Evening star., 1918-01-26
NO GENERAL RAISE
|NL0cAL RENTALS
Charles w. Fairfax Points Out
Patriotic Spirit of
Landlords.

NO section of the country has expe-
rienced the extraordinary congestion
that has prevailed in this city since
war was declared last April said
Charles w. Fairfax, president of the
Real Estate Brokers' Association.
"In spite of the fact that landlords
in other centers of activities have in
creased rentals, the owners of WASH
ington dwellings and apartment houses
have only in the rarest cases
advanced rents, and l am confident
such will be their attitude during the
period of the war. The tenants appre-
ciate the existing circumstances and
are waving the usual requirements for
extraordinary repairs. so as to justify
the landlords to preserve this patriotic
policy. Even though the cost of neces-
sary repairs. maintenance, fuel and
service have increased that condition
will change somewhat when the kaiser
is defeated.
This liberal policy will develop q
greater population for the National
Capital and will result in higher
valua tions for real estate. The present
demand is for additional housing ac-
commodations and the question of
rental does not change this situation.
If Washington builders could obtain
material and labor, the problem would
be quickly solved. They have always
displayed the keenest foresight and will
be quick to respond to the nations
needs. l like to think of them as city
constructors, not as speculative build
erS.
Hundreds of old houses centrally
located are owned by estates. with
r.
funds available nor will the courts per-
nit them to borrow money to put such
buildings in tenantable condition. Let
the government lease such places, as 1t
does buildings for Office and warehouse
purposes, and put such dwellings in
repair and rent to employees, during the
period of the war. The owners Will
! rent same at prices asked in former
years and will welcome the PROPOSE
ton.
*If any legislation is needed to regu-
late rentals, let it cover the entire ma
tion. The housing situation is acute
in all the centerS of population, where
are located the industries of ship
building, coal mining and munitions,
clothing. shoe and other important
manufacturing plants. Those are GER
tainly important adjuncts to this great
government in its effort to win this
war. Surely congressman will want to
stituents throughout the country.
rather than limit their efforts to look
out only for the $4,000 employed in this
city. Any other proceeding would be
reflection on the loyal and patriotic
landlords of the District of Columbia.
"The real estate owners have nothing
to hide and they are always ready and
willing to cooperate with Congress to
assist in matters that effect this city.
They realize that population is the
greatest asset for any city and they
desire that the government employees
be treated fairly, so that they will
send favorable messages throughout the
nation. which will result in an increased
permanent population for the city after
the close of the war.
Washington real estate owners at
present are receiving less than l per
cent additional income from the same
properties over that obtained in 1915
and 1916. when there were several
thousand vacancies throughout the
District of Columbia.
1.-THE real etate brokers who manage
practically all of these rentals fully
realize that they are foregoing the ex-
ira commission on increased rentals,
vet they are united to cooperate with
the landlords for the future prosperity
of the National Capital.