Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1883-10-10
Building New Homes.

One OF the greatest needs of Smyrna
is new homes and more of them. We
have noted at different times during
the season the difficulty of persons who
desire to settle among us in getting |
houses to live in. The difficulty in the |
way is the hesitancy of our capitalists |
i'll investing their means in build |
ing houses for rent. Capital is timid |
everywhere, but essentially SO in coun-
try towns. In response to our questiOn, |
why don't you men with capital to in
vest build new houses for residence or
business? and the answer has been, Il
have such and such property, they
are constantly needing something done
to them in expensive repairs and |
want no more, | had rather invest in
land" With the prevalence of such
sentiments it is difficult to get "build-
ing boom " in their heads. Capitalists
are however open to conviction, and if
it can be shown there is a demand and
at figures that will pay, they may be
induced to take some stock in town
pride" as an experiment. There GER
tainly ought to be interest enough in
the business to supply dwellings for
those who want to come to our town
from other places and make it their
future home. 1t might be we'll in this
matter to learn from the experience of
others. What has made Wilmington,
Chester and other places grow so?
The initial was the factory. Then
came the single dwellings followed
speedily by whole blocks. In cities
like Philadel phia, Baltimore, &c, where
the population is increasing at the rate
of 10000 a year, builders can risk rows
of new buildings a quarter of a mile
long, for there is sure to be a certain
demand for them. Here the demand
is already created. In New Castle, the
capital and workmen that built the
factory built at the same time the
dwellings that were to supply it
with laborers. In our neighboring
towns of Dover, Harrington and Mil
ford that have shown wonderful build
ing energy in the past few years, it has
been done mainly by individual enter
prise. We would like to see our CAPT.
talists take hold of building with a
vigorous hand, but if not, let at least
every man who has need of house be
lord of his own CASTLE" This should
be the object of every man who has to
depend on his own exertions for a liV-
ing. He should commence with this
object in view when an apprentice or
learning trade. The lessons of econo-
my taught during these years, if prop
erly applied will render the next step
the procurement of a home-cOm-
paratively easy of accomplishment. A
man working for wages in the posses.
sion of good trade and comfortable
home to live in, is on the sure road to
, domestic comfort and happiness. The
greatest obstacle to the steady advance
ment and prosperity of the laborino
man Is the constant drain which the
landlord makes upon his income. Oul
f Building and Loan Association offer.
, the needed help to every man whC
r makes up his mind he will have home
: 1t is plain that the first step towards
f independence is for the mechanic t.
{ own his own house. If he has to pa,
, out in rents every ten years as muci
) money as would secure for himself ;
l.. comfortable home, there is but a slim
4 chance of his ever accommodating mucl
: money. The true policy is to obtain
J home either before marriage or Will
/ the family is small and inexpensive. |
: the task is delayed for ten or a doZeI
@ years the chances are that it will neve
1 be accomplished. Once a wage-worke
$ becomes his own landlord he can saw
!, a sum annually at least equal to wha
n his rent would be, and this continue,
1 for u period of years must result in
Q competence if a judicious use is mad
$ of the money.