Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-05-23
THE ROLE OF. LANDLORD
DISTRICT BECoMHBTHE HOLDER
OF REAL ESTATE.
Assumption Of Responsibilities Not Of
Its Own Choosing4 outgrowth Of
Union Station Plans.


the District authorities have but just Der
gun. and that the perpisxIng questions con-
nected with the disposition OF homeless
cats, the suppression Of growing ROSTERS
and scratching hens, and the determination
OF mad dogs. will all fade into Insignia
canoe in the shadow Of new and unique
cause OF perplexity. The District govern
Hent has gone into the real estate bust
ness on a large scale. and has assumed the
role OF a pompous landlord. with its pockets
bullying with rent bills and Tenants
Wanted and Apartments to Lett signs.
The Districts assumption of the landlord
business Is not Of its own choosing. but
was forced upon 1t by reason of the pur-
chase and condemnation Of property In con-
nection with the construction of the new
union railroad station and the plaza in
front of that building In order to obtain
the land necessary for the station building
obliged to acquire considerable improved
property. Since the buildings are not to be
torn down or disposed of In less than
year. 1t has decided to accept the inevitable
with good grace and assume the joys re-
sponsibilities and troubles of landlord.
In order that the Commissioners may be
relieved as much as possible from the an
noyances and perp1exities anticipated by
reason Of this new venture into the real
estate field. and in order that the business
may be properly handled, the District au-
thorittes today. upon recommendation Of
Auditor Garrison. appointed Mr. William
the assessor and the collector of taxes. as
the official to have direct supervision over
the Districts holdings which have been
recently acquired. and which are to be ac-
qufred in the future. Mr.. Towers will as
sumo his new duties within a short time.
The District Acquisitions.
Already the District has acquired title to
large number Of houses and great many
more are to be added to the list. The Dis
trict several weeks ago purchased the ce-
ment house. the warehouse and the stables
on the Mcdowell property. The cement
house and stable are now used by the
District, but the warehouse is rented to
the House Of Representatives at $3.50
month as a storage room for documents,
etc.
Seven two-story brick dwelling houses on
California street were also recently puf-
chased by the District, and these are now
rented by the municipality to various ten
ants at about SIG a month each The Dis
trict has acquired and rented three large
dwellings on the west side of I'd street be-
low California street. These dwellings are
leased by the District to tenants at -$25
month each. The latest purchase was, or
dered last Saturday, when the Commits
sioners acquired the "Kenova'' apartment
house at Massachusetts avenue and E
street northeast. This building contains
eight apartments and will rent for about
$40 month. In addition to these houses
for twenty-five more honses on E street.
California street, Delaware avenue and 1st
street northeast.
1t is explained that the rent from this
property will be deposited in the United
States Treasury, one-haR to the credit Of
the District and one1hah to the credit of
the United States.
Mr. Towers salary win be paid out of
no rfoff for t1a onytct 0f
a union station in Washington, and his
duties will be to secure tenants, collect
rents, furnish estimates on property to be
purchased, look up titles to property and
perform such other1 duties that usually fall
to the lot of a Landlord and real estate man.
Mr. Towers, tsis Seated, will also have
charge of buying the right OF way for the
proposed new: osftfalIsSever.. which will be-
gin at PoplarsPeint, ofSthe Anacostia. river,
and empty into the river' atethe magazine,
near Giesboro' Point. He will also attend to
the purchase of sites for school buildings
and other buildings to be erected by the
District.
Perplexities Arise.
While the Commissioners decline to give,
expression to any apprehensive thoughts
relative to the troubles in which they may
be involved by req son OF the Districts new
venture, it is understood that they are care
fully studying how to frame tactful replies
1. is supposed that during their leisure mo-
uents they are considering answers to
of the following nature:,
1.-The faucet in our bath tub has been leak
ing for several days. Unless this is attended :
to within the next hour we will move out
OF the house"
1.-THE wall paper on the west wall of our
kitchen has settled two feet below the bor-
der. We will refuse to pay the next INSTALL
ment on this months rent unless this is
THE roof leaks in horrible manner and
the dining room is Hooded every time 1t
rains. Do you conside4 this a proper way
for the District to treat Its tenants? We
will sue the District for damages to our ta-5
beware If the roof is not fixed within
twenty-four hOulS- f"s
1.-The children of tho persons occupying
the apartment next to ours make great
deal If roise sliding down the banisters. 1t
is jarriag on the nerves. Please have the
ba nisters removed or the children extermi-
latter preferred"
1.-Two old maids in the house next door
keep a menagefie of cats, which make the
night hJdeeus with their Internal yells., All
the cats in the aeighbcrhood make our back
yard meeting place and interfere with our
Sleep Some one must move-the old maids,
the cats or US. "a word to the wise is suffi-
Client. "
While considering these possible COM
plants, the Commissioners are devoting
some time to the question of how to repair
some plumbing In one of its recently ac-
auired dwellings The tenant of this house
has fired the lirss shot of the summer en-
gagement and desires the plumbing attend
ed to at once. 1t Is pointed out that there is
no appropriation out of which the repairs
can be paid for, nor can the rent money be
used for that purpose. The Commissioners I
1t Is stated have the authority to fix the
price If rent. They will, probably make an
agreement whereby the tenants may have
repairs made and the rent for the
month reduced certain amount
to cover the cost of the repairs
Swift q Co.'s Sales of Fresh Beef in !