Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-11-06
STEPS SUGGESTED
IN HOUSING CRISIS
Local Realtors Think Some
Are Applicable to Wash
inqt0n.

Twelve steps that can be taken to-
ward reaching a solution of the hous-
ing problem were suggested by Rob-
ert E. Simon of New York at the re-
cent convention of the New York
Boards at Rochester. Local realtors
thave remarked that many of the sug-
tgestions are applicable to Washing
ton. They follow:
I First and foremost re-establish
the confidence of capital-that if is
invested in houses that the laws will
protect the investment.
Second, change our national income
tax laws. Either have gross sales
tax and rescind the excess profit taxes
which have been great deterrentS to
|enterprise and business, or exempt. as
mortgages from the surtaxes. If We
can get Congress to grasp the sit
| uation and act at its next session.
great deal will have been accom-
jplished.
| Third, enact national and state
laws to increase the facilities of the
building and loan associations.
| Fourth. get after the coal mine
owners and their mysterious sub
/ salaries and cut out several of the
royalties and unnecessary pilfng up
of profits. so that the brick. yard and
cement and other mills cam turn out
their commodities at reasonable
prices.
Fifth. enact laws that will compel
the large savings banks and insur-
ance companies of all kinds. chart
table and philanthropic institutions to
do their fair share. At present the
burden is carried by a few. The re-
serves of these companies and insti-
proportion invested in real estate
mortgages. As it is. throughout the
country less than one-third of all the
mortgages are held by institutions
and over two-thirds by estates and
private individuals.
|orty to coal and to building materials
which are going to be used for Great
ing new homes.
Seventh. all discussion of laws for
municipal housing must cease. The
state must either do it all or not at
the state.
Eighth. some permanent state
agency should undertake the study of
the housing problems. and from time
to time recommend proper laws ana
regulations to protect the health and
morals Of the community, to regulate
and properly safeguard cooperative
and installment schemes for land and
buildings; encourage competition IN
coming and town planning. in model
in planning and building. 1t should
also conduct never-ceasing cam
paign in favor of owning your own
home Statistics should be gathered
and given publicity of the need for
housing and the quantity under con-
struction, if possible. to prevent ex-
cessive overproductio. followed by
wholesale foreclosures and depres-
sion.
Ninth. if possible. we must devise
some feasible plan by which labor
will not go out on strike. but will
continue to work during the period of
a dispute. A school building in course
of erection in New York city had
record of sixty-five strikes.
Tenth, public opinion should be
brought to bear upon the artisans to-
give a full honest days work for their
pay. There is no reason why brick
layer or plasterer should do from one
half to one-third of what used to be
reasonable days work.
eleventh, the so1called rent laws
should be carefully considered and
amended. SO as to give relief where 1t
is needed yet to make a man live up
to his contract. l am convinced that
bad as the housing situation really
it, it is not quite as bad as it has been
pictured.
Twelfth. if necessary to encourage
more rapid response to the needs, a
form of government subsidy to take
I'D some of the slack should there be
a great drop in prices of building
material.