The Washington times., 1922-04-06
Building Pessin,isn, Gets
4 Real Knockout
By BILL PRICE.

We have been having a flood of pessimistic talk
about what is going to happen in the District if
the Ball rent act is extended for year two. With
every prospect that the act IS to be extended by
Congress- the optimsts go right ahead preparing for
the largest building program in years.
The March figures of the building inspectors Of
flee revelation, and show distinctly that bear
croakers being drowned in the sea of bull op-
timism for the future of the District
For March, 1922 964 permits were issued by the
office, representing total investment of $3,2 54-
double the amount, in value, Of February figures.
In March of last year the permits represented in
vestment of only $1,7OO,O0O
Of the total to be invested much more than two
thirds is to be in DWELLING HOUsEs-homes for
the people of the District and that's the most glow
ing optimistic part of it all. Of particular signif-
canoe is the fact that 100000 is represented
for homes in suburban sections, where happy people
will live with nature and bring up families
The Ball rent act is somewhat of an interference
with spectators who looking for huge profits in
the turnovers connected with the sales of buildings,
but it is not going to stop the construction of homes
1t is not going to stop the construction of apartment
houses other large buildings by builders and
tractors who have always been bulls to District
building operations and who always will be. The
tmid builder, satisfied with nothing less than
practically guaranteed profit of huge size may take
long rest if he wants to. He will simply be idle
while the hustlers of the city go right along making
and pocketing good profits on their wisdom and
efforts These profits assured in every possible
way. In the first place, lots acreage may be OBJ
taned now at prices far below what they have ever
been In the second place, there is much doubt among
wise builders whether materials, especially lumber,
going to drop any further.
When America s participation in the started,
and for many months afterward, old Pessimism
regned among the class of people who have
been spilling large chunks Of gloom lately. But
dozens of far seeing Washington builders went right
ahead, and their energies turned to gold. Men like
HARRY WARDMAN, HARRY KITE, MIDDAUGH
e. SHANNON paid more attention to croak
ing than if there no such thing. They are not
going to pay any attention to it now The facts do
not justify it. They are optimsts on Washington.
They are buying its future, and they can't lose.
1t is noticeable that while few builders may be
carrying around long faces, the individual home
seeker is wasting time. He is determined to
build on the lot he has bought-determned to have
his home and be free from squabbles rent.
Happiness and contentment of mind are paramount.
And every builder who puts up home will be able
to sell it.
One patriotic pessimist who doesn't know thing
about the attitude of Congress to the District, urges
business to have salaries raised here that in
creased rentals may be paid The business men Of
Washington know too we'll what the Congressional
situation is on local matters. They know that the
salaries of Government workers will not be appreci
ably raised for years. They realize that the limit Of
purchasing power of Government employees has, for
the present. at least been reached, and their policy is
take steps that will bring prices down. That's why
they are so strong for the inclusion of rental proper
ties in the Ball rent act. They patriotically and
Justly thinking of the financial conditions of their
patrons and they don't propose to add to the burdens
of the purchasing public to fill the pockets of rent
cxtoronists. They right.
The normal rule of SlnnlY and demand shoud