The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-09-10
THE HOUSING PROBLEM.

The housing problem, like the poor,
abi6es with us. II is not easy to I'M
derstand why this Is 30, but II 10 30,
Z nevertheless. The population OF the
country Is increasing slowly. but the
demand for more housing room Is clam
orcus and persistent. The explanation
may be one or more Of several causes
among which destruction Of houses by
( fire, deterioration OF property from lack
OF proper caretalsing and shifts OF pop
uiation which render some houses I'M
available may be mentioned. All may
have something to do with causing the
shortage.
Besides and In addition TO the reasons
mentioned are those OF interruption with
tho building program during the war.
/. the high cost Of labor, building ma
terlals and transportation, and employ
r,ent OF labor IN less essential indus
tries. At any rate. It Is a NATIONWIDE
problem and is now being investigated
BY q committee from tho United States
senate. What can be done by the ma
tiensl government--if anything-beyond
focusing attention on the situation,
however. IL uncertain. 1t may be noted
in this connection that the president
has asked that fire prevention day be
observed all over the country on Oct. ..
A city or two have provided revolv-
ing funds, by means Of bond issues, for
the promotion OF home building. and
others are considering such steps. This
step, however. we believe, should be
in the nature Of q last resort. Every
other expedient should be tried first. II
the shortage Is due to the movement
Of population from the country TO the
cities, as II undoubtedly IL In q meas
ure. II follows that houses are being
vacated In the country while others are
sought In town. II seems as II some
means ought to be devised for utilizing
those country homes left behind.
Some thought. we believe, might well
be expended in an effort TO mako this
latter suggestion operative. There
ought TO be somewhere sort OF clear
ing house wherein every available home
and opportunity in the country are
cataIogued. Wherever there IL fam
ily emlgrating to the city, there may
he another that would like to go to the
country II II were only known that
home and an opportunity to earn
living awaited. This information ought
to be assembled. compiled and Kept
accessible somewhere TO whomsoever
might desire II.
We are unable TO say who or what
would be the best agency for perform
ing the service indicated above, Per-
hans the United States Chamber OF
Commerce might be willing TO take It
up with the plan properly worked OUT
III. centers OF population would have
every opening In the country--in ada
cent terrltory--listed and indexed. The
lists could be interchanged all over the
country. When farmer needed an as
,sistant or had vacant house. the fact
could be recorded In the proper place
Supply and demand might often be
brought together in this way.
Perhaps this scheme would not solve
the housing shortage. There's hardly a
doubt. however. that II would be beneh-
cial in many ways. II would compen-
safe. at least in some small measure,
for the lack Of balance produced by
the incessant drift OF the people to the
cities. That Is a problem which 10 dis
turbing the equilibrium OF the country
more profoundly than the housing short
age. II may not be inappropriate to
associate the two together In trying to
md solutions. @ sf @f