Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-09-21
COOLIDGE EFAvORS
REASONABLE RENTS
FOR j. WORKERS
Reported Interested in Secur'.
ing Moderate Charges.
Hoover Stresses Need.

A definite indication of the interest
of President Coolidge in the proposal
to secure apartments for Government
workers at moderate rental came
today at the first White House con-
ference with newspaper men. A
spokesman for the President declared
that although the Chief Executive has
no information concerning apartment
houses where Federal workers might
rent rooms for $3.50 per room per
month. he is naturally interested in
securing reasonable rentals for those
in the Federal employ.
At the same time Secretary Hoover.
in his first public statement after an
extended Western trip, said the need
of the apartment houses for Govern
ment workers here has been definitely
established by the replies to the queS-
tionnaires sent through the Govern
ment bureaus IL Washington more
than a month and a half ago.
Will Make No Announcement.
Mr.. Hoover again refused to divulge
the name of the person or persons
who made the original proposal some
weeks ago to finance the apartment
house construction. Today he alluded
plural sense. while previous indiCa-
tionS have been that one person was
! behind the scheme. He declined to
explain his reason for the change.
! The original announcement said that
/ "a man Of standing in the commu-
nifty" had made the proposal to con-
! struct the apartment houses to rent
| at $3.50 a room q month. To in
quirers who solicited more informa-
tion he said he would not be pinned
down to reason for the change from
the singular to the plural.
Mr.. Hoover said that when the pro
! position has been thoroughly dis
| cussed with the sponsor for the
scheme and decision made to go
ahead with the construction 1t will be
done without dramatics and without
any public announcement. II am not
! disposed to have any dran1atics about
this" he said when we are ready
to move we will go ahead without any
public announcement"
$24 Room Indicated.
Mr.. Hoover said that $500 question
naireS have been received all 1ndlcat-
ing that Government employees pay an
average between $24 and $25 month
per room. There is no question of
ton, now" he said. THE need has
been established"
! Told that one large apartment house
has recently reduced it's rentals. he
! said that if the Federal housing
scheme has had that effect alone, some
thing has been done.
The greatest demand indicated by
the replies to the QUESTIONABLE, Mr..
| Hoover saids has been for two-room
apartments, although the inquiries
asked for information on apartments
of from one to six rooms.
The name of prominent realtor of
Washington, who has frequently been
mentioned in connection with the
Government apartment scheme, was
brought up again today to Mr.. Hoover.
The Commerce Secretary evaded the
question, however. and refused to an
swer leading questions.
Mr.. Hoover indicated that the Gov
ernment has no actual financial in
terest In the proposed construction
nor does it foster the scheme except
! in manner that will bring relief to
| Government workers.
We have simply been asked to as
certain whether or not there is a
need for apartments at moderate
rental and have established this
| need" he said.
! His statement that when the time
comes to move the construction work
will be undertaken without dra ma tics
was taken to mean that the name of
| the sponsor or sponsors may not be
made public for some time He would
give no indication of when construc-
ton work might begin, even though
; he said the used has. been estab
! lished."