The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-02-12
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NOTES
Secretary Reardon Discusses Housing
Situation at Some Length.

The Sumter Chamber of Commerce
, is confronted with "a problem that af-
fects the future growth and the pres
ent prosperity of Sumter, and it is
problem which the commercial or
ganiaZtion is finding it difficult to
solve.
The question is this: How can
Sumter reasonably expect to grow in
population and by business, that IS
that increase in poulaton and bus
mess by new people and new busi1
ness establishments coming in, or by
new people who are to work for al
ready established places of business
when there are not sufficient houses
or stores and warehouses to accom-
modate new people and new business.
It is a fact that not only are there
insufficient houses for people to live
in, but the Chamber Of Commerce has
for many months been put to It to
find rooms for new people to sleep
in. and places where they can secure
board. That within itself shows that
Sumter would grow if allowed or
helped to do so, and that it mas grown,
or rather has outgrown conditions OF
two years ago.
The secretary Of the Chamber of
Commerce says that he has spent.
days at time riding around in an au-
tomobile with or phoning to get rooms
and board for new teachers in our city
schools, a job he likes, and for othef'
new citizens, and that many Of the
Sumter citizens have put themselves
out to rent rooms to new corners
when these public spirited Sumter cit
liens didn't wish to do so. but did so
Just to help solve the roomlng and
boarding problems for the benefit OF
the entire community. Sumter has
outgrown it's housing and business
house accommodations long ago. Fhat
is a healthy sign that the city is not
stagnant but wants to grow bigger
md bigger. Outsiders want to get IN
It is reported to the Chamber OF
Commerce that many people wish to
move to Sumter but that they do not
do so because there are no houses to
rent. And in several instances It has
been reported that employees OF bus
mess establishments have quit or are
going to quit and leave Sumter be-
cause of the inadequacy of housing
and boarding accommodations.
1t is true, that to a large extent,
the rooming problem could be solved
If more citizens with spare rooms
would rent them. It is hard to induce
people with spare rooms to rent them
under any circumstances, but 1t is al
most an imposibility to induce peo-
ple to rent rooms to women, or to
couples with children.
+. Why do not the monied men OF the
city erect more houses? And more
stores and warehouses also? That
question is popped at the secretary OF
the Chamber Of Commerce every day.
Why does not the Chamber Of Com
nerce Go something to get more
houses erected is another popular
question.
The commercial organization has
been talking new houses for months
The Chamber Of Commerce rather fa-
vors apartment houses or flats. The
reason for this preference is because
apartment houses can be erected sew
eral stories high on smaller areas OIL
and, and Sumter real estate IS pet
tv high for erecting. houses for oc-
cupancv by one or two families al
present prices Of labor and mater al.
The monied man naturally likes for
somebody to show him just how. nj acE
interest he is going to make on MS m
ycstment. Show him where he can
10, n ~ mate
% erect house that will rent for
certain sum per month. and guafan-
Tee him about eight per cent on ms
money, over and above his taxes. in
surance, wear and tear. depreclaton
IN building. repairs. etc. and II ne
believes you know what you are t:tlk-
ns about, and there is not any sum
Ter bank stock or farming lanoS on
he market. that he can buy. WIZ ne
might take your advice under con-
;iceration. There is nothing as nee
IS being a bank director or farm iano
owner. or both. SO there YOU are.
Just whether it pays mon!ed ,-:ih
70 invest his money in houses to lent
IS a finar cal question the Cha!n Der
Of Commerce is rot prepared to al
,ver. Those who are strenuous;y 40
,-ocarins more houses say it will pay
he city of Sumter. But an indlvloaai
doesn't usually invest his money 'o'
the good Of h:5 city. but for MS own
financial gain The most Of Suiaiaf :
rionied men have had lots OF expert
cnce in building houses ard stores TO
rent. To largo extent house ana
store building by these nionied men
have been real estate and improved
real estate transactions. because most
of the stores and houses have been
sold whether always at a. profit or
not the Chamber of Commerce is not
prepared TO say. but it believes that
= has paid the speculators.
Considering the price of real es-
tate on which 10 erect houses to
.ent. tho cost of labor and materials.
ctc. it is question which calls for con-
siderable keen financial Investigation
bv successful business men. But that
Sumter needs more houses can not
be truthfully disputed. and that Sun
Ter is iosins in population and h'.si-.
Nf hn1