Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-05-31
Senators Plan
Broad Study Of
Sums Problem
Subcommittee to Hold
Hearing; Pattern for
Nation Is Sought
NEW BILL SEEKS Housing for
&2.500-s4,000 Income Group.
Page Az.
By Harold B. Rogers

charted by the Housing and Rent
Subcommittee of the Senate Bank
ing Committee to begin a long
range study of Housing In the
Nations Capital" including slums.
A comprehensive investigation
into the whole housing problem
here" will be started before the
end of this session Of Congress. the
subcommitte chairman, Senator
Sparkman, Democrat. of Alabama.
has announced.
SO broad-gauge Is the plan that
hearings this session can only go
into preliminary study" the
Senator explained.
Because Of the close relation
ships uniting nearby Maryland and
Virginia with the District. the
committee will inquire into popu-
lation and housing conditions In
the whole Metropolitan area.
Two Objectives Of Survey.
70 by this study" Senator Spark
man said today. I'VE hope even
tually to do two things+to clean
UP the slums here to make this the
most beautiful city in America,
and use this experience here, close
under the eyes of Congress, as a
guide post to housing policies in
other parts of the country
Many witnesses will be called to
testify before the subcommittee,
the chairman announced. They
will be asked to explain the situa-
ton from the point of view of
planning officials. administrative
officials. public housing and pri-
vate enterprise.
Meantime Senator Sparkman
expressed hope the national hous-
ing bill, designed to help clear
slums here as well as throughout
the country, will be enacted soon.
He sponsored an amendment to
the measure when it passed the
Senate to restore to the National
Capital Housing Authority the
power to acquire land for con-
struction of low-rent public hous-
ing.
Senator Sparkman said he also
favors the amendments written
into the bill by the House Bank
ing Committee to permit the Dis
trict's Redevelopment Land Agency
to participate in the benefits of
the housing bill for grants and
loans. He will support the House
amendments for the District If
and when it is approved by the
House and sent to conference with
the Senate.
Long Conference Held.
Preparing for the public hear
ings of his unit. Senator Spark
man said the subcommittee staff
already had held lengthy confer
ences with leaders in the housing
field here to lay the groundwork
for committee study.
An outline of the lease study"
has been prepared by the staff at
his direction, Senator Sparkman
said. This outlines a comprehen-
sive 10-point program for the
hearings, with a long list of peril
nent questions to be asked of wit
nesses from all interests con-
cerned.
The Census Bureau will be
asked to give the committee the
story Of the big population growth
throughout the Metropolitan Area,
breaking it down into proportions
of whites and Negroes in the city
and the nearby counties.
Recommendations Sought.
: The National Capital Park and
Planning Commission and the
planning agencies of adjacent
States will be asked to recon-
mend legislation and their plans
for "rehousing of displaced fam
lilies. especially those of low in
come"
The study will branch out into
q survey of testimony and reports
from local Government agencies
concerned with housing and
health. from civic agencies pri-
vate social agencies. private real
estate interests. private enterprise
organizations. such as the Wash
ington Board of Trade, United
States Chamber of Commerce and