New-York tribune., 1919-04-07
100000 More
Homes Needed to
House Soldiers
U. S. Department of Labor
Starts Building Drive to
Provide Employment
for Returning Veterans

WASHINGTON, April 6.-Since the
armistice was signed the United States
has been taking stock of conditions
and the first fact recognized is that
there is serious shortage of houses,
caused by the cessation of construc-
ton work during the war.
This shortage is placed by conserva-
tive estimates at 100000, and it is ap-
parent in the largest cities and the
smallest villages. Soldiers are return
ing from France at the rate of 100000
month, so overcrowding will be more
and more serious as the season ad-
vances.
In view of present needs and as a
means of furnishing employment to
men discharged from the service, the
United States Department of Labor
has been conducting a building cam
paign since the beginning of the year.
Building affects many trades and is
the industry most likely to provide
employment for all types of men, since
1T stimulates local business while it
assures wages for skilled and unskilled
labor A return to normal standards
OF construction means that whole COM
munities will benefit and that pros
perity will be assured.
Own Your Home Drive On
AS part of its general building cam
palgn. the United States Department
OF Labor has organized an Gown your
own home branch" and this part of
the campaign work gives promise of
constantly increasing success. Cities
have taken it up and with the coopera-
ton Of civic organizations and indi-
vlduals extensive operations have been
started.
During the war most communities
nave been educated in ways of prose
cutting the so-called "drive." It is
experience gained in Liberty bond, Red
cross and other campaigns and to
prosecute home owning and hone
building campaigns that appeal to
purely local interests.
Inc success OF an own your own home
campaign depends on three things:
First, the actual need of buildings in
given community; second, the organ
lzatlon through which the campaign is
carried on, and, third, publicity
IT a community is fortunate enough
to have adequate housing facilities for
Its population, manifestly an own your
own home campaign will not promise
success, but wherever there is a short
age the campaign should be undertaken
from the point of view of civic and So
clal betterment.
Mayor Should Head Campaign
The directing organization, there
fore, should have personnel made up
OF men and women VINO enjoy the conf
dence OF people of every sort Since
the prospective home builders interest
equals, if it does not surpass in I'M
portance, the combined interests OF
other elements in the campaign, they
should have representation on the gen
eral committee and on sub committees
wherever labor is organized the unions
should be literally. represented.
The directing machinery for an own
your own home campaign should be a
general committee, with the Mayor or
some one who could represent him as
chairman. 1t is often advisable to have
the general committee composed of the
chairmen of subcommittee Second
in Importance to the general committee
is the subcommittee on finance, which
may be drawn from repre- sentatives Of
local banking institutions and business
concerns able to promote the building
industry.
The United States Department of La
Dor has prepared for distribution on re-
quest manual containing detail in
structlon for conducting own your own
home camDapns