Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-07-06
CREDITORS IN WANT
WHILE j. s. LAGS
Hunger, Illness and Even
Death Charged to Plaza
Award Delays.
STORIES OF SUFFERING
UNDER CAPITOL SHADOW
Interest and Taxes Declared Eating
Up Sums Allowed for Con-
demned Property.

years, today resulted In number Of
cases of suffering being discovered among
such owners. in addition to those which
have heretofore been reported in the
newspapers
Some Of the owners of pieces OF this
property even go SO far today as to
charge that the delay by the govern
ment in settling these claims has
hastened the death of residents of the
Union station neighborhood.
Specific instances Of recent deaths SAID
to have been so hastened, circumstantial
accounts of poverty approaching destltu-
ton among holders Of such claims
against the gov. rnment and pathetic
cases of illness said to have been super
induced by worry because of the inability
to obtain from the government funds
honestly due small property owners were
today furnished a reporter for The Star
who made an investigation in the neigh
borhood.
No Champion In Congress.
In view of the fact that the con-
demnation act. providing for the ac-
QUESTION by the government OF the
property involved, was passed five years
ago, and the further fact that the
actual payment of the awards has
now been delayed two years. property
owners Of the neighborhood are today
openly condemning members OF Con-
2ress. who are allowing to rest with
out action the resolution now on the
House calendar. favorably reported by
the public buildings and grounds COM
mittee, which provides for the pay
ment of any award that is not con-
tested
IF We had one single champion in
Congress- one Of the property owners
said today, we might hope for some
action son. but no one at the Capitol ap-
parently cares about US poor people.
The papers are full Of articles telling
how anxious members Of Congress are to
get home to fix their fences and come
back here reelected. The fact that some
of us are starving to death. that some of
US have died almost penniless. seems not
to worry them at all.
Lack of Public Conscience.
Here Is a clear case Of where there
seems to be no public conscience in Wash
ington which will prevent a great. strong
powerful government from allowing poor
persons to be crushed in the grip of cir
cumstance The knowledge that there
are widows without means Of support
among the III private property owners
affected by the awards, some OF whom
are certainly starving to death before
the very eyes of this wealthy CITY. seems
to De an unremarked. casual fact.
This is situation that would not
be tolerated for one moment at any
state capital of this country"
William Twombley Of 14o Massa-
chusetts avenue northeast, today
charged that the recent death of his
neighbor. Jacob F. Rinehardt. an Ohio
civil war veteran, due to heart trouble
and rheumatism. was fastened by the
delay of the government In paying ehe
property owners.
"Alr Rinehardt wept for year before
his death last week. Mr.. Twombley SAID
today. He said to me again and again.
If could only get my plaza award PAID,
would feel better and be somewhat re-
signed l want to buy my own ticket
for my last journey to Ohio don't
want to be carried there In a box.
Mr.. Rinehardt was awarded *o,ooo
for his home, condemned by the gov
ernment two years ago. a few doors
from Mr. Twombleys house
Mr. Twombley said today that interest
is eating up the principle OF the awards
in many cases of those who have mort
cages on their property He. himself
is ILL and Mrs. Twombley said his i'll
ness is contributed to by worry over
the delay in payment by the govern
ment.
Worried Into Ill Health.
Capt. Isaac Petrey. another civil war
veteran, who lives in the neighborhood.
itors not to mention the delay in the
payment of the plaza awards to him
because of the worrying effect IT has
on him. Mrs. Mary D. Sutton. widow.
who lives at 1874 Massachusetts avenue
northeast today declared that she has
been worried into ill health by the de
lay in the payment of the awards
She has been maintaining herself by
renting rooms in her house. and now:
she says, the government has demanded
of her the payment OF JOY IN ausance
for an abstract of title OF ner property
an expense she cannot afford
Il have been ill in bed seven weeks.
Mrs. Sutton said.
Edward Casey. the father OF Mrs.
Casey. who owns the property at 130
Massachusetts avenue northeast. recently
died He stated to friends before his
death that he was greatly worried by the
delay OF the government and regarded IL
as an inconceivable act OF in1uSuce
Another instance OF suffering caused by
the delay was reported in another family
on Capitol Hill in the Union station
neighborhood. This owner. whose family
did not wish to have his name mentioned
in the public prints, although they We're
willing to tell of the case not for publica-
ton. died two weeks before Mr. Kline
hardt, and Is said to have practically Wor-
ried himself to death.
He had Bright's disease and his physi-
:
in regard to the awards was the worst
thing possible in view Of his condition
This owner moved from his own house
TO another. He was told by the Depart
ment of Justice officials. his family state.
that he could safely purchase piece of
property he had in mind. as the awards
would soon be paid. He did so. and he
died. unable to raise the money to pay
for it or make payments on it.
Hungry for Year.
A reporter for The Star learned of a
we'll ll-authenticated case of a widow
who holds one of the awards. who is said
not to have had what is called square"
meal" for a year. Her neighbors know |
of the intimate details Of her case. One |
neishbor charges himself each month |
with the duty of paying her gas BILL |
and a grocer is allowing her such small |
credit as he can afford. |
Another owner Francis s. Carmody, |
said today that the government tore |
down three houses he owned in Ahe |
when they were CON |
that they had been renting for 1
sl20 a month, and that he has not yet /
gotten a nickel in damages from the /