Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-04-16
RAIN DOES NOT
DELAY HOUSING
SURVEY IN CITY
Campaign by Committee of
Women in Full Swing
This Afternoon


DisaGreeable weather to-day failed
to halt the home and rooms-survey
of the city by a Three Hundred 'Vo-
men committee in charge f Civic Club
committee, and the campaign IS now
in full swing. 1t is hoped to COM
plete a comprehensive survey Of con-
ditions in the oity by Saturday at
the latest
The campaign here is being con-
Quoted to secure some substantial
information as to the real housing
conditions existing in the city in
order that steps may ne taken to
improve them to the best advantage
without any delay. The campaign is
being directed by Walworth Cady,
field agent of the Homes Service
Bureau of the United States Housing
Corporation. which is operating
with the Harrisburg Chamber of
Commerce in meeting the local situ-
alton.
Complete statistics are to lie Sc
cured concerning ALL >avL:!able rooms
and residences for rent. All of this
information is to be fled with the
Housing Committee of the Chamber
of Commerce for the benefit of all
persons interested in housing.
The Civic Club committee, Mrs.
Marlin >. Olmsted. chairman, is
in active charge Of the campaign.
Serving on the general committee
with her are: Miss Anne NJ ,Cormick.
Mrs. William Henderson, Ms. John
w. Reilly and Mrs. Lyman Gilbert.
The headquarters of the commit
tee will be at the Red Cross rooms
at Walnut and River streets.
MoIitor Makes Address
Yesterday the women were addressed
by John Moltor, Chief of the Bureau of
Housing of the State department of
Health, in regard TO housing work in
general, and the necessity for all cities
to improve living conditions where in
sanitary conditions exist
He outlined briefly some of the points
of Harrisburg that need particular at
tnetion; and also discussed the method
by which the Homes and Registration
Survey should be made. relating the in
cidence that exist between had housing
and disease.
The purpose of this survey of housing
conditions is for the registration of all
available rooms and houses for rent, and
noting their sanitary condition, in which
the State authorities. especially the
Bureau of Housing will cooperate with
local health officials in securing inn
provements where needed.
Push Cleanup
The Bureau of Housing has found in
epidemic work that a clean campaign
advertised and pushed is backed ur by
the average community to the advantage
of all, first, in a decreased sick and
death rate, and second in a new stimulus
to community pride and self respect" he
said.
The spread of disease by inadequate
water supply is illustrated by the fact
that a mother with water only brought
in the home by a bucket can not take
the necessary precautions in cleanliness
against the spreading of disease germs
through her family.
Typhoid fever and dysentary means
looking at toilet facilities to see if
they are in proper condition. Over
crowding means the spreading of most
diseases, such as Diptheria, Scarlet
Fever, Influenza and Measles.
The tuberculosis Dispensary Nurses
continually report that the housing con-
ditions of their patients and their fami-
lies should be bettered. 1t is impossible
to cure them under the housing con-
ditions in which they frequently live
Sanitoria must inevitably have a re-
turn of the disease when forced to live
in such homes.
Repair Old Houses
THE Octavia Hill Association in
Philadelphia has made it their work to
buy up old house sand fix them up
and rent to poor people; having women
rent collectors who are friendly. and
really educate the families in ideas of
sanitation. They have made five per
cent. return on their investments after
paying all costs.
But this does not settle the house
shortage problem. New building must
be begun. Four or five years ago the
Capitol Park extension and the inn
provements of the Cumberland Valley
Railroad meant the demolition of over
500 houses. Where have these people
gone? Since that time, few houses have
been built.
"Will not Harrisburg be a pioneer in
a building boom to comfortably house
all classes? She can take inspiration
from her own work in the public i'm
provement campaign of about IS years
ago, when she overcame all obstacles
and secured filtered water paved
streets, sewers and river front improve
ments, all things in which she now
takes pri1e