South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-07-15
Poor Housing Big Factor
In Heavy Labor Turnover
Investigations Show Migration From Plant to Plant and
City to City is Serious Economic Loss.

Keen interest is being manifested
by large employers Of labor. as well
as by architects and builders. in in
vesugauons being conducted on con-
duions under which workingmen are
Twins. which have already cOnclu-
siVely shown that unsatisfactory
housing is big factor i'm the present
abnormal labor turnover, says the
American Architects weekly review.
MunicipaIities have also been quick
20 realize that rapid migration from
plant 20 plant and from city 20 city
represents not merely q serious eco
nomic loss but an obstacle 10 good
citizenship and community welfare.
But 81 has been due 10 the enter
prise OF many large corporations
that action is now being taken 10
remedy conditions. for il was lead
ing business men who were first to
see that one Of the greatest losses
sustained By them resulted from the
shift Of their labor force.
IN showing that moving OF men
is a source OF great money loss. a
survey has been made in "a southern
city. where one particular block was
selected as typical Of the conditions
under which workmen were liv-
ing. This square was canvassed on
Monday and then recanvassed on
Friday OF the same week. The first
canvass revealed total Of 100 men
roaming in the houses Of the block
on Friday OF the same week it was
found that 115 men were sleeping
in the same rooms. but that only
thirty Of the original hundred were
still being accommodated in the
block.
Most Had left City.
Investigation revealed that the
majority Of the original number had
left the city. The men were work
ing under good factory conditions
and excellent pay. The conclusion
showed that II was the poor housing
conditions that caused the large
turnover. The results Of this survey
have been duplicated in cities in
many other sections OF the country
Some localities. quick 10 realize the
seriousness Of the situation. have
o. ken steps through newly formed
organizations, and are acting To pre-
vent further shifting OF their labor
forces But there are many MUM
Qualities who have let their labor
depart without stopping to ask the
reason why or seeking to preven
their leaving. More attention SHOULD
bc paid toward providing comfort
able and sanitary homes for the
workingmen by cities Throughout
the country If this is not done
there will most surely be a furthe
exodus.
Sufficient homes for the population
around industrial plants is what &
needed From a study of nearl.
nine hundred replies 70 "A question
naire circulated by a leading con
struction company. the general i'm
preston is gained that the causes O.
labor turnover today are imprope
or insufficient housing, inadequat,
transportation. general restlessness
and a lack OF care in placing men il
positions for which they are hes
fitged.
Not Proper Type of House.
One point that an investigation o
housing conditions has brought on
is that the type Of house in which
the workingman is generally lodge,
is not suited 10 his needs and is oft
en- beyond his earning power Z
support. Three or four room apart
nients and four and FIVE room
houses are types meeting with con
siderable success. A certain mini
mum requirement must be me
which should include a good size
living room for general use. sleep
fnE rooms OF sufficient size an
number TO meet health demands. an
adequate facilities Of sanitation.
The majority of wOrkingmen wi