Evening Star Newspaper, November 25, 1934, Page 21

THE SUNDAY ST R, WASHINGTO " MINIMUM PRICED APARTMENTS 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-floor 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 “wil- lies” staying there. It was one of those places on which the sun never shone, she confided. From eight other agents, the Skef- fington Bassets received a list of 30 . 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- erties 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, a lunch room was found, | & 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 ~ 1934, On the corresponding date in 1933, the figures showed a personnel of 69,740, an increase of 22817, prac- tically all of whom it appeared had become new residents of the District On September 30, 1932, a 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 1 Per Cent.” 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 38,000 units. The cccupancy percentage thus amounted to about 99.48. In Novem- ber, 1932, the corresponding percent- age was down to 82.5, there being well over 6.000 vacant apartments listed at that date. The 38,000 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. Mr. Bassett's appetite dulled. He 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 heeded and increased housing provided quickly. Rent $82 per Month. Upon these unpleasant thoughts, the Bassetts turned to a 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 were offered on Columbia voad. 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 $93 respectively. No switchboard service was available. But they did have two four-room spartments on Sixteenth street which they would be glad to rent for $110 \ and $115 per month, respectively. " The $5 difference entitled the apart- 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 lay-out, including, among other things, five bed rooms and four baths. This could be taken over for $416 per month, The Bassetts thought not. The second largest list was one of #iX, two of them being in a choice spot on Massachusetts avenue. They were cozy affairs of eight rooms and four baths each, and rented for $250. The Bassetts explained their position in life, and the agent immediately suggested that the Congressman be interviewed. Other Apartments Viewed. Two others were one room, kitchen and bath, one well out on Connecticut avenue, the other on Wisconsin avenue. The former rented for $45, the second was slightly cheaper. Monroe street northwest was listed a vacancy of three rooms, kitchen and bath at only $55, but further inquiry revealed that the occupants would have to walk up four flights of stairs. The sixth offering of this firm had three rooms, kitchen and bath for $60. but was not in an apartment building and conséquent inconveni- ences were admitted. A seventh concern offered three possibilities, two in buildings without ~ eleyator service. The first, off Con- necticut avenue, well out, included two rooms, kitchen and bath, for $50. The second, on Kalorama road, in- cluded six rooms and bath, for $65 but plus a daily climb of four flights On New Hampshire avenue they had a vacancy of two rooms, kitchen and bath, partly furnished, for $75. An eighth concern also had three, the one of most promise being two rooms, kitchen and bath, for $57.50, in a iocation not far from the Lincoln Memorial. Their other suggestions, each without elevator or switchboard service, were of two rooms each on Georgia avenue and lower F street Respective prices were $42.50 and $30 A ninth company, one of the largest admitted having only two vacancies immediately available. One on Thir- teenth street northwest had two rooms, kitchen and bath, for $47.50, but no elevator and incomplete facilities of a small building. The second, it was admitted, was over a drug store in the southeast section, the rent being $30 for three rooms, kitchen and bath. Two Units Available. A small firm, tenth on the list, offered two units of one room, kitchen and bath. The first, located well out on Sixteenth street, would cost $50. The second, near Thomas Circle, was declared worth $35 in an old building An eleventh concern offered a single spartment in a Fourteenth street * building, near K street, for $40. The building was & converted house, with- out elevator or switchboard service. ihz final concern consulted declared o t it had nothing, then admitted on September 30, This | On | S handling a single vacancy on Rhode Island avenue in a building that was used partly for an automobile acces- sory store. For two heated rooms and bath, they would like $35. In all places a pretty similar story was told—concessions of a few weeks without rent no longer were being given, renovating and cleaning would be undertaken only to a limited de- gree, options would be given only for short periods, and then only for a substantial deposit. Leases must be signed. In some places a full month's rent must be given to hold the apart- ment more than one night. Rents were being advanced as new tenants came in. In one place the Bassetts talked to the president of the corporation. Was a building boom anticipated, why hadn't one started already, how did rental rates compare with pre-depres- sion years? Find Little Solace. To the shaken and tired mind of J. Skeffington, the following answers brought little immediate solace: “For the past few years financing of build- | ing operations has been very tough— every one has turned a deaf ear to any mention of building—even now conditions are cnly slightly better, although one insurance concern fis studying builders’ plans for a $750.