Evening star., 1954-06-03
Advisory Group
Will Consider
New S|unl Plan
Single Agency Setup
To Be Discussed;
Seekinger Disoerees
BY Miriom Gutenberg

The Commissioners today de-
cided to call a special meeting
of their Citizens Advisory Coun-
Gil for next Monday to consider
coping with slum problems by
putting all housing inspection
and enforcement in one depart
ment.
The proposed plan would put
all housing inspection and en-
forcement-including action un-
der the proposed new housing
code-in the Department of Lii
cenSeS and Inspections. The
Commissioners got their first in
dication of opposition when
Commissioner Renah CamalieI
who has jurisdiction over the
Health Department, said health
officer Daniel Seckinger wanted
to be heard.
Later, DR.. Seckinger sent the
Commissioners a recommended
ton that "a division of housing
be established in the Department
Of Public Health with authority
to enforce the housing code and
that there be created an advisory
group on housing to be made up
OF lay and Governmental groups. -
Commissioner Camalier said
he also thought the Public
Health Advisory Committee
should have chance to consider
the program.
Omits Health Department.
Under the plan the Health De-
partment, which has had a major
role in the present multi-agency
housing inspection program.
would no longer be responsible
for the inspection.
DR.. Seckinger, in making his
plea not only to hold on to his
present authority but to get
more of it, argued that the
Health Department has been
working on Slum prevention for
years and that it is the lack of
adequate authority or guidance
In the District which has pre-
vented a unified program of slum
prevention here.
He said the Health DEPART
ment Jacks only governmental
authority and some increase in
personnel to organize an effec-
tive housing program.
I'm this capacity" he argued,
1T would not encroach upon
other governmental agencies,
since housing is nationally recog-
nized as function of the Health
Department"
DR.. Seckinger said the United
States Public Health Service had
worked with the Health Depart
ment in the formation of hous-
ing code.
This code" he went on, sis
now practically completed. We
now need authority to act"
Partly Prepared.
At latest reports only a part
of the housing code had been
prepared and it has not been
approved yet by an advisory COM
mittee appointed to go over it
nor have expected public hear
ings been held.
In addition to his letter to
the Commissioners, DR.. Seek
niger forwarded a number of
letters and kilograms unani-
mously favoring administration
of housing by the Health De-
partment. There was also a let
ter saying that 20 cities have
housing codes being enforced by
city health departments, that
three cities have housing codes
jointly enforced by health and
building departments and that
three cities have housing code
enforcement by the building de-
partmept or a newly created de-
partmer1t.
Also this report said three
cities with housing codes not yet
enacted would vest the authority
in the Health Department and
one proposed housing ordinance
would vest enforcement author
ity in department of licenses
and inspection.
Commissioner Camalier has
already said he would favor
putting all housing inspections
in one department, provided that
some trained health personnel
were transferred to the depart
ment.
Health Unit to Meet.
Commissioner Camalier, tell
ing his colleagues. Let's get this
thing over with" said he wanted
the Public Health Advisory
Council to be informed so mo
one can complain it hasn't been
thraShed out fully" He said he
would get the Public Health
Advisory Council together to-
morrow.
Commissioner Spencer said
that after the Citizens Advisory
Council meeting Monday, the
Commissioners would consider
the question at next Tuesdays
meeting.
There are two reasons FOL
speedy action, it has been ex-
planned. One of them is that
budgetary matters are involved
and that hearings on the Dis
trict budget will open the mid
die of this month before a Sem
ate Appropriations subcommit-
tee.
The other reason is that a
major reorganization is involved
and the deadline for reorganiza-
ton is the end of this month.