The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1922-01-24
Asks Dormitory Abandon
ment.

To the Editor. The Washington Herald:
During the war. when Washing
ton was filled to overlooking with
a very wise thing in the construc-
ton and operation of the group of
so-called government hotels" on
and around Union Station Plaza.
They served a splendid purpose in
relieving a congestion that was all
but unbearable by providing homes
for thousands of young ladies en-
ployed in various branches of the
government.
1t was assumed. of course. that
with the passing OF the war emer-
would eitheE be devoted to other
| purposes or be torn down. Surely.
there is no emsrgeHcy now that
would Justify the government in
/ continuing to operate these hotels.
/ probably at an actual loss. while
all over the city are TO be found
hundreds of desirable rooms that
are remaining vacant for want or
tenants to occupy them.
Please. bear in mind. the renting
of rooms is by no means confined
+ to the hard boiled. Ratchet faced
/ landlady type of rooming-house
keepers. There are hundreds. yes.
4 thousands Of the best citizens of
this city. people who loyalty sup
ported the government throughout
the war and since. who have a
spare room OF two which they arc
anxious to rent.
/ With many of these citizens. the
renting of rooms has become a
matter of dire necessity. Not only
is the general housing situation
still acute. resulting in a continu-
anCc of the high rental values
prevalent during the war. but hun
dreds of Washington households
have been hit hard by che admins.
tration's policy of reducing tn.
forces in all branches of the gov
eminent and cutting to the quick
I the salaries and wages of those who
were fortunate enough to escape
{ the headsmaY's AK. Then, too. As
natural aftermath Of war. all OF
us are laboring under burden Of
! increased taxation
Many government workers. ano
former government workers. are
still paying on homes which they
were forced to buy during the war
in order to get a decent place in
which to live. In most of these
/ homes there are one or more spare
rooms. the renting of which would
materially help in meeting monthly
payments. Yet, these rooms e.
begging simply because the gov
eminent is in competitions and is
providing living quarters. none too
good. for thousands who would
otherwise occupy rooms in private
residences.
The writer has no selfish ends to
serve in addressing this letter to
you. True, ] am in the rental bus
mess. but the Washington Service
Bureau, of which l am proprietor,
nor any similar bureau. would
profit penny by the abolition of
: the government hotels On the
other hand. I do not doubt but that
we would be the first to suffer from
such a step. since it stands to rea-
son that a business of this charac-
ter prospers most when there are
/ plenty of vacant rooms and apart
ments on the market. However. in
: the interest Of common fairness. we
are perfectly willing to shoulder
, our share of the loss IL we may
contribute anything toward reliev-
ing a situation that is So manifest
+ ~ unfair to the citizens of the Dis
trict of Columbia.
4 Will The Herald do its part by
! bringing this matter to the atten-
tion of the powers that be-"
T. W. MARVIN POPE.