Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-08-06
Rent Sf2.5O a Room.

3 hSbt 9A-'cV a ANVOhh'
A statement made public today by
the Commerce Department announces
the pIan. as follows: THE Depart
ment OF Commerce has received sug-
gestion from man of standing In the
community that under certain condi-
tions he would be prepared to erect
apartment houses in Washington de-
signed to relieve the needs of Federal
employees and to carry out the trans
action in the sense of public service
without speculative profit.
s'The idea is to construct attractive
apartments at charges to occupants
simply covering cost of construction,
operation, necessary interest, taxes
and amortization charges. Two alter
native bases are offered, either TO
rent or purchase. 1t is believed that
two. three, or four-room apartments
can be erected on a rental basis oil
about S1250 per room, bathroom IN
cluded free of charge; or on pur-
chase basis of $3.50 cash payment per
room, with monthly charges suff1clent
to cover taxes, operation, interest and
installment payments on the prlncl-
nal. 1t is proposed to erect the APART
ments i'm a desirable section of the
city within 10 minutes of the business
center.
"'The architects and builders OF the
proiect are known TO be leaders in
their respective fields, having recently
built some of the most attractive hous-
ing projects adjacent to New York
City.
Employees Asked for Views.
"The Department of Commerce be-
lieyes that from the character OF the
hoi
iectiye of public service it oiiers an
opportunity for relieving the high
rent charges to public employees. Ee-
fore the project can be undertaken.
however, it is necessary to tnd
whether there is any actual delns no
for such a service and the Depart
ment of Commerce would be glad 10
receive from you an indication as
to whether you are interested
whether, assuming that the proJect
could be carried out, you would de-
sire, so far as you are able TO say
at the present time, TO become q
tenant. The signing of the attached
statement will not commit you IN
any way"
The statement. addressed to "The
Federal Employees of the District or
Columbia" was accompanied by
QUESTIONABLE distributed to en-
ployes asking them IL they would
desire to rent or purchase quarters
i'm such an apartment house and CIV
ing the present rental paid.
Secretary Hoover. according to MT.
Libbey, is thoroughly familiar with
the project and its sponsor. Mr..
Hoover, however. did not attend the
meeting Of chief clerks today. MI
Libbey said the name of the man pc"
hind the proposal cannot be mace
public at this time, nos can tne pro-
posed location of the apart 'ens
buildings be divulged. lie saiot nov"
ever. that the sponsor Is a man OF
wealth who is actuated only by tne
thought of service and has no wish
for nrofit. He added that the pro-
posal has not been MADE py eroup
IF men or a corporation, but by an
individual
To Re Built on Private Property.
Mr.. Libbey made it plain that the
snartments would not be constructed
on Government property, but would
he erected on private property AZ
the suggestion OF John 7. Doyle OF
the Civil Service Commission, the
chief clerks were asked to explain
To their employees that one-room
apartments and apartments with
more than four rooms would be con.
structed if there is enough demand
for them.
The fact that the Commerce De-
partment stands sponsor Tor making
public the proposal and is the gamer
ing point for replies to the question
naires was. taken today to fndicate
the sincerity of the individual max