, 1876-03-26
CHEAPER TRAVEL,

1
since on the above topic I andsavored to SHOW
that tho running Of cheap trains to the suburbs
with . uniform rate Of fare, not exceeding II
ccnta for the entire trip, would open up TO larg.
| numbers Of the better ciasB OF the working peo
pie Of the city tho opportunity OF pu1chas
| ing and owning homes, provided that capitalists
| and p1opeIty-owrers would build and cell o<
monthly payments o class Of houses noz ex'
ceedlng in cost from $500 10 $500 each
| ] stated. and am prepared to ahow by iettots
| plans, and contracts in MY posssssion fthat ME
c. J. Hull (well known in this city) is building
| in tho suburbs Of Baltimore two-stosy wooder
| houses, 14x26 feet, w1th four rooms and twc
closets, lathed+ p1aste1ed. and painted, outside
and inside. for $3.50 each and brick housez
14140 feet with Biz 1ooms. substantially finished.
for $500 eacn. Since tho previous article, in.
formation obtained renders it aimost certain
that st least two OF our railroads will soon COM
mence running cheap trains, viz F.: the Chicago
8; Rock Island to Blue Island. and the Chicago,
Burlington Quincy to Downer's Grove. Ny
interest in this bubject ia entiraly
ON THE EIDE OF THE WoRE1EGNAS.
First, because belong to the class mysaf and
second, because my experience Of some twelve
yoars in the benevolent work Of the city has
brought me into intimate acquaintance with the
wants. I know that thcro ia nothing which will
SO improve their condition ae the opportunity 10
puTchaee and own homes OF their own, and thus
become enaancipated tron their dependence upon
their landlord.
It is this eternal payment OF rent, which must
be met every month or they be turned into the
street, which keeps them poor. At the end
OF the year they have nothing to show
for the money paid. Ii, inssesd of this rent.
their monthly payments above the interest Waro
4 l.
they live, the end Of the year would show 4 clear
accumulation of from 3100 to 500, and this
would be the strongest possible incentive to in
dustry and economy. II their lot was large
enough to furnish a vegetable garden and enable
them to keep chickens, q pig, aud perhaps COW,
for which they could procure pastu1age at res
sonable rates. the saving in living expenses
would form no lnconsldezab1e item.
am aware that few capitalists, or property
owners, Il any. will enter on work OF this k1nd
at leas. their regular 10 per cent net in the
business before they will embark in it. Now,
while this side OF the question is outside Of my
experiences, and may not BE- qualified to fairly
represent it, l yet venture TO present some
views which suggest themselves to my mind. It
is hardly necessary to SAY that the real estate
market is dull-atmost dead, and that there are
numerous suburban Subdivisions, nog uusa1abie
and unproductive, On which tie owners are pay
ing taxes aad pethaps interest. The running Of
will open this property to
4 NEW CLASS oE cUsroMEEY
who heretofore have been excluded from the
market Tie building up OF portion Of the
lots euhaaces tho value Of those adjoining,
making them salxbla as Investments without
Improvement at advanced prices.
larEe plumbers OF the better class OF workin.
people would become purchasers instead of re-
naming in the city and paying rent, since the
cheap trans vii take them to and from their
work with little more expense or loss Of time
than BY the stleer-cars in the city.
The houses need not all be OF the cheap kind
indicated as many would desire and he alba to
pay for better and more expensive house. The
purchasers of such cheap lousss would not, as
some suppose, form an undesirable population,
since they would constitute the best class OF the
working people OF the city. those who have in
tellisenca, enterprise, and character enough to
desire to better their condition. Finally. such
movement along the line Of any road leading out
suburban zeal estate business On khzt
road, and bring into demand prop.
etty now unproductive and unstable
t would add largely to the auburbau popula
towns, give employment to mechanics and labor
ets. create demand for building material Of all
kinds, and furnish q patronage to the cheap
trims that would fully justify the wisdom OF
running cheap trains. These results would not
OF course be reached at once, but an immediate
impulse would be given in this direction, reqnir-
ing only time to accomplish the most satistac-
tory results. To man OF we1lth, who desires
to use bis means in such Wav As to benefit his
fe1low-rnen. cannot conceive OF = more satis-
fnctory business enterprise, sinca it embraces all
the elements Of
GRAND BENEVOLENT voRk
without the admi1ture OF i single grain Of
charity to humiliate or degrade the person ben
Gifted by it.
Myviers On this subject may bs visionary and
unsoQpd-cOlprad hv the inkerest feel in vhns
l regard IS one ct the most Important OF the 3D.
cial problems Of the day, viz: "Homes for the
People,"
II incorrect or unsonnd, shall be glad to be
CUES this question. Q. c. G1BBa.