Evening star., 1949-04-24
Policy Session
Urged 10 Settle
SIum Problems
Gordon Young Sees
Possible Conflict
In Jurisdictions

hCldAc W P1oPtcS oA WA FSA@
cy conference.
District Commissioner Gordon
r.. Young said he would recon-
mend to the other commissioners
that q meeting be held soon
perhaps this. week-of all officials
concerned. Ito iron out" several
complex issues which have arisen.
Suggestion for the conference
Gen. Young said. came from Cor
poration Counsel Vernon e. West
who has been studying the legal
questions involved. 81.
Bill Approved by Senate.
The Senate approved and sent
to the House Thursday, the Ma
tional housing bill with proviso
which would restore to the Ma
tional Capital Housing Authority
the power to acquire sites for low
rent public housing and clear the
slum areas.
But the Districts Redevelop-
ment Land Agency, which Con-
gress set UP to carry out long
range slum clearance program
with q $40. .000, 900 revolving fund,
never has been given an appro-
priation by Congress for the pur-
pose.
Gen. Young has not formulated
q complete chart for his proposed
conference nor decided who should
be invited.
Among the subjects for discus
sion probably would be the dis
puted building and sanitary codes.
now under fire from Capitol Hill.
the legal powers of the NCHA and
the land agency in the light OF
the pending national housing bill
and its local proviso. the potential
liability Of the District govern
ment for financing any new slum
clearance program.
Concerned Over Expense.
Gen. Young indicated he was
concerned over the possible ex-
pense of such program in view
Of financial dilemma OF the city
which now faces a potential $l8.-
100000 deficit. - ~ r
Among the officials who might
be invited to the conference would
be leaders from:
/. The NCHA. which would re-
sumo its slum clearance and "low-
rent public housing program
under the Senate amendment.
2. The National Capital Park
and Planning Commission which
under law. must prepare So
called master plan" for city
redevelopment before the District
Redevelopment Land Agency
could begin action.
8. The District Redevelopment
Land Agency.
4. The United States Public
Housing Administration to which
the NCHA would apply for a loan
to finance slum clearance, If its
proposed restoration of power be-
comes law.
S. District officials who have
policy making power and control
over the disputed sanitary and
building codes.
No Basic Conflict.
Mr.. West has informed Senate
District leaders that, In his
opinion, there is no basic conflict
between legislation setting up
Washington's two different hous-
ing agencies on the one hand and
the new national housing bill on
the other.
But after careful study, he con-
cluded that some amendments to
the NCHA and the land agency
acts might be desired in the light
OF latest developments.
In the meantime, however, some
Senators plan to continue their
investigation into the slum situa-
ton here while the House proceeds
with consideration of its own
housing bill.
One of the items In the House,
passed Independent Ofhces Appro-
priation bill is $40. 900 for the Park
and Planning Commission to pub
lish its so-called master plan" as
the basis for slum clearence by the
land agency.
This master plan Is q key to
the work of the land agency. II
includes a proposal that among
the first areassto be redeveloped
should be Marshall Heights. in
Southeast Washington.
Objections to Proposal.
Objection to developing this
area arose and was the subject
of hearings by the District Com
missioners.
John Ihlder. executive officer OF
the NCHA. said that II the Com
missioners should approve the
Marshall Heights project. and the
Land Agency desired to go for
ward with it. the agency could
assign some Of the work to the
NCHA. But the NCHA could not
proceed unless the proviso now
pending before the House giving
NCHA authority becomes law.
The Senate-approved housing
bill will be referred to the House
Banking and Currency Commit
tee. It will resume hearings to-
morrow morning on q somewhat
similar House bill. Witnesses are
expected to be representatives oi
veterans organizations. The House
bill does not carry the provisc
restoring to NCHA It's power te
buy sites.
Agency without Funds.
Mark Lansburgh. chairman Of
the land agency. said he woulc
welcome the conference proposed
by Gen. Young.
He pointed out that Congress
during the past two years hae
denied all funds to the agency
which has been unable to establish
even An office ar set up 4 star.