The independent. [volume] (Lincoln, Neb.) 1902-1907, 1905-03-16

! cOmpetent and dlS1ntereSted appralSe-
ment in the event that the negotiating
parties failed to reach an agreement.
Still the agitators for better housing
were not satisfied. They complained
that the original bill was defective by
reason of the fact that the London
county council was debarred from de-
nlolishing insanitary areas consisting
Of less than twenty houses. 1t frequent
| ly developed that one or more houses
in good condition would be surrounded
/ by number of Objectionable ones. A
year ago parliament constituted struc-
lures housing thirty persons as an
area of disturbance" instead of twenty
houses. This amendment is REINFORCED
by power to widen old streets or to cut
new ones, with the right to purchase
all abutting property and rebuild there
| on.
Inasmuch as there is absolutely no
limit to the borrowing power of the
London county council for the purpose
| of executing reproductive enterprises,
| it is difficult to fix the possible bounds
of it's operations. 1t has not the slight
est difficulty in floating enormous bond
issues and is authorized to make them
redeemable at the end of eighty year
periods. A recent issue of 100000
|of per cent bonds sold for $780, 0O
The taxpayers are not disturbed, since
there is no charge against the rates.
The buildings thus far erected show a
handsome profit. A few of the great
private landlords are disposed to fear
the threatened competition and to re-
|sent the rigid supervision exercised by
the housing committee, but despite
their vast wealth and high standing
they do not seem to have an influence
much disproportionate to their num-
bers.
London is composed Of the square
mile called "the city" and twenty-eight
surrounding boroughs. Each of these
has mayor and board of councillors
and aldermen, and all are empowered
under the housing act to engage in
|such enterprises, subject to the general
supervision Of the London county coun-
|oil. Although it is only three years
since the boroughs have had this right,
an enormous amount of work has been
accomplished. Battersea has erected
dwellings for 1900 of its population.
At an expense Of $25O,O00 Bermondsey
has erected four blocks or model dwell
ings for $50 persons. Camberwell has
provided accommodations for 1912 per-
sons at an expense of about $4,000
The most extensive of the borough
schemes is that undertaken by Shore
ditch, which is pushing work on three
large estates which its council has pur-
chased or condemned. For this work
there has been appropriated more than
|S1,500,000. Houses and cottages are be-
ing erected for fully 5000 persons. The
borough supplies electric light to it's
tenants. The rate for two room flat
is 16 cents a week and for three roms
20 cents a week, with larger apart
ments in proportion. The buildings al
ready completed house 1000 persons,
who pay from $3.50 to So week for
these flats. The borough derives prof
it both from its rents and it's electrical
service.
The boroughs combined have expend-
ed or appropriated nearly $4,OOOO0O
and are or will accommodate more
than $4,000 of their inhabitants. The
map of greater London is honeycombed
with these municipal dwellings, and
from all indications the work has
scarcely begun.
But the activity Of the boroughs is
compared with that of the
|all-powerful and aggressive London
county council By far the largest
housing scheme ever undertaken by a
private or public corporation is that
which is in progress in Tottenham, a
suburb six miles from the heart of
London. There the London county
council is creating new town which
will have population of 10000. After
prolonged negotiations the council pur-
chased from private holders tract of
225 acres at price of $4,000 an acre.
Through it runs the river Moselle, and
in every respect the location is a de.
lightful one. In the center there is re-
served space for stores and public
buildings, including fine library do
mated by Mr.. Passmore Edwards.
From this center streets and boule-
r<Jc will rodiota ~ nn