Evening star., 1942-03-10
Workers Transferred
To Richmond Praise
City's Hospitality
Patent Office Employees
Pleased at Escaping
Traffic Problems
BIZ 2 staff CORRESPONDENT Of me Star.


RICHMOND, Va, March 10
Most common reaction among more
than 1000 Patent Office employees
transferred here from Washington
about a month ago is pleasure and
relief at getting away from the
traffic problems.
Imagine being able to leave the
office and driving home within five
minutes" one Office worker said.
why in the downtown business
section, the only trouble I have
parking is finding space where
somebody left nickel in the meter
so 1 can park free. Try to picture
parking in front of one of the Wash
ington department stores in the
middle of the day.
In an effort to determine what
Patent Office employees are doing,
how they live, and their impressions
of their new home, survey was
made today Office regulations will
not permit interviews with the en-
ployes on duty but department
heads were interviewed to determine
the most common expressions from
personnel about the transfer.
Appreciate Hospitality.
Almost without exception, the en-
pleyes are. grateful to the people
of Richmopd for the hospitality
shown them. The churches the
city government and the chamber
Of commerce have combined to
welcome the Patent O4ice workers
and help them adjust themselves in
their new home.
One employe compared Richmond
to-day with Washington Of Is years
ago and said things had been done
for his comfort by strangers which
might we'll be practiced by the
people of Washington.
Many of the 1,150 former Wash
ington workers of the Office who
established their families in new
homes here found that an organiza-
ton known as welcome wagon"
visited them Baskets were left con-
tanning theater tickets, bread, milk,
cheese, cigarettes and nearly a
score Of other items contributed by
local merchants. Shortly after
ward flowers were brought to the
wives of Office workers.
Recently reception at the
Mosque Theater was sponsored for
the new citizens by all of the
churches of Richmond. More than
$500 were present and the Patent
Office workers were given personal
greetings by Richmond residents.
Allowances Unpaid.
One problem faced: by, some OF
the workers who transported their
families and possessions to Rich
mond is the collection Of the per
diem allowance to assist employees
who were put to extra expense in
moving here. The Government al
lowed s5 day, not exceeding four
days, for employees without depend
ents and the same amount for not
more than 10 days for workers who
moved their dependents with them.
So far, this extra expense money
has not been paid.
About $50 families have moved from
Washington and nearby areas. Most
of those who owned their homes
before are renting them now with
the expectation of having to move
back after the war Some have sold
their houses and are purchasing new
homes here.
The rest of the 1,150 employees are
either living alone or with their fam
lilies in apartments and hotels. At
least three Richmond hotels have
made special rates for Patent Of
flee workers and some of the un-
married women are enjoying the
luxury of maid service, with break
fast in bed optional" at the hotels.
The rentals here are only slightly
lower than in Washington, while
the price of food is about the same
A house that can be had for 500 a
month in Richmond would rent for
about $115 in the District and sur
rounding areas Commodity prices
have risen about Is per cent in re-
cent months to bring food prices to
Washington levels, according to the
word of some of the women workers