The Washington times., 1917-09-27
TO ASK
CONGRESS TO
MAKE HOMES
FORWORKERS
By BILL PRICE.

Important data Of a serious nature
now before President Wilson, and TO
be supplemented by equally grave
facts to be presented to him in a few
days by committee headed by Frank
Morrison, secretary of the American,
Federation of Labor, may prevent the
adjournment OF Congress at an early
date.
Those cognizant of the facts be-
Keved today that President Wilson,
when he has everything before him,
will feel that he ought to lay the
situation before Congress and ask
that body to remain in session until
1t has appropriated many millions OF
dollars to cope with this new prob
lem-the emergency housing of work
men employed on Government actiyi-
ties all the way from Cleveland east.
Crowded Conditions Menace Health.
Facts gathered by a subcommittee
Of the National Council of Defense
and by representatives Of the Amer
lean Federation of Labor show that
the most distressing conditions exist
among workmen at almost every
great munitions and manufacturing
center where work for the Govern
ment and its European allies is being
done. Proper housing of all these
men is absolutely impossible at pres
ent They are sleeping in box cars,
tents, novels, sheds. often piled three
in q temporary bunk. With winter
coming on the conditions will, it is
predicted, become a real menace,
breeding discomfort and disease and
laying the foundation for strikes and
possible disorder Of the worst sort.
1t is to be suggested to the Presi-
dent that Congress should at once
t.ke up this situation, which has de-
veloped with amazing rapidity, and
ask an immediate appropriation of
10000, 900 to start the construction
OF appropriate homes for workmen,
aided by private capital, IL possible;
unaided, If necessary. 1t will be
pointed out to the President that
Great Britain was compelled to deal
with this same housing problem, and
did so with energy and directness,
now owning thousands of modern
homes which, with the war over, will
pass to workmen.
Private Capital Cautious.
Industrial corporations usually
careful OF the housing of their en-
ployes, and, to some extent, private
capital have done much toward i'm
proving the surroundings under
which these armies of industry are
now working, but the emergency has
been too great. Capital will not ven
ture too far, being timid as to having
upon its hands after the war i'm
proved property il cannot dispose of.
Besides, capital is being diverted to
other uses that promise greater i'm
mediate gains.
Those who will urge the President
to favor Government aid for housing
workmen are utterly opposed to tenn
porary structures such as were erect
ed in San Francisco after tn earth
quake, and in Galveston after the
great tidal wave. They assert that
these structures develop into slums of
the worst kind, and that the Gov
eminent should meet the situation
with firmness by taking over unoc-
Cupied property near all points of
great industry and erecting thereon
permanent homes that will preserve
the vitality and health OF workmen.
1t will be suggested to the President
that it will only be necessary to sup
plement private capital to tn extent
OF relieving II OF the risk consequent
upon the uncertain nature of the
undertakings so vitality essential at
thi slime.
Bridgeport an Example.
Bridgeport, Conn. is to be pointed
out to President Wilson as an example
OF the menacing proportions reached
in the problem. 4 new factory for
war purposes is being rushed TO com
platiOn there. II viii employ ] 900 |
Workmen. The Government is said to |
be aiding in furnishing money for |
the building to contain the machinery. |
while the housing Of the men to be |
employed is ignored. There is not a |
vacant house in Bridgeport, nor has |
there been in nearly three years.
At Sparrows Point, near Baltimore. |
conditions are equally serious and |
the opinion Of the committee that is
10 see the President is that Sparrows