The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-11-13

to rent something. That renting some
thing is the thing exceedingly difficult
to do in this city. Men and women
workers have found 1t necessary to
find room mates to help cut down the
cost of finding place to stay. Groups
Of girls and groups of men might be
| interested in acquiring a little apart
ment with all the comforts of home
free from the unwelcome attentions
of some not too popular landladies.
! A good many travelling men are now
| making Topeka their headquarters
Many of them have families. They
have indicated interest in the apart
ment idea.
| Topeka capital has known the de-
mand for some time and could have
entered the field at any time to take
advantage of whatever opportunity
was afforded. Practically nothing
| has ever been done, however, in the
way. of attempting to create a supply
of rentable housing quarters.
Commenting on the building situa-
ton, S. w. Strauss &, Company. says:
Building operations continue to be
hampered by adverse labor conditions.
| inadequate transportation and short
| age of various materials. While ac-
| tual unemployment in some of the
i building trades is noted, there is a
pronounced shortage in others which
has had the effect of delaying the
ultimate completion of operations.
1nSTe Is no immaculate prospect VI
these conditions being changed, as
! there appears to be an under supply OF
men in the country engaged in some
of the essential trades with nothing
| to indicate an immediate replenish-
ment thru the process of immigration.
"It is likely that, with these condi-
| tions prevailing in the industry, oper-
| atoms thruout the country will pro-
| coed in a limited way and the housing
| shortage will continue acute for
considerable time.
There seems to be no immediate
| possibility of price Sterilization. Costs
continue in their upward tendency,
and it is not probable that ultimate
sterilization will be effected at pres
ent levels. While there is condition
of shifting prices in other commodi-
ties, general costs of building work re-
main firm with steady pressure to-
ward higher 1eyelS. These conditions
are apt to be reflected in the general
rent situation for all types of struc-
lures.
despite every effort that has been
made thruout the country to bring re-
lief to the housing situation, little or
no change has been effected. Con-
struction work has proceeded in the
face of so many adverse circum-
stances that builders have been unable
to estimate with any accuracy the
| date Of completion, and the longer
time consumed in finishing operations
has made the general situation more
acute. Unless underlying conditions
are subjected to sweeping changes. the
lack of housing facilities of every de-
| scription will continue for number
| Of years.
~ 'HThose who are expecting fmme-
date lower building costs should keep
these facts in mind, and they also
should remember that in the funda-
mental economic situation there exists
conditions of high taxes, high wages,
high interest rates and a general pub
lie manifestation to live more expen-
sively. We also have been going thru
long period of underproduetion. and
sterilization will come only as the
people, by working and saving. bring
the supply of material wealth of the
country to point where it equals the
demand and in addition have created
a substantial surplus.
Enthusiastically the public protest
against high prices within the last six
months has been emphatic, and the
people have shown a willingness to
curtai1 buying rather than tolerate in
creases in the cost of living But sta
bility of costs must in the long run
be effected mainly by greater eff
cheney and thrift. There must be an
honest days work for an honest days
pay that is, eight hours work for eight
hours pay, not four hours work for
eight hours pay.
1.-The deficiency of supply as COM
pared to demand is greater perhaps in
the housing situation than in any
likelihood of a continuation of these
conditions for some time to come ap-
pears to be quite conclusive"
Arrangements have been completed for
the premiere of Vitagrarhs mammoth pro,