Perth Amboy evening news., 1919-07-16

Keen interest is being manifested
by large employers Of labor, as well
as by architects and builders, in in
v~estigations being conducted on con-
ditions under which workingmen are
living. which have already conclusive
ly shown that unsatisfactory housing
is the big factor in the present abb
normal labor turnover" says The
American Architects weekly review.
"Municipalities have also been quick
to realize hat rapid migration from
plant to plant and from city to city
represents not merely a serious eco
nomic loss but an obstacle to good
citizenship and community welfare.
"But it has been due TO the enter
prise of many large corporations h a
action is now being taken to remedy
conditions, for it was leading business
men who were first to see that one
of the greatest losses sustained by
them resulted from the shift of their
labor force.
TN showing that moving of men
is a source of great money loss a sur
yey has been made in a Southern city,
where one particular block vas Sc
1ected as typical of the conditions I'M
der which workmen were living. This
square was convassed on Monday and
then -anvass on Friday of the
same week. The first canvass reveal
ed a total of 100 men rooming in the
houses of the block. On Friday OF
the same week it was found that lis
men were sleeping in the same rooms
but that only thirty of the original
hundred were still being accommo-
dated in the block.
Investigation revealed that the
majority of the original number had
left the city. The men were working
under good factory conditions and ex-
cel1ent pay. The conclusion showed
that it was the poor housing condi-
tions that caused the large turnover.
The results of this survey have been
duplicated in cities in many other sec
lions of the country. Some localities
quick to realize the seriousness of the
situation, have taken steps through
newly formed organizations and are
acting to prevent further shifting of
their labor forces.
No Attempt to Stop Exodus
sBut there are many municipalities
which nave let their labor depart
without stopping to ask the reason
why or seeking to prevent their leav-
ing. More attention should be paid
toward providing comfortable and
sanitary homes for the w~orkingmen
by cities throughout the country.
II this is not done there will most
surely be a further exodus.
"Sufficient homes for the popula-
tion around Industrial plants is need
ed. From a study of nearly 900 rsSl
plies to a questionnaire ciSsss3hSed by
sa61fig CONSTRUCTION company the
general impression is gained that the
causes Of labor turnover today are
Improper or insufficient housing, in
adequate transportation, general
restlessness and a lack of care In
placing men in positions for which
they are best fitted.
zone point that an investigation
OF housing conditions has brought out
Isl that the type of house in which
the workingman is generally lodged
is not suited to his needs and is often
beyond his earning power to support.
Three and four apartments
and four and five room houses are
types meeting with considerable sue
cess. a. certain minimum require
ment must be met, which should IN
clude a good sized living room for
general use, sleeping rooms of sufii-
cient size and number to meet health
demands and adequate facilities of
sanitation.