The Washington times., 1918-01-12

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can be quickly organized containing
large number of men, which is
doubted.
The committee OF the trade bodies
are at present opposed TO giving up
the l. street armory, having faith
In Colonel Simms. Ihsy point out
that while conditions are now against
immediate success in recruiting the
new guard they are sure 1t is pos
sible to change the age limits so that
young men below the draft age and
those above the age may join in a
guard that would Oe of value to
Washington for home defense pur-
poses. They think such a guard
should be organized and will, IL ne
cessary, go to Congress for changes
in the National GUARD laws that will
permit men OF ages not subject TO the
draft to enlist.
Convention Hall Rent High.
Coupled with the fight, in the cen
ter OF which is Major Dapray, are
charges that the Treasury was badly
hit in renting Convention Hall, for
which it is paying $4,000 a year for
10000 feet OF floor space. The Dis
trict National Guard had an option
vi the nhl At sH,OuU n year LOT use
twice a week for drill purposes
The hints are that a "go-between"
pocketed a big fee In connection with
the matter. Treasury officials today
denied the stories. saying that a real
estate broker originally offered them
this building, that they negotiated
with him some time under the impress
sion that he had authority to do so;
that they later broke of negotiations
with him and dealt directly with VIII
liam J. Dante. representing the Stilson
Hutchins estate, which owns the
building; that IL Mr.. Dante had any
Arrangement with the broker they are
not awart OF IL. They state that Mr..
Dante was compelled to make many
alterations and repairs in the build
ing at heavy cost and that the price
agreed upon and being paid is part
repayment to him OF these costs.
Takes Over Coliseum.
The Treasury also rented what is
known as the Coliseum, over Center
Market. in which is now installed
part of the War Risk Bureau. 1t has
10000 square feet, and is paying
$4,000 a year therefore. An amuse-
ment company formerly had this hall
leased for five years. Two and
half years OF the lease have expired.
What they were paying for it is not
known. The matter was arranged
through A. f. Fox & Co.. real estate
dealers, but alterations and repairs
were made by the War Risk Bureau.
Treasury officials today candldly
admitted that in procuring necessary
quarters they have been somewhat at
the mercy OF real estate owners and
agents, but there has been no way OF
helping themselves owing TO the
necessities of the Government.
A. F. Fox was frank to The Times
regarding the subject. He said his
firm leased the Coliseum from an
amusement company two years ago
and first started a skating rink. put
ting in 10000 in improvements. They
paid 81, 200 a year rental. This spring
a dance hall was started, and il paid
from the start.
Ordered to Eacate.
From the date OF rental the Fox
Company has repaid about $4,000 on
its original Improvement expendi-
lures. In June last it offered the
place to the Government for $4,000
q year, but this was refused. a few
months ago the Government hastily
closed a deal for $4,000 q year, and
ordered NJ Fox TO vacate at once.
This he did.
The Government has since torn the
place to pieces. Mr.. Fox says. and
when IL is turned back TO him it will
cost him thousands OF dollars to re-
build the part that have been changed
by the Government. He considers
that the rental is cheap under the cir
that he abandoned a most
profitable business and was still short
SIC, 900 on the money he had paid in
repairs.