The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-01-25

y NE of the problems which the +,
coming generation OF architects
~ will have to solve IL the proper
arrangement and development
Of the great suburban area about
New \ ork city. For many years vacant
lands in all directions from the City Hall
have been under Improvement. but there
has been such lack OF comprehension
on the part of developers generally Of the
requirements Of modern suburban life
that the result of these many years work
is summed up by those who have studied
housing conditions all over tho world as
the poorest suburban area to be found
anywhere During the last four or five
years conditions have improved in isolated
spots where men Of high training have
taken hold and. determined to produce
home sections Of better grade both
architecturally and structurally. have
started change which must he carried
considerably further before New York
oan boast Of outlying districts worthy Of a
city Of its size and importance.
Right now the most difficult task that
confronts developers is the supplying
Of homes for the great mass Of population
Of moderate means. II used to be that the
country carpenter and builder" would
either devise plan Of his own or purchase
one from qualified architect, and from
that plan would erect hundreds Of houses.
dsviating from the plan only to the extent
Of using green loaded glass in ono and
red in another. or painting ono yellow
and another white. The cloth never was
cut to fit the customer. Result OF all this
naturally was that families taking the
houses never were ideally satisfied and
Nr Owners stock expression when dis
cussing his homo became. III were to
own another house ! would
That condition is changing. Even in
the more inexpensive sections there Is a
demand for houses that can be called
homes The old type Of American sub
urban home with its various eccentricities
l. no longer in favor. Foreign travel and
visits to the suburbs of Old World cities
and even TO those Of some Of our Ameri-
can cities have awakened desire in the
minds Of most New Workers for something
better than has been offered them. They
find that our suburbs naturally are quite
as attractive as those OF any city in tho
world, but they have have been handled
n In ali
manner that their beauties have been
destroyed rather than enhanced.
: That the serious consideration given
recently to the better planning Of subur-
ban homes is bearing fruit in not to be
denied by one who has looked over New
fork's suburbs recently. but the benefit
Is limited even so. Principal improve
nent is shown in classes Of houses costing
from SIS 900 up, while the actual better
lGent in houses of lower cost which would
he within reach of the great middle class
OIL our population is almost negligible.
1t is their inability to obtain attractive.
well constructed homes at reasonable
prices that is keeping thousands OF fami-
lies from becoming suburban residents.
''''io' WIO IdNc iilduC hohcbO otecnPs1
to provide better grades Of houses at
prices which would not overburden the
average business man or well paid en-
ployee have been compelled to surrender
in the end and have had to make their
appeal TO persons able to pay more than
most present day rent payers can afford
Few sections OF the suburbs now Offer
homes which would stand test OF at
'activeness and stability for less than
$1,000, while by far the greater number
Of places to be had range far above this
figure
In soliciting for its competition house
--."t can he erected at IA cost not exceeding
"5on The SUN seeks to develop types
which will M the present demand Houses
. OF such cost can be handled conveniently
10y great number Of people who would
become suburban residents, and such a
Type il adaptable TO mod fcatiOn or am
i'h"7'i"" 10 'roet the rocL"ts ~ tho"