South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-04-26
EXPERT TALKS ON
HOUSING PROBLEM
Daniel A. Reed of Flint, Mich,
Tells Local Men How to
Meet Situation.


campaign To dispose Of the stock OF
the $500. 600 South Bend Homes Co.
which is 10 be formed here 20 build
houses 10 relieve the house short
age and the formation of which. ac-
cording 10 r. w Eldredge. presi-
dent OF the Cham Der OF Commerce,
means more for the city than any
one thing that can he done at the
present slime" Daniel A. Reed, man
ager OF the Flint, Mich. chamber
Of commerce and "A housing expert.
painted before a representative au-
dience Of about 200 business men at
the Chamber Of Commerce Wednes-
day night the evils that result from
bad housing conditions. Mr.. Reed
based his remarks upon conditions
existing in the city OF Flint. which
has grown from a population Of 38.-
600 in 1910 TO 10000 at the present
time and which Us only beginning to
cope with the serious situation re-
sulting from this rapid growth.
Mr.. Eldredge. WHO presided at the
meeting, announced that the cam
paign 10 sell stock in the proposed
company would begin with a meet
ing to be held at the Chamber OF
Commerce Friday night Plans for
the campaign viii Doe completed at
this meeting. All persons Interested
in the growth of South Bend are
invited 10 attend.
Points out Seriousness.
Mr.. Reed emphasized in his talk
the seriousness Of the housing ques-
ton in a town which is growing
rapidly and the vital necessity Of eX-
traordinary steps If the grave dan
gers to a city's growth and social
and moral welfare arising from a
rapid growth are 10 be warded off.
lie predicted that from his knowl-
edge of Industrial conditions in the
middle west and of South Bend that
this city would have a surprising
growth within the next few years.
Anyone that invests in com
panv 10 provide better houses for
south Bend may be pretty sure that
ne will receive "A fair return upon
his investment and will be doing
great service 10 the city. declared
AR Reed.
The speaker praised the adVan-
tages OF South Bend which he be-
lieves surpass those of any city I'm
Indiana. He was also loud In his
approval Of the beauty OF the city.
and the evidence of progress shown
here i'm the splendid playground
system. clean. fine streets and good
homes. lie urged throughout the
talk the Importance Of team work
and cooperation not only in meet
ing the present housing situation
hut in facing the other problems
that the city is sure TO encounter In
its rapid growth.
Tells OF Flint Work.
Mr.. Reed then told of the work
shat is being done in Flint 20 solve
the housing problem. He said that
the start had been slow and many
mistakes had been made but thae
the situation was now we'll in hand
a company has been formed and
X building 200 houses at present.
Three thousand Will be built within
tho next few years A 400 acre tract
has heen purchased ana will be COM
pleteIv developed" Mr.. Reed SAID
that the people of Flint had readily
the company was already certain
financial success. He carried plans
10 the houses. being built, which
were viewed by the men present
THE first thing that "a man takes
tuto consideration in picking out
CITY i'm which 10 live are the nome
and living conditions which the city
affords. Men are interested in other
things besides wages. They want
good houses. schools. churches. rec
reation facilities. amusements.
Mr. Reed then pointed out some
az the evils Of poor housing condi-
tions i'm breeding disease. increasing
crime. encouraging delinquency IN
children and in lowering the indus
trial efficiency OF a city's working
people
lie showed what other cities be-
sides Flint were doing in improving
their housing conditions mentioning
IN particular Dayton. Cleveland, San
Francisco and Elmira. y. Y. as
cities which have achieved the best
results in attempting 10 solve prob
lens such as now confronts South
Bend.
The work being done here 90 pre-
vent a serious housing shortage re-
ceived the highest commentator
from the speaker who predicted that
the company would be successful in
every way. The principal things to
he remembered in forming the COM
many. he said. ARE not 20 under
capitalize. To select right locations,
and 10 go slowly with the prelimi-
nary plans"
..The biggest difficulty in the way
OF those who are promoting the en-
terprise." he said. lin getting the
people aroused 10 the vital import
ance OF the housing problem You
will meet the one man who VIII
doubt that the city is going 10 have
any exceptional growth. and another
who viii say that the housing sltua'
tiou can take care of itself This has
leen the attitude OF most cities TO-
Gay that are struggling with "a hous-
ing problem OF grave MAGNITUDE
They have waited too long. The peo-
ple came and they could not o'