Evening star., 1946-03-28
Veterans
Continued From First Page J

water utilities for demountabl
houses which are scheduled to b
erected here for the veterans by tn
National Housing Agency.
For Emergency Use.
Commissioner Guy Mason an,
Corporation Counsel Vernon E
West explained this was an emer
gency housing proposal by Fedora
officials, that the units would be TO
temporary use only to await provi
sion of more permanent housin,
and that the only cost to the Dis
trict would be for the necessar,
utilities.
Violent objections were voiced
however, by a number of citizens
associations spokesmen, who de-
nounced provision of cracker boxes
as veterans housing and their place
ment os park lands which had been
paid for by taxpayers for general
use by the public for recreation, in
stead of housing.
Among the objectors were George
A. Corbin, delegate to the Fedora
tion of Citizens Associations from
the Manor Park group; Theodore H.
Naylor OF the Chillum Heights As
sociation. Roy L. Burge of 5735 Kan
sas avenue NV, Mrs. E. Morgan
Price Of the District Federation of
Women's Clubs and Mrs. Ernest w
Howard of the Columbia Heights
Association.
Mr. Corbin said he would object
to, placing the temporary housing
units in the park areas whether
they be OF the Quonset hut type or
"shanties."
Sees Ruin of Parks.
Mr.. Corbin said that if such
housing units were placed in the
historic park areas, such as Fort
Slocum or along Fort Drive, "it
would ruin our parks, ruin our Fort
Drive, ruin our historic properties
which were paid for out of tax
payers money and damage the
values of nearby permanent homes. "
Mr.. Burge contended that park
land used for temporary housing
would place extra burdens on the
schools, the Police and Fire De-
partments and on the Districts
garbage and trash collection agen-
cles without taxing the users of the
housing for such costs.
If such steps were taken, Mr..
Burge added, the citizens would
lose faith in the Federal Govern
ment," adding that no one could
foretell how many years such tempo
rary housing would continue to be
used.
When an amendment was sug-
gested to ban the use of park lands
Tor such purposes, Commissioner
Mason said, IF you adopt that you
might as well abandon the whole
bill" He stressed that only part
OF the proposed units would go on
park lands and that there simply
was not enough space elsewhere for
the number Of the temporary units
which had been allocated to the
District.
Nov Living in Tents.
Our returning veterans" Mr.. Ma
son continued, ARE in such need of
housing they are almost compelled
to live in canvas tents on the public
highways. Some are living in base
ments, and the need is so great they
are almost forced into clothes
closets.
I'VE might as we'll tell the vet
Grams we are not interested. Every
one is in favor of giving them hous-
ing, but every one wants them put
in the backyard of some one else. u
Mr.. Corbin said when his son
came back from the Navy, I'VE are
going to double up until his own
housing is available-that is the
answer" He said Mr.. Mason's argu-
ments were ridiculous"
Some members of the committee
brought out that the proposed $780,
900 outlay for utilities for the tenn
porary housing would be wasted
after the temporary need was
ended. Consideration then was
given to possibilities of placing the
stopgap housing in suburban areas
instead Of on District park lands.
Krug Report Awaited.
Decision was deferred at the re-
quest of Senator Saltonstall, Repub-
lican, of Massachusetts, to await 9
report from Secretary of the Interior
Krug, whom the Commissioners were
asked to consult.
Chairman Bilbo named a subcom-
mittee to consider and hold hearings
on the bill urged by the Commits
sioners to give them stronger con-
troll over recalcitrant communicable
disease victims. Senator Johnston
Democrat, of South Carolina was
named chairman. Other members
are Senators Hoey, Democrat, oil
North Carolina and Young, Repub-
lican, Of North Dakota.
After heated debate, the commit.
tee voted a favorable report on the
bill sponsored by the District FEEDER.
alton of Women's Clubs to strength
en- District control over the sale ano
1Ise of harhitllric dr,Ips Tho hill