The Washington times., 1925-05-02
Why Shouldn't the Government
Aid Its Own Employees to
Buy Homes?
By BILL PRICE.

President COOLIDGE and Secretary HOOVER show keen
realization of need of homes for Government employees
In Washington in the endorsement they give to the suggested
organization finance company that would make loans AZ
reasonable rates workers DESTROYS of getting away from
high rents through ownership of their homes
is course highly commendable that such distinguished
servants Of nation should give all the encouragement
possible to generously disposed and women OF wealth. 70
aid orty people to obtain their homes at prices that are
nor .vorbitart and upon terms that encouraging
II has been pointed by eminent authorities that one
IF for high rentals IN this city is ina.
terms to those furnishing the money the
costing builders 20 cent This exorDtant charge must
be included In the cost OF the DuAg' u s@te VI A00l
prices fixed accordingly. .
There plenty of to be had at legal rates OF IN
Aare for first trust mortgages Banks and money lenders
refusing to take the slightest chances will lend money
construction up approximately 30 cent Of the actual
lender second trust mortgages despite the outlook
that labor and building materials will not be less for years to
wants plenty profit for the supposed risk he takes
The profit in the end paid by the who rents
+ ould be fine there could be organized company
as suggested by the high officials of the Government
which would money for construction to 70 80
cent of the actual cost Tna would gave ne many
problem and aid many deserving people achieve their
ambitions for home ownership Ine investors IN sucn COM
of all properties the District aside from the remote posi-
bes lower costs of materials and labor No in the
building business today has idea that the cost of building
construction will decrease materially in many to
If it does again.
company fails Of organization why shouldn't the President
Secretary Hoover urge Congress authorize the loang
Of money by the Treasury to Government employees under
conditions to formulated? When the and
housing situation here threatened the interests Of the
Government itself there hesitation in putting up dorm
tories for its workers.
It would not be necessary for the Government again
GO INTO THE BUILDING BUSINESS in competition with
private builders but instead Of actually building selling
houses could loan money to its employees reasonable
terms and take chances.
The drawing of plans could be done by the Supervising
Architect of the Treasury who superves the construction
of all Government buildings The office could supervise
the making of loans and take the steps to protect
the Government against waste of money fraud An invest
of 100000 by the Government for period Of two
three years. until housing conditions here become
normal would doing the right thing by the underpad
employees of the United States.
Of the than $4,000 Federal employees in Washington
fouhs of them paid salaries that shamefuly
small and which have not begun to keep pace with the cost
of living is pretty safe to say that than $4,000
workers for the United States in this city receive between
$500 $4,000 year. large number of them under the
smallest figure No wonder high Government officials think
that something should be done to aid them.
If the Government would pay LIVING WAGES, it
should do its workers would have chance to buy and pay
for their homes Instead of putting 100000 each
year into the pay envelopes of $4,000 undepad people,
the Government could least loan that much to industrious
frugal people who would like nothing better than have
homes of their