The New York herald., 1922-07-16
Not Even Novelist Would
Quote This Rental To- dav
BY THE ODD PARAGRAPHER.

TN a more or less popular novel pub
llshed several years ago there is
passage that should hold at least
passing interest for, tho average real
estate broker II only as an example Of
the changing conditions and values in
residential districts of Manhattan.
OF course fiction is fiction and, per-
haps. the author wasn't at all par
ticular as to the accuracy of his real
estate Information. He seems to be
serious. however. and for the sake of
paragraph material we prefer to take
him at his word. After finding an
apartment for George" and Carrie"
on West Seventy-eighth street. near
Madison avenue. he provides this in
teresting description Of the property:
1T was five story building and
their flat was on the third floor. Owing
60 the fact that the street was not yet
built up solidly It was possible TO see
east to the green tops of the trees In
Central Park and west to the broad
waters or the Hudson; glimpse Of
which was to be had out of the west
windows"
So far so good. but take deep breath
for the ensuing statement: For the
privilege of six rooms and q bath. rum
ming In straight line, they were COM
PEELED to pay $36 a month, an average
yet exorbitant rent for home at the
time i. Carrie picked out the new
ebode because Of its newness and bright
woodwork. It was one Of the very
new ones supplied with steam heat.
which was a great advantage. The sta
tionary range. hot and cold water.
dumb waiter. speaking tubes and call
bell for janitor pleased her very much.
She had enough Of the instincts Of q
housewife to take great satisfaction in
these things"
In fairness to the author 1t should be
explained that the action of the book
opens In 1859 and that the flat renting
episode must have taken place about
as90 or 1891. That was thirty-two years
ago. before the now defunct housing
shortage was dreamed of. Imagine any
one feeling compelled" to pay tho ''ex-
orbitant" sum of $S5 for six rooms and
a bath In the same vicinity to-day. We
are strongly inclined to drop a post
card to the author apprising him of
present day rental values. We wonder
what his reaction would be?
Home Hpntins with Mr. volstead.
From the Chicago Home Exposition
comes report that prospective home
buyers and home builders are manifest
ing unusual interest In the construction
and arrangement OF cellars In modern
residences. Women, 10 Is said, continue
20 oonfine theirs attention to the arrange
ment of rooms, but the men seem to be-
come in1bued with an uncomfortable de-
sire to work in their cellars and ask
many questions concerning the layout
under the grade floor and the facilities
provided for workroom. What bear
ing that ambition may have on the
Eighteenth Amendment we leave to the
readers Judgment.
Perhaps This IL Buyers Ma rket.
Convinced that the future will bring
substantial advance In the value of
land held by the United States Govern
mcnt as result of war time purchases
for training camps John w. Weeks. Sec
retary of War. Las decided not to sell
abandoned cantonments for the present.
Secretary Weeks believes that better
prices win be obtained II the sale of
those tracts be deferred for year or 30.
We pass this tip along TO owners for
what II is worth.
what poss the Bureau Meant
Lr.-. All other vocations tho real es-
tate business has its drawbacks, but It
Is blessed. at least, with comparatively
eimple terminology. Even q rudmentary
knowledge OF the English language will
cradle q broker or operator to discuss
the details of leasing or selling trans
ection. Freedom from the polysyllablc
hrurdcn which must be borne by the de-
votees OF other callings Is not to be
scoffed at. Suppose, for instance, a bro
ker we're called on to make few pithy
comments about the hygroscopicity OF
tctryl and tetranitroaniline. subject
which the Pittsburgh Bureau OF Mines
e. studying? Would the realtors respiras
tory or vocal organs survive the ordeai7
n We wore called on for . hasty
Interpretation We should ~ mat the
coordination of sounds was rhcnstio