The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1920-05-31
BY q stnff Correspondent.

Chicago. May 3o.-There have
been many moro applications than
there are houses in the community
fathered by the Chicago Housing
Association. Were there not re-
striction. there would be several
thousand more. Scores have been
discouraged from carrying the in
vestigation further when they dis
covered tina: only families with
three or more children are eligible
to apply for enc of the IFS houses.
Families with fewer than three
children have been accepted but not
many.
The scheme If indefinitely expend-
cd will, it is expected, depopulate
the Sums of Chicago, although re-
cruits are not drawn from the Sums
direct. The Few householders will
be those who were rapidly gravitat-
ing toward the sink holes of squalor
and poverty, but who are trying to
keep their heads above the engulf-
ing food. The cottages are in
tended for those who are making
from 500 to 5000 a month. Char
ity does not enter into the plan.
Each one must have enough money
on hand to make the first payment
in cash. After that, the money nor
mally going into rents will suf1ce.
Only Color Line Drawn.
In the main. the promoters hope
to make the housing project serve
as a great force for Americaniza-
ton. Greed and nationality do not
figure. The color line alone is
drawn. Almost every nationality
will be represented in the commu-
nifty, and here the experiment will
be tried on a large scale of making
Jew and GENTLE, Irish. German.
italian. Bohemian. Lithuanian and
Russian live in pace and harmony,
each filling his own back yard, but
with the clothesline barricade elimi-
mated.
Clannish leanings will be discour-
aged. while the gospel of Amer
icanism is being spread. There will
be no parochial schools. At least,
efforts will be made to keep them
out. At present there are no schools
of any kind within walking dis
lance, but the city has promised
the young Americans will not lack
an education.
Portable schools will be furnished
until permanent structures can be
erected. 1t is estimated the pupils
will number from 400 to 500 on the
opening day. There will be no NOV
ing from one school to another as
attendance for at least ive years Is
assured. This will lessen work for
truant officers. In the deed of sale
is a provision that the purchaser
cannot dispose of or rent his house
for at least five years. This clause
was inserted in order to prevent
speculation. which would be certain
to follow. as the association already
has been offered $4,000 apiece for
every one of the IT'S houses.
Personally Inspected.
Every applicant is paid a personal
visit in his own home by officers OF
the association. The Herald repre-
sentative accompanied the general
manager and the millionaire
Orator" on a tour of inspection. The
visits were made in the evening
beginning at 5 o'clock and lasting
until 10. The start was made in the
Italian quarter on the edge Of the
West Side slums. gradually working
out until one of the suburbs was
reached. The need for housing wa,
as evident in the district surround.
ing Jane Addams's Hull House 'as
In the shady retreats of Oak Park
Each told the same story of dis.
possession notices with no place tc
go.
Twenty-eight families were visit.
ed during the evening. Eight ma,
tionalities were encountered ,anc
possibly that many church afilia.
tions. but there were no inquire.
made as to the latter. The livine
quarters ranked from Impossible
to good. The doors and insanitary
conditions drove the Investigator.
out in the open in some cases. Neat.
ness and comforts marked others
but one was as badly off as the
other. as. in. all cases II meant the
street for those who could not meet
the mounting rents.
1t was noticed that even in the
most squalid quarters attempts al
neatness and comfort were asso,
ciated with creaking and rottina
boards. pitch black Railways anS
unyentilsted rooms. The majority
of these homes" were of three and
mr. rooms. The rents Were from
US To slightly mora thar Gan n