Evening journal., 1922-02-21
scheme AGAINST
union GARDENS
Secret Service Men Inquire
Into Propaganda Against
Housing Sale
RESERVED SEATS
FOR TENANT BIDDERS

from buying homes in Union Park
Gardens at the auction to be held
by Gerth's Realty Experts. auc-
tioneers. for the account OF the
United States Shipping Board Emer-
gency Fleet Corporation. on Monday.
February 81. has been uncovered by
Secret Service operatives sent here
from Washington. According to their
Investigation. agents for several
groups OF out-of-town spectators
(who anticipate obtaining at bargain
prices, the sos houses. four stores.
one store with apartment one six
family apartment house. and two
tracts OF land ripe for building pur-
poses, that are 10 be sold under the
hammer). have been passing the
WORD" along that the houses are
not worth half their appraised value
and that Il would be a serious mis-
take on the part OF tenants or others
20 bid more than a certain price.
On Saturday a man representing a
group of spectators. called at the
house OF woman, who announced
her Intention OF buying one of the
houses and said: 1T win be foolish
TO buy one OF those shacks; they
aren't worth thinking about Don't
waste your money and keep away
from the auction. II you want to
buy a home, buy one that harbors
no regrets" To this the woman re-
piled: What you say Is an abso-
lutte falsehood, and what you sug-
Eest is contemplate. I know the
real value Of the house I want and
I am going TO the auction and 7 am
going TO bid as high as ! can afford.
There isn't house in Wilmington
better built or more desirable and
you cannot discourage me. I have
lived in II and / know"
Washington was informed OF what
was going on in Wilmington In an
unexpected manner. on Thursday
last a Washington resident. interest
ed in buying the property in It's en-
tirely, visited Union Park Gardens
and was met by a stranger who ask
ed him what brought him there. The
man said he wanted 10 get an Idea
of what the property was worth as
ne expected TO offer a bid on It.
The stranger said he was wasting his
time as the property wasn't worth
what It was pictured and pointed to
houses that cost the Government
more than $4,000 to build and said
they were not worth $1,000. OF
course the Washington man knew
differently and he was so surprised
that ne referred the matter to the
shipping Board officials with the re-
.fgllt that an investigation was started
Immediately.
Tenants who have been thrown
into excitement because of the
propaganda OF selfish interests and
have FALLEN" for the advice TO make
low bids are urged TO mind what
they are about. Everything is being
done by the United States Shipping
Board, Emergency Fleet Corpora
fion and Gerth's Realty Experts 70
protect the interests OF prospective
buyers and II the tenants will sit
down and carefully figure out how
much they feel they can afford 70
bid on the houses they will be pro-
tectlng themselves II they so TO tho
auction with only a small amount
OF cash or its equivalent. with the
idea that the houses are going at the
prices spectators have fixed
shrewdly. they are playing directly
snto the hands OF spectators and
syndicate bidders.
The thing for tenants 10 DO is bs
sure Of the value OF the houses the,
want TO buy and then make up theli
minds what they are willing to pay
When the bids go beyond prices
they were led into believing the hmi
OF what they should pay, they mus
bid higher. The spectators ans
syndlcate bidders are figuring upoi
keeping the total sum OF the indi
viduai bids below any lump sum hi,
that may be made so as 10 get tn
property for themselves and max
what profits they can accordingly.
Proof OF the good will In whicl
tho L. s. Shipping Board Emergenc
Fleet Corporation is acting was fur
nished today when committee o
Union Park Gardens tenants vislte
the boards Offices in the duPon
Building and requested that 80
feats be reserved for them up I
1880 p. m, on the opening day q
the sale.
Addressing Charles S. Gerth. hea
OF Gerth's Realty Experts. auction
eers. one OF the committee said
I'VE are looking to you to prever
repetition OF what took place I
the Government sale OF houses ,
Camden. y. J.
Before the committee left. NJ
Gerth issued orders for the reserv:
ton Of 500 seats for the exciusi,
nse Of tenants as requested. ar
ordered the printing OF tickets. L
announced tbat any tenant deslrir
such ticket will receive one ups
applying at room 4034 dupont bull
ing. Under no circumstances will n
ticket be transferable.
In replying to a question OF u
committee. Mr.. Gerth said that d
spite reports TO the contrary. q
high character OF Union Pa
Gardens and me people living the
viii be maintained.
Sixty per cent OF the tenan
have signihed their intention OF bu.
ing houses there n possible" add,
Mr.. Gerth. "and this alone shou
counteract the propaganda Of ce
tain interests that aim to put ov
the idea that undesirables are goii
40 override the place so the proper
will be Knocked down 70 them
their figure. I can assure you III
frst and last. the best interests
Wilmington will be kept in mind
All times during the auction. ar
| rthaf Union Park Gardens will be