The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1920-05-31
Unique Plan to Help Workers
Buy Their DUN Cottages May
Soon Abolish Chicago's Slums

one case the landlord asked for 100 |
per cent increase. The furniture
was packed and ready to be moved |
out in the street.
Questions Asked.
Personal queries were the order. |
Would the prospective purchaser. If /
given a chance to buy a house. |
promise to live neatly and at peace |
with his neighbors? Would he re-
frain from taking in boarders?-the |
Investigators perhaps having in
mind Lord Shaftesbury's report in
1884 where the head Of the royal
commission made the comment that |
three families lived happily and |
contented in one room until one of
them began to take in boarders. |
Would they exercise thrift and |
caution so that they could regular |
ly meet their payments? Would |
they promise not to double up?"
If it were discovered the ap- :
plicant was comparatively well !
off. his name was Immediately
scratched. II there were no chill |
dren romping around the rooms,
especially small ones. he was likely /
to meet the same fate. II he had
misstated facts in his application
he was denied the privilege of get
| ting a key on July 4. even II he
had the money. Firemen and mail
carriers were given the preference
as far as possible. but an auditor,
working for one of the big utili-
tiles companies, was not barred be-
cause he happened to wear a white
as the rest. He was making from
n Nayifh n
eviction notice in his possession be-
cause he could not meet the 100
per cent increase in rent.
For Americans Only.
When the Investigators could not
find all the facts the case was
turned over to the social service
members of which include the more
prominent welfare workers of the
city. Whan the applicant showed
suspicion and would not be con-
WINGED he was actually getting
something for nothing. he was
again referred to these angels of
the Sums" In nine cases out of
ten the word of a social worker Is
taken at par value. Few could be-
lieve their good fortune and prac-
tically all were looking for the
catch"
Heads of families" were in some
cases given a liberal Interpretation.
As one applicant put down single"
on the questionable his case was
about to be passed up, but the in
vestigators took a long chance and
looked in on him. He was young.
mere boy, but he supported a
mother and three younger children.
He became a preferred" house
holder.
The first condition to be complied
with was naturalization. None but
Americans may apply. This was
dinned into the ears of everyone.
| You will be a good American II
we turn over a house to your"
served both. as an introduction and
la parting. There was no indication
| that this did not meet with the
full approval of the prospective
owner.
I'VE started this project" said Mr..
Basiger. general manager, not only
to provide proper housing for those
who need it most. but also to make
real Americans out of those who
are not. We figure with these peo-
pie owning their own homes there
will be a slim chance for the pro-
| leSSlOnal aglIaIOr TO make a head
way. Where they live now they
will listen to anyone, and are ready
to adopt any scheme that promises
material reward. You can't blame
them, can you?
May Extend Scope.
This is only beginning. but I
think II is the most important ex-
pertinent ever tried In solving the
housing problem. We have in
quiries about the plan from all
over the country.
No one will believe that We can
put up good houses as cheapIy as
! we do. II this proves success,
the plan will be expanded until we
shall build houses by the thous-
ands instead of by the hundred.
We have options on several big
sites already"
The question was asked whether
II would not be feasible to expand
the program so that all classes of
1 people could be taken care Of as.
! for instance. the white collared
brigade"-the clerk. the profess
! sional man and others. The an
swer was In the Affirmative, but
a =.