EXPLOITING THE HOMELESS
Sut,—" Janus " gives an all-too-common instance in which the price asked for certain property to a firm compelled to evacuate rose in a short time from £.9.a300 to a final L19,000. Scandalous though this is, the disruptive effect on national unity is far less than that which results from the similar exploiting of war conditions, which is taking place in many evacuation areas. People bombed from their homes, destitute and in a pitiable state of distress, are unable to get accom- modation except at exorbitant prices. Fortunate areas, happily free from the nerve strain of nightly bombing, show their gratitude to those remaining in the dangerous regions by fleecing their wives and children who follow the Government advice to move to reception areas. Compulsory billeting is ineffectual against the householder determined not to have evacuees—their life is made so incessantly unpleasant that they are soon on the billeting officers' books.
Surely it is not impossible to devise some special rating imposition, or a penalty so heavy that the demanding of exorbitant fees for accommodation, and the deliberate evasion of civic and national responsibilities, becomes unprofitable. This existing property gangster- dom is producing despair and a resentment far more disruptive in effects than the most flagrant " alarm and despondency " talk. The
Government's inability to originate some means of control makes one wonder whether they really are concerned to see that the helpless are not exploited. We are fighting against this gangster spirit in the international field. It is essential to see that it does not flourish at home, for it is all part of that ruthless selfishness which causes class hatred, enmity and the dissension which produces revolution and
wars.—Yours faithfully, J. P. BROWN. 6 The Grove, North Cray, Sidcup.
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