Evening star., 1962-01-30
TEXT "...
Cities Problems Stressed

J. TTODI6nS
fected will be so situated a few
short years hence.
Thus, the smaller towns and
cities have a stake in this pro-
posal as vital as, and only a
little less immediate than, that
Of our large urban centers. This
plan is addressed to their needs
as well as to those of the major
cities. Likewise, it should be
emphasized that the depart
ment will have important ac-
tivities of service to the States.
Burden for States
The establishment of this
department does not connote
any bypassing or reduction Of
the constitutional powers and
responsibilities of the States
under our Federal system of
government. Rather, the States
must assume additional leader
ship in the future in dealing
with problems Of urban areas,
and the department will main-
tain close working and consult
ative relationships with them.
An example of this relationship
can already be found in the
urban planning assistance pro-
gram Of the Housing and Home
Finance Agency which provides
matching funds for use by
States to aid municipalities and
State. metropolitan and re-
Igional planning agencies facing
urbanization. Grants may be
used by the States themselves
to prepare Statewide compre-
hensive plans for urban de-
velopment. Just as the pro-
grams of the Department Of
Agriculture have strengthened
the role Of the States in meas
uring and helping solve the
problems Of their farmers, so
the Department Of Urban At
fairs and Housing will provide
additional opportunities for the
States to play a strong role in
the development of their urban
communities.
AS the Senate committee
noted in it's report on S. 1888
Is. Rep. No. 879, 87th Cong,
1st Session., "A Department of
Urban Affairs and Housing is
needed to provide Federal lead
ership to solve the problems
emerging from the transforma-
ton Of the American scene
from a predominantly rural So
ciety to a vast urban complex.
More than tWo-thirds of the
American population now lives
in metropolitan centers. The
figure is multiplying. 1t is COM
pounded of explosive popula-
ton growth resulting from an
increased birth rate, a declin-
ing death rate, and rapid mi
grafton of people from rural
areas to cities, towns, and viii
lages." The Importance of our
Nations metropolitan areas en-
titling them to representation
at the cabinet table Is further
emphasized by the great amount
of tax revenues they contribute
to the Federal Government.
For example, in 1859, taxpayers
in the 10 largest metropolitan
areas paid over $13 billion IN
taxes or IS per cent Of the total
amount of individual income
tax.
Need Long Recognized
The need for such a depart
ment has been increasingly
recognized in recent years. A
proposal for a cabinet depart
ment substantially similar in
nature was advanced at about
the same time that the first
consolidated Federal housing
agency was established, 20
years ago. Since then. year by
year, both the executive branch
and the Congress have taken
successive steps to create a
more co-ordinated agency with
a fuller range of tools to at
tack these problems. No fewer
than five reorganization plans
submitted by my predecessors
have contributed to this proc
ess. On the legislative side, the
Congress has enacted major
legislation in the field of urban
affairs and housing in every
year but one since 1916. The
time is here to take the next
needed step.
First, Reorganization Plan
No. / of 1862 would eStab-
lish a Department of Urban
Affairs and Housing, to be
headed by a Secretary who
would be assisted by an Under
secretary, three Assistant Sec
retaries, and a General Coun-
sci. All of these officers would
be appointed by the President
by and with the advice and
consent of the Senate. There
would also be in the depart
ment. as in many others, an
Administrative Assistant Sec
retary appointed from the clas-
sified civil service by the Sec
retary, with the approval of the
President.
Second. the plan transfers
to the Secretary of Urban Al
fairs and Housing the functions
of the Housing and Home FL
nance Agency and its Admins
traitor, including the admins
tration of the programs of the
Urban Renewal Administration