Evening star., 1919-11-12
|ND0RSE b|LLFOR
HOUSING BUREAU IN
LABOR DEPARTMENT
American Civic Association
Representatives and Others
Before House Committee.

pubic buildings and grounds commit
tee today emphaticaliy indorsed the
bill introduced by Representative
Tinkham of Massachusetts to create
bureau of housing and living condi-
tions in the Department of Labor.
The date for the hearing was set by
Chairman Langley of the committee
some time ago, when it was not fore
seen that the railroad legislation
would be engrossing the attention of
Congress, causing early and night
sessions.
Decides to Hear Few.
Chairman Langley was Ill today and
could not preside. In his absence Rep
resentative John NJ c. Smith of Michi-
gan presided. He stated to the gath
ering of more than one hundred dele
gates from all parts OF the country
that it would be impossible for the
committee to conduct extensive hear
ings at this time. on the suggestion
souri,. the delegates. who were in
charge of Andrew Wright Crawford
field secretary of the American Civic
Association, asked that a few speak
ers be heard and that the hearing
should then be adjourned until an
early date in the next session of
Congress.
Mr. Crawford put into the record
list of forty-three witnesses, repre-
senting every section of the country.
strongly indorsing the measure.
Says Laws Inadequate.
DR.. Caroline Bartlett Crane of Kala
mazoo. Mich, a director of the League
of Woman Voters was introduced as
having investigated housing condi-
tions in fifty-nine communities. She
stated that many states have no mt
housing laws, but in all states there
is an acute housing shortage which
totals more than 900, 900 homes need
ed in this country. She said the
housing shortage is crippling industry
everywhere.
DR.. Crane urged that to solve labor
unrest one of the best courses is to
encourage people to own their own
homes. and that these homes must be
of the right type. She said she spoke
for child welfare workers everywhere.
emphasizing the need for proper
housing.
She urged upon the committee that
all institutions Of the government
of the home. and that this measure
seeks to put the homes of the country
on healthy basis
Mr.. Tlnkham DENIES Bill.
Representative Tinkham, father of
the bill. presented the legislative
phases He pointed out that it would
authorize a bureau in the Department
of Labor to investigate housing and
living conditions of the industrial
population: to conduct research and
experiments and publish such inforrna-
ton as will make economically prac-
ticable the elimination of slums, the
Improvement of living conditions. re-
duction of construction cost of dwell
iues. financing of extended home
building operations without federal
appropriations; to assist communities
during the present housing shortage
to make availa BILE to the utmost ex-
tent all existing housing facilities:
and to serve as a clearing house OF
information on housing and living
conditions.
Representative Tinkham pointed out
two philosophical principles covered
bv this measure. One, that the desire
for homes is as deep as the desire Tor
food. Two, that those who have noth-
ing fly in the social order are those
who 1~t aho.-. E-she boS
visit is me man without homS .e
said.
Do~;J1r