The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-07-28
Problem Assumes Such
Proportions As to De-
mand Federal Notice.
CLEARING HO u S E
Industrial Cities All Over
u. S. Besiege Depart
ment Of Labor to Meet
Situation.

washington. July 27.@Shortage OF
housing, prevalence OF unwholesome
living conditions and decline OF home
ownership have caused the housing
problem for individual workmen to
assume such proportions as to render
imperative the establishment OF a.
federal agency for advice and re-
search. says Secretary OF Labor Will
liam b. Wilson.
This view was expressed by Secre-
tary Wilson in recommending today
the passage OF a bill fathered by
Representative Tinkham. OF Massa
chusetts, to create a bureau OF hous-
ing and living conditions in the de-
partment OF labor. Secretary Wilson
says the purpose Of the bin IL stated
to be the increasing OF productive
capacity and w~ell-heing Of workers,
and the promotion OF good citizen
ship by the bureau.
"InvestiEa tions made by the hous
ing corporation and by other branches
of this department show that bad
capacity and materially Increase he
labor turnover. and that good nous
ing con titions increase productive ca
pacity," says Mr.. Wilson. Home
ownership is. perhaps. the most i'm
portant ear Of promoting good
citizenship. because II inevitably In
creases the interest OF the home own
er In public utilities and in wise ex-
penditures OF public funds"
House Shortage Acute.
Secretary Wilson says that the rec
ords Of his departments show that
the housing shortage IL acute in vir-
tnally every Industrial city of Amert-
ca He reports that every daysletters
are received requesting assistance in
meeting the shortage. through the
making or vacancy such NJ
have been conducted by the homes
registration service OF the housing
corporation, or through the "own-a-
home" campaigns promoted In the
public works n construction dfvt-
sion of the information and education
service. Although lack OF approprta-
tions caused the dis~continuance OF
these services, calls for assistance are
still coming in.
Such a bureau OF housing as is
outlined in the Tinkharn bin should
investigate such investigation" says
Mr.. Wilson. and should conduct ex-
tensive research to discover and bring
to public attention every available
means fer reducing the cost OF good
housing for the Industrial population.
and for the promotion Of home build
ing throughout the industrial COM
munittes,
AS the health and efficiency of
both skilled and unskilled labor are
unquestionably dependent upon their
living conditions. an extensive study
OF the practical and economical mean
OF e~liminations Of slun,s is, without
doubt. one Of the most important
problems now facing this country.
Should he Clearing House.
TT Is important that there should
be a clearing house Of information on
housing and living conditions to ham
die the scores of requests coming I'd
the department daily from chambers
of commerce, builders. manufacturers.
t'sown-a-home' committees and in
dividuals intending to build homes.
! approve Of the section OF the hill
providing for the combining Of the
materials gathered by the housing
COZ poration and the emergency fleet
corporation.
There is no doubt that the hous-
iIg shortage In America will be more
acute In the coming winter than 1t has
been at n other time in the history
Of the nation. and every effort should
be applied to stimulate the building
OF homes during the summer and
fall, and to assist communities In max
ing available housing facilities in or
der that the hardships may be re-
cuced to 4 minimum 7