The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-09-08
REFRESHMENTS NEED FOR SPACE IN LOCAL BUILDINGS
FORCES MANY BUSINESS CONCERNS INTO THE, STREET
Quarters Not to Be Found for Great
Number of Firms Ousted to Make
Room for Carrying On War
Activities

Ever Increasing demands for space
made by the National Government on
tho realty market Of Greater New York
are daily calling forth evidences Of
patriotism from tradesmen and real
estate owners of which the general
public knows little. Business which
had become established in certain trade
centres has been scattered as a result
OF the moro urgent needs OF the Govern
ment but there 10 no evidence of un-
willingness to comply with the wishes
OF the War Department. and quarters
are established elsewhere
Realty men have been disturbed
somewhat by the dearth of space in
New York city in which to accommo-
date the firms who have been compelled
TO give up their old homes and have
FOUND 1t necessary to offer accommoda-
tons outside the city limits. The fear
that the transfer OF trade TO other parts
will have a. detrimental effect on New
York city realty after the end OF the
war makes certain q thorough search
or every available bit Of space there is
TO be had here before anything Is
offered that will take the trader away.
The fear, however. is uncalled for since
the traders themselves are not inclined
to leave the metropolis and will surely
como back again, should they have to
III.
Government needs. every one will ad-
NIT, must come first, and although many
firms have felt they were rather hard
hit there IL bound to DO more who will
have to suffer some Inconvenience
However, the matter Of acquiring suit
able space for the accommodation of
the various departments Of the Govern
ment Is in the hands of real estate men
who are thoroughly familiar with pres
ant Nd .oaf
after much elaboration, have worked
out general scheme which is applied
in all cases Nothing IL paid for good
will or loss OF business in negotiating
the lease of building, the transaction
being based entirely upon the square or
cubic feet under consideration. The rea-
son for this basic principle 10 apparent.
The Government has no use for any
thing except the space. The eealty ex-
ports are familiar with the methods Of
figuring what q building should return,
and. assuming the position Of relatives
Of the Watchdog of the Treasury"
they eliminate all surpluses A figure
Is finally hxed and the matter placed
before the owner or his agent. Reason
able changes are allowed In some IN
stances where an injustice 10 proved to
exist. but long drawn out negotiations
are cut short by requisitioning the space
needed II the price set is not salts
factory.
The act Of Communicating property
does not. however. settle tho question.
for all time. Tho owner has the privi-
lego of appealing to a board OF ap-
pra.sers. which makes a thorough in
vestigation and carefully reviews all
claims. It may construe matters in a
different light or 1t may sustain the
field workera It's decision is final, but
BY the time It is reached the owner Is
usually convinced that the OFFER is
Fair. one.
Brokers who have been disconnected
by the thought Of long years OF labor
being shattered almost over night
Through the breaking up of trade GEN.
tres may md some comfort in the
policy of the Government agents, who
are showing a decided inclination to
disturb only the less essential indus
tries. It must be acknowledged that
in some cases firms that might be con-
strued as essential have been compelled
10 give up business space, but this was
made necessary only when the Govern
snent was In urgent need Of the space
and could use no other.
How much space tho Government re-