The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-03-19

greatly hampering II not defeating his
efforts.
1.-THE board of directors thereupon
instituted a movement designed partic-
ularly to solve the problem of procur
ing houses for employees OF new enter
prises which desired to locate In Chat
tanooga.
"Failing in an earnest effort led by
one of our able bankers TO organize
a 100000 semiphlanthroplc housing
corporation designed to meet the emer-
gency, the real estate men were re-
plan. which would induce individuals to
build.
"such a plan was devised by the
Real Estate Exchange, approved by the
chamber. and Immediately put in opera
tion. The success of the plan is al
ready evidenced by the breaking OF
ground for number of houses.
This plan consisted in pledging the
real estate men to erect at least twenty
five houses upon condition that the
builders supply people would erect a
like number. This much accomplished.
to pledge houses equal in number to
those pledged Jointly by the real estate
men and the builders supply people
THE real estate men did not expect
TO profit by this plan except as any
other progressive citizens, realizing that
would have one or more vacant lots
upon which they could build.
1T was thought that the usual vision
and business acumen of our builders
supply people would enlist their or
ganized support, especially since they
would be the only people who would,
Of a certainty devoid Of chance, profit
through the sale of material for at least
seventy-five houses in addition to those
erected by themselves.
TT is a matter OF satisfaction to the
real estate men that the builders sup
ply people, while more or less unani-
mously calling attention to the difficulty
in securing adequate materials at this
time, generously support the effort OF
the real estate men. and do not hesitate
to commend their enterprise and public
spirit.
'I have been asked to reply to the
particular builder quoted in the morn
ing paper. None is needed. The dis
parity in their own statements and the
well established capacity of the public
to discriminate between an effort to
put gasoline in the tank" and insert
sand in the bearings" Is too well un-
derstood to cause concern to the real
tors of the city Not even the musical
genius and magical touch of a Pader-
owsld could expect sympathetic re-
Spouse from an imperfect instrument.
IAN emergency so very evident to the
greater portion OF our constructive
people is no time to indulge in
rsonalties-impugn motives or re-
strict our vision. Neither is it a time
to let the tail wag the dog.
(Signed) -. LEE ALLEN"
Chaplin In Defense.
Il. Y. Chaplin. member of the ex-
change and chairman of the original
chamber of commerce housing commit
tee, declared that the criticism was en-
tirely wrong and explained the move
ment from its infancy. He said that
his committee had worked hard to put
over a housing corporation but had
failed. Then. he said, the real estate
exchange. realizing the needs of Chat
tanooga had undertaken to carry on a
plan to relieve the serious home short
age by encouraging building.
A general discussion followed. II was
brought out that the manufacturers
most of all were suffering as a result
Of the shortage of houses for their
There Is considerable build
ing going on. but the construction does
not include any great number of homes,
aud when the mill additions are com
pleted there will be absolutely no hous-
ing facilities to accommodate the work
men, which will be brought here. The
real estate exchange will take up the
matter with local manufacturers and
ask them to promise to build fifty or
more houses immediately,