Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-27

Inquiry Regarding House Famine.
I'm order to determine whether or not
there was what might be termed house
famine among the cheaper grade of
houses in the District, a canvass was
made of the leading real estate offices
during the latter part of June and the
early part of July and data gathered in
relation to vacant houses at that time.
On the lists for rental of thirty-one rep
resentative agents were found 351 brick
and frame houses fairly well distributed
over the four sections Of the city, both
in alleys and streets, no consideration
than $165O per month. There is, never
theless. a demand for the cheaper grade
Of modern houses.
Zone Of the most satisfactory removals
during the year was the demolition Of
premises Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, and q Shep-
herd alley northwest. These six three
story brick structures provided living
quarters, at the time of inspection, for
fifty adults and twenty-five children. not
including the large number of visitors
present at all hours of the day and night.
THE police census. taken in the spring
of 1908, about a month before action was
taken by the board for the removal of
the buildings, showed total population
Investigation short time after the de-
molition Of the buildings showed a total
population of twenty-seven, ands the po-
lice census taken in the spring of 1909
shows population OF forty-four. twenty
one males and twenty-three females, dis
tributed as follows: Under five years. d:
Ave to twenty-one years. 8. and over
twenty-one years 81. which shows ma
terial reduction in the population Of this
alley. This variation is brought about
by the shifting character of the tenants
and it Is practically impossible to obtain
the same figures twice in succession.
Report Of Police Officer.
1.-THE morals of this alley can be fairly
we'll arrived at before the removal of
extract from the report Of the command
dated July %. 1908:
o." An examination Of the records
Of this station disclosed the fact that
since May 4, 1908, out Of a total popula-
ton Of ninety-nine persons. as per last
police census, fifty-one arrests for various
such as disorderly conduct, disorderly
houses, and assembly. vagrancy. assaults,
threats. petit larceny. carrying concealed
weapons, crap shooting and intoxication
The dispositions in these cases have been
as follows: Twenty-six convictions, five
pending. two nolle pressed and eighteen
dismissed
-Four two-story frame dwellings in
Durr's court northwest were also re-
moved These provided living quarters OF
fourteen adults and ten children, and
with the removal OF these four buildings
Durr's court ceases to be an inhabitated
alley.
"Credit is due the owners of the above
properties for the assistance rendered the
board In the prompt removal Of the build
ings and real estate agents and owners
generally for compliance with the orders
of the board. and also for assistance rem
10
failure to locate owners through the di-
rectory, and other reasons which rem
dered the service of notice peculiarly diff
fcult.
Neglectful Housekeeping.
1.-The majority of houses located in the
alleys at the present time are Of such
| a character. structurally, that under the
present law they are not condemnable,
| but are kept in repair because Of inspec-
| lions made and notices served from time
| to time as conditions warrant. In many
cases the bad sanitation Is caused by
| neglectful housekeeping and an idle and
vicious mode Of living. The board can
not insist on the removal of a substan-
| tial brick structure that has no abnormal
| features In construction, and the result
Is perpetdation of such structures un-
der improved sanitary conditions, but
| with the moral tone and location in no
! Bad housekeeping and general neglect
! is not confined wholly to the alleys. A
great many houses located on the streets
have been brought to the attention OF
the board. where. by the proper atten-
| ton to the ordinary household duties,
| there would have been no occasion for
| complaint. The throwing CLASHES and
| rubbish in the back yard instead Of plac-
ing 1t In cans for the authorized collectors
| results In the yard being elevated above
| the door In such a manner that ventila-
| ton under the floor Is prevented and
| water can flow In during rain and snow
| storms. causing the floors to be damp
and soon to rot"
Total Of Examinations.
| The report shows that since the board
| for the condemnation of insanitary build
| ings was created 40 houses In alleys
and 977 structures on streets have been
examined; that 275 Of the alley houses
] and Oh of the street houses have been