The Washington times., 1914-09-14

Nn NenlenceS, newly decor
ated, will alter to suit
tenant: apply -"
mis- and hundreds of similar ads
are appearing daily in the newspa-
pers, and this is the season of house
hunting, for many OF us who must.
Tor some reason or other, vacate.
Ht' move. or change our present
edrthly abode. Most OF us, anyway,
are in the class OF those who rent
or lease, and are not the fortunate
rev who possess a permanent, own
residence. We then are dependent
on the caprice OF the plumber. the
Whlm OF the architect, and the chiy-
AIRY of the landlord for place to
!dE our weary heads. The next
nght in the woman's cause will be-
Notes for womPn-made houses
100 long have we been ground under
bumped our heads or strained our
oacks. or stopped just because some
mere man put the sink in four inches
100 low, or made a built-in wardrobe
"nlch only giantess could reach.
Put. as we must accept what is
ofered to us while waiting for the
millenium, II might be timely to give
the weary house-hunter some advice
poFn or experience. First let not
your eye be caught by mere exteri-
Cfs. The fact that the apartment
mouse has marble entrance and two
pay trees in tubs may not cover the
SINS OF three bedrooms lighted only
ny shaft. Neither may a per
lectly lovely porch" make up for an
old-fashioned furnace which can
neat only four rooms out of seven.
The really livable points about a
house should be considered first. and
special point of view.
After the main points of distance
from transportation. nearness to
schools, proximity TO markets and
shopping centers have been decided.
the chief points are the house con-
strUction itself and its arrangement.
Are the bedrooms large enough to
enable you to squeeze between the
bottom of the bed and tire bureau?
Must you explore the dark. abysmal
depths of a fifty-foot hall before
emerging into the light of the front
parlor? Is there a central staircase,
charming. indeed. but which serves
as chute TO suck up all the dust
from the lower floor. and which
makes il impossible to clean the up
stairs rooms without also scattering
dust on the staircase and in the low
er hall? Is there a partition or wall
between parlor and dining-room or
docs every caller fall Immediately
into the family dinner table? Is
there no privacy because there Is
no shutting off of one room from an
other
l would like to see A book written
on what to consider in renting
house. So many Corpulent volumes
are fillef with idealistic drawings
which few OF us can afford. while
what We need is expert advice in Sc
lecting n house with the least de-
feCts. Here are some OF the points
to be considered before signing UP.
/ Is plumbing system adequate
and in first class condition?
>. Is the heating system modern
and economical of fuel?
5. Is the kitchen stcp-saVinS, back
wcll lighted and ventilated?
{. Are the trim and woodwork in
good state of repair?
:. Is there sufficient closet. shelf
and storage room?
6. Arc as many of the fixtures rs
possible permanent. as window
friCerator. stove. etc.
: Are the walls decorated with an
eve to sanitation especially the
and the most amount of
light?
g. Is the house construction gener-
ally such as to make for cOnven-
innCe. privacy, and efficient house
keeping?
1914. by Mrs. Christine
Frederick.)