The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1920-04-02
Committee Up Against Ser
ious Problem In The
Canvass Today
CITIZENS FAIL TO
SUBSCRIBE STOCK
Campaign Has Been Extend
ed While Committee Makes
"A Final Effort

Large subscriptions to the stock Of
the Mt. Vernon Housing Co., now in
the process Of formation, from the
business institutions of tho city,
have been stumbling block to the
housing committee Of the Chamber
Of Commerce working this week, to
get the company organized.
Last year $500 was subscribed to
industrial promotion in Mt. Vernon.
One new plant was obtained and the
extension made to several other man
ufacturng plants OF the city were
materially encouraged by the efforts
OF, the CIVIC body.
To-day, unless something lis done,"
said leading member of the COM
mittee, 'all of the value and i'm
provement which was secured by the
expenditure of this money will goQto
nothing. The entire purpose of this
work was TO bring new people to the
city of Mt. Vernon. Not single man
can be brought here at the present
time for the new work in the city's
industries because of the shortage of
houses"
AS a typical example of what is
transpiring in the city, the following
extract from letter, which was re-
ceived this morning at the office of
one of the largest Industries in the
city, Is submitted. In explanation of
the letter 1t should be noted that the
Mt. Vernon plant received applica-
tion from this man in Cuyahoga Falls
for a position. He was given the
place by the industry and shortly
the firm received the letter. In part
The says: ~ IA III
"WilI YOU kindly advise your. shop
foreman that cannot accept the po.
sition in the foundry for the reason
that have been unable to locate a
home in Mt. Vernon"
This man visited the city after he
had accepted the position and spent
two days in search Of house suit.
able to his needs and was unable to
find one, as the letter states.
THE imperative need of the city
is more houses. If houses are not
obtained, and promptly, the new rub
ber factory will have grave difficulty
in starting. If it does start, it will
do so by draining men from other in
dustries in the city and Gripping
them to that extent" said member
of the housing committee today.
'lf this situation continues, Mt
Vernon will receive nothing for all
the money spent last year, and tC
some extent, at least, harm rather
than good will have been DONE" con
1 tinued the member of the committee
The committeeman then stated
that a&plendid and feasible plan had
been drawn up to meet the shortage
of houses In the city, and that behind
it were the sound business men OF
tho city. Under this plan there Is
every reason to believe that the mon
ey invested win be returned to the
investors within the scope of three
years, with interest at six per cent
The manufacturing interests have
taken their quota OF 100000 of the
$4,000 that Is to be raised. The can
vass has yet to be made to secure
the business mems share of the 500,
600, Several members of the sub
committee, who have been out dur
ing the forepart of the week doint
preliminary work, admitted thi'
morning that they had struck som,
pretty hard snags. 1t was stated tha
there had been no. large subscrip
tions OF stock In the way in whicl
the committee had counted on. I'm
less large subscriptions come from
the sources which will be benelite,
by the new housing program, grav,
doubt is felt by those who are work
ing the project as to whether it vii
go throu III.
The campaign has been necessaril
extended cn account of this delay II
securing lapge subscriptions. On
member of the committee said thi
mcrning that it was NOW or never,
IL the present plan fails, the mel
who are now working on 1t am
spending their valuable time canno
be expected to take 1t up again later
, rs Mt Vernon to go forward no,
and add greatly tY her population o
, is she to stand still and let other er
: terprising centers take the lead? Ar
: her accumulations of last year I
= count for nothing?" asked the men
ber of the committee in conclusion.
The issue is now up to the busines
!, men Of the city. a% h,,S (