Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-26
Company Formed to Provide
Houses for Poor.
RAISING THE FUNDS
PROMINENT CITIZENS OF THE
DISTRICT INTERESTED.
Total Of $50, 600 Necessary Before
Operations Are Begun-0en.
Sternberg's Views.

| The Sanitary Housing Company of the
District of Columbia Is the name Of a new
enterprise that has for it's purpose the
betterment of the conditions of the poor
who are housed in insanitary buildings.
1t is thought that the new company will
be Incorporated within a few days. Former
Surgeon General George NJ Sternberg is the
leader in the movement. and such public
spirited citizens of the national capital as
Mr.. s. w. Woodward. former Secretary of
State John w. Foster, Mr.. John Joy Edison,
Col. George Truesdell. DR.. George M. Ko-
Der and other have given assurance of aid.
1t is the object Of the men who are push
ing the new organization that it shall not
be Incorporated until fund amounting to
at least $4,000 has been subscribed. Gen.
Sternberg yesterday received a letter from
Gen. Foster, in which the latter said:
II have examined your plan for the or
ganiza ton of a sanitary housing company
and regard 1t as safe investment. II you
can secure four other subscriptions Of like
amount will take 5000 stock in the COM
pany."
Three per cent a year is the limit of the
dividends that will be awarded to the stock
holders of the company. Anything above
per cent will go to improving the houses
that may be owned by the company or to
build more houses on the same plan. Shares
of the company are to have a par value
OF 500.
Gen. Sternberg's Views.
General Sternberg this afternoon discuss
ed the objects of the new organization with
an Evening Star representative. He said:
1T Is the hope OF the promoters to build
sanitary homes for the poor of the national
capital to replace insanitary houses now
occupied, especially in the alleys. and to
rent such houses at SO low a rental that
diIapidated and insanItary houses will be
abandoned by their tenants when. as a re-
suit of our efforts, better houses can be
secured at the same or a lower figure.
ITO accomplish this and at the same time
to insure reasonable return In interest
for the capital invested, we agree that the
charter of the company shall provide that
3 per cent year shall be the limit of the
dividends.
I'VE want every one in the city who has
the money to spare to help along the enter
prise. We want to make the movement pop
ular. Let everybody who wants to better
the condition Of the poor of the city take
one share. for instance, and you will be
surprised at the results.
las soon as $1,000 is subscribed. a meet
ing of the subscribers will be called and
the incorporation Of the company effected.
The amount of the capital stock will be
determined at this meeting.
Good Houses at Small Cost.
'T want to emphasize the fact that it is
the intention of the promoters to build
houses of the same type as those built by
the Washington Sanitary Improvement
Company, but for less money. and at the
same time try to give the best sanitary
conditions
on cheaper ground. thereby allowing the
patrons to enjoy cleanliness and improved
sanitary surroundings for less money than
they are compelled to pay at present.
l.,rv ~ inn fhn h
ject and 1 feel that I am safe in saying
that houses of the kind under considera-
ton may be rented to patrons for from 81
to 50 month 1t is the desire to build
houses especially for the people who at the
present time are compelled to live in the
blind alleys, the existence of which has
been brought to the attention of the people
of Washington by the recent visit Of Mr..
Jacob RiiS and the constant work of the
Associated Charities.
There is every reason to believe that
the people of Washington who are anxious
to better the condition of the less fortunate
of their fellow beings will take kindly to
this new plan which is feasible"
Presents Statistics.
General sternberg brought to the atten-
ton OF the representative Of The Evening
Star statistics compiled from the last CEN
sus reports, which showed that the city of
Washington has the highest mortality rate
of any of the cities of the country.
Our death rate here Is higher than in
New York where the congested conditions
might suggest q higher rate than in the ma
tional capital he said.
mo city in the world should be healthier
than Washington. There is no reason why
the mortality rate here should be at the
minimum rathel than at the maximum.
The people Of Washington, the citizens who
are surrounded with the best things of life,
should give attention to what exists In the
blind alleys.
Consumption is responsible for more
deaths in Washington pro rata than in any
other city in the United States. This con-
dition can be remedied. 1t should be, and
the public spirited citizens of the city
should act-aet at once"