Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-24
JULIAN CAPERS, JR., /
WINS ESSAY HONOR
Reporter Awarded First Prize
in Thrift Week Contest on
Home Ownership.

4
committee of the general committee, In
charge of National Thrift Week OBJ.
servance here
| Second honors were given to Miss
Ruth A. Bondurant. 5306 Forty-flrs,
street and third honors went to Miss
Georgetta Forbes, 1880 Irving street.
AS a result of the decision reached
| by the judges at 1880 o'clock this
morning after studying the submitted
manuscripts since Sunday morning
Mr.. Capers will be awarded the an
nounced first prize Of $50.
Prizes for Two Others.
Through the same judgment, Miss
Bondurant, clerk in the Interior De-
partment. will receive the second prize
of $50, while Miss Forbes, clerk in
the office Of the controller general
will be presented the third award OF
$40. The three prizes will be presented
to the winners by the contest commit
tee of which Joseph A. Herbert, jr.. Is
chairman.
The prizes were won by submitted eS-
says on the prescribed subject, THE
Value of Home Ownership" The con-
test was announced in The Sunday Star.
January Is. and it closed at midnight
Saturday. The first essays to be SUBJ
mitted reached this Office two days aft
err the announcement OF the contest,
and other manuscripts continued to ar
rive in increasing numbers until 80
minutes before the contest closed sat
urday night. A score or more reached
The Star yesterday morning and were
disqualified.
The three winning essays are
printed herewith in full in accordance
with the announcement made in this
newspaper last week.
Prize Winning Essay.
The prize-winning essay. by Julian
Capers. jr.. follows:
Home ownership confers incalculable
benefits upon the individual and upon
the community.
The family Is the unit of community
life. The home is the keystone which
supports its arch. Home ownership
tends to prevent disintegration of the
family by furnishing an ideal setting
for normal. permanent domestic exist
ence. During the formative period
following marriage, In the struggle to
acquire q home. minor discords are
submerged as men and women make
individual adjustments and compro-
misses from which eventually grow the
harmonious family unit. Divorce courts
divide property" between 10 couples
who own automobiles for one who own
home.
Home ownership encourages the
highest aim OF normal domestic life
parenthood. The rearing Of children In
an owned home transpires In an
atmosphere of stability and perma-
nence engendered by the knowledge the
children win be sheltered and protected
under their own rooftree.
1t Is the foundation OF the individual
financial structure. Because 1t may be
financed largely from funds that would
be spent for rented shelter. a home Is
the easiest investment to make. It Is
most certain of all to show actual en-
hancement--aside from the rental use,
cultural and other intangible returns.
The systematic saving OF stipulated
sum for home payments creates an en-
during savings habit and develops a
thrifty manner of living It Is least
speculative OF all investments. Returns
begin Immediately. And 1t may be
cheaply and absolutely safeguarded
against loss. through fire insurance and
mortgage" life policy.
Stable. substantial. patriotic citizen
ship is engendered by home ownership.
The home owner pays taxes. acquires
interest in government. votes to per-
petuate homes government to protect
his investment. American home own
ers have demonstrated their willingness
on many occasions TO give their lives
IN defense OF the Government which
guarantees them the liberty such own
ership symbolizes.
Second Prize Competition.
The second prize winning essay. by
Ruth A. Bondurant, follows:
Home! Since civilizations beginning
the word itself has held magic, and
through the ages q homes possession
has wrought contentment and strength
In the lives OF all home owners.
Men have developed sturdy thrift
and resourcefulness through economy
incident TO the homes financing: and
50 have laid foundations OF prosperity.
For the home owner Is a recognized and
respected citizen. enjoying q measure
Of trust. confidence and credit seldom
accorded his less provident neighbor.
A paramount query In the world OF
business Is. Does he own property"
and the man who does has placed The
corner stone OF success.
OttE ISUutE MtN0Sb~
ment In future security. Homeless old
age Is one OF iife's most pathetic les
sons, and wise Is he who In time of
plenty provides for q harvest OF COM
fort and independence through the bar
rem years 4
Family harmony In natural conse-
ouence OF the homecoming instinct.
with each member willing ye0man
sailing the craft over early shoals OF
sacrifice and debt. the good ship
Home" reaches harbor bearing price
les cargoes of years rich In family ties.
pride and coinradery. Even the much
maIigned younger generation" provides
Trustworthy sailors when youthful
hearts are tuned beside the home
hearth.
Community and civic pride are by
products of home ownership. and thus
the home owner become q community
asset Not only does he improve his
own property. but he lends conscientious
assistance 10 the betterment Of local
health. educational, transportation and
architectural conditions. Waahington's
citizens associations furnish striking
example OF the far reaching influences
OF organized home owners, and com"
munii'es profit daily by their purpose
fui efforts
Tn truth. home ownership proves not
only an investment I'm individual happi-
ness. hut In also builder Of personal.
family and community character.
Third Prize Winner.
The third prize essay by 0eorgelia
Formers, follows:
The ownership Of a home has two
fold value. a value IN the Individual AZ
owner and value 10 the community In
which the home is owned
The value 10 the individual may be
divided into two classes also. one
strictly money value and the other an
intangible value which is comparable 10
good wiz In business.
A man who buys IA home makes u
very good Investment for real 1F0fiertV