Evening star., 1949-07-05
City 10 Launch
on
S|un C|eariinq
Typical Block Here
To Be Selected for
Preliminary Study


Preliminary Study
The Commissioners decided to-
day to launch an experiment to
find out just how far the city can
go under present regulations In
cleaning up Washington's slums.
At the suggestion Of Commis-
sioner John Russell Young, they
approved activation Of a commit
tee of District officials, already
appointed, to get it started i'm
The committee was appointed
after the Commissioners conferred
last month with G. Yates Cook.
chief of the housing section OF
the Baltimore Health Department.
on the so-called Baltimore plan"
of slum clearance.
To Pick Typical Block.
Charles Stofberg, assistant to
Commissioner Young, said E. M.
Dulin of the District Department
of Health Engineering would be
asked today to select typical
slum block here for preliminary
study. The committee will de-
termine how much the block can
be cleaned up under existing reg
ulations.
Landlords in the block will hs
asked to cooperate in the survey.
Mr.. Stofberg said the COMMITTEES
would seek voluntary cooperation
by landlords, but added that city
officials are prepared to go into
court if necessary to enforce any
regulations not being complied
with.
At the June meeting, MIR. Cook
said the block plan" had proved
extremely successful in Baltimore.
Under the plan, his division con-
centrated on one block at tims
with all forces at his command.
Merely an Experiment.
The Commissioners move today
is understood to be merely an ex-
pertinent.
Meanwhile, the Senate Ap-
preparations mittee con.
sidered the Districts slum clear
ance problem in executive session.
but postponed action until prob
ably tomorrow.
The committee heard Senator
McCarran, Democrat, of Nevada
insist on an appropriation of $2o.-
000, 900 to be included in the pend
ing independent offices appropria-
ton bill.
Opposing the plan for redevel-
opment of Marshall Heights in
Northeast Washington. Represent
ative Phillips, Republican. OF Cali
fornia told the committee he
strongly opposed the plan for
Marshall Heights.
Senator McCarran said he
would resume his appeal for tho
full $40, 1000, 900 figure. already au-
thorized by Congress in the Dis
trict Redevelopment Land Act OF
1916, and said he was inclined to
agree with Mr.. Phillips that it
would be wrong to select single
area, such as Marshall Heights.
for slum clearance or redevelop-
ment. Mr.. Phillips is a member
Of the House Appropriations Com"
mittee.
Committee Meets Tomorrow.
The way to proceed with Wash.
ington's slum-clearance program.
Senator McCarran said he told
the committee, is to follow the
plan laid down by the 1946 law
which sets up revolving fund for
the work.
The full committee will meet at
10 am. tomorrow to resume con-
sideration of the big supply mea-
sure which carries funds for many
different agencies, but probably
will tackle first again the slum
problem.
In addition, an entirely separate
legislative proposal for Washing
ton slum clearance is pending in
the national housing bill which
now is in conference between the
House and Senate.
The housing bill carries the two
separate amendments which would
permit the District to participate
in the loan and grant procedure
Of the measure in the same fash.
ion as each of the 48 States.
In an entirely separate move.
work will be started soon to
rehabilitate two District areas
which now fall within the slum
category. Health Officer George c.
Rutland announced today. The
project will be aided by the Yard
vile Committee headed by John
H. Connaughton, president of the
Federation of Citizens ASsocia-
tionS.
Appeal to andlords Planned.
One block will be In the South
west section and the other in the
Northwest section.
DR.. John r. Pate. director Of
the Southwest Health Center, has
suggested the 200 block of F street
S.W., the 800 block of G street
S.W. and the 400 block of Dela-
ware avenue S.W. as possible sites.
The Northwest section site prob
ably will not be selected until next
week when William c. Cary, jr..
director of the Public Bureau Of
Health Engineering of the Health
Department, returns from a vaca-
ton.
Or. Ruhland plans to appeal to
the landlords of the areas or per-
haps to the Board of Trade to
furnish paint and brushes in
order that the residents can do
the work.
According to DR.. Rutland, the
work will consist of painting the
houses both inside and out and
fixing the back and front yards.
He will also follow the plans
worked ont in Raltimore where