Evening journal., 1920-01-27
ContInued from lis page


auce to Wilmington" concludes Dr
odell "that it deserves the most care
ful study. American civilization WI
be bllghtcd unless the thoughtful peo
pfe OF each community endeavor ser
sously 10 cure lnelr local Ills ana er
rors The Joint committee believes tha
tins report gives Wilmington a fau
chance 70 do its duty and become al
ideal community"
Need Homes for $500 az Once.
wilmington needs homes for I,sV
people q once" says the report. "Ihl:
will require the construction OF i,oe
dwellings IN the immediate future
"The causes Of the present acute
shortage Of homes are clear. Since thf
beginning OF the war barely enough
homes have been bulls In Wilmington e
house the nermal increase OF popula-
ton. while during the same period, inc
expansion Of Wiimington's industries
have brought an extraordinary increase
In population. Since the spring Of 1914
the population has increased approAi-
mately 10 per cent. while the number
Of dwellings has increased but IL per
cent.
"This lack Of homes is a vital prob
lem. lt'has already been felt in danger
Gus oyercrowding, in excessively hlgl
death and infant mortality rates. in
rent prolteerlng, in decreased indus
trial. enlclency, in increased labor turn
over, and has actually resulted In driv-
ing workers and business TO other cit
les Where homes can be found. II the
present. housing shortage continues Tor
any considerable period Of time the ei-
feet upon Wilmington will be serious
indeed. Wilmington cannot expect to
grow without first meeting its hous-
ing problem: it cannot get new busl-
ness, without an adequate supply OF ef-
flclent labor; 10 cannot man the indus
tries, without housing the man. Whole
families cannot live in one room ana
rear stronr, healthy children. The wage
Garner canaot pay half his earnings for
rent and stiD support hls family. me
foreigner cannot be Amerlcanlzed when
forced 70 live in un-American sur
roundines.
Private Builders CannO. Meet Situation.
III ls now over one year since the
signing OF the armistice. With the end
OF the war 70 was hoped That private
builders would make mp for lost time
and build enough homes to meet the
need But events have proved that rhe
',one was vain. Notlrnough homes nave
been constructed TO take care OF the
normal Increase OF population.
Less houses have been built in The
last twelve months than during any
war year. The private builders are
afraid TO go ahead Building costs have
risen between 80 per cent. and 100 per
cent. since 1914: a decrease in building
prices and therefore in rents is expect
ed in the next few years. SO that the
promOter hesiiates 20 build at present
prices for fear his buildings will have
10 compete for tenants or purchasers
With other homes OF equal quality hui
lower cost.
aFor the same reason, the building
promoler has found 70 diillcult TO
finance his operations; the investors
are holding back. Money for home
hdlldlng Is hard to find. Tax exempt
bonds and lucrative industrial stocks
are draining the market.
"rhe situation in Wilmington Is still
further aggravated by the stale mort
gage las The successful financing OF
large home building projects depends
in no small measure upon the posi-
bnity Of marketing first and second
mortgages Under the present state
law tile holder OF the second mortgage
has almost no protection and no in-
terest inducement, and as a result sec
ond mortgages cannot be marketed.
The lack OF city zoLing is a further de-
terreut TO home building Except for
The restriction on public garages, each
property owner has an unlimited right