The Washington times., 1922-03-10
SURVEY Of
CAPITAL IS
FIRST STEP
Hoover and King Pledge Aid
Of ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
ton Of All Urged.

VI SVv0t1ttu0UV-So
ton Of All Urged.
Washington's housing problem,
probably more acute here than in
any other city In the United
States, can be solved by the peo-
pie Of the District; legislation is
unnecessary.
Rents can be reduced; cost of
buildings brought down consider
ably and the housing shortage
ended through the cooperation
Of representative public-spirited
citizens.
These declarations, as briefed,
were made this morning by Her
bert Hoover, Secretary Of Com
merce, and Senator King Of Utah
before q housing hearing held by
q the District Commissioners in the
board room Of the District build
ing.
Cooperation Is Urged.
The Secretary and Senator told .
gathering of real estate men. build.
ers, bankers and plain citizens that
the appointment OF committee OF
men and women who would deive
into the housing situation, CO.
operating at the same time with
bankers, real estate men, etc., was
the first step toward bringing con-
ditions in the National Capital back
to normal.
The solution lies in the direction OF
new homes, and the housing COM
mittee could devise means to carry
out an extensive building plan, the
two speakers declared.
District Commissioner Cuno H. Ru-
dolph, who presided. declared that ne
would accept the suggestion OF the
Secretary and Senator, and proceed
at once to organize q committee 70
carry out the suggestions. He said
IT would take a week or more 10
get the committee, as only real
men" would be selected to serve.
This committee must work" de-
clared Mr.. Rudolph. "and therefore
I must exercise great care IN ns
selection. The problem is important
IN every man and woman in Wash
ington."
Secretary Hoover declared this
committed should first establish the
facts about the housing situation;
find out in what section the short
age was greatest; find out what type
Of construction 10 best for the va
rious sections; find out the cost OF
buildings and compare these costs
with the costs In neighboring cities.
The Secretary also pointed out
that the committee should go into
the profits of building; determine
the difference between the cost OF
manufacturing, the cost to the re-
taller, then to the last buyer. He
said the labor situation should also
be looked into.
LET the committee know the
situation thoroughly" declared Sec
retary Hoover; have them go, also.
into the question Of first and second
mortgages"
Plan Succeeds Elsewhere.
Secretary Hoover declared that in
every city where a housing commit
tee was appointed there were defi-
mite results; he pointed out that in
many cases there had been a reduc-
ton in the cost Of construction from
15 to 80 per cent.
This is not a matter Of law" he
said. 1T is a problem for the COM
munity. The people should go ex-
tensively into the financing of home
building. Everybody should CO.
operate.
"a careful survey could develop a
common sense method Of solving the
situation. In many cases. facts,
when brought down to simple terms,
provide their own remedy.
The material is at the door Of the
committee. The Federal Govern
ment is ready to cooperate. In the
Government departments in Wash
ington can be found the successful
Af 1a N ~
ton that have been adopted in other
communities.
But the committee must not re-
solve itself in debating society.
1t should get the situation first
hand and then do something"
Enough Capital Available.
Senator King, member OF the
Senate District Committee, pre-
sented a plan similar to the Secre-
tary Of Commerce.
There is enough capital in Wash
fngton to start an extensive build
ing program" he said. 81 would
favor, II necessary to help the situa.
tion. the exempting of certain
homes from taxation. 1t might be
wise not to levy taxes for q while
on the man or woman who Ia buy
Ing his or her home.
Al Attobhish tucIS 10 pan
which has worked successfully.
Vacant lots have been taxed more
in proportion to value than resi-
dences. Owners have been practi-
cally forced to build.
This may be a wise thing to do
In the District"
The Senator declared that some
thing must be- done in Washin rton
Immediately; he said he was receiv-
ing hundreds Of appeals from men
and women In this city.
IF some OF the people who have
some tender regard for the landlords
and real estate men would read
these letters their attitude would
-Aon change" King declared. He
rointed out, however, that there
were several hundred honest land
lords and real estate men in Wash.
ington who were playing fair.
washington has a bad reputa.
tion throughout the country and in
Congress" said Senator King. THE
general impression has gone forth
that prOperty OwDers and real o.