The New York herald., 1921-01-23

Greenwich Villagers are vending their
way westward and the Washington
square section is coming back. These
two facts are important from "A
psychological as we'll as COM
mercial point of view. The exodus
Of the long haired contingent is the re-
suit of increased rents in the purlieus
of the square, and this in turn is caused
by desire on the part of numerous pro-
fessional and business citizens to live in
old fashioned, solidly built, comfortable,
spacious dwellings. possessing all the
dignity of the Colonial period, but with
modernized equipment Such houses are
not to be found in any great number up
town.
II has been a long struggle to rehabili-
tate the lower residential portion of
New York. Temporarily it fell into the
hands of the Bohemians although one
real estate expert asserts that never did
these artists and writer's OF the up but
not coming variety, number more than
per cent. OF the villages population.
Even this per cent. has marched on
and those who have helped In the effort
at restoration feel that the square and
It's SURROUNDINGS are now safe from the
the section will be sacred to the memo
ries of the past.
The porcelain bathtub drove out the
Bohemians When real estate agents
began undermining the houses of two
generations ago bathtubs and electricity
represented higher rents. The artist
colony was not prepared to meet the
new rents so they migrated to other
squares and streets where they could
live cheaper. They sought places In
Sheridan square and are now far on the
way toward Abingdon square and Hud-
son Park.
New Generation Revercs Antiquity
According to Vincent c. Pepe. who
has, perhaps. rescued more architectural
derelicts in this district than any other
one person. the rehabilitation of WASH
ington square and its tributaries is due
largely 10 an awakening sense of apprc-
citation in the New Yorker Of the great
beauty and old time charm as well as
the accessibility of the lower Fifth ave-
nue. section.
Many OF the new property owners and
apartment lessees there arc men and
women whose ancestors built these
houses. The present generation has
travelled abroad, IL has visited the
ancient cities Of Italy, Great Britain and
France. II has become interested I'm the
pride OF people who preserve the struc-
lures of antiquity as well as their ira
ditions because of their beauty and
their interest.
Then the returned Now Yorker looks
about for something akin 20 his
torical spot IN his own city. lie begins
TO have "A distaste Tor the nouvcau richie
type Of citizen aud tho palm and marble
foyercd apartment. Tie may be q mill-
ionaIro but he wants TO live in demo-
cratic way and In democratic district
fnstinctvely he turns TO the real bit Of
old New York with its red brick Colonial
houses and its famous arch and park
Eight years ago Washington square
was on the verge of being n lost district.
lost to art. TO comfort and to beauty
Then the new residents began TO look
over the old fashioned houses, dilapi-
dated az to condition but with wonderful
possibilities. First one old house was
remodelled. then another. and when a
small circle began to see what comfort
and beauty abounded in these half a
century or century old dwellings more
and more Of them were rescued and
fitted UP with every interior comfort and
convenience.
gardcd the bathtub They did not con-
slider electricity essential to comfort and
happiness ana q cold water facet on tho
main floor OF "A three or four story
house was looked upon as a luxury. The
rents were so low that they could afford
TO have spacious homes. They usually
had plenty Of light and air TO make III,
for tho steam heat, elevators and cleo
trio lights which the old houses lacked
When the man with capital looking