Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1963-09-12
D.C.ReIocation Bill
Backed atHearinq
Duke Estimates
Replacement at
1872 Families

ON NlOpAlSOu w UllC OlSJl lCH
government, was supported to-
day by officials.
Relocation must lrecede big
treeway construction, a Senate
District Subcommittee was told.
Political and church leaders
also argued that the bill would
serve their own group interests,
as we'll as keep faith morally
with those displaced.
District Committee Chairman
Bible presided over the hearing
on relocation legislation, which
has been in dispute for more
than a decade.
Would Pay for Moving
The bill, recommended by
the District Commissioners,
promises to pay maximums of
5000 per family and $4,000 per
business moved because the city
took their quarters for public
works. A central relocation
service established either by the
Commissioners or within the
Redevelopment Land Agency
would be set up.
About 1900 families and AZ
businesses will be displaced
this year by government con-
Struction here, Engineer Com
missioner Charles M. Duke
said. Some ASS families would
not be protected by the bill be-
cause they will leave houses
judged unsafe or unSanitary
rather than houses to be de-
molished.
Gen. Duke estimated that the
District will give $358,000 this
year to persons and businesses
relocated, should the legiSla-
ton clear Congress. But he
could not break down in precise
terms figures sought by Sena-
tor Bible to show which govern
ment activities would involve
reimbursement.
Who should administer the
central relocation agency has
been contested through the
years. The present legislation
simply calls for the Commits
SionerS and the RIA to agree
on a plan.
But the RIA executive direc-
tor, Phil Doyle, made it clear
that management and reloca-
ton in renewal programs
should be handled by the same
agency" The RIA is the sole
agency for management.
Same Treatment Urged
Mr.. Doyle joined other wit
nesseS in urging the Senate to
consider reimbursing families
displaced by Federal buildings,
as well. People who live or work
where new Capitol or FBI
buildings will rise should be
treated exactly as are people
displaced by highways" Mr..
Doyle suggested.
The same principle should
protect families displaced by
housing code enforcement or
condemnation of unsanitary
buildings, the RIA director
maintained. He said families
in such houses probably were
in greater need of help than
any others. But they are not
covered by the bill.
Both American Automobile
Association and District Truck
ing Association spokesman
stressed that freeway and
bridge programs would COL
lapse unless families in their
path were helped.
Arnold Sternberg, represent
ing the District Democratic
Central Committee, repeated
expressions of party concern
for families caught along pub
lie building routes. He said To-
cal Democrats want some as
Surances for District residents
who lose homes Or businesses
because of Federal activities.
He leaned toward entrusting
the RIA rather than the Dis
trict Commissioners with ad-
ministration.
Plea for Church Made
Failure to protect displaced
families would be a moral
tragedy to Bishop Smallwood
Williams, who reminded the
Senator of a drastic shortage
OF homes for Negro families in
this CITY,"
Bishop Williams, of the BIZ
bleway Church, estimated that
10000 people will need new
homes within the next few
years. Yet Negroes still are
unable to break housing pre-
JUDGES and settle in the sub
urbS, he added.
His own personal plea was
for retention of his church at
1880 New Jersey avenue NV.
with a membership of 5000.
1t is in the site for the Inner
Loop center leg. and due for
razing within two wears.