Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-12-16
SALE OF UNION
GARDEN HOUSES
They Will be Sold, Admira i Ben
son Says, to the Highest Bid
der, Probably in Block.

Tho United States Shipping Board viii
sell the properties in Union Park Garden
IN block 60 the highest bidder but in y
rNse where tenant submits an offer for
the Individual house which he occupies
his bid Will be given prior consideration.
This decision of the Shipping Board wns
made public i'll letters received by City
Council meeting "a committee OF the
whole last night from L. s. Senators ] O.
Wolcott and J.. Hcisler Ball. Both letters
contained practically the same informa-
ton, as Admiral Benson, chairman OF the
board made known his decision TO both
senators. at the same time.
The plan of the board as set forth III the
lcttcrs is TO advertise for sealed bids for the
whole project and if the amount of this
bid will total more than the amount that
could be obtained by selling the houses
individually the board prefers to sell it in
one hump proposition. The shipping
board is compelled to adopt this policy
"a the result of the merchant marine act
which provides that the board must dis
pose Of the housing projects IN manner
consistent with the best business inter
ests of the United States.
IL the houses were sold individually the
board would be put to a big selling ex-
penss. the letter points out. However in
case the tenant should submit bid
eo,iel TO smother pcrty, the tenant will be
given the preference II party other than
the tenant obtains the houses the present
tenants must be gwen at least three months
notice 60 vscste.
Admiral Bei sor 8 answer 70 the senators
which was received and filed by CITY
Council last right follows:
IL duly received and have carefully
corndered your letter of November 30.
enclosing copy of letter received by you
from MIR. Homer Z. Simmons, clerk Of the
Council, city of Wilmn gton, urging on
behalf Of the Council that the tenants now
living in the houses at Union Park Gar
ders be gwen an opportunity to purchase
heir homes before they are offered To the
public foS sale.
THE ACT of Congress approved June :,
1920, known as the merchant marine act OF
1920, provides, among other things relat-
ing to housing:
Section l6. the board is ali-
thorized and directed to dispose OF all such
properties OF the interest Of the Jrited
State. in all aIch properties at as carly "a
dstc as practicable, consistent with good
busine-s and the best interests Of the
United States
The trustee- of the Shipping Board.
IN their consideration Of policy 20 BE-
pursued in dsposing of the housir Z
projects controlled by the Energency
Fleet Corporation, have been guided BY
their obvlou. obligation to hquidate
these holdir Es III the manner most con
sistent with good business and the best
Iutereets of the people Of the United States
The sales Of projects by individual
units will necessitate a considerable selling
expense and the granting Of easy terms Of
payment subject to local real estate con-
ditons, involving the acceptance Of a
large number of instalment mortgages
1he collection Of instslments on these
mortgages and the accounting incident
thereto will require the maintenance Of an
organization for the purpose over a term
Of year. For these reasons, the trustees
prefer 70 sell project. as a whole, provided
prices can be obtained therefor approx
mating the total prices which it believes