Americus times-recorder., 1920-04-13
CHAMBER BEGINS
REAL ACTION ON
HOUSE PROBLEM
We've Got To Do Some
thing For Americus,'
Says Glover

A second step in the effort to solve
the housing problem for Americas
was taken today by the board of dix
rectors of the Chamber of Commerce
when the board, after an hour of dis
cussion of the problem and the vital
wav in which it affects the entire well
fare of the community, instructed
President Glover to name three COM
mittees, one to investigate and re-
port details on the cost of building
houses by buying materials locally,
a second to secure details of cost and
plans for construction ready-cut
houses, and a third to secure a list of
available and suitable building lots
in the city. The committees were in
structed to report back to the board
at meeting Thursday, Arril %, at
II O'Clock.
President Glover named the chair
men for each of these committees
and the chairmen picked their own
assistants. These committees are as
follows.
Committee on Local Construction
Frank Harold, chairman; L. G.
Council and R. E. Allison.
Committee on Ready-Cut Houses.
Waiter Rylander, chairman; w. E.
Taylor and E. E. Schneider.
Committee on Building Lots.-W.
II Jones, chairman; P. B. Williford
and George D. Wheatley.
SCOT to Do Something"
eve want men that will get busy
and work." was the declaration of
President Glover as he banged his
gavel on the table. "This is most
vital need, and we've got to do some
thing. We've got to provide some
where for the people who want to
come here and rent houses to live, not
provide only homes for those who
want to own their places. 1t may not
look like an attractive investment
proposition, but we've got to do
something for Americus. 1t is seri-
Gus. We've talked a lot; we must
do something now"
J. E. Hightower was present and
he repeated the information publish
ed in the Times-Recorder ten days
ago, to the effect that the Seaboard
shops would be enlarged here if
homes We're to be found for the work
men to be sent here.
Frank Harold stated that he has
had plans drawn for a type of house
that he believes will be suitable for
the needs of Americus at this time,
and that he is obtaining estimates of
cost of construction. If the esti-
mates show the house can be built
for what he considers a reasonable
figure he will build one at once, he
said. and. if this proves attractive to
home buyer he will build others.
He declared he believed he could
build this home and sell it at price
that would pay him fair profit, but
that if he "came out even" he would
be satisfied, because he felt it would
be "breaking the ice" in the building
line.
Ready Cut Attractive
Walter Rylander, a member of
the board, stated that he had detail
ed information from all of the deal
ers in ready-cut houses, showing
plans and cost of 100 houses, He
has written for additional informa-
ton. however, concerning homes es-
pecially suitable for the south. He
was of the opinion that the ready-cut
house would provide the method of
cheapest construction. lie said all
of the firms included notice that prices
would be raised 20 to 33 Is per
cent May /.
L. G. Council stated that stucco
construction for the outside, replac-
ing weather-boarding which has
reached an abnormal price, was be-
coming very popular, and suggested
that its merits be investigated. He
said that cement had advanced much
less than other kinds of building ma
terial, which made stucco attractive
as house building material.
In answer to queries, Frank Har-
rold stated that Atlanta and Macon
were building innumerable cottages
of the type he proposed to construct
here, and that he had been informed
that there was no end of demand for
them from home purchasers.
Most of the meeting was devoted
to the discussion of how and what to
build, and practically none to the pro-
rosal to form syndicate of at least
100000 to build houses. The syndi-
cate recommendation, however, ap-
peared popular with the board, and
it was indicated that the money could
be easily raised.
"There is $4,000 around this ta-
bic right now" was the comment of
Frank Lanier.
All citizens who have available
bujldinp lots or acreage inside the
city for development are requested to
notify w NJ. Jones, chairman of the
lot committee, at once.
DR.. A. S. Boyett, of Marion coun-