The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-12-10
NEEDS WHICH RICHMOND
q MUST FILL IN ORDER TO GROW
Business Manager Dabney Of tho Chamber Of
Sets Forth Needs That Are Necessary For
Development Of Oitv

II I,ichmond's manufacturing In
n lustries are to grow in keeping with
II # xne ctty's opportunities. and II add
uonai plants are to be located here,
swnore economical housing conditions
xvided. To further delay this urgent
I Improvement would retard Rich
4 mond's industrial progress. Homes
1 re literally provided in Richmond
4 Tor all classes OF citizens who earn
ss@1O0 . month or more; for unskilled
w2ge earnerx. which class il in the
I majority. earning from $50 to $50
~ month. the housing condition ID
most unsatisfactory.
n We must provide homes for those
earning from $50 to $50 a month
with four to six rooms. bath and pro-
per sanitary convcniences. to rent
from 81 to SIS month, and sold to
the tenant on monthly installments
upon the payment of a few dollars
IN excess OF the monthly rental. AL
lowing the whole amount, less the
taxes. insurance and upkeep and 5
per cent interest. 70 be applied as a
credit to the purchasing price of the
home, thereby increasing the tenants
equity In tile ownership.
Industry cannot grow or compete
with other manufacturing centers I'M
1ess the laboring classes can he COM
Hcrtably housed at maximum cost
not to exceed IS per cent of their
monthly warnings. Richmond de-
bends primarily upon it's manufac-
turing interests for its prosperity.
therefore i is necessary that every
facility possible be afforded; failure
10 do this affects the interest of every
class Of citizen.
Many manufacturing cities in re-
cent years. realizing the economical
vAiue OF proper and reasonable hous-
Ing conditions. nave. through coop
Grafton. provided their wage earners
the improved conditions in this re-
lizard. not in the spirit Of philanthropy.
hut on business basis. receiving
from the wage Garner from T. 1-2 to
i-s per cent net on their invest
snent. Such enterprise. wherever It
has become effective. has Increased
Industrial operations and contributed
mrch TO The prosperity of the people.
Philadelphia is one of the iarges;
manufacturing cities in the country.
ard has the reputation of being the
hest labor market Of any Of the great
manufacturing centers the latter due
largely to the fact that the Inanufac-
tiirers and other citizens have become
interested to the extent OF subscribing
10 stock in organizations created for
the sole purpose OF providing reason
eblc and comfortable housing condt.
tons for its wage earners. resulting
liz wa Of comparison with other
cities In a much larger percentage
n home owners. which condition
4 -Trs,y tends to insure staple labor
sn.ssiitions.
ssiniiar organizations have been
fasnted III several manufacturing
All 'es mi raos; successfully operated
4 t'fout Interfering in the least with
thr usnsi residential building opera
go The method pursued hy these
rasft1 aasca is 10 purchase land by the
'.f.e e's located affording stree.
s~N fanil' les Fiat touch the centers
ef The manufacturing districts; the
/ ga Is divided into lots SO as TO
garide rear yards, building, the
e's- = ~ tenement rows and providing
+ saa :|racts with sanitary gas and
s1t@- connections: contracting for a
n re mansher OF houses TO he built
Y isfsi} certain period. These houses
contain four TO six rooms and
d ri net Experience has taught that
So . oyide Individual homes Is much
~ factory than two or three
family tceeinent houses.
Mauy large factories in Richmond
ETC experiencing difficulty with their
ss sBioyes on account OF the excessive
Isst. that many of their wage earn
FRS partially those unskilied are
compelled to pay for housing accom-
pedation. The average man with
1anaiiy earns $500 year. MANY
earn less. 4 nah cannot support a
II naily aud provide the necessary
comforts of life and pay in excess OF
cne-ffth Of his earnings for rent. The
Chamber OF Commerce. after an cx-
fensfve investigation. has given mueh
to our industrial co--
d.tions II, this regard and reaiizc
that prompt action il necessary in on
der to properly conserve the Undue
trial welfare OF our city.
III has been assured by member
Of the Administrative Board and the
Council OF Richmond that the munici.
pality will. do everything possible 10
further the movement for more ecss
nonaicai housing conditions for the
wage earning citizens. The officers
Df the chamber have conferred with
many of our manufacturers and with
nther citizens Interested in the wei
fare of the city on the subject. and
have been assured OF their co-opera-
Hon to subscribe literally TO the CAPT
tai OF an organization formed and
operated independently for the devsl
ppment OF this character OF homes
To impress the fun liat Of Rich
mond's needs ON the minds OF the pub
lie. We print them in entirety again:
HnprOV6 th6 pubic DOCK.
4 Twenty-Five feet OF water In the
pivof channel 1t low tide.
AK the national government to
eopvert the bAttiedelds around Rich
Adna into parks
u Larger number OF pl1ygr0unds.
equipped and supervised.
I More liberal funds for mainten-