The Lake County times., 1907-04-27
THE CALL OF THE HOMELESS.

In all the glorious middle west, that
beauteoue section surrounding those
awe-inspiring bodies of water the
Great Lakes, is there one section that
can compare with the Calumet region
for natural resources, fine scenic effects,
commercial advantages and all that
goes TO make up a model home for
man and woman? Travellers and Wis
itors have lauded the section at ban
Quet board and in hotel Hobbies, and
more than one have expressed them
selves In regard to it as Gods own
country"
The result has been shown in past de-
cades. From small hamlets cities
have grown, and from insignificant
townships the arms of civilization
have extended until today, the whole
country looks with astonished eyes at
the growing commercial enterprises
that have taken advantage of it's Won
derful facilities.
The outcome is plain to see. Thous-
ands and thousands of the best AM
erican mechanics and workmen have
torn themselves away from Eastern
and Southern crowded mill and foundry
towns. and with their families have
moved to this section to enjoy the bet
5
pure air. Hammond, Gary, Whiting,
East Chicago and other sections have
felt the growth, have seen the strang-
ers at their doors ready and willing to
become useful citizens and to swell
the valuation of the towns.
And how about the facilities that face
the stranger who comes to extend as
much advantage to the city as he re-
selves? True the growth has been so
rapid that the city is at a loss to know
how to handle it. But the stranger,
what must he do? He finds it utterly
impossible to hire a cottage, fiat
or in fact any kind of a suitable house
to start housekeeping with his loved
ones. He may have lucrative employ
ment, but he still faces that awful
fact that he is without a home Per-
haps he cannot afford to go to a hotel
to put UP his family, and store his
furniture, so, he is facing a problem
that is a hard one to solve. Either
walk the streets with his family or
build a tent in some vacant lot, If he
wishes to have the dear ones with him.
With city of the resources of Ham
mond and the other towns, with it's
public spirited citizens, it's wealthy
men, and its enterprising business am
bitions, it is a great surprise to many
that something is not done towards
alleviating if not finding a remedy for
these evils. Thousands OF prospective
citizens are turned away from the
city every week, and the growth OF
the city and suburbs is receiving a Sc
we're handicap that viii be felt more
and more every year.
Yet how can it be remidied? The
business men and in fact every citizen
should aid. There should be some or
ganization to work out the problem tc
the advantage Of everybody. The la
Dor is not scarce and land is plenty
Instead of offering homesteads for sale
and endeavoring to get outsiders to in
vest their money in buying property
why not give them a chance to enjoy
the privilege of living in the city fol
a time and after that period, to take
ties? Yes, houses should be built tC
rent as well as to sell, and the invest
ors would receive a good interest or
their money, and in the near future the
ten and twelve storied business struct-
ures would rise as a result of the in
crease of new residents in our midst