The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1894-12-04
TOPICS OF
THE TIMES.
Interesting Drippings From the
Pencils Of Reporters.
THE QUESTION OF RENTS.
One Of the Evils of American Landlordism
Defined From a Reciprocal Point
Of View-Other Matters.

A group of we'll known towusmen as-
sembled in a comfortable rendezvous last
night when the question of high rents
came up. In the group were two men
who have the good fortune to own con-
siderable real estate and they have a good
monthly revenue from rents. One OF
these men said that one of the good rea-
sons why Shenandoah cannot be a place
of cheap homes is that the crowdiug of a
large population into a limited area
of necessity makes land values
high. That may be true, but it
is not the root of the evil
that keeps the breadwinner's nose
down to the grindstone. About two
thirds of the owners hold properties on
speculation. They are only the nominal
owners, who pay interest and taxes and
In little time even the purchase price
out of their rents. They are in many
cases Of the same class as their tenants.
The ambitious man invests his first saw
| ings in which he is able to pay only
enough to bind his contract. Then he
sets to work and wrings the last cent
from his fellows. He has no reserve for
himself, must collect his rents vigorously
to save money to pay for the building,
and consequently he is the hardest Of
landlords. There is an opportunity in
Shenandoah for high-minded Americans.
1t is not charity that is wanted. Gifts of
homes to the poor or houses in which they
live as a matter of favor will not serve
the purpose. But fair business dealing
with them, the giving of an honest
dollars worth of house for an honest
dollar will do much to improve the moral
condition of town. 1t will relieve the
pressure of circumstances on bread
winners. 1t will make home mean
more to them. Finally the example
Of good landlordism cannot fail
to have its effects in elevating the general
| standard of business dealings. The man
who will invest money in properly con.
structed, sanitary houses and rent them
at a figure which will give him fair re-
turn, who will be content that his real
estate should pay him what railroad stock
does is urgently needed i'm Shenandoah.
This month will be prolific of gales
rain, sleet and snow storms, we learn
| from weather prophet Hicks, with some
cold waves thrown in. Storm 70 ces are
now on their way from the West and rain
and sleet storms are promised for the next
few days. Reac5iouary storms are due
about the 10th or 12th About this time
many dangerous gales, with sleet, rain
and snow, may be looked for. Following
this may be q warm period with southerIy
winds. From the 18th to the lSrh a dis
turbauce will move eastward bringing
dangerous gales to the Atlantic coast and
over the seas and storms of rain, snow
aud wind will touch the whole country
This Will be followed by cold wave
which will remain in force until the 2Otl
or 2lst, when broken by storms. North
erly winds will prevail about the oath
There will be a decided change tC
warmer about the 25th. With the birtl
of the new moon - the 26th - storms vii
begin in the west, becoming broader anC
more violent as they sweep eastward, from
the Goth to the Goth. Rain may turn t
snow and the year may close with a grea
cold wave from the north. There il
nothing in the foregoing to give the gooC
housewife hope that she will be able t,
do her Christmas shopping in her las
summers outfit.
The number of social clubs in this towI
are steadily on the increase and all seen
to thrive. All have club rooms and thl
members pass their leisure time there IL
games, reading and ordinary converse
tion. There does not seem to be auy
special inducement to join any particu
lar CLUB, but if the young men of the towr
were to get together and organize an
athletic club and give to its members, il
addition to the very ordinary inducement
offered by the existing club rooms, tn,
additional ones of gymnasium, bath
ETC., they would no doubt succeed in
degree far beyond expectations. An an
nual athletic entertainment could b.
given at which prizes to those most prof
: cient in boxing, wrestling, etc., could b.
awarded and this would aid materially II
: inducing members to JONAS it woul,
create a rivalry among young men
always eager to outdo one another
well as be a source Of revenue to the club
What say our young men to an athleti
club for Shenandoah
Fresh oysters opened every day at th
/ White House. Oysters in all styles pre-
pared at short notice. 2Otf
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