Evening star., 1949-12-14
5parkman 10 Defend
Full Rights Of Owners
In Marshall Heights

ton to the controversy over re-
development of Marshall Heights,
but will insist that the full rights
of property owners be protected
He voiced these views last night
at the conclusion of two hearings
by the Senate Banking Subcom-
mittee on rents and housing. OF
which he is chairman.
The session last night was
marked by frequent clashes.
Spokesman for organized COL
ored residents of Marshall Heights
opposed the plan, which they
claim would take away their
homes. They asked permission to
improve their own property.
Spokesman for some civic Or
ganizations urged redevelopment
should take place in the area for
the good of its own residents and
the city as a whole. Several per-
sons voiced hopes that differences
could be composed, and the plan
authorized by Congress put into
operation. But Congress has re-
fused to permit slum-clearance
and redevelopment funds to be
spent there.
Support Redevelopment.
John Andrews, vice president
and Miss Hilda Cloud, executive
director of the Washington Hous-
ing Association, supported the re-
development plan for the good OF
both the area residents and the
city as a whole.
Edward r. Carr, builder, speak
ing for the Board Of Trades Pub
lie and Private Building Commit
tee. and the Home Builders Asso-
citation of Washington, announced
that minimum standard two
bedroom home could be built here
for about $5, 900, not including the
cost of the lot. It could be
financed, he said. with payments
of $3.50 a month covering taxes
and interest on 25-year AZ per
cent mortgage. OF sound con-
struction, he said the home at that
price. however, would leave some
things to be done by the owner
himself, such as second coat OF
paint and provision by the owner
of range and refrigerator, and
doors on closets. The land, he
explained. could be leased from
the District Redevelopment Land
Agency at a nominal fee.
Urges Land Be Leased.
Oliver M. Walker, president OF
the Washington Real Estate Board
stressed that the home owners in
the Marshall Heights area must
be taken care Of" He suggested
residents lease ground for theil
homes. The whole area he said
would have been developed if the
|so-called freeze order" stopping
construction had not been put on
by the District. But he favored
the redevelopment plan.
Louis Justement, architect, said
the Washington Metropolitan
Chapter, American Institute OF
Architects. urged that the Mar
shall Heights plan take over the
entire property for redevelopment,
to do something complete, and a
step in advance"
Urging that some way be found
to put the redevelopment plan into
effect were Mrs. Donald c. Beatty,
president Of the District League of
Women Voters. and Mrs. Helen D.
Hoffman, of the American Asso-
citation of University Women.
Urges Owner-Development.
Everett Edmond. an attorney
president of the Marshall Heights
Civic Association, urged that res
idents be permitted to improve
their property without the Gov
ernment program.
Howard D. Woodson, consulting
engineer, criticized the Govern
ment plan, particularly that part
designed to provide public hous-
ing for low-income people.
Ernest F. Harper, chairman o1
the Special Committee on Housing
of the Federation of Civic Asso-
Citations, presented statement ir
which two other groups joined
the National Association for Ad-
vancement of Colored People ano
the Interdenominational Minis
ter's Alliance of Washington ano