The Washington herald., 1922-02-05
Government Hotels Again.

10 the Editor, The Washington Herald: .
What OF Uncle Sans" side OF
this ubiquitous question as TO. de-
stroying these buildingse The writ
err has been told that the plant cost
$1,000. 900. But instead of being
operated at q deficit, as has been
intimateds In these columns. they
netted $4,000 mot large sum, yet
1t amounts to about SET to each oc-
cupant). last year. or per cent on
the investment. Or, regarding the
s27 as returns from income tax, II
equals that paid by 1.s00 people on
the income aside from exemptions
OF S675 at 4 per cent. Applying, the
same principle of conservation to
the governments business as to an
Individual (Which thought seems in
need >of, being resuscitated). il
would appear reasonable to let them
serve their purpose for which they
are so admirably fitted. Let the
thought of their destruction>ih in less
than fife years, or as long as they
are habitable, perish-ssy, the
grateful guests.
think II very safe to say there
is hardly a girl or woman there
who does not feel she is paying
more for board and room than she
can very well afford: yet II is
making some business for the COM
munity, and the comfort of wei.
heated rooms. hot water for baths
at all times, rarlor room. and laun-
dry privileges are worth some sac-
rifice in other lines. These con-
siderations ease our consciences for
month. And while we sympathize
with those unable to rent rooms.
VIC do feel that Washington has a
larger percentage of roomers. even
with the hotels in operation than
most cities of its size. That the
more normal life of home with a
family Is desired by many. is evil
denced by the fact that quite d
number of the girls so out for the
summer months but come back for
Ithe winter. The writer had no idea
of residing permanently in the ho-
tells, but found it impossible to
improve the situation. 1t will have
to- be confessed that many of the
rooms canvassed looked as IL they
bad not been cleaned within the
memory of man, rooms that only
cleaning was needed to make quite
attractive. And excessive rates were
the rule, in the opinion Of the
writer. without exception.
But residence in the hotels has
not been all sunshine. In fact the,
have offered very considerable in.
ducements at times to their guests
to move out. But the food has i'm
proved, although much longing is
voiced for palmer food, more vege-
tables, fewer fancy salads and des-
serts and more fruit sauces. An
other improvement. after severe
discomfort borne in observance of
the rule to keep fire.escape doors
closed, was that screen doors were
added So the doors could be opened
after a warm day in summer. 1t
Is felt that the hotels should be,
with little effort made almost an
ideal residence for women and
girls Obliged TO be away from hons
and among strangers. And 1t is
hoped the rule against having drop
lights will vanish ere long. Why
should this be a rule in the hotels
when one Is permitted to have
them in any other place? 1t Is
impossible to: read a newspaper or
boo.; of ordinary print comfortably
with the light in the ceiling. So,
we still hope. -
The thoughtful understanding
and sympathy tfor the needs o-
others manifest in the planning of
these hotels Is an arresting sug-
sestioR to any one who studies
them. So far. IL Is the best thing
about them-a veritable sermon in
wood and cement. May the guests
and management profit thereby.
n ~