- 000 apartment house on Connecticut avenue. Plans for this have been lying around four years, waiting an in- terested party—at the same time we | are forced to take money out of our | own surplus to build eight individual homes—in 1932, with construction prices at their lowest. there was no market for product—large tracts be- ng held in northeast and northwest sections for proper time, and neces- | sary financial support for development rentals never better. but rate not yet up to pre-depression levels ex- cept in cases of some recently re- occupied apartments.” It was late that night, still apart- mentless, when the J. Skeffington Bassets dropped into a troubled sleep in which visions of the more abun- dant life were mixed with pictures of row after row of apartment houses. From every window except one came sights and sounds of occupancy. From the remaining window hung a sign: For rent—$87.24 per month, payable in advance, on one-year lease. PROSECUTOR INDICTED Denver State's Attorney's Aide Held for Perjury. DENVER. Colo., November 24 (#).— Ear] Wettengel, State's district attor- ney, was indicted for perjury tonight by a grand jury investigating Denver gambling activities. | The district attorney was accused of having given false testimony in regard to a trip he took to St. Joseph and Kansas City. Mo., in 1933. IMBA FINEST VALUE STANDS UNSURPASSED Y LL 1l Sales | EXTREMELY ARTISTIC GRAND in an apartment size period model. An instru- LY LL les EXQUISITE UPRIGHT. the finest instru- ‘ment_and case ever produced. Compare this piano with any lgflr!ment size up- right you ever saw or heard now selling in Washington at any price. Now re- duced §]]0 during this manufacturer’s sale. fiK{I LL Sale: RARE BARGAIN in a first-class upright, /K-note scale, handsomely encased match. ossesses volume —and qaality of the average small grand and is & marvelous value. Now reduced $80 during this manufacturer's sale, *KL [§ % le BPANISH RENAISSANCE GRAND — Very costly. strictly custom-built instrument in" this authentic ~design. _includins bench to exactly match. Formerly sol at £1.075. Both instrument and bench in perfect condition. and we assure you nothing can probably ever be found elsewhere that will compare with the true beauty of tone this instrument ex- actly possesses. Now reduced $335 dur- ing this manufacturer's sale. T Ky LL al ales TEACHER'S UPRIGHT—Exactly 5 inches Bicher than the small “apartment size models. Magnificent tone and even scale. A value of this description has never before been offered at such a genuine saving. Now reduced §]25 during this manufacturer's sale. K, L les D PIANO in plain Colonial case, full keyboard and 5 ft. in length.’ em- ying every musical quality desired in s truly beautiful instrument. Only one in Washington available. Now reduced §275 during this manufacturer’s sale. T K, 153 Fin- condi= GENUINE PROFESSIONAL GRAND—I est make and in the very best of tion. Regular list price $1.050. A grand piano in every sense of the word. Never again & chance like this. Now reduced %35 Guing this manufscturer's sale. WASHINGTON %| BRANCH STORE World's Largest Piane Makers ROBBERY VICTIM BEATEN BY PAR One Under Arrest, Another Sought—Woman Loses $60 to Bandit. One man was under arrest and an- other was being sought last night in the beating and robbery of one of four hold-up victims. Harry W. Fletcher, 21, was taken into custody by eleventh precinct po- lice in connection with the severe beating of Alfred Sevfried, 37, of 3635 Nichols avenue southeast, who was robbed of $5 and his coat. Tells of Robbery Attempt. Sevfried’s mother, Mrs. Harry Sev- fried, said the same two men who beat her son attempted to get $10 from her, but failed. She told police he was a branch laundry office at 110’ Florida avenue, another victim, re- ported she was held up by a colored man and robbed of about $60. Woman Robbed by Pair. Mrs. Vera L. Burton, 23, of 424 Eighth street northeast said she was held up by two colored men and robbed of her pocketbook containing a small amount of change while walking on Seventeenth street between T and U streets. Cassus Corburn reported that while entering his automobile in the rear of his home at 1201 N street he was held up by’ a colored man who took his bilifold containing $26. REBEL FORCES QUELLED Two Clashes in Mexico Won by Federal Troops. VERA CRUZ, Mexico, November 24 (#).