Evening star., 1934-11-25
MINIMUM PRICED
APARTMENTSR RARE
Star Reporter Makes Exten'
sive Tour, Finding Few
Vacancies.
(Continued From First Page.)

poverty. If the Bassetts only had
come in the day before, they might
have taken a second-f1oor apartment
out Georgia avenue, near Walter Reed
Hospital. This had two rooms, kitchen
and bath and was furnished for only
$50 per month, but the agent confided
that a young wife who was at home
all day probably would get the will
lies" staying there. 1t was one of
those places on which the sun never
shone, she conf1ded.
From eight other agents, the Skef-
fington Bassets received list of 80
possibilities, addresses only being fur
nished in each case with no offer
on the part of the agent to take the
home-seekers on a tour of the prop
critics or to extend them any assist
ance other than the street addresses.
To collect themselves, their thoughts
and their somewhat shaken confidence,
the BassettS decided to have lunch.
To this end, lunch room was found,
a newspaper purchased and the couple
settled down.
Mr.. BaSsett glanced over the first
page and a headline struck his eye
Personnel Increase" He read further
to learn that the Civil Service Com
mission figures showed a Federal eX-
ecutive personnel in the District OF
Columbia of 92557 on September 80,
1884. On the corresponding date in
1888, the figures showed a personnel
of 69.74O. an increase of 22,817. prac-
tically all of whom it appeared had
become new residents of the District.
On September 80, 1882 few months
before the New Deal came to Wash
ington, the personnel numbered 67,070.
the commission said. The figures did
nothing to compose Mr.. BaSsetts trou-
bled mind.
He turned another page, another
headline popped up-"Apartment Va
cancy Less Than l Per Cent This
one was definitely upsetting and he
read further.
Only 200 Apartments Vacant.
A representative Of a real estate
organization was quoted as saying
that hardly more than 200 apartments
were vacant in a city of some $4,000
units. The occupancy percentage thus
amounted to about 99.48. In Novem-
Der, 1882, the corresponding percent
age was down to 82.5, there being
we'll over 5000 vacant apartments
listed at that date. The $4,000 units
and the 200 vacancies were scattered
through all sections of the city. he
said. some in undesirable neighbor-
hoods. in old buildings and other un-
attractive circumstances.
Afr
turned to another page, another
headline-"Rent Increase Forecast" "
A speaker had warned the local real
estate board that apartment shortage
would force an unhealthy rise in
rents, that the long term result of a
booming market for living quarters
would be disastrous for the real estate
operators unless they met the issue
in a manner fair to the public. Mr.
Bassett wondered what would happen
to the public, of which he was now
part, during the next year or so
unless the warning was needed and
increased housing provided quickly.
Rent sS2 per Month.
Upon these unpleasant thoughts,
the Bassetts turned to detailed con-
sideration of the lists supplied by nine
agencies. Twelve had been obtained
from one Of the large firms, the most
extensive list of all. Four four-room
apartments we're offered On Columbia
road Electric ice box current was
supplied by the house, also switch
board service, but extra charges were
placed on telephone use-and the
rent was $82 per month.
In a nearby building the same firm
offered two four-room and two five
room suites at prices of $84 and S93
respectively. No switchboard service
was available.
But they did have two four-room
they would be glad to rent for $110
and Sis per month, respectively.
The SIS difference entitled the apalt-
ment occupant to a view of the street
instead of the back of another build
ing. If none of these were large
enough there was available up Con-
necticut avenue an extensive layout,
including, among other things, five
bed rooms and four baths. This
could be taken over for s416 per
month. The Bassetts thought not.
The second largest list was one Of
six, two of them being in a choice
spot on Massachusetts, avenue. They
we're cozy affairs of eight rooms and
four baths each, and rented for $3.50.
The Bassetts explained their position
in life, and the agent Immediately
suggested that the Congressman be
interviewed.
Other Apartments Viewed.