Evening star., 1949-04-28
SIum REBUILDING
Study Continued
By Senate Unit
Funds for Low-Cost
Housing CoIIed Key to
Solution of Problem

Solution of Problem
Study of stronger housing sani.
tation requirements and the neec
for funds for slum rebuilding con-
tinued today on Capitol Hill. as Z
result Of 4 Senate District sub
committee inquiry into slum prob
lens.
Conclusions were withheld TEN.
porarily by the subcommittee
headed by Senator Margaret Chase
Smith. Republican, OF Maine. blI
there were indications some def
mite recommendation will b<
made.
There was general agreement
at the Smith Subcommittee con-
ference that provision of money
for low-cost housing is the key to
the whole solution.
Planners Explore Financing.
At the same time, the National
Capital Park and Planning Com
mission today was exploring ways
to obtain financial support under
the pending Federal housing bill
for the Districts slufn clearance
program. The District Commits.
sioners have been invited to attend
this afternoons session of the
planners regular monthly meeting
to help draft course OF action
Tomorrow the planners will in
spect the same slum areas neal
the Capitol recently visited by con-
gressional groups.
Planning officials favor an
amendment to the Redevelopmen,
Land Agency Act to enable the
District to benefit under the loan
and grant provisions of the hous-
ing bill. For three years Congress
has denied any funds to the local
agency under the authorized $780,
900 900 revolving fund.
On Capitol Hill this problem
along with proposals for adoption
Of much tougher sanitary code
were. among questions awaiting
decision.
Tn Sea EsrSuSnn
Mrs. Smith was to confer today
with Senator Ferguson, Repub-
lican, Of Michigan on his separate
investigation of the city's control
over slum conditions.
Senator Ferguson, meanwhile
continued his investigati ton by con.
ferring with Health Department
officials.
The Senator said afterward hi
had reached no conclusions in hi.
study and planned to hold othel
conferences. He said. however
that he had asked a number o.
questions Of DR.. George c. Ruh.
land. District health officer: DR.
Daniel L. Seckinser, assistant
health officer; Col. William H
Cary. jr., director of public health
engineering. and Milton Norman
assistant corporation counsel.
Principal subject of discussion
Senator Ferguson said. was ths
District sanitary and building code
He said he asked the delegation
whether or not the city had SUM-
cient authority and what might
be done with more authority and
more money.
DELEGATION Won't Comment.
The Senator also inquired as tc
what his visitors thought could be
accomplished by people outside the
Government.
The delegation leaving Senator
Ferguson this morning refused
comment, referring all questions
to the Senator.
At q meeting Of the Smith SUBJ
committee yesterday, Mrs. Smith
stressed the thought that public
education in the long g-range hous-
ing problem for the poor is of pri-
mary importance. While consider
ing appeals for appropriations for
slum redevelopment, she said she
wondered. II the District got new
low-cost housing. whether District
officials would have sufficient au-
thority to force tenants to keep
the places clean"
Corporation Counsel Vernon E
West said the Commissioners al
ready have suficient authority
Health Officer Rutland said more
money was needed for the hire
Of more sanitary inspectors.
Seeks More Authority.
Earlier, DIR. Rutland said the
records show a definite relation
ship between slum housing and
the incidence OF communicable
diseases and mortality rates. As
one cure. DR.. Rutland asked for
authority to close up and prevent
the use Of buildings found unfit
for human habitation."
The majority Of the patients oil
Gallinger Municipal Hospital, DR.
Ruhland said. are from Washing
tons blighted areas.
A similar statement came from
John w. Tramburg. welfare direc-
tor. who said slum housing con-
tributes heavily to welfare and re-
lief problems.
1t. Col. c. H. Whitesell. Assist
ant Engineer Commissioner. told
the subcommittee the fastest
way to relieve slum conditions
would be for Congress to grant
funds to the Redevelopment Land
Agency.
Capt. Berry Transferred
As NovoI Aide to CIork
,