Evening star., 1953-09-09
Citizens Pledge
Work by Block
To Check S|ums
80 Representatives
Of Associations Hear
Prentiss Explain Plan

@CSu b0b
Representatives of citizens
and civic associations, along
with District Government Off
cials. yesterday pledged cooper
alton in block attacks on slums
and blighted areas of the Dis
trict.
Some 80 representatives of the
associations attended a meeting
in the District Building called
by Brig. Gen. Louis w. Prentiss,
Engineer Commissioner, who has
asked that each group suggest
from one to three blocks in its
area for a start on the improve
ment program.
Gen. Prentiss emphasized that
"the city is not trying to hand
a hot potato to the citizens as
Sociations" and that the initia-
tive must remain with the city
Government. But he said the
District is asking the associa-
tion's active cooperation.
He had sent out invitations to
about SIS associations indicated
as including areas needing work.
Inspections to Follow.
He asked that each association
send to Col. Giles Evans, Assist
ant Engineer Commissioner who
will take over full-time direction
OF the Slum attack, the blocks
suggested for a start and the
name of the committee chairman
for the association who will head
the area program.
Gen. Prentiss said the District
then will arrange for a field in-
spection to determine the posi-
bilitieS of action by the District
and by property owners.
He anticipated that problem
of banking credit will be en-
countered and asked that he be
notified when it is. He said he
will investigate the question Of
availability of borrowed money
for improvements to fight Slums.
The Commissioner pointed out
the program is not concerned
with areas in which the Rede-
velopment Land Agency and
others will eliminate slums, but
rather in correcting blighted con-
ditions that lead to slums.
Relatively Large Area.
"Too many people think the
problem we are worried about is
one occupying a relatively small
area" he said, "and that is not
the case. Perhaps the worst Is
concentrated, but the problem Of
slum development resulting from
unStopped blight is one that has
spread out and is covering a
relatively large part of our city"
Ferguson Dutton of the Fed
Grafton of Civic Associations told
of the cleanup campaign UNDER
taken by that organization ear
lier this year. He told of absentee
landlords requested to make re-
pairs in multiple dwelling units
who had mo idea of making
such improvements"
"They don't seem to have any
idea other than what rings up
in the cash register" he said.
He added that since rent con-
trolls expired, tenants have been
told there will be no repairs ex-
cept for major items.
Both he and Joseph A. Kauf-
man, president of the Federation
of Citizens Associations, pledged
help to the program. Mr.. Kauf-
man said that "the main thing
the Commissioners don't have Is
people. We've got people,"
Can Handle Landlords.
With rent controls off, he said,
1--WE can take care of the absen-
tee landlord" With the aid Of
the sanitary and safety regula-
tions where necessary. he said.
I'VE can stop the cash register
from ringing"
Landlords are on a competitive
basis, he pointed out. He added
that there are things tenants can
do themselves to improve their
homes.
William A. Xanten, District
sanitation superintendent, un-
derscored that statement by re-
porting that "in some areas of
this city there are people who
don't even take the trouble to
make their garbage available for
collection, but let it pile up.
The meeting heard pledges of
active cooperation or indorse-
ment of the program from repre-
sentatives of the city health, fire,
police and inspections depart
ments, the National Capital Plan
ming Commission, the Redevelop-
ment Land Agency, the National
Capital Housing Authority and
the Home Builders Association.
The attack on the city's po-
tential slums will be conducted
while city officials continue their
study of what new laws and reg
ulationS are needed for a COM
pletely effective program. Gen.
Prentiss said the tools the city
lacks now are sufficient inspec-
tors, a satisfactory housing code
and lack of authority to raze
condemned buildings.
Seven Seized in Raids