Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-08-20

tWrirten for the Evening StarJ
Dwelling Houses in washington-Are More
Wanted

lWHuen for the Evening Star.
Dwelling Houses in washington-Are More
Wanted
general impression prevails that large
number of new dwellings are required in this
city to supply the wants of its inhabitants.
This impression has arisen in consequence of
the numerous inquiries made of landlords and
others by persons wishing to rent; and with
out looking further than to these inquiries,
the inference would be natural that many ad-
ditional houses are in demand Impelled by
are moving on in the erection Of new houses
at rate unprecedented in the history of
Washington. In this thing, is there not
mistake made-one, too, calculated to produce
serious injury to landlords, tenants and me-
ehanics respectively? This reflection has
arisen from the writer experience. and in his
recent efforts to find a desirable tenement for
himself For nearly year past, he has been
anxious to find house better suited than the
one he has been occupying to his circum-
stances and his wants: but, so far. without
success. He knows of several persons in the
same situation. Now, suppose a dozen such
persons severally make application to dozen
owners Of houses; each of these infers that
dozen additional houses are required, and, on
their comparing notes, the conclusion is ar
rived at that hundred to q hundred and fifty
families are houseless; while. in reality, every
person who has made such application is al
ready occupying house, but prefers one in a
different location, with different accommoda-
tions, or at a more economical rent
The writer has yet to learn that there is a
single family in Washington without shelter,
or that plurality of families are crowded into
single tenements for want of others. He
knows of large number of houses now unoc-
cupied, and the number in the process of cree
tion is immense while, on the other hand, he
sees no reason to anticipate for the ensuing
winter greater number than usual of tenn
porary sojourners, for all of whom more than
ample accommodations are held in reserve by
not only boarding house and enlarged hotel
keepers. but by persons who have leased large
houses at higher rents than their means will
Justify, in the expectation Of being able 10 iet
rooms
The greatest difficulty in this matter, ap-
prehend, is the want of houses suited 10 the
necessities and the means of the persons desir-
ing to rent-a subject which might properly
he elaborated upon, if space would allow.
have suggested that this mistaken opinion
in reference to demand for more houses
may be calculated TO produce injury to land
lords and mechanics as well as to tenants
The effects are seen and universally acknow-
ledged Except by speculatorsl in fictitious
value being placed upon real estate the mo-
nopolizing of choice lots, by speculators who
in most cases lack the means or disposition to
improve them; in the enormous and. in some
cases, extortionate increase in the price of
rents, and the stimulous for persons desirous
of renting, to bargain in advance and without
taking time to look thoroughly for such te1e
ment as would be most desirable in greatly
enhanced prices Of labor and materials. pre-
venting persons Of small means from building
houses for themselves, according to their own
tastes, thus forcing them to continue as tenants
and at adverse rates The supposed demand
induces much more building generally for
renting purposes, than would otherwise be
done: bringing into the city new mechanics
and laborers whereby the real demand for
houses is increased for the time being thus
rendering certain surplus number, as soon
as the demand for new ones is seen to be sup
piled, and mechanics and laborers shall mi
CRATE to other places in quest of employment
As in every thing else, relating TO supply
and demand in Washington, the moment
surplus shall be known to exist, reaction
will take place, and reduction in price, with
out reference 10 cost or intrinsic value. will
ensue. OF course when the demand il known
to he supplied. building operation will cease,
and the labor Of our own mechanics will fail
to find steady employment, because the work
will have been done up in advance by stran-
gers. SCRIBE.