New-York tribune., 1908-04-12
LESSENING THE COST.
By Ne1C Plans Concrete House Man
Be Built for Small Sum.

The use Of concrete the construction Of dwell
ing houses and in the erection OF loft and factory
buildings is rapidly becoming extensive. Con
crete Is likely TO play a more important part in
the development of the vast suburban fields of thfs
city as soon as system has been devised BY which
II Will be possible TO erect dwelling houses OF con-
crete from the foundation TO the roof quickly and
az much less cost than for frame dwellings OF the
same size For several years large nurbar NJ
builders have been putting up concrete houses in
preference 10 those OF wood construction. because
the cost Of maintenance OF the concrete houses
was practically nothing after they were once rea 6
for occupancy. Concrete houses are freproof and
according 10 experts. are cooler in summer and
warmer in winter than frame or brick houses The
announcement recently made by Thomas A Edison
that he was perfecting a plan for erecting rows Of
concrete houses. the total cost for each building
10 be about $500 has already induced a score Of
builders who have been planning 70 use concrete
extensively IN their operations take steps 70
learn if they, too could not become busy as build
ers Of concrete houses costing considerably less
than frame dwelling houses. In regard 10 Mr.
Edisons plans The Cement Age" says that II
may De that Mr.. Edison will find il Impossible 10
build such structures he describes in the time
specified and for the small amount designated II
further says that It may also happen that unfore
seen obstacles will interfere. and that doubtless
Mr.. Edison did not mean be taken in the literal
sense that would compel him to finish the house
IN precisely the number OF hours given and for
exactly the cost quoted. nor is il 70 be expected
that with short an experience all difficulties
could be overcome at once. II thinks that If M
Edison succeeds in measure in what he has
undertaken he will a veritable revolu-
ton in building construction as applied TO houses
and the world will become his debtor 10 A degreo
difficult 10 estimate. Nj Edisous plan is nor onI-
70 provide cheap and comfortable houses but 10
erect them in suburban districts where their occu-
pants Will enjoy a wholesome environment instead
Of living in the congested districts OF the large
cities where there is d constant menace from fire
and disease.
Several Vel known engineers recently vfsitc,i
Nj Edison q his West Orange plant Nj Fdisnr
told them that his plan is for a cheap con
crete house for families living in tho con
eesed tenement house sections Of tho large cities
VINO pay al present minimum rental Of - n
month for or three small rooms with ,,..r
Eight. air and sanitation, accompanied with an
pailing hre risks and generally unattrac,ivc and
demoraliziug surroundings. In order that the cost
OF living should he enhanced. IL would b,
necessary, in taking these families into The sub
urbs or country districts TX the rental sufficient
ly low so that the difference between the present
and the proposed rate Of rentals would co,or
the cost Of trolley transportation to and from
the city and their places of employment. Nr Edt-
son said that The cost of the proposed house is cst
mated at $3.50. including plumbing heating and
lighting fixtures. The house is intended for two
families. and the rental required on A per cent
investment basis would be sufficient under the
present conditions 10 more than cover the tx-
rerse OF transportation of the head of the house
hold.
One Of the models designed according 10 Mr. Edi-
sons plan which shown the visitors calls for
the erection OF house q feet by 20 and 80 feet
high not including the cellar. The walls will be
Il inches thick. reducing 10 inches on the second
story and it is proposed 10 make the roof : inches
thick The floors and all partitions will bs uni
formly inches thick. Mr.. Edison told his visitors
that he intended to construct these buildings on
sandy gravely areas. furnishing material fcr
the concrete from the necessary excavations The
purpose Of this is 10 reduce the first cost one OF
the engineers saws IN report that he had written
about his visit 10 Mr.. Edison that the Edison pIan
involving the practical handling % poured concrete
suggests the difficulties In most counmuni-
ties 10 obtain good sand and gravel OF sultabI-
quality and that II is fair 70 presume that In the
majority Of instances the sand and gravel or
crushed stone would have TO be brought 20 the
work from sources as near by possible Accord
ing 70 the Edison plan OF the use OF poured CON
crete. II is expected that two houses a month can
Be built from one set OF forms. The forms are TO
be made of cast iron plates To secure a reason