Norwich bulletin., 1918-10-23
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Norwich Needs More Houses

Nr Editor: The most serious situa- ton existing in Norwich today is the housing problem. It is serious fer the people of Norwich if the city is to make any notable growth in the next five years and is to find any re- lief from high taxation in increased grand list. l. is serious for the gov ernment which is depending upon the output of Norwich industries. now running slaorthanded, and producing tl.e prime necessities for our army in the shape of clothing. machine guns and aeroplane cloth.
 In October, 1905, there was a special meeting of the Norwich Board ef Trade on the matter of scarcity Of terements in Norwich This condi- tiun has existed for a great many years with only one public effort to remedy it which resulted in the erec- ton of 20 houses in 191s.
 Tn 1917 there were only six new dwelling houses erected in the city i Contrast this with 50 in DAnielson and 1 S4 in New London.
 Early in the year the directors or lhe chamber of commerce took up the matter of housing but were deterred from remedial action by the advice of experts on costs of building eonsIruc- tion and by landlords of tenement 1 property that was showing unsatis- l factory returns on the investment
 To a large extent the objections Of | the latter class are now removed.
 Their property is now paving. They
 are, however, facing increased taxa
 ton and realize that unless the grand 1 list is increased and their taxes there 1 bv reduced they will be no better of
 than before.
 | ast year the industrial payrolls of
 Norwich increased over $3e0,006. There l were many hundreds employees able | to pay more rent but six new houses only to choose from.
 With the present labor shortage it is evident that there will be a large floating class of workmen who stay a short time in a place and then move on Eventually they will settle in the community where they can get the most attractive homes. Many hun dreds of our best young men are nov | in the army and navy. They will re- turn sometime in large numbers. But their world vision has enlarged their horizon and they will analvze very critically the opportunities that may
 be offered them when they are re- leased again for civil life. Good hoGs-
 ing will attract good operatives. Il
 the operative is attracted to a locality
 where opportunity is offered to own {
 home he becomes a permanent resi-
 Gent, Unless something is done along
 these lines in Norwich we will not
 even hold our own after the war ii over. Building restrictions and higf Erices are great restraining influences
 at the present time. But what Nor
 wieh citizens can do is to urge thu
 need of houses upon the U. s. Hous ing Corporation show the officials O the government that by placing houses here the investment will be a goef , one and not wiped out at the close o tine war: exhibit the faith and respen sibility in this project that will con vince the government that we are pre- , pared to take these houses over late
 when the T. s. Housing Corporation winds up its affairs and we will en aeaver to dispose of them to indust , rial workers on easy terms.
 The meeting of the chamber of com raerce Wednesday night is the time an, , place where this important matter cal , be brought to a. head. Factory manager
 can and will report labor condition and housing problems. Here is tn | opportunity for men of broad visiol | wno can look forward to the industria