Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-04-29
MAXWELL CO.
TO BUILD HOMES
$50 Modern Houses Being
Erected and Will Be Sold
at Cost TO Employees

Within the last five years Newcastle,
Ind. has graduated from little town
to prosperous city and the trans
formation has been due chiefly to the
influence of the Maxwell Motor Com
pany. When the big automobile or
! ganization located one of it's mammoth
factories in this place less than ten
years ago the population was close to
5000. Now it is in the neighborhood
of $4,000. The town has become con-
gested. Transportation and housing
problems are engaging the attention
OF the city officials.
The situation became so acute that
the officials of the Newcastle plant of
the Maxwell Company offered to CO.
| operate with the city planners in
effecting remedy and plan has been
evolved that will not only take care
of all the residents of Newcastle, out
also provide for many others who are
/ being attracted to the place by it's in
dustrial activity.
More building is going on in New
castle this Spring than ever before in
the history of the town. This also is
due directly to the initiative of the
officials of the Maxwell Company at
Newcastle.
AZ the suggestion OIL Ine MaNWell
offlcials, corporation known as the
Greater Newcastle Company was
formed and capitalized at 500, 000.
tract of land, 75 acres, adjacent to
the Maxwell plant, was purchased and
divided into lots. The city was induced
to buy ten acres of this ground for
park purposes. The remaining 60
acres were divided into ESQ lots. None
OF these lots are less than so feet wide
and 132 feet deep. Many of New
castles prominent businessmen took
stock in the new company, the Max
well retaining controlling interest of
60 per cent.
The building of attractive five-room
houses of the bungalow type is now
progressing rapidly. Streets, alleys and
sewers are being built. Water mains,
electric lights and telephones are be-
ing installed. The property is highly
restricted and general plan of tree
planting is being carried out, so that
beauty is not being neglected for the
sake of eXpediency. Each house is be-
ing finished with distinctive touches,
so that the whole plan does not SAVIOR
of the tenement atmosphere.
Each of these houses will be sold at
the cost price and by an arrangement
under which any worker may buy. |
The prices Will range from S1,600 to |
$1,000 and the initial payment will be |
about 10 per cent. The balance is to !
ne pau III weekly instruments OF from |
50 to S6. Maxwell officials figure that |
this is about 81 more than the average
Newcastle resident paysSin rent, so that
by saving only a dollar a week the |
purchaser of the house is buying his |
own home.
For Maxwell employees in Newcastle |
this housing plan presents other eco |
nCmic features. The houses are all |
within easy walking distance of the |
factory. Car fare is eliminated and the |
men will all be able to so home for |
luncheon.
None of the houses have been sold |
the directors of the company pre- |
fcrring to wait until all improvements |
have been made. Maxwell employees |
are eager to buy and already there is |
a waiting list that Indicates that all of |
the 250 houses will be.talSen speedily.E
When the initial allotment is sold the
project will be extended gradually to |
provide easily acquired homes for all, |
If possible, of the growing army of |
Maxwell employees in Newcastle.