The Washington herald., 1921-01-28
NEED DOF 100000
HOMES DEPLORED
BY SPEAKERSHERE
Labor Chief Calls Short
age Fostering Sore That
Feeds Radicalism."

America is in dire need OF 500, 900
new homes and relief from the pres
ent high rents will not be obtained
until a large proportion OF them
are built. according to speakers at
the Housing Conference opened by
the Chamber of Commerce OF the
United States yesterday.
Senator Calder told the delegates,
many Of whom represented large
building interests, that the United
States is approaching a point where
government subsidies may be found
necessary to provide homes.
We are approaching a condition
of affairs that exists in many Eu-
ropean countries" said Senator Cal
der. This means the adoption Of
precedents born Of paternalism in
stead Of the American principle Of
thrift and independence.
Puts Blame on Congress-
The entire business of the coun-
try is tied up by the centralized sys-
tenn Of Federal tax administration in
Washington" continued the Sen4-
tor. The functions of the Washing
taon bureau shouId be supervision
rather than administration I ad-
vocate a decentralization of our i7I
system 50 that a citizen may settle
his tax problems with the suthOrt
ties in his own locality"
John A. Voll, representing the
American Federation OF Labor, de-
clared that the housing shortage is
"a fostering sore upon which radi-
Calism feeds"
1t is labor that suffers most
when housing facilities are made
Quatc," said Vol. other units OF
society have enough to provide
adequate shelter even in times OF
shortage. but the laborer is subject
ed to