Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-12-15
Washington Now Smoky

Washington Now Smoky
Around the lobbies of the big hotels it is
no uncommon thing to sec the clerks turn
back dozens of businesslike citizens carry
ing grips and eager for business. Some OF
them may be sightseers or tourists, but most
of them are called hero b. another
OF the Government agencies or are seeking
10 connect with them. The streets also are
traversed by throngs. particularly in the
evenings when the shows are on
The increase in the number of automobiles
is so marked and there is such heavy
traffic due to their that the visitors
who knew Washington two or three years
ago would hardly know it now. Moreover.
the idealists, who recently dreamed OF a
white Washington-that is to say, a Wash
ington of marble and granite--and who op-
posed the introduction of smokestacks and
manufacturing establishments, have been
driven TO cover.
Washington is still a beautiful city, and
all new public buildings likely to en-
hance Its architectural attractiveness; but
great temporary structures are going up in
Washington now, some Of them resembling
army cantonments Washington Is also be-
coming a smoky city, its hundreds Of smoke
stacks and chimneys belching forth their
fumes and dirt until the very Capitol itself
is threatened with a coat Of CRIME.
High Prices Being Paid
The commercial spirit has undoubtedly af-
fected the hitherto proud and conservative
residents Of Washington. 1t is manifested
in the hotels. which have increased their
rates; in the apartment houses, which have
almost doubled theirs; In the stores, where
foodstuffs and other commodities have gone
up in price, and in the private homes. many
of which are being sublet at enormous rates
While the coming and going OF army and
navy officers and uncertainty to the
duration of the war introduce an element
of doubt the stability of Washingtons new
commercial era II firmly relied upon by the
business interests here.
Reference is made to the fact that the
bank deposits in this city have recently in
creased about $3.50 100000. Well-to-do people
from all sections of the United States, drawn
to Washington for patriotic or selfish pur-
poses, have evidently como TO believe in
Washington as residential city. Many Of
them have bought homes at enormous prices
Some Of the dollar-a-year patriots. who have
left strong financial positions to serve on
s6me of the Presidents war boards, pay
ing high for apartments and for hotel accom-
modations. They have an abundance of
funds and do not hagge about prices.
This puts heavier burden upon MEM
bers of Congress and their associates and
the great force of Government clerks who
have to wrestle with the new conditions.
There is an attractiveness about the social
life Of Washington which has also played its
part in forcing up rates. The society people
are generous spenders and they want the
best.
1t is sometimes amusing to read the ad-
yertisements of houses to let Small prop
critics that could have been rented fur
nished for $50 or $50 year ago are now
bringing sl25 and $3.50 per month. The in
coming clerk or army lieutenant who will
receive anywhere from $1,000 to $4,000 per
annum, must have some extra income to
keep his family in sl50-per-month house.
It Is not uncommon TO read of houses, con-
tanning ten twelve rooms, that may be
had for $1,000 per month. Occasionally other
houses are offered for as high as $4,000
per month.
It is patent that salaried officers Of the
Government cannot pay such rentals, and
the suspicion is strong that only those asso-
ciated with steel, copper, oil and other large
interests. whose representatives are now
aiding the Government at a nominal consid-
GRAFTON, can do so,
Baltimore an Oasis
Real estate men think the increase in
population In Washington will be permanent
and some of them are predicting an ulti-
mate population for the Capital City Of
at least million. The newcomers
however, are not all permanent; many OF
them 20 almost as quickly as they come
The recent cold weather has made many of
them wish to return to their warmer south
| ern climate The scarcity of labor, includ-
| ing domestic service. is added to the troubles
of those who have started In here to work
for the Government. Between high rents,
| hiRh-Iiying cost. scarcity of servants and
| not found public place all that 1t is generally
| cracked up to be.
The National Rivers and Harbors Congress
| convention recently abandoned its annual
| convention because 1t could not assure its del
| egates OF hotel accommodations. The woman
| sufYragists and the Anti-Saloon League peo-
| pIe have decided TO face the situation, de-
pending, largely upon friends In Washington
| at whose houses they might step
l. To a certain extent Baltimore. which is one
| hours ride away from Washington, has e.
| lieyed the situation. Alexandria and the
suburbs of Washington have also helped
| even TO the extent Of overcrowding the sub
| urban trolley lines. But Baltimore has been
| the big receiver Of washington's overflow,
| and there is one particular reason-BaIti-
| more is the most convenient oasis for the
| thirsty since Washington went dry Novem-