The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-05-27
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The Timcs-Dispatch believes that all
efforts to improve the housing condi
lions in Richmond as we'll as other
conditions. will fall short and prove
largely futile until the experts. up-
| filters and reformers attack tho main
problem which is to better the politi-
cal Ideals of tho mass of our people
Rcmedies of permanent value can only
be supplied by strong laws Strong
laws are always going to arouse self
ish opposition. In Richmond, igno-
rance adds to the opposition. When
you have ignorance and selfshness in
the so-called laboring class. and igno-
rance and sclfshness among the So
called superior class, it is no wonder
mat The small politician practically
runs the city for his own ends En-
iightened civic interest in Richmond as
a place of better homes and finer life
exists only among n few enthusiasts.
whose syinpathics are wiser than their
methods They plan big things, but
fail to realize the very material mead
of getting enough votes behind their
ideals to make the public servants $50
calledD do anything
With which preamble that applies To
fairgrounds the library, youthful vice.
education, annexation, music in tho
parks. or what YOU please. we point
out that the Housing Committee has
had very inspiring two-wcells' cam
palSn for cleaner city, and has made
= preliminary report, stating that we
need cheap houses built and run on
the right basis by companies that will
be content with per cent. However.
nothing save the educational after
effect of cleanup exists to-day. and
the company for tho better houses has
not yet been formed. This uplift move
ment like all the othcr uplift move
ments. lacks punch 1t will lack punch
until it directs itself Mt the Council
and Administrative Board with cor
tain amount of cold -blooded political
Influence behind it, for this is all that
moves either body
Richmond needs n complete revision
Of her housing laws. Richmond needs
Il complete revision of the laws about
collecting and disposing OF waste of
ali sorts. Richmond needs n revolu
ton in streot-cleaning methods Rich
mond needs more room and control of
the twilight zones for city planning
and sanitation. Richmond needs so
many things that the simplest way 10
get them is not to agitatc this ana
that separate and Isolated plan. but to
put men of vision education. unself
ishnesa and broad minds into poyver
They viii welcome any plan on its
own merits Now each plan is refused
because Of its political inencctiveness
Los Angeles has Il Housing Commits
sion OF seven members appointed Nv,
the health commissioner. and actina &c
bureau under his supervision Two
OF the commissioners are women. Tha,
suggests what can he done bv cities
that recognize the importance of hous-
iug.
Richmond has made Que practical
step toward getting better HOUSING
conditions and other good things by
getting better government. That WINS
the campaign for registration by the
young men. Inject enough sense and
enlightenment into the electorate ana
YOU can have anything YOU want
Meanwhile, most OF the uplift in Rich
nond is fancy talk of what has hne,,
done elsewhere. without any idea or
che hard work and grimy politics Inn,
have been preliminary to the nne re-
suits Social workers ought to begin to
sense that their work is with society.