Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-08-20
DURABLE, Low-PRICED HOUSES.

or late years iron and steel have play
ed a most important part in the construc-
ton Of large business-houses, such as
warehouses, factories. office buildings, and
stores, and this has given a great stimu-
lus TO the iron industry and its depend
encies.
Now il is learned that there Is TO be
erected near Philadelphia a magnificent
private dwelling, in which iron and steel
are to be extensively used as materials.
According to a Baltimore contemporary,
this will be very much Of an innovation,
and It is expected that II the experiment
is successful 1t will lead to far-reaching
results in more than one direction.
In the first place, It will, IT is argued,
conduce TO the erection Of low-priced
dwellings with steel and iron frames, raft
ers, etc, and having a solidity and du-
rability impossible of attainment in cheap
houses, where wooden beams, rafters, and
frames are used. AS a consequence Of this
| departure in building methods, a still
wider market for iron and steel would be
created, and many more persons would be
employed in these industries. Again, the
new system of construction would, 1t is
contended. mutually retard the destruction
Of our forests, an evil which, it is admit
ted, is becoming most serious in its bear
ing upon the question Of destructive fresh
cts.
Apart, however, from the two consider
ations last named. and both Of which are
Of great Importance, 1t is earnestly to be
hoped that the initial result looked for
from the innovation will materialize. Low
priced, durable houses would bring down
rents and at the same time prove more
profitable to the landlord. They would
also, by reason OF not falnng rapidly into
dilapidation, cause the tenants to take
more pleasure in their homes. AS far as
the interest Of the landlord is concerned,
the great trouble with the present low
priced house is that it calls for constant
repairs-it eats up a greater part Of the
rent in repairs. AS for the interest of the
tenants, il causes the landlord to charge.
in order to cover repairs, more rental
than he would otherwise. Furthermore,
in many instances, when a tenant sees
his home going to pieces about him, he
becomes careless and ceases TO take pride
in various things that go to make up the
true home.
A friend Of ours, who has given the sub
jccts Of investment in real estate and the
needs of Richmond in the matter of small
houses for the poorer people. and the peo-
pie OF moderate means much study has
frequently remarked TO US that If he had
the capital he would build for low rental
number of small houses of tho best |
materials that could be secured. He would |
make the houses thoroughly substantial, |
introduce into them the most approved |
plumbing, and as far as possible use in
destructible material in the inside furnish
ings. He argues that after the first cost |
such houses would DO of comparatively
little expense TO him, not only because
there would be little natural wear and
tear" but because the tenants would be
stimulated to keep things in order.
He argues that such houses, aside from
proving of great benefit TO the public
health and bringing, in the long run, good
returns on the investment, would increase
immensely love for home and aid vastly
in expanding genuine home and family
life in the community. His ideas on this
subject are sound, and the new departure
under discussion promises their practical
development at much less cost than the
carrying out Of his programme would in.
volye.