Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-08-17

The standard Of living does not
as q usual thing include AZ generous
n provision for housing as 1t does
for food and clothing" says Prof.
Richard r. Ely of the Wisconsin
University. a director OF the City
Housing Corporation OF New York
and possible promoter of g. similar
gigantic corporation In chicago.
Opinion Is divided as to such an
expansion for Washington at present.
In an elaborate discussion OF the
housing problem. published IN the
Journal OF Land and Public Utility
Economics, Prof. Ely, who is one
of the foremost economists of the
country. outlines the limitations or
mortgage companies in financing
construction of homes-lending only
certain percentage of the value
and he adds:
But there are other alternatives
for those who wish to do something
to improve the housing conditions OF
people of limited means. and espe-
cially to do so by increasing home
ownership. One method is-the
method followed by the City Housing
Corporation--to subscribe for stock
with limited dividends, and let the
stock make up the difference between
what the purchasers can pay ana
what somebody else must pay to
secure the construction Of homes.
In other words, the company may
with its stock, replace the second
mortgage" .
The City Housing Corporation OF
New York. capitalized with $4,000
600 bought !, 100 lots on Long Island
in 1924, and has already housed some
500 families in up-to- date homes. so
built that the Service" is carried
on upon an enormous scale. Thls Is
within the zone Of flve-cent fares TO
the city. The cost ranges from - 10
$12 month per room, AFTER nrst
payment of 10 per cent or the pur-
chase price, and 1T Is claimed that
the price is what the construction
cost.
The New York Legislature passed
special laws giving such an enter
prise the right Of eminent domain,
to enable 1t to protect against un
rea soma BILE sale cost OF lots wltnlh
the district to be built up. Secretar!
Herbert Hoover of the United states
Department OF Commerce, VINO Is
making Investigations as to the De
.ira hiIitv of such a development In
Washineton. declares that no such
anecial lesisla ton would be needed
here.
1t is not proposed to erect homes
for all the $4,000 Government en-
ployes of Washington. many OF whom
already own their homes. but simply
to start the enterprise upon such q
scale or unit as the immediate demand
Indicates There Is no monopoly or
the protect, and it Ia open. therefore,
to local builders TO study it's Feasibility
and adopt quantity production, II
,hev find economies therein not now
available under present practlces
Unlimited capital at per cent Is or
fered by an insurance company. IN an
article published last week in Golfers
Weekly.
: 1t has transpired that there still
exist in Washington some 2,40U alley
homes. which have been made illegal
by act of Congress: these are doomed
and their occupants will be forced to
compete for street dwellings. In ad-
dition. all Government hotels. so
called because they were erected dur
ing the war to house the sudden IN
f,ow of Government employees. are
listed for early demolition, since they
occupy ground taken over by the Gov
eminent for a grand gateway park
between the Union Station and the
Capitol. =
The Department OF Commerce Is
now investigating the local situation
and demand by means Of a question
naire mailed TO all Government EN-
ployes. of whom there are now In the
Capital in excess Of 1000.
While rentals vary according to the
quality Of the house and its environ
ment, the replies 10 the QUESTIONABLE
indicate that a room of four walls and
q roof and floor. With no special con-