Evening star., 1946-02-23
Hearing on Embaff|ed
|aum Bill Suspended
Until Next Week
By Don S. Worren

Public hearings on Washington's
embattled $20,000,000 slum redevel-
opment bill may be reopened some
day next week, under tentative plans
announced by Chairman McGehee
of the Judiciary Subcommittee of
the House District Committee.
Some features of the compromise
bill as passed unanimously last Oc-
tober by the Senate were both de-
|nounced and praised at yesterdays
session, and a number of amend.
ments were proposed
Sharply conflicting views voiced
by witnesses ranged all the way
from protests that OPA ceiling
prices placed on lumber manufac-
turers were delaying private build
ing construction to demands for
inclusion of the District slum bill
of definite prohibition against
race segregation covenants.
Curb on NCHA Asked.
There were demands also for bans
on low cost construction by the
National Capital Housing Authority.
or other government housing agen-
lcies, as well as declarations for quick
approval of the Senate bill as the
best possible compromise in the
local and national fight over public
and private housing work.
Mrs. William H. Wells, executive
vice president of the Citizens Coun-
Gil for Community Planning, which
has SO local affiliated organizations,
took the lead in pleading for early
approval of this urgently needed"
Legislation. She described the Sem
ate bill as fundamental and the first
necessary step to put into motion
"the colossal job of rehabilitating
this great city,"
A different view was taken by
Preston E. Wire, Washington builder,
who voiced fears that if Government
agencies were to be authorized to
engage in further housing construc-
ton they would command virtually
all building materials and leave
private builders without means of
engaging in dwelling construction.
He listed flooring, framing, cast
iron radiation and bath tubs as the
most critical shortages in building
materials and protested that OPA
ceiling prices on lumber manufac-
turers were blocking the production
of lumber.
Matthew G.. Lepley, architect,
recommended further construction
by the NCHA be banned.
Worker Idleness Cited.
Mr.. Lepley protested that some
skilled mechanics had refused to
work at a time they thought it was
too cold" and instead had gone on
the lists for unemployment compen-
sation. Chairman McGehee inter-
jected that 80 per cent of those
getting unemployment compensa-
ton are not entitled to it."
C. F. Preller, president Of the
Washington Building Trades Coun-
Gil, urged action on the compromise
bill but asked for two changes. One
would specifically require payment
of Bacon-Davis prevailing wage
scales on slum redevelopment pro-
jects. The other asked for more
positive requirements that substi-
tute housing be provided for families
who would be displaced from
"blighted areas" under redevelop-
ment programs.
Joseph H. Douglass, executive sec
retary of the Urban League, declared
the bill should be amended to in
clude a positive declaration OF
policy against segregation and
racial covenents.
| He urged a mandatory provision
regarding substitute housing for
displaced persons when they are
moved out of the slums, saying if
this is not done the displaced
families will become floating liza
bility" and result in creation of new
slum areas.