Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-12-02

Testimony Reveals
Divergent Views on
New Housing Code
Following are some Of the
highlights of the testimony pre-
sented at the housing code hear
ing yesterday:
Lloyd E. Turner, president,
District Association of Small
Property Owners-"Unless the
taxpayers are willing to sub
sidize increased rents, then we
feel that the proposed code must
be revised with the thought
uppermost in mind that we are
dealing with minimum stand
ards for public health and safety
on a practical and reasonable
basis"
r. Frank Jones, Washington
Urban League-"It is high time
that the city took effective
measures to erase the substand-
ard housing blight from the
shoulders of those who bear it."
Grosvenor Chapman, Wash
ington Building Congress-Pro-
posed limitation on the use of
basement rooms would make il
legal all types of such rooms
that are partly above grade.
William r. Simpson, general
counsel, National Capital Hous-
ing AUTHORITATIVE effect of pro-
posed square footage require
ments per person would be dis
astrous" on the larger dwelling
units operated by the authority
unless they are relaxed for fam
lily groups of more than four.
Walter d. Jarvis, Building
Owners and Managers Associa-
tion-"This is a workable disable
code that will make Washington
a better place to live in."
James E. Scott, Washington
Real Estate Brokers Association
and president Washington Chap
ter of the Frontiers Club Of
Notwithstanding interest S
among the populace must be
safeguarded against the jealous
ness of inspectors who in carry
ing out the tasks might be con-
sidered extremely sharp or hard
to bear in manner"
Mrs. Franz Oppe heimer,
Washington Housing Association
Were this useful document
perfect it would be useless with
out sufficient funds, an adequate
number of inspectors and
prompt and judicious handling
of cases involving housing vio-
lations."
Mrs. Norman Taub, Washing
ton branch, American Associa-
ton of University Women
Strongly disapproves' provision
that would permit sub-standard
housing if it conformed to the
building code, if any, in exist
ence when these structures were
built.
Glenn E. Watts, president, CLIO
Industrial Union Council-Op-
posed to continuance of regula-
tions permitting existence Of
tenement dwellings.
Mrs. b. Reath Riggs, District
League of Women Voters-Pur-
pose of a housing code is to fix
the line below which housing
conditions cannot be allowed to
drop. "A code no longer has
meaning or strength for en-
forcement if written into it is
the willingness to allow the very
things which it is meant to out
law"
Miss HarIean James, executive
secretary, American Planning
and Civic Association" These
proposed minimum standards
are so lax through wholesale
exceptions that Washington,
which should be a leader in
maintaining housing standards,
would be adopting less effective
housing code than those now in
existence in many progressive
Metropolitan Areas"
Vladimir E. Hartman, Wash
ington Federation of Churches
Unavoidable in Kidding this city
of slums. Seems to give
permanent status to existing
tenement slums."
| Mrs. Jack GOttsegen, Wash
ington section, National Council
/ of Jewish Women-"A good code
must be supplemented by ade-
j quate and effective enforcement
and effective judicial machinery
so that violations can be han.
died promptly"
William S. Harps, president
Washington Real Estate Brokers
Association-Four members OF
the review board should repre-
sent the public, and one Of these
should be a Negro.
Mrs. Robert p. Mediation
Washington Metropolitan Chap.
tier, American Institute Of Ar.
chitects-"S Strongly recommenc
that compliance with the new
4 code be obtained on q block-to'
block basis"
Chester Shore. District Ameri
can Veterans Committee
Adoption of proper minimum
standards Is so necessary for tn
welfare of the community tina
) any compromise should be re
solved in favor Of the benefit
. for decent. safe and sanitar,
houses"