The sun., 1919-07-13
BAD HOUSING KEEPS
LABOR ON THE MOVE
Makes Wage Farmers Migrate
Homes Surrounding Plants
Reduce Turnover.

Keen interest is being manifested by
large employers of labor, as we'll as by
architects and builders. in Investigations
helm. conducted on conditions under
which worliingmen are living, which
have already conclusively shown that
unsatisfactory housing Is the big factor
IN the present abnormal labor turnover.
says The American Archtccts weekly
, review municipalities have also been
quick to realize that rapid migration
from plant to plant and from city to
city represents not merely a serious eco
nomic loss but an obstacle to good citi-
zenshIp and community welfare.
but Il has been due to the enterprise
Of many large corporations that action
IS now being taken TO remedy conditions
for il was leading business men who
were frst to see that one of the greatest
losses sustained by them resulted from
tne shift of their labor force.
IN showing that moving OF men is
source Of great money loss a survey mas
been made in a Southern city. where one
particular block was selected as typical
of the conditions under which workmen
! were living. This square was canvassed
on Monday and then recanvassed on Fri
day Of the same week The first canvass
revealed a total of 100 men rooming In
the houses Of the block. On Friday or
men were sleeping in the same rooms
but that only thirty of the original hun
bred were still being accommodated In
the block.
Investigation revealed that the ma
iority of the original number had LEFT
The city. The men were working under
good factory conditions and excellent
pay. The conclusion showed that It was
Inc poor housing conditions that caused
the large turnover. The results of THIS
survey have been duplicated in cities IN
many other sections Of the country.
Some localities. quick to realizo the serl-
business of the situation, have taken
steps through newly formed organlza-
lions and are acting TO prevent further
shifting of their labor forces,
No Attempt to stop Exodus.
But there are many municipalities
which have let their labor depart with
ont stopping to ask the reason why or
seeking 20 prevent their leaving. More
attention should be paid toward pro-
v;ding comfortable and sanitary homes
FOR the workingmen by cities through
out the country. II this is not done
there will most surely be a further
exodus.
sufficient homes for the population
around Industrial plants Is what Is
Ieeded. From a study OF nearly 800
replies to questionable circulated by
q leading construction company the gem
craI impression IL gained that the causes
OF labor turnover to-day are improper
or insufficient housing. inadequate trans
portation, general restlessness and n 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 Is
that the type of house in which the
workingman IL generally lodged Is not
suited to his needs and Is often beyond
HIS earning power TO support. Three and
four room apartments and four aud five
, room houses are types meeting with con-
siderable success. certain minimum
requirement must he met. which should
include a good sized living room for
general use, sleeping rooms OF sufficient
Rlze and number TO meet health demands
and adequate facilities 81 sanitation.
THE majority OF Vknng men will