—A group of rebels active in the ‘Tapatlaxo section today was dispersed by Federal forces, while another group was occupied with depredations at Omealea and Xuchiles on the Tierra Blanca road. The latter band robbed repair crews of fuel and set fire to a bridge in an effort to wreck a train. Peasants ex- “all bloody” when he came home with two men and that she attempted tw hold one of the latter, but he broke away. Miss Elizabeth Burton, manager of 7 Band Ring 18-karat _white hanced with diamonds. Pay 50c A gold setting en- seven tinguished the blaze. | The Yucatan Legislature today asked the Federal government to turn | over to it all Catholic Churches to be NOVEMBER _ 25, ATTORNEY BISHOP’S FUNERAL TOMORROW Services to Be at Thirteenth Street Residence and Burial in Rock Creek Cemetery. Puneral services for Rudolph Wat- son Bishop, patent asorney with the firm of Lacey & Lacey, will be held at his residence, 4911 Thirteenth street, tomorrow at 2:30 p.m. Burial | will be in Rock Creek Cemetery. Mr. Bishop, who died at his home Priday night, was a native of Wash- ington, end & member of the Associ. ation of Oldest Inhabitants of the Dis- trict and the Society of Natives. A member of the District bar, he re- ceived his degree from the National Law School here. He was affiliated with the Columbia Historical Society. His daughter, Miss Jane Evelyn Bishop, a brother, Arthur G. Bishop, and two sisters, Miss Mary Bishop and Mrs. Harrington Barker, survive. ‘Waterfall Disappears. Stonebyres Waterfall, lowest of the three famous Falls of Clyde, in Scot- land, has been reduced to a mere 1934—PART ONE. RITES FOR MAJ. STINESS TO BE HELD TOMORROW Officer Who Died in Hawaii Will Be Buried in Arlington With Military Honors. Funeral services for Maj. Henry Williams Stiness, U. 8. A, who died at Mokolei Beach, Hawaii, August 25, will be held with full military honors from the Fort Myer Gate of the Ar- lington National Cemetery at 2 p.m. tomorrow. Dr. Oliver J. Hart, pastor of St. John's Episcopal Church, will officiate and will be assisted by Chaplain Julian E. Yates. Honorary pallbearers will include Cols. E. O. Saunders and George Gru- nert, Lieut. Col. Louis P. Ford, and Majs. Raymond Marsh, C. H. Daniel- son, W. C. Chase, Archibald King, and W. H. Wilbur. < —_— Cheap Plane Popular. Germany'’s new sport airplane, sell- ing at $6,000, is proving popular, and many machines have been ordered by civilians in that and other countries. It is a biplane with two cockpits, has trickle of water by a hydroelectric | converted into public libraries. power project. Gift ideas galore—and money to be saved in the bargain. Mighty good reasons for making this store your gift-buying center. *x *x X Regular Price, $29.85 Diamond Sz 4.95 beautiful Week Sale! Enameled Dresser Sets $ $14.95 Value Here's a popular gift item—at & 9o remarkably low price. Six pieces —of enamel in black, green and ivory. Packed in a beautifully lined silk case. GOTHAM baguette of white gold. band to match. $21.50 80c A Week ELGIN baguette— choice of white or vellow gold case with band to match. $35 75¢ A Week Metal 1004 F St. N. | & maximum speed of 102 miles an | hour and a cruising range of 400 miles. | RULOVA baguette of white gold h_d monds in c to match. $39.95 75¢c A Week gold ca * % % Yellow Gold W A small, smart case of yellow gold with leather strap. Guaranteed move- ment. Excellent time- keeper. Pay 50c A Week * * X B—5 JUSTICE DEPARTMENT ATTORNEY’S WIFE DIES| Three-Week Illness Is Fatal to Mrs. Jeannette P. Anderson. Funeral Tomojrow. Mrs. Jeannette Porter Anderson, wife of J. Robert Anderson, a special | attorney in the Department of Justice, died yesterday in Columbia Hospital after an illness of three weeks. Mrs. Anderson, who lived at 110 Maryland avenue northeast, had been active in various church and charit- able organizations. Born in Mead- ville, Pa., she had lied in Washington for 21 years. Besides her husband, she is sur- Ppscorsylranin 3".550“ OIL_ WORK. C LUMBIA 522 vived by a daughter, Mrs. Eloise Porter Crocker; a sister, Mrs. Donald C. McLeod, Wilmington, Del., and a brother, R. P. Porter, Parkersburg, W. Va. Funeral services will be conducted at the J, W. Lee chapel tomorrow at 2 pm. by Dr. Donald McLeod, Mrs. Anderson’s brother-in-law. Burial will be in Meadville. AONEST RELIABLE DENTISTRY $15 STAY TIgH1 MOST NATURAL LOOKING TEETH GPECIAL ATTENTION TO NERVOUS PATIENTS TEETH EXTRACTED, $1.00; o ™ TIMEA. FILLINGS IN LAIN. SIL GOLD. NO LONG WAITING — NO HIGH PRICE PLATES REPAIRED WHILE U WAIT, $1.50 WN & PORCELAIN BRIDGEWORK ALL MY WORK GUARANTEED DR. LEHMAN Open Evenings and Sunday. DENTAL SURGEON 20 YEARS, 437 7TH ST . ArR088 FROK LANSBURGH. Ladies’ $12.95 Watches. Sale! A dainty and well made wrist wateh at & reduced price. case The smart and the beauty of the de- sign Wi in 4 Band Il appeal. luded, 50c A Week se. $4 75¢ A Week altham Sz 4.95 Bulova ‘“Ambassador” A fine 15-jewel mov ment in a_handsome white case. Fully guar- anteed to keep excellent time. Metal band to i Pay 50c A Week * * % Special! Waltham An unusual value in a nationally famous Waltham. Smart, attrac- tive and a splendid time-keeper. Pay 50c A Week *x: kK $29.75 Watch $ | 3.95 417-Jewel Hamilton You can choose this hand- some and famous make or " yellow gold. Sevent ewel ‘move- iment. Guaranteed good time- ikeeper. Pay 75c A Week *x Kk K Ww. Opposite Woodward and Lothrop - 537.50 Phone Nat. 2362