Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-11-17
DECLARES NATION
MUST AID HOUSING
Senator Kenyon Suggests Estab-
lshmcnt Of Horne Loan Banks
Might Help.

Washington, Nov. rs. Senator Ken
yon Of Iowa, who returned TO Waehifg-
ton yesterday from mn investigation OF
the housing conditions in the country
conducted by special Senate commit
ter, said that orc Of the big problems be-
fore the country wns the proper housing
of the people, and he suggested that sofne-
thing in the line of q home loan bank WAS
needed TO help solve it, He said there were
about 1s,0pD,OOO people in the United
States who were not properly housed, and
that the country was 100000 homes
short.
Federal assistance should be given the
home builders, Senator Kenyon said, rist
as the Federal Government had aided
the farmers through the Farm Loan
banks This problem, while not of such
economic Importance as the development
of the farming industry, be said. was far
more important in social aud patriotic
aspects.
There is nothing that will produce
Bolshevists more readily than the hOus-
ong Of many people, especially those
coming freshly to Our shores, in crowded
and sordid quarters" he said, That ls
the condition today in many Of the large
cities and industrial centres. In Chicago
we found that in ore block LOO people
lived in the 100 houses in that street, and
there we're 100000 people without decent
living facilities Much of the country
crime results from such condition.
Senator Kenyon said the Federal Gov
ernment could do little to bring about
a reduction in the best Of building ma
tnials and wages. the two underlying
causes for the shortage Of homes. The
Il .snlu he aaId xssnu
falling and q lower level would come
very soon in the eost of supplies, Just
az wages would drop under the Law of
supply and demand
1fBut even with reduction IN the
cost of supplies and in wages we cannot
hope 10 SEE sufficient homes built to ac-
cornruodafe the present great demand
he added "unlpss the Federal Govern
rnertt adds in Some financial way. The pre-
blern il a big one, and while ! have not
given il conclusive thought | am Of The
opinion that the Government could or
ganiye home land banks and loan money
along the plans now followed by the farm
! loan banks
EXEMPTION of incomes on mortgages
from the income tax suggested aF orc
means 70 encourage building activity,
had many objections, Mr. Kenyon said,
"Chief among them IL that there sre
sl4 .0o0. 900. .OD0 If securities that are now
exempted, and II mortgages were exempt
ed il would drive those who are able 70
pay taxes into investing in further ex-
emptions. Such a policy is not to be fur
ther encouraged | do not say that
home loan bank scheme is the way 70 ap-
proaeh this'subject II suggested itself
tn me, but further study may show dis
advantages.
"Bu, do believe that IL is Imperative
that something should be done. The
present situation is creating n great deal
Of unrest Home owning il cure Tor
Bolshevism The man who owns hrs
property has an interest IN hrs Govern
ment and 10 not given 10 radicailsm. he
s a safe and sane citizen and always
patriotic one. France AID England have
aided in home building through Govern
ment aid, and | think that this country
will find il an advantage 10 do the same.
hope some acton will BE- taken IN Con-
gress IN the regular session N remedy the
! increasing lack Of homes.