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REAL ESTATE
AND
(Copyright. 1917, by The Record and Quids Co.)
NEW YORK, JULY 21, 1917
NEGRO PROBLEM IN HARLEM BEING ADJUSTED
Zone Being Expanded and Better Housing Provided—
North Section Will Probably Be Given Over to Race
r OR many years the negro problem
* has been one which has been a
troublesome matter not only to property
owners, but also to loaning institutions
and tenants. Harlern has been the storm
center, and almost monthly the colony
has expanded and reached out into
streets where formerly there were only
white people. This expansion has been
the result of natural causes, due to in¬
creased population and also the desire on
their part to obtain better living quar¬
ters.
Uncertainty as to just how far the
tures now occupied by this race, though
the southwest corner of Seventh avenue
and 140th street is to be occupied by
negroes.
Frank A. Shaw, of Shaw & Company,
who has been identified with the Harlem
section for many years, said this week:
"I consider it foolhardy to attempt to
save the district north of 131st street,
from the Harlem River to the chain of
parks on the west, from negroes. I be¬
lieve that within a comparatively short
time this race will occupy the territory
as far west as St. Nicholas avenue, and
north to its junction with Bradhurst
favorable conditions would have been
warranted.
"In former times the rentals obtained
for new-law 'walk-ups' ran as high as
$7 a room. Subsequently the deprecia¬
tion brought the rent roll down as low
as $4 a room. Since the negroes have
taken over these houses, rentals have re¬
covered, and in many instances as high
as $7.50 a room is obtained.
"The better grade of negroes make
good tenants. They pay by the week be¬
cause they are wage earners. This is de¬
sirable, from the owner's standpoint.
On the other hand, the cold water houses
tua L
IH
ilL .J
MAP OF HARLEM, SHOWING SECTION WHERE NEGRO CONGESTION IS GREATEST. BUILDINGS MARKED WITH LOOP INDICATE
TENEMENTS AND DWELLINGS OCCUPIED BY COLORED PEOPLE.
movement would extend has been a seri¬
ous deterrent factor, but, happily, this
doubt has been removed to a large de¬
gree. Property owners have come to the
realization that the north end of Har¬
lem, extending from about 131st street,
will be given over in time to this class
of occupancy.
â– At present negroes are firmly estab¬
lished in the north side of 140th street,
between Lenox and Seventh avenues;
also in the following blocks between
these thoroughfares: 141st, 142d, north
side, 143d street, both sides, and 143d
street, both sides, between Seventh and
Eighth avenues. In addition to these
streets there is a scattering of negro
population almost as far east as the Har¬
lem River, and also in a few blocks to
the south. The reported sale of six
modern six-story fireproof elevator
apartment houses in West 141st and 142d
streets has really opened a new era in
the housing of negroes. These build¬
ings, with the exception of the Argyle,
in 131st street, and .another building in
140th street, are the only elevator struc-
avenue and along this latter thorough¬
fare as far north as 155th street.
"There are sufficient number of build¬
ings in this district to house the colored
people now located in the city, and also
anticipate future growth and extension
for many years to come. Houses of all
descriptions can be found in the section.
There are private dwellings which can be
used as such, or converted into two and
three-family houses; also cold water ten¬
ements, old-fashioned double fiats with
steam heat and hot water, new-law five
and six-story 'walk-ups.' having all con¬
veniences, and, finally, elevator apart¬
ments which in their day were consid¬
ered high grade. I believe Seventh ave¬
nue will ultimately be absorbed by col¬
ored people.
"Some years ago. when the negroes
first started to ^live in Harlem, property
values depreciated in the section north
of 131st street. Properties that had been
maintained for white tenancy suffered
loss of rent in addition. Lender ban of
being in a colored neighborhood, rentals
could not be obtained which under more
have as tenants the lower grade of ne¬
gro who does not understand his re¬
sponsibilities.
"The success or failure of negro tene¬
ments is predicated upon management.
Up to a short time since, the situation
was in a deplorable condition, because
all colored tenants were treated as a
class. Lhitil a line of demarkation was
established no improvement was notice¬
able. However, once the better class
was suitably provided for, the properties
as a whole improved.
"Colored people desire, for their own
good, to locate in a section where their
organizations can look after their wel¬
fare, and there is no place in the city
where these conditions are to be found
as readily as in North Harlem. Negroes
are a working class and require good
transportation facilities in order to reach
their places of employment, and Harlem
supplies this need.
"I don't think the Lawson Three-fam-
ilv House Bill, recently passed by the
Legislature, will have any noticeable ef-
(Continued on page 7S.)
REICORD AND GXJIDK IS IN ITS FIFTIETH VE AR - OF CONTINUOUS PUBLICATION.