The Washington herald., 1922-04-16
HOUSING BOARD
FINDS FINANCING
/ CHIEF PROBLEM
Mortgage Rates, Wages,
and Tax Exemption
z Are Stressed.
TOO FEW BUILDERS
All Now Reported Busy and
More Needed to Meet
Demand.

xtsssive commissions charged on
FIRST and second mortgages-l5 per
cent For the former and from 90 to
30 per cent for the latter.
Wages paid skilled and unskilIed
laborers-which in this city are
higher than in any city in the
United States. with the possible ex-
ceptjon Of ST. Louis.
\ Exemption of new homes from
taxation for a number of years to
stimulate building.
A need for additional building
contractors and skilled labOrers.
These are the principal problems
which will have to be solved before
the kousing situation in Washing
ton can be relieved. according to
testi 6hony given by members of the
citizens committee appointed by
the district Commissioners to in
vestigate conditions. during a meet
ing held at the District Building
yesterday.
Financing. Chief Problem.
Although the reports of the vari-
Gus Snbcommittees touched on all
the requirements of building. as
weIlaas the urgent need for ad-
ditional homes. these reports finally
reverted to the principal problem
hna1elng.
THOMAS Bones. chairman of the
subcommittee on finance stated
that sthe cost Of money in the. Dis
trictseompares favorably with that
Of oH1er cities in the United States.
and Mat the supply of money is
sufHSent.
Other witnesses. however. stated
that.While the rate of interest on
money runs from to s per cent.
the Builders of the District are be-
ing enlarged commissions Of Is per
cents on first mortgages and from
80 "a 30 per cent on second mort
sage,
alley Homes Up to Congress.
witnesses pointed out that these
excessive commissions are added to
the Hnal cost of the building, which
combined with high wages. was
cited as one of the principal rea-
sons- for the high cost of homes.
Efforts are being made to work
out >, plan whereby mortgages can
be sold on lower commissions, but
Chairman Bones stated that the
matter of financing to relieve the
alley situation is beyond private
means. and would require Congress
sionat action.
All building contractors in the
Cityy at present are crowded with
work. according to Chairman Bones
but she stated that there is need
for = additional contractors and
skilled labOrers.
Will Appeal to Henry Ford.
Henry Ford will be asked to as
al NJ
ing situations, by building houses
which will rent for SIS month, &C.
-Cording to statement made by
Rev. ]. Milton WaldrOn. president
If the Emergency Housing Associa-
ton.
Congress enacted legislation or
deripg the 10000 alley jewellers
1ere- evicted by November IA. but
has made no provision to care for
them elsewhere in the city, it was
pointed out
The preliminary report Of the Ia
Dor committee was submitted by
charles \. Baker. president of the
Federation Of Citizens Associations.
\ comparative statement Of the cost
Of labor in twenty-five cities for
he last ten years showed that
Washington was among those hav-
labor in this city ran on an aver
age of 12ls Der cent higher than In
Baltimore. The greatest difference
waszin WAGES paid carpenters and
skilled laborers. the former being
40 per cent higher and the latter
So per cent higher than in BaltI-
o. more.
!. Practices and survey.
Frank UPman.- chairman of the
subcommittee on construction prac-
ticeS reported that his committee
rad mailed more than 1000 question
nairfs upon the subject
The subcommittee On housing sur
vey sreportcd through John IhIder
that IL is seeking 20 determine the
Number Of on' two End muItifamiIy
dwellings, in the District. the num-
her of dwellings for sale or rent.
An attempt OF the part Of Thomas
]. Donovan to set the COMMITTEES
to oppose bill now in Congress
providing for the extension of a
number OF railroad sidetracks
failsd- These extensions. said DON
pvau- would throw more than $4,000
people out Of homes.
:: Oyster cor Exemption.
The morning session opened with
discussion OF land. William
Deane Ham. chairman of the sub
committee on land. reported a num-
Der Of suitable areas had been
found, some of which. however
were, mOrtgaged almost to their
full value.
As,J. DriscOll, president OF the
Mid-City Citizens Association. re-
ported that in the territory of his
association bounded by New Jersey
avenue. Fifteenth. C street and
Florida avenue. there were 225 va
can't building lots.
W. I. Swanton. OF the Columbia
Heights Citizens Association. and
f. w. Oyster suggested that new
Improvements be exempted from
taxation. thereby encouraging build
ing
The subcommittee on building
materials reported through DR..
John VI. Cries that u Is gathering