Evening star., 1917-12-08
ID. C. COUNCIL OF DEFENSE AND. -.
REALTY BROKERS COOPERATING
Endeavorins to Solve Housing Problem for Many
Persons Now Here-E9orts to Keep -
Rents Down. . =

reasonable figure and have other peo-
pie do the same. believing that this is
the best policy for all of US in the lons
rum"
lished the central registration office on
New York avenue, but it is expected II
will be opened within a short time. :
In connection with the suggestion of
Mr.. Baldwin that some of the large
dwelling houses be used as apartments
or fats Herbert r. Shannon. vice presi-
dent of the Real Estate Brokers Asso-
citation, said something would have to
be done in connection with the fire. reg
ulationS.
Mr.. Shannon pointed out that Allan E.
Walker, a member of the association. re-
Gently planned to do such work. but found
that a fire escape would have to be erect
ed on three-story building. If the dwell,
ing was reconstructed for apartment puE-
poses. This the owner would not under
take, as the expense would not pay
return on the investment. He suggested
that the District Council OF Defense ought
to take up the matter and endeavor to
have the fire regulations modified during
the present time Of building needs.
The fire regulations in this connection
provide as follows: That it shall be the
duty of the owner. entitled to the bene-
fetal use. rental or control Of any build
ing three or more stories In height, or
over thirty feet in height, constructed or
used or intended to be used as tene-
hospital, seminary, academy, school. col
lege. institute, dorrnitory, asylum, sani-
tarium, hall or place OF amusement, or
Office building, or store not exempted as
in this act hereinafter provided. to pro-
vide and cause to be erected and fixed to
every such building. connected with each
floor above the first floor by easily qcces-
sible and unobstructed openings, one or
more suitable fire escapes. in such loca-
tion and numbers and of such material,
type and construction as the Commission
ers Of the District of Columbia may deter
mine"
Although the real estate brokers in
this city nave for the most part en-
deavored to keep rents down, word has
come to President Fairfax, from the
Massachusetts, branch of the National
Association OF Real Estate Brokers
that rents, collections and everything
else have gone up in that state. In
other states there has also been an in
crease on all branches of the business
In Washington the brokers have only
increased the percentage on sales.
As to the rental proposition. 1t was
pointed out that in Massachusetts ten
ants Of property are now being re-
quired to take their rental money to
the office of the broker instead of hav-
once and sometimes three or four times
each month. According to a member
of the association there is clause In
every lease whereby 1t is stipulated
that the person occupying the premises
must pay the money at a designated
place, which is generally the office OF
the broker.
In this connection Herbert Shannon
said in recent years it was possible to
secure help at a reasonable figure to
have the rents collected. whereas now
such employees have either been taken
into the Army or Navy or have secured
employment in the government service
and that broker cannot afford to pay
high salary to man to make the
collections.