Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-10-15
ARE PERPLExED
ON HOUSE CASE
Officials of East Moline Companies
Wondering Where TO Quarter
Their Employees.

The problem of adequate hous-
ing continues to be a source of
great difficulty for the management
of the R & V. companies in East
Moline, and how to provide &C
commodations even of temper
airy character, for the larger num-
Der OF employees coming TO this
community between now and the
time that the government houses
which have just been begun will be
completed, is a question that is
driving the welfare department OF
the three companies TO distraction.
The companies maintain a rep
resentative whose sole duty is the
handling of the housing matter,
and there is no buster person in
the employ of the plants. This rep
resentative is cooperating with the
many agencies OF the local com
munity, but with all assistance en-
listed thus far, has not been able
tC procure nearly enough houses
and light housekeeping rooms to
supply the present demand of en-
ployes. Today there is an urgent
at least 20 light housekeeping
apartments. This does not repre-
sent the entire list of requests but
only those of a very urgent ma
ture.
There are plenty of sleeping
rooms available. in fact every
housing agency has a long list of
such accommodations Many house
holders who have vacant rooms
have expressed their willingness
to rent these for sleeping accom-
modations only, and persistently
refuse to permit light housekeep-
ing in them. They further refuse
TO rent their rooms to families with
children
Most of the skilled mechanics
who are now entering into the ser
vice of the R. & V. Industries, are
uen of substantial character and
men with families. They desire to
establish themselves permanently
in this community and they must
have accommodations where their
children can be with them. If they
cannot find quarters here, they will
not remain with local institutions
but will seek employment in other
fields.
There seems to be a feeling on
the part of many people who have
not in ordinary times rented their
apartments, that children will
damage the finish and decorations
of the rooms. Apparently. the fact
has been overlooked that any such
damage that might occur is more
3 a So l.
the rooms, and can be repaired
very quickly and at small expense,
and that the sacrifice this involves
Is of practically no consequence in
comparison with the sacrifices
which are imposed upon the boys
who have been called into the ser
vice of the country. The fact is
that most of these workers who
are coming to this field are them
selves making sacrifices to come
here and engage in war work. Us
ually they receive slightly higher
compensation than their average
earnings in their former employ
ment, but in a large number of
cases, pure patriotism prompts
them to come to this community.
They are ready to undergo in
COnveniences in cramped quarters
and TO live in light housekeeping
suites where formerly they were
GCcUmstomed to homes of their
own. and plenty of room. in order
to help in the production of war
materials
There is a direct benefit of
course, to the community from the
immigration of workers of this
type, and people of the tri-cities
would find it profitable as a cold
business proposition to make every
effort to keep these people here.
The government will in time
practically relieve the situation
hut it will be six months probably
before the government houses will
be available, and in the meantime
production must be kept at a high
point, and workers must be ac-
commOdated and their families
must have a place to live.
There is a report from reliable
that representatives of the !
are arranging to make |
a survey at an early date, and in
vestigate cases where owners of /
have refused to rent to I,
families with children, and who !