Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-02-19
YORKSHIP HOUSES
SAFE FROM GRAB
Government Representative
Allays Fear of Pos
sible Sale
TO OPEN NEXT SUMMER
Model Community of Ship
workers Homes to Be Nu-
cleus of Greater Camden
TO OPEN NEXT SUMNER

Yorkship, Americas most model VIII
iage, situated near the New York Ship
building plant in Camden, will not suner
the fate of Goldsmith's deserted VIII
lase" or fall into the hands OF get-rich-
quick spectators.
The village, constructed at cost to
the government that approximates We
o00, 900, will be completed early next
summer and become the home of ship
workers. 1t will not be sold TO any
syndicate that expects to get It at low
fgure. In a word. It will become the
model village CT America
That is the information and defiance
given to spectators by J. w. Smith
head Of the housing division of the
Emergency Fleet Corporation. At the
beginning Of the war II became apparent
that if the nation was TO build ships It
would be necessary to build houses for
the new army Of ship workers The
government drafted Mr.. Smith from the
Land Title and Trust Company TO build
the houses and Yorkship village is the
shining example of his efforts.
Mr.. Smiths statement dispes rumors
concerning the future OF the model viii
lage and allays the fear of a certain
section of Camden's citizenry that the
now town with it's picturesque courts,
terraces and stucco houses will eventu-
ally become a white elephant and bank
rupt the city.
No Fear of Foreign Colony
For weeks, in fact. since the German
n agents entered Marshal Fochs private
car on November II and ended the war,
Camden, Gloucester Coilingswood and
other towns across the river have done
q great deal OF speculating in regard to
Yorkship.
The most persistent rumor and one
that discouraged workers from hiring
homes In the village held that Yorkship
would be sold at a low figure and be-
come a foreign colony. 1t was pointed
out that Uncle Sam does not engage In
the real estate business and that. as the
war emergency has passed, he would
sell the 1900 homes at a ridiculously
low figure.
To bolster this story, it was pointed
out that, despite the fact that 1000
houses are ready for occupancy. but
twenty-six are occupied. and that the
government, rather than remain the
owner Of a deserted village. would get
out from under.
Such q course would mean cheap
homes to individuals and a harvest for
0yndicates. But Mr.. Smith in today's
statement has blasted such hopes
THE real truth of the situation" said
Mr.. Smith, "is this. Due to our failure
to obtain materials We have been unable
to complete such public utilities as
streets, sidewalks, water mains and
other utilities. Until such utilities are
IN operation we did not care to wage a
vigorous campaign for tenants. They
win be completed in the early summer
and Yorkship will spring into life as a
community OF 10000 persons
Csmden's Mayor Optimistic
The homes will rent at monthly rates
ranging from $40 to s42.50. Naturally,
the government will sell the property
and prefers to sell to individuals. We
have not determined On the selling prices
Of the properties. but I imagine that
II will be possible for a man to pur-
chase a home for approximately $4,000.
One thing is certain, namely. that York
shin will not be sold for a song"
That Mayor Charles H. Ellis, OF Cam
den, shares the optimism of Mr.. Smith
II apparent He says: Camden has
annexed Yorkship and has put aside
the sum OF $4,000 to meet the school,
IRE and other municipal needs. For
years we have talked about a greater
\ Camden. and the United States govern
rnent fas made a greater Camden a real
ity. for Yorkship Is the best addition
made to any city In America. BY hold
ing up realty values in that section a
fine type of family man will be drawn
into the village. He will buy a home
and become a permanent citizen of our
city. So ideal are the appointments of
Yorkship that they offer an incentive
n hA GhtnyunrlxarG in, nj fhar oil.
settle here.
"A number of croakers have decried
the efforts Of the city to take care of
TIE village. They are the men who op-
rose progress or who entertain visions
Of cleaning up big profits in realty deals
While 1 am chief executive of this city
+ shall keep my promises toward Yorb-
= ship. We have promised TO erect a
$4,000 schoolhouse and will do 80
when the village needs it. A frehouse
costing $4,000 will be constructed and
our expenses incident to the laying OF
sewers and water mains will be met.
This talk of Yorkship becoming a de-
serted village and a white elephant 70,
the city of Camden Is all tommy-rot
The village is within ten minutes ride
OF the great shipyards and industrial
plants Of Camden and within a hal,
hours ride of the growing city of Phil
adslphia. To say that the village vii
- into decay and fail to attract ten
ants Is libel on both cities"
Yorkship As 1t Ia Today
1t is impossible to visualize YorlxshE
without going there and viewing Il
The cement roads are yet to be con
structed. electric wires must be strun
and hundreds of buildings completed be
fore the little wonder town takes definit
form. Enough has been completed I
give a visitor comprehensive idea a
10 how Yorkship will look when IN
army of workers move out.
The houses. six-room affairs, are mos
attractive. and while a majority are a
brick construction the monotony of this
< charActer of dwelling is relieved BY a
occasional frame structure, and NOR
oftistic home of stucco.
The plans call for wide cement street
~ and sidewalks, good lighting syster
and perfect sanitary utilities
.t To meet the commercial needs G
l Yorkship the architects have planned
& municipal square and in the square wi
hotel theatre. community house. thre
n churches and sufficient number q
stores TO meet the needs OF the town.
NJ BY the time the village is ready
make its debut into the family OF citle
a the electric car lines will link II up wit
Camden and Gloucester, and make It q
aocesible as any community In N
M Greater Philadelphia district.
There has been a little criticism,
4 4 eaIa Mr. Smith 'fn regard TO the rent