The sun., 1919-07-29
Winding Summer Homes.


at all resembles that which exists in
the United States a new punishment
for Count HoHENzoLLERN appears In
the news from Amerongen that the
former Emperor, desiring to leave
Count BENTNcK's castle, has gone
house hunting.
Everybody In this neck Of the woods
who has tried his hand this summer
at finding either the acceptable city
apartment at reasonable rental or a
summer habitation fit for the dog days
will agree that WILHELM would do
better to give himself up to the Allies
If Hollands houses are as scarce as
New York's are. Then at least he
would be sure Of some place to stay,
even II 1t were only an island-and
what wouldn't lot Of New Yorkers
give at this moment for a peaceful
island in some green seal
Undoubtedly there is some room
left, even II 1t is only a little, in the
summer hotels. There are many per-
sons, however, who scorn the idea of
hotel life In the hot weather. They
yearn to get near to nature and far
from bellhops. and their task this
summer has been to find a rooftree
beside the beach or in the mountains.
1t has been a job that has required
the patience Of Sisyphus, the strength
of Hercules, the speed of Mercury and
the wealth Of CRGsUs. Getting a
house for the summer has meant
weary tours of the sands from Rock
away to Cape Cod, long Journeys by
railroad, trolley, motor and foot to
places where somebody's cousin heard
that somebody else's uncle had q
house that he wasn't going to use this
year, and If there was happy end
to the adventure the, laying down of
rentals that would have staggered
If they had been mentioned
before the war.
OF course there have been places
advertised, and there the quality of
speed has been necessary. 1t has been
a common sight upon the arrival of
boat at one of the primitive beaches
of Fire Island to see a dozen passen-
gers, each with the same clipped ad-
in his or her hand, rush
along the walk, screaming inquiries
as to where JoNEs's cottage was, and
then, upon being informed, running
like JoIE RAY in the direction indi-
Gated, all passing a messenger boy
who bore a telegram announcing that
the sender would take the cottage
sight unseen at the owners price.
Money appears to be the least of
considerations. Five hundred dollars
rent for two months occupancy of n
beach house which cost exactly that
amount to build is paid as readily as
II the renter controlled the gold mar
ket. Almost any tenant who is willing
to surrender his seashore home for the
precious August-month devoted to the
dogstar and the vacationist-mayh have
In return as much as he paid last
spring for the whole seasons lease.
There's lots Of money. Whether peo-
Pile have saved 1t against the summer,
or whether they ARE making it in their
business, or whether they are selling
their bonds to get it, It's there, even
II it isn't worth much. Out in the
where $50 for the use of an
old house would once have been a rem
tal welcome to the owner, such triv-
lal sum Is no longer mentioned. It's
two hundred dollars, with no plumb
Ing, no screens, no gas, no electricity, |
and take it or leave 1t; there's plenty
that will want 1t.
The people of the United States |
owe luxury. Getting what they want |
las been one of the mainsprings of the !,
American ambition. They will kick |
1t the price Of n pound of onions, but |
show them a summer shack capital
zed at $500 and offered at $500 for
he summer and out comes the purse
With a quick hook round TO make sure
hat some competitive bidder is not
coming up the path.