The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-09-01

Uncle Sam Is without doubt the big
sest real estate buyer in the field to-
day. Hardly a section of these broad
United States has been overlooked by
him In his search for sites for army
environments. shipyards for homes and
factories. Billions of dollars have been
spent by him in the purchase and devel-
opment Of real estate. and the question
naturally follows How does he do it?"
And is being cheated? To the latter
the answer is no. He Pis not being
cheated, because he has developed sys-
tenn of appraising which is. considered
graft proof. 1t also Is proof against
holdupa
When a request Ia made by the army
or navy. a shipbuilder or munitions
manufacturer for sites for a training
feld. storage building or housing ac-
commodation 1t comes first to Otto NJ
Eidlitz, well known New York builder,
who IL head Of the Housing Administra-
ton. Mr.: Eidlitz then turns 1t over to
william 8. Shannon. manager Of the
Real Estate Division. There ono gets
the first glimpse of the system which
the Government has worked out for
buying real estate and at a price fair
to tho buyer and the seller. 1t Is the
development Of thought and common
sense.
In every State Mr.. Shannon has a
stan of field workers who operate under
a sectional chief who is under the direct
control OF the head of the Real Estate
Division in Washington. In addition to
these field men there are patriotic citi-
Gems who have offered their services to
facilitating the real estate activities Of
the Government in their section.
For the purpose Of illustrating buying
schemes of the Government. let us sup
pose. says the August number Of Build
tncs and Building Management, that
Pittsburg needs 1000 houses to aid
some Government munition factory in
the housing of Its employees. The Penn
sylvania field men report to their chief,
who sends on a report to Mr.. Shannon.
sites available and suitable. one of
thirty acres hold at $500 per acre. and
another Of forty acres held at $500 per
acre.
The bureau sends to the PENNSYLVANIA
State agent nearest to Pittshurg asking
for an appraisal and ne In turns sends
II on to the local committee of i've. A
request is also sent to the Chamber of
Commerce Of Pittsburg for an appoint
ment of committee Of five members.
with tho. restriction that none OF these
men shall be In the real estate business.
Then q committee Of five members
from the Pittsburg Rotary Club IL Sc
lected and their appraisal is filed with
the department. Lastly. the Mayor and
possibly some other member of the poll
tical organization in power is called
upon for an appraisal. So 1t will APP
pear that at least seventeen opinions of
value are taken upon every piece of
property considered by the Government.
No request Is made to keep the mat
ter secret, and sooner or later 1t is
bound to get into the newspapers. and
the public press may be relied upon to
bring out the arguments for and against
each parcel considered.
Suppose it is decided that the thirty
acre parcel Is TO be taken. The price
offered Ia usually compromise of the
figures of the seventeen men. If the
offer made Is accepted the matter is
closed. II the owner does not accept the
Government proposition Is final There