S.F. Chinatown "Poverty-stricken^
gAN FRANCISCO—San Francisco's famous Chinatown―that touch of the exotic Far East for thousands of tourists each year―is a facade for a poverty-stricken community, says a Chinese banker who wants to improve conditions.
Behind the fancy bright neon signs, gold-leaf dragons, expensive shop fronts and tempting restaurant entrances are sweat shops, over-crowded apartments and―in recent years― neglected children, says 74-year-old Jun Ke Choy.
Choy, assistant vice-president and manager of the Chinatown Branch of the San Francisco Federal Savings and Loan Association, claims most Chinatown residents know the conditions are bad. But they don't talk about it. "There's nothing quaint about the place to the people who live there," Choy says. "Scratch the surface of Chinatown—and you find a slum."
The word "slum" draws hard glances from those who live there. They are a proud, hard working people.
"Poverty ？" asked one Chinese-American who owns a shop on Grant Avenue―made famous by songs and travel magazines. "You must be kidding. There's plenty for anyone who wants to work hard."
Choy, who also heads the San Fran-
cisco Greater Chinatown Community Service Organization, has organized a committee aimed at qualifying Chinatown for federal anti-poverty funds.
"You know," says Choy, "everybody likes to say how thrifty and industrious we are. Well, more than 10,000 of the 42,000 people in Chinatown have to be that way in order to eat. Mama and the older sister, they have to work in the Grant Avenue sweatshops, so there's enough rice and salted fish to fill the children's stomachs."
Choy says a recent outbreak of juvenile delinquency among Chinese youths is traceable to the homes. "It's only natural/1 he says, "They're neglected kids. The old family ties are breaking down. Mama is in the sweatshop and nobody's home ...，，
The density of population in Chinatown is 16 to 1 over the rest of San Francisco, Choy adds. "Eight-tenths of all existing buildings are badly in need of renovation."
He also says the community needs teachers of English and government-backed birth control programs.
The Grant Avenue merchant, who asked to remain anonymous, said of Choy's comments ： "Sure ！ Things could be better. But poverty? TTiat's just publicity talk. Talk's the cheap-
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