Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-03-15

There is no lack in Washington of the spirit of
cooperation. which manifests itself in various
economic, social. political. and other Organza-
lions One finds any number of excellent build
ING associations. with features like the .'Equit-
able recommending themselves specially to
those in office of uncertain tenure" but they
all. whilst encouraging economy. tend to supply
the place OF savings banks rather than in reality
to stimulate among members the requirement of
homesteads. There exists every evidence that
the people 'love to cOngregate together" but
1t would seem. not for purposes of dOmicile; for
one of the most marked features of the city is
the total absence of tenement houses as known
In New GOrk and other cities. 1t is true that the
numerous boarding houses absOrba considerable
part OF the population, and that. here and there
We find two or even three families occupying,
one house. but the latter is exceptional. Even
the poorest labOrer seems to prefer more re-
mote domic;le of his own, made up only of ref
use lumber, to the most centrally located attic
under rent. The great area of the city, in con-
neetiOn with its excellent streets and ready
means of reaching the suburbs. enables the la
borer to dwell according to the bent of his mind
near the ground and remote from the incOn-
venlence OF upper stories. But no class here,
not even the Unskilled labOrer more clearly
needs to devise some better mode of home life
than in the main falls to the lot of members of
Congress, and of the ten thousand or more en-
plOyes in the public departments.
One of the distinctive phases of the pOpua-
ton OF Washington. as compared with other
cities, is its dsprOportionately large number of
persons engaged in clerical work of higher
than ordinary grade, and the comparatively
small number of artisans engaged in mechani-
cal and other like pursuits. Owing to the vast
area Of streets, extensive sewers. etc, which, in
comparatively new city Of such great ex-
tent, need Improvement and constant attention
larger number of unskilled labOrers find tenn
porary employment than is common in cities
having resident population equal to that of
WASHINGTON pyceNtiOuaIlV larU pfar
Of its transient population during the sessions
OF Congress, also gives increased activity to
tradeSpeople. and considerably augments the
number of those employed for the time being in
all branches of domestic service. Whilst much
might be done, it is true to improve the domi-
Giles and, to some extent the boarding and
lodging facilities Of these. and so render their
service more efficient, yet they are. in the ma
ture of things, comparatively better provided
for than are most of the 400 employees of the
Government Printing office. the 600 artisans of
the Navy Yard. or the $500 persons of both
sexes in service Of the Treasury department to
say nothing Of the large number engaged in
the War, Navy, Interior, State and other de-
partments.
Efforts to meet the want here indicated have
not been wanting. Whole squares have literally
been built up with two, three and four-story
dwellings. many being provided with all the So
called 'plodern improvements" These struc-
lures contain from five to thirteen rooms. and
are obtainable AZ the moderate rentals of from
fifteen to sixty dollars per month. These accord
Ing to location and conyeniences in general find
tenants readily. Many are held for sale on lib
eral terms. such q cash payment of several
hundred dollars. followed by monthly install
ments of from TWENTY-FIVE to fifty dollars for the
balance OF the purchase money, which includes
interest at the rate Of from six to eight per cent
But this system OF providing homes for the
great mass of people in Washington. having
moderate and stated incomes. but of uncertain
duration. Is only partially satisfactory.
III Is true MANY OF these dwellings have thus
been purchased by their occupants but yener-
ally speaking. these houses are not constructed
or located to suit the taste of the more dOmes-
tically inclined government employee Even if
not Immediately hailing from some rural district
when purchasing homestead he wants some
thing besides brick and mortar: and, typical
American as he is, at heart longs for a country
home, or the nearest approach TO it possible.
Among other notable schemes to meet the
want in question. an eminent typographical en-
gineer. Mr. T. Enthofer. of Washington. i'm 1870
Puoiished Prospectus of a Cooperative En-
ter'lrise supplying families with q comfortable.
home and facilities for the education Of their
Children This project aimed at the OrganiZa-
ton OF so-called Home Associations" Mem
bership was not to be limited in number but
subdivded into sections, according to the local
fy and size of each building for associated
homes. The money required to erect an associ-
afed home building, the protector proposed to
raise by subscription TO stock in shares of one
hundred dollars EACH payable in monthly install
ments OF nifty cents As soon as the required
number for an entire structure had been regis
tered. duly passed on and accepted officers were
TO be elected q charter procured the desired
ground leased or purchased, and contracts for
the building entered into. As a type for such a
building, the protector recommended selecting
square OF ground $50 by 400 feet, and erecting
thereon, exclusive of cellar and mansard. a four
story edifice. including a transverse structure.
the whole so constructed as to afford two court
yards each. Of 15S by 292 feet one to be laid out
In a fower-garden, and the other in grass plat.
as playground and gymnasium for the chill
0ren OF the occupants of the associated home
The entire structure was to contain besides
Closets, etc., some TO apartments each
room having depth of eighteen feet.
and TO be from twelve to thirty
feets~ide. The lodging-rooms were to be SO ar
ranged that members could be accommodated
with just the number required, from three to
thirteen; the partitions to be solid brick walls
and flooring sOund-deadened and fire-proof.
Access to the several suites of apartments was
20 be had by means oftwelve stairways of ample
size. so arranged that each stairway landing
would have to serve only two families on each
Moor Each suite Of apartments was to have
from 4S to LIB feet frontage and lie entitled to
portion of the cellar and mansard The whole