The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-04-11
'0Vn YOUR Own HOME
CAMPAIGNS ARE URGED

The own Your Own Home" cam
& aaigns promulgated by the United
Il states department OF labor as logical
81 and sound way Of stimulating business
VI xBd absorbing labor. was commenced 70
he governors and mayors In their re-
stnt Washington conference. by Ernest
ss r. TrfSg, president or the Nafionas
Federation of Construction Industries.
Mr. Trigg said this activity CARRIED on
II ny the division of public works and
CONSTR ion developments. OF the
limited states department of labor was
constructive. practical and desirable
n activity and urged the governors and
mayors TO get behind those campaigns
in their communities Mr.. TrfgS said;
"You came here for the purpose of
getting some constructive thought as
10 how you can best solve the question
Of giving idle labor employment and
how you can hest hasten the return
Of normal peace conditions and gem
srsl prosperity.
Hon Ernest Lister, governor ~
WASHINGTON in n recent message TO the
!. aislature made this significant re-
mark
~spesk king from the standpoint Of
the state. believe it is our duty ard
responsibility so TO adjust conditions
thst there will be employment avail
able In the state for every ahle-hodied
PERSON willing 10 accept 1t. 80. All
81 tho responsibilities for furnishing ern-
tsioyment should not be showed over
sfpon government agencies. II ia true
the nation. state. couuties. municipal
tiles and other political subdivisions
ian assist greatly in handling the prob
Fcus. But is IT equally true that in
vestors who bad contemplated the cree
tfor oS a business building the indi-
r-4A @HNs ~AA 81
home, the manufacturer who intended
making improvements in his factory.
all of whose plan were delayed by war
cndftions. ought now quickly to ar
range their affairs that they may pro-
coed and thus aid in providing en-
ajoNment for those who desire and need
g ft"'
80 to be heinfui in this essential re-
,sival Of private building? There is
one concrete program which deserves
YOUR earnest consideration a simple
program and yet one of unlimited pos
sihiiities. refer 10 local own
Your Home campaign. This seems to
he logical step in every community
because
"a II meets fundamental need
4 The nation is short Of homes. ConseY-
vstire estimates say we are short 5oo.-
100 homes since the war began. Some
authorities place the shortage at one
million.
-. The campaign !. y of = charsc-
scter that will call to II every sub
stantial business and civic element in
YOUR community. Your chamber Of
commerce board Of trade. general
business organizations, your financial
institutions your religious and labor
organizations every element In your
community interested In community
gr--r.
rate Enthusiastically in this campaign.
New. a campaign In which everybody
csn and will participate In the sort OF
canpatgn we need at this time.
-. Frankly. your investment build-
or. the so-cslled speculative builder In
and will continue to be the cautious
builder. But the home is built fer use
and service and comfort. It is, in
fact, he worlds greatest investn emit.
suit those who build homes look more to
comforts, conreniences and fuller life
az thcir returns. than to dividend or
interests on the money nut into II.
Therefore. home owning today pays
she same ratio Of that type OF returns
that II did before the var--indeed n
HaTs cretcr returns than before the
war because II this war has IN ado plain
single fact II is the profound infiu-
ence on our lives In the American
ZONE. I am not attempting to pass
tn YOU tine-worn Sentirnentalities
about the home Rather I want to in
alcate that the intangible profits and
returns to the nome owner have in
no wise been affected other than to be
Enhanced by the war
-. Home building Ia the logical first
Yep for the further reason that build
fng In 40 large a part OF the entire In .
sustry OF fhe country. and rs to 90 per
cent nf tho building industry lis labor
rhis is of profound significance when
&c are endeavoring to advise buffer EN-
ploYm@nt for period Of industrial
transition. Rut in addition to this
every home that is built. Immediately
stimulates business locally. and creates
the demand for materials and products
more than a hundred correlated In
. imstries
''lt would not he difficult TO emu
arerste dozen other arguments as to
Mould begin with home building The
.<fouii begin with home building The
Arguments are obvious. IT Is more i'm
nortant to this conference which is
seekinE concrete and specific informa-
tfon, to know that the depart of
labor. in It's division of public works
end construction development. has or
Eanjzed the facts on the home build
Ing CAMPAIGN with a national vision In
such fasiou that II can, on your re-
quest, place an outline for complete
campaign In your hands on short mo-
tice
The division can provide You with
definite plans for orga nization. IL can
outline and furnish newspaper articles
for your publicity compaign: It can
give YOU suggestions as to finance; it
ran. believe. II occasion demands.
send to your community an expert TO
rdvise with you. Here is something
concrete, ~ which your communities
can avail themselves and the possi-
hiiities in permanent community bcne-
fits are beyond calculation"
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