Evening star., 1947-06-17
Wants Fair Play for Arabs

TO the Editor OF The Star:
With all the millions Of dollars being used
for propaganda In favor Of Zionism, I THINK
that at least one or two voices should be raised
In behalf of the Arabs. After all, it Is their
country which is the crux OF the question
How can democratic country like ours,
which also Is republic, in company with Great
Britain or other countries, hand over another
peoples land to aliens, mandate or no man
date?
Granted that the Jewish question is tragic;
granted also that the displaced persons mus'
90 somewhere, the world is large; and, after
1000 years, what originally might have been
a good religious claim to Palestine, on the Jews
mart, seems to have died through laches.
Whv preach self-determination and then,
against the Arabs will, give Arab property to
Jews7 The Arabs made fair counteroffer but
naturally refused to give up their sovereignty
Would we do otherwise?
All nations should do their respective parts IN
solving this problem and not saddle one OF the
smallest and most defenseless countries with
the task
America has absorbed millions OF Jews. Why
cannot Australia, Africa, South America ana
large parts of the Far East accommodate some
of them? y. JEWELl1.
Home Confscation Problem
To the Editor Of The Star:
The full impact of the recently enacted Pup-
lie Law of Eminent Domain, 592, by which the
Redevelopment Land Agency can connscate
property through condemnation, Will soon pe
felt by large number of citizens OF wash
ington. Embodied in Public Law 592, which
was passed by the 10th Congress. Is plan by
which the Redevelopment Land Agency is
m
homes of thousands of persons in certain areas
of this city, predominantly populated by mi
norities, as reported by the press.
Under the banner Of improved city plan
ming" and "slum clearance" 1t permits OF the
acquisition of property. at an extremely 10"
assessed value with the right to resell to private
individuals or corporations, and with privilege
to place restrictive covenants at will.
Among the questions raised is whether or
not this arbitrary uprooting of people by
Federal agency, is truly the greatest good for
the greatest number" Conhscation of one
mans home and It's resale as profitable
enterprise, with privilege to place covenants,
would seem to violate basic tenet of the
Constitution, and citizens inalienable rights.
As generally Is the case in situations OF this
sort, it somehow works out that minorities are
eAA~~
newest housing displacement falls on the Negro
minority of the District many of whom, be-
cause OF small incomes, and lack of collateral,
have not been able to improve their properties,
entirely commensurate with the advance OF the
city's program. Included in this population
however, are large number of persons whose
homes easily meet the exacting demands OF
any city planning criteria Many are slated
to be victims of this questionable law OF
property conhscation.
For those who will lose their homes, this
plan represents q catastrophe, because they
cannot afford to purchase homes in the present
inflated market. nor will they for long be able
to pay rent, at the equally high rentals, In
proportion to the small amount OF cash paid
them by the Federal Government, on the low
assessed value Of their property. These facts
plus the limited number Of homes available
the constantly decreaStng available land for