Evening star., 1944-06-30
Letters to The Star
Sees Nations Capital Leading
In Slum Clearance
To the Editor Of The Star:

To the Editor Of The Star:
In answer to your editorial, Financing
Slum Clearance" June 3, would like to
mention again that this has nothing to
do with who does the construction. but
is purely question Of who is respon-
sible and who should pay the cost
The policy of Federal financing of
slum clearance has been true of the
New Deal and prewar days, but we now
are talking postwar. new phase,
Present local slum clearance hearings
are the first step into this postwar phase
OF slum reclamation and admittedly will
have a great deal of bearing on the
national situation. Therefore what we
do here is Of utmost Importance. WASH
ington slums are our problem. Chicago
slums are Chicagos problem and so on.
We must lead the way, accepting the
responsibility that is ours. If we do this
in the Nations Capital, they, Chicago
and others, should follow ~
There are many far-reaching advan-
tages to this conception 1t will stop
the unsound and irresponsible habit of
dipping into Federal funds for subsidies.
1t will help to hold down our ever
increasing national debt. 1t will be a
return to local responsibility which
Immediately focuses local interest and
concern on how this vital program will
be conducted. There Is nothing to stop
Washington in the future from dipping
into Federal funds for subsidies II there
is return to national financing, and we
can all 60 down with the sinking shin
together. But certainly in our responsible
position as Capital of the Nation and
fortunate In relatively easy relief lob
to be done 1t would be treason not to
accept our responsibility and lead the
way toward sound financing.
You also mentioned in your editorial
that "in the only two concrete propo-
sitions made by local builders, the tax
payers subsidy to the builder would
amount to 1851 900 involving only 1913
units out Of the 10000 said to be en-
braced in the complete slum reclana-
ton program"
The first Of the two projects involved
~ units and was for the purpose of
Illustration" that private enterprise
could build at the present price level a.
lour-room masonry row house or, a 5000
lot with 33-year 81 per cent financing
pay all taxes and rent for $35 per month.
whereas the National Capital Housing
Authority, under the same conditions
would have 70 charge $43 per month.
Inc second project was concrete and
Tor specific site. Logans Court. This
carefully planned project by Mr.. Carr
and Mr.. Breuninger would repav thu
Initial $l27,ooo write down in ground
value in 20 years through increased
taxes on the new improvements.
progressive common-sense slum clear
ance under the Tydings bill will not cost
the taxpayers cent for construction or
taxes. But as for help for the needy. /"
cont let any one deceive himself that
this is not going to cost the local tax
payers money no matter who does the
construction work, since the National
capital Housing Authority is requesting
FUNDS under Title / under which n
charges economic or cost rents that will
De met under rent ceilings imposed on
the private builders in the Tydinps bill
Inc difference between this rent and
what the needy can afford to paw must
Do met by the taxpayers, and thev
snouio get that straight right now.
HuIus Lusk, speaking for the Washing.
ION taxpayers Association and backing
the 1ydings bill, brings out this point.
and that we the taxpayers better do !
netie serious thinking on how much we
can anord In the way OF help for the
needy. CLARKE nANTr,