The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-03-17
SITUATION GROWING
VERY SERIOUS
Skilled Workrnen Kept Away
Because They Can't Find
Dwellings to Rert-Rich-
nond Cedar Works
Has to Suspend
Enlargement.

I'd
dwelling houses that have beer erected
in Richmond and In the suburbs within
the past two years. and there has been
an almost constant building boom on |
during that time. there IL to-day a
greater scarcity OF houses for rent than
have known since have been in the
business"
Thus spoke "A real estate and rental
agent yesterday morning, and the Times
Dispatch representative thought this n
matter worthy OF investigation. Inquiry
among all of the real estate agents re-
veaed thc surprising fact that in all of
the agencies combined there are not as
many as twenty good houses listed for
rent.
There are, Of course n larger number
OF small shanties and roOkeries such ns
are rented to colorcd people of very small
means and who have but little TO pay
and but little pride as to what kind OF
place they reside In. but Of good houses
that should rent from SIS TO s2b per
month and up to 5000 to 81. 200 per an
mum. there are Sss than twenty on the
regular normal nEts OF the real estate
agents In Richmond. There arc pos
sbiy as many half dozen more
that have accidentally become vacant for
the time being and an expired lease can
be obtained. but the normal lists are as
empty MS above indicated.
Population Increasing.
There il not real estate agency in
the city that does not have applications
for houses every day and cannot meet
the demand. The few houses that are
for rent cannot be said to be the mort
desirable as to location or as to con-
yenIencc. Otherwise they would have
been rented lU,g ago.
This state OF affairs is an indication
that the population Of Richmond has
grown by the influx OH new citizens much
more rapidly than most people have sup
posed. Everybody knows that hundreds
Of newcomers are here and that they
are flocIng this way daily, or want to
flock here. but in view OF the wonderful
amount Of homo building that has been
going on for the, past several years. It
was presumed that no one was finding
live.
This scarcity OF houses that can be
rented is getting to be Il very serious mat
ter. Several OF the leading industries In
and about the city are In need OF larger
forces Of skilled mechanics, and cannot
induce them to come tn Richmond because
these men cannot find suitable houses In
which to live with their families.
Very Serious Matter.
Tho Richmond Cedar Works have put
In the additional machinery and made all
their force OF skilled, high-priced work.
men something over hundred. They
found the men they wanted In the North
and they were all men with families. A
committee was sent to Richmond to make
certain Inquiries about the works, the
city, the climate, and all OF the 'condl-
tons The committee reported every.
thing satisfactory except one thing, ant
the men were anxious to come to Rich
lnond and bring their families, but thu
committee had to report that the one
thing lacking was decent home accom-
modations. and Of course these people
did not come. Tho new machinery Ii
the Cedar Works is still idle. and 1t 4!
feared will remain SO until the compan!
,t can build houses for the men they wan
or induce some OF Richmond's capitalist
to do So
real estate agent, who would no
3 tell tales and call names too" has In
formed the Times Dispatch Representative
that his firm thought they had landed
new enterprise for Richmond, one tina
would bring u goodly sum OF money her
and employ az many rs q hundred skille
worklnen at the very start, but they los
At. and the enterprise will be located i
another c!ty-lost 1t for no reason /
the world except that houses could nc
he found for the employees to live II
This enterprise could have filled house
that would rent all the way from $40 pc
month UP to $76 per month.
1t is reported that pretty much til
same condition exists III Manchester Th
agents over there report no houses II
rent W
1t has been demonstrated within ii,
last two weeks that money put I'M
stocks and such securities as are hongl
and sold In the exchanges Is not alwn,
~ securely Invested as 1t might b
Money invested in Richmond houses Il