The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-11-13
WOODEN OR Stone
HOUSES? QUESTION
B0THERS ENGLISH
By MARY HENkE.

LONDON, Oct. 2S.--A million houses
win be needed in London in the next
i've years. The government writes
plans for meeting the situation, tears
them up and writes more plans. AID
yet the simplest way OF meeting the
situation, the proposed erection OF
wooden houses, Is meeting with pro-
test that shows more clearly than any,
thing else, the great British instinct
for clinging to the established.
Ever since officials proposed that
wooden houses be utilized as an ex'
pertinent, there has been journalistic
and public discussion very amusing 70
an American. who has taken frame
houses as a matter OF course all his
life.
Amendment in laws. which prohibit
erection OF wooden houses as a IRE
menace, would be required, but this
would be more easily accomplished
than the change in public sentiment
No one in London ever has had wooden
houses, therefore, why start such revo-
lutionary procedure now?
Don't Use Central Heat.
The central heating system, which
is common in the United States and
Canada, Is one reason for the objec-
ton. Most Londoners have convinced
themselves that a frame house &c.
mands central heat and that this would
be bad for the health.
People in London suffer from colds
from early autumn to late spring but
you can never convince them that their
heating system is to blame. With one
accord they insist that crate fire
which warns one side OF the room
and leaves the other cold, is much
more healthful than a fire which heats
a room all over. There is a general
opinion that it is healthful to be cold,
SO everybody shivers.
The British workingman. having
shown his ability to make trouble, IS
also blamed for the sentiment against
frame houses.
The laboring man would turn up his
nose II you asked him to live IN
frame house, it is declared.
Some supporter of the wooden house
plan toured London and discovered
that several great men lived in his
toric old houses made Of wood. This
news may have some enect on the
more conservative Londoners.
The courts are busy with election
suits resulting from house shortage
Landlords give notice, the tenants can
find no place to go, and refuse to
move. The courts verdict Is usually
favorable to the tenant.
May Use Concrete.
Use Of concrete blocks has been
suggested in a building plan, and may
be more popular. AS greater durability
is promised. 1t Is estimated that the
wooden houses can be built at a cost
OF q little more than $1,000, and con-
crete houses for something over
$1.250.
Failure of the government to act
promptly in the housing matter has
been severely criticized. as the delay
has caused great congestion and m
convenience.
The effect is expected to be shown
in the woman's vote to be cast at the
municipal elections next month, for
the women, naturally, are vitality in
tereEted in the housing problem.
Why there should be such de-
mand for houses is a puzzle. There
has been great loss of life from Eng
lish centers during the war, and yet
there seems to be a greater conges'
ton Of population than ever before.
One explanation Of the housing Prob
lem is given in the demand OF British
workingmen for better homes. The
men are drawing high pay and are no
longer content with their old novels.
Young men, who were married during
the war are returning home and are
eager to start housekeeping. Building
has been at e standstill for five years,
and in spite Of the war drain. the pre-
war supply Of homes is far inadequate
for fha nroSarf danonH