Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-09-10
Home-ow.inx In Washington.

49, HOme-Owntng In Warrington.
To the Editor Of The Evening Star:
Your continuous effort in behalf Of the
material prosperity Of Washington 10 wor-
thy Of the gratitude Of every weil-wisher Of
the capital city Of the nation.
am but one of the many hundred renters
Of this city. most Of whom are likely to
remain renters. against our inclination and
against what we conceive to be the true
American spirit Of Homecoming" 10 long
as we shall abide here. In this we but fol-
low In the footsteps of the majority OF that
great army OF government employees who
have preceded w at Washington.
On the part OF the city and those owning
vested interests here II il creditably held
that greater and more permanent prosper
ity would attend the making an Increased
percentage Of home-owners from the ranks
OF the renters; and on the part of the rent
ers. not q few earnest meetings have been
held for the discussion OF this subject.
Every building and loan association of the
city Is an EFFORT to accomplish the desired
end: and In q greater or less degree each
Of these ORGANIZATIONS is doing good. But
there Is fundamental business error when,
as ordinarily constituted. the organization
Is mainly used to boom real estate rather
than to supply homes
In times Of prosperity the ordinary build
Ing and loan associations have been driven
like fast horses through many American
towns and cities. Fastening people into In
yestments at high valuations. but affording
no accommodations for slower speed and
the shrinkage of values that attend general
business depression.
About two years ago Mr.. Edwin willits
then assistant secretary of agriculture.
Joined with several other gentlemen In the
consideration Of this subject, seeking to
evolve q method Of cooperation better
suited to the average fluctuations OF busi-
ness. and especially helpful to the govern
ment clerk, who Is liable to find his con-
ditions suddenly changed by circumstances
over which he has no control.
or the result of those deliberations and
of Mr.. Willis conclusions this may neither
be the time TOR place for me to speak. even
IL was prepared to give Mr.. Willis views
on the subject. But from the standpoint
of one who attended those meetings, and
as one who Is very much interested In in
augurating a more homelike condition for
the average government clerk. ] do be-
lieve the competitive Offering of properties
to members at their meetings for purchase
will insure to purchaser reasonably low
values. and thereby afford reasonable Sc
curity to the association for a system Of
insurance to the purchasing member The
insurance being to encourage and help the
purchaser; and to the effect that he shall
be credited with the money he may have
paid into the organization. That IL worse
comes to worst he has in this insurance a
combined effort of the whole organization
no greater than the ordinary rental of
such property; and community of inter-
ests in placing that home IN the ownership
of some other member seeking such home.
l had not intended to occupy half this
space in thanking you for your efforts TO
encourage homecoming, and to make one
or two suggestions on the lines whence /
think help could be evolved. 1 trust you
will not let the matter rest until a better
condition is secured.
VIM. P. CORSA.