We build chiefly for child ren. Thus, public housing has been a factor in giving a new point of view. It helps to break down prejudices against tenants with children.
 ''The only positive way to correct this discriminatory evil may be through legislation
 c. Ray Smith, director of the Hartford Area Rent Control Pro- gram:
 Tt appears to me to be extremely important that war workers with children should be welcomed by all landlords with proper living quarters. Property owners on the East Coast should do all they can to house the workers who are turning out the weapons to defend their property. In case of an invasion, the people can evacuate to the interior of the coun- try, but no landlord can take his prop erty with him."
 Smith stated that officially the Office of Price Administration of which the Rent Control Program is a part has no official concern with renter-tenant relations other than where there is involved a price con. trol problem. "We cannot tell a landlord to whom he shall rent or sale, we only tell him what rent he may charge" It was pointed out that in some instances, there is pos sibility of adjusting rents upwards because of an increased number of occupants. The landlord, however, has to prove that increased num- bers of tenants actually increases his operating costs.
 Ben Abrams, executive secretary of the Hartford Civic and Economic Welfare Council, which has been a pioneer exponent of rent control and a better housing advocate:
 Tt is human nature for some land lords to chose the smallest families and definitely those without children. Human nature cant be changed volun- tarily. That type of landlord is the rugged individualist' the exponent of the property rights theory. On the other side, we have the believer in human rights who wants properly to provide for his children or the children of the community. Between the two is there any question which theory IS correct? Since the end of this dis crimination against children won't come voluntarily, either of two things become necessary, legislation provid- ing legal control of the situation or an increased supply of public housing to provide living quarters for families with children"
 Henry T. Kneeland, Hartford realtor, and director of the Ma tiOnal Committee on the Housing Emergency:
 Among the social consequences of a war, perhaps the costliest is the neglect of children Landlords should recognize the invaluable part they possess in winning the war by provid- ing homes for workers families
 Workers with children have felt the effects of discrimination. It is my belief that more complete realization of their responsibilities during the war will lead more property-holders to rent homes to tenants with children. :. Voluntary cooperation is more de- sirable than any control"
 Harold Poole, executive secretary of the Bridgeport Housing Author ity:
 
 discrimination today in Bridgeport. With some 4,OOO families waiting for living quarters, landlords can and are discriminating against families with children. The prob- lem didn't occur before the war because there was per cent vacancy rate in this city.
 "I definitely feel that no gen. eratiOn has the right as far as hOus- ing goes to discourage the bearing and rearing of children by putting a premium of childlessness as requisite of renting house or an apartment Personally I know of no way that we can approach the problem. The federal govern ment exercises no control over it. :"
 Walter J. StapeltOn, director of the Bridgeport Office of the Rent Control Program:
 My personal opinion Is that I don't think children should be barred from any suitable living quarters. It is pretty tough on war workers to be denied living quarters because they are parents. As far as 1 am concerned hate to see this form of discrimination /. How to put a stop to it, is a pretty broad question with many rami- fcations. . It is policy that does not come under the rent control pro- gram"
 SIX SONS SERVING
 Bernard Dave, of Chicago, mem hor If Trforoa4;ooo1 TIo;o~ of noo-al