Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-12-22
HOUSING PROBLEM CAUSING
REALTY MEN MUCH CONCERN
Efforts Being Made to Have Alley Law
Suspended-Appeals Addressed to
Vacant Property Owners

The housing problem which Is con-
fronting District officials. to care for
the big army of government clerks
now here and thousands of others who
are expected within the next six
months, is causing the real estate
brokers of the District no little un-
easiness.
The Real Estate Brokers' Association
is cooperating with the District coun-
ell of defense in an effort to relieve
the situation. Efforts are being made
by members of the association through
the council of defense to have the
Commissioners appeal to members of
Congress and possibly to President
Wilson to have the so-called ALLEY
law which is to become effective July
1, suspended. The brokers desire that
the law be set aside for a period Of
about ten years.
III that law is suspended" said n
prominent broker, there would be be-
tween $4,000 and $1,000 persons. now
esiding in these alley houses, who
would have homes. If the law is all
lowed to become effective next July it
will mean that some place must be
found for these people. Where they
employees now here and others to come.
Is question that cannot be answered
at this time"
The realty brokers throughout the
city have responded to the require
ments of the central housing bureau.
recently established in the Liberty
Savings Bank, 1910 New York avenue.
The members of the housing com
mftfee of the Real Estate Brokers' As
ISOLATION, of which A. s. Gardiner is
chairman. are pleased with the fact
that brokers. who are not yet members
of the association have willingly list
cd their property for rent in this bu-
reau This bureau lists only property
which may be for rent and when an
applicant comes to the office they are
referred to the broker listing the par
Iicular property which they may be
, ra.d,e t., In. Among the agents al
Sansbury: John F. Donohoe & Son.
Phillips & Sager. William H. Saunders
Co. Thomas J. Fisher & Co., Henry
y W. Onutt' William P. Normoyle. Charles
maker Co. David e. Barry. Boss &
Phelps. Stone e Fairfax, shannon f.
LuGhs. F. A. Blundon & Co, Moore &
Hin. H II. Bergman Co. Edw. r.
Co. A: F. Fox Co. william Corcoran
Hill. Swartzell. Rheem & Hensey Co.
L. w Groomes, II. r. Howenstein. AL
Ian L. Walker. Maurice Fitzgerald
Ahc SoHiIHittee on housing Is prepar-
ing a letter to be mailed to every va
cant house owner In the city of Wash
inaton. stating the urgent need of re-
pairing these houses. and pointing out
to the property owner that Il is not
only business necessity. but patri-
otto duty to put their houses in tenant
able condition. especially at this time,
when the city Is overlooking with in
coming government employees
The brokers in some instances have
reported that some owners are not
financially able at this time to improve
these properties. and the committee has
under advfsement the plan of request
Ing the government to provide funds
which will be used in that direction.
The same committee has sought relief
from certain stipulations in the build
ing quarters of the District which
would enable the property owners to
improve their property at a greatly re-
duced cost provided some of the fire
regulations were modified. For in
stance: The owner of three-stor5,
house in the city OF Washington can
not duly rent all three floors as sep
arate flats unless the first floor is fire.
proof. and this necessarily is a very
expensive undertaking.
The committee, however, desires to
point out to the property owners that
they can, without violation of the laws,
rent the first and second floors of their
building as one or two or more fats,
and that the third floor can be rented
out as rooms without requiring them
to make any improvements. fireproof
in nature, to the building at all. And
this committee also will be very glad
owners in Washington that pertain to
the work which they are doing.
The members OF this committee are
as follows: A. s. Gardner, chairman: