The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-05-10
.PROFITEERING
LANDLORDS IN
NEW SCHEMES
TO BEAT LAWS
BY BILL PRICE.

President Wilson cannot sign the
$50, 100000 housing bill any too soon,
it was stated today by officials in
closest touch with the housing stu
alton in Washington. or the appro-
priation provided by the bill SlO,OOO,-
COO are to be expended in this city,
when the amount should have been
S2O,OOO,OOO or more.
The bill has not yet reached the
President, who must not only sign
IL to make ii law. but must, under the
provisions, assume the responsibility
for its administration by appointing
a housing director and local directors
at the various places where the money
is to be spent. 1t is presumed that
while he will be directly responsible
he will, in turn, put the responsibility
OF details ups to Secretary Wilson, OF
the Department Of Labor.
Figures prepared by Major Il. L.
Potter, of the health and housing d.
vision Of the War Department. indi-
cate that the Government is losing
thousands of dollars a week through
what is termed labor turnover in
Government departments-that is. the
departure from Washington OF per-
sons who have come here TO work
and have left their jobs because OF
the housing situation
Many Arc Leaving.
Careful figures prepared by Major
Potter show that in April last the
average number Of people put on in
all Government departments per
week was LISP, and that the average
number who left the service each
week. returning to their homes, was
T6I. In the last week OF April the
departures were excessively large
The War Department, for instance
added 374 to its rolls, but 800 left
the service Early in March, one en-
pIoye left Washington for every three
going to work, while in April one left
10 every two appointed.
Major Potter states that net all
left because OF housing conditions,
but that was the cause Of the vast
majority leaving.
In private business it is estimated
that it costs approximately 500 TO
break in a new emplOye. He believes
that the cost is comparatively great
er in Government service and points
out that the Government is losing
immense money by failure to quickly
solve the housing situation.
Losing Noted Men.
what-z1s hurting he Government
most is the loss OF the services CT
many men noted for their skill and
science who are unable TO obtain
homes in Washington and who have
been disturbed by the agitation OF
rents and evictiOns. A great sur
Ceon CT St Louis gave up a private
practice Of $4,000 a year TO come
here anr give his knowledge TO the
Government.
While he obtained a house he ran up
gainst profiteerinG and attempts 10
make him purchase or vacate. He looked /
Everywhere for a house that he could
feel secure in but IL was not TO be /
found. He returned 10 his home city, |
with apologies for the necessity OF doing |
so.
Officials declare there are hundreds !
OF such instances.
CAPT Julius Peyser. associated with /
Major Potter, stated today that rcrt /
hosting and attempts at evictions are
tremendously increasing in he las few /
DAYS in the hope OF landlords 20 put /
across their plans before the salisbury 1
Joint resolution stopping the game ne
comes law. Capt. Peyser is having the I
time OF his life.
He has become the little father" to /
hundreds of distressed men and wom- I
en- who have appealed 10 him 10 save 1
them from eviction or excessive rents /
and he lodges none OF these requests. /
with four assistants he works until /
late at night preparing legal papers 1
EIUhNHIAI