Evening star., 1955-02-10
Advisory Group
To Weigh S|um
Clearing Plan
ConsuItonts' Report
Praised by Lone;
Quick Action Urged

lie OlSJIlCJ COMMISSIONERS
today referred to the Citizens
Advisory Council a proposal
that the city heads adopt in
principal a 10-year program Of
SUM clearance for Washington.
The Commissioners acted after
Engineer Commissioner Thomas
A. Lane recommended quick ap-
proval of the 10-year workable
program for urban renewal"
recommended recently by special
consultants James w. Rouse
and Nathaniel S. Keith in re-
port entitled mo Slums in 10
Years"
Col. Lafie praised the report
as IAN excellent general analysis
of the problems of urban renewal
and a specific program Of action
for the District of Columbia"
He said it was most urgent at
this time" for the Commissioners
to approve a general program and
establish an initial organization
as suggested by the consultants
under direction of an assistant
engineer commissioner.
Asks Council Views
AS the last item of a seven
point proposal for action by the
Commissioners, Col. Lane sug-
gested that the Citizens Advisory
Council be asked to consider the
program and furnish its views
thereon to the Commissioners"
Commissioner Samuel Spencer,
however, urged that the recon-
mendation be submitted to the
Advisory Council before any ac-
tion is taken. He pointed out
that the council meets tomorrow.
Col. Lane agreed but suggested
that it might take the council
members some time to get &C
quainted with the report.
Cost Is $500. Million.
Commissioner Renah F. Cam
alier raised the question of cost.
He was told that the report had
estimated overall cost of the To-
year program at 5000 million.
OF this, two thirds would be
supplied by the Federal Govern
ment, if the District qualities
for such aid, and one-third by
the District.
Also. it was pointed out, the
Districts share may take the
form of projects already sched-
uled under the city's 10-year,
$305 million Public Works Pro-
gram which was approved by
Congress last year. 81 ~
Fund Source Questioned.
Commissioner Camalier, how
ever, ueHldllQeu.
Where are you going to get
all this money? There is a
question of whether we can even
finish the public works pro-
gram"
He asked if the city's budget
officer, Walter L. Fowler, had
been consulted. insisting, I'D
much rather take his word than
that of Messers Keith and
Rouse on the question of cost"
Mr.. Spencer and Col. Lane
assured Mr.. Camalier the city
is not committing itself on de-
tails Of the program and financ-
ing in the program.
Would Create Office.
Specifically, Col. Lane recon-
mended that the Commissioners
approve the program in prin-
ciple. establish an Office of urban
renewal and appoint a staff.
He urged that the assistant
engineer commissioner for ur-
ban renewal submit recommen-
dations for creation of an Ur-
ban Renewal Council and an
Urban Renewal Operations Com
mittee. He also suggested draft
ing of letters to the Housing and
Home Finance Agency to qualify
the District for a share of SIS
million fund for special urban
renewal projects and for mort
gage insurance for low cost, pri-
vately financed housing.
He also urged that the Com
missioners again seek to have
Congress repeal a ban on slum
clearance work in the Marshall
Heights and Barry Farms areas.