The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1918-03-23

has crystallized conditions that WOULD
otherwise have been generation, Pc
aaps 4 century. in i!uN. The housing
problem. h. continues. i'll thu United
States has been moved W AT least L
senera;ion. Where yesterday IL was
with many industrial organizations L
matter OF sentiment or casua! expert
1ucn,, it is to-day a problem OF grim
necessity. though It will never find a
real solution until sentiment minglcS
with business judgment 10 produc" L
humanity likeable. workable result.
The reason why the housing problem
cannot be dealt with solely in L cold,
logical, business fashion should BE- al'-
parent 10 everyone. That it is not ap
parent is evident from the fact that
many attempts al solving the problem
in America have resulted unsatiSfac,
torlly.
1t seems that we must so 10 England
for pointers. where the problem has
been given more attention. and where
the housing OF labor combines CoH,
fort with ample space and general
coziness, and where the garden sur
roundings are considerations as I'M,
portant as the house itself. AS has
been we'll said. proper housing does
not mean more shelter. Man Is ii SEN
timental animal. His hottest sentiment
centers about the home. Home ties
mean contentment; ii they do not.
they are not ties for long. They mean
attachment to locality. they mean i
vital interest in the community: they
mean. most OF all. a sense Of security
which implies-the psychologists and
the workmen themselves tell uS--per-
manence. comfort and enthusiasm in
ones surroundings. This WAS the
meaning Of the English cottage and
garden.
Evidently the solution of the prob
lem IS largely UP to employers OF labor.
1T is also one for members Of
the community who profit most by
its healthy, sound and consistent
growth. Chief among these mem
bers is the banker. But the mer-
chants also should be interested. as
we'll as the owners Of traction compa-
MES, and all those who are possessed
of a disinterested civic pride. And 50
il is suggested that in cities where the
individual employer cannot meet the
problem, it is properly one for d stock
company composed OF employers. bank
ers. merchants and those advocates OF
civic betterments who prefer garden
suburb to long rows OF poorly planned.
iIl-built, altogether mentally and tinan.
cIally depressing flats and shacks, mis-
called cottages. The writer We have
quoted gives US vision OF the future
that is inspiring. lie says:
There is. however. 4 larger and more
,rlrro-;ant phase ~ the problem tnan
ans thus far considered here. I'll" new
world contact which has been thrust
upun US Within the last few y'a:S
brings an obligation 70 create L Row
more beautiful, more efficient. more
glorious America The foundation or
that America must be labor. well paid
,vn,nn:sd LABOR; and only such LABOR
car, he drp.udsd upon IN the prrlod' o.
all-iaCiuSIve rad JuStmcniS an" recon
S;ructlou which may be thrust Upon US
at any time by tho end OF the world
war. Proper housinS--hous!nE that. lie
matter who tn. labu:"r or whai ms
habits. creates the permanent homie
s,.rs.--will be al important d"tcTmiu-
Iur factu: in the situation.
As the future OF America deptaas
urn,n such labor Il il naturally proper
ol,irct " government: encouragement.
". have built our uation - AID o.
.steadi"- farmers: vil" at cur chlc-
ur;yt(.C,s and obligations Today Is to
apply ourselves /" i:'. problem ~ AIDE
oui.t,.!y ho.ulns. NOT Auu$lHE. labor u
the iutu:r greatness ana glory Oh
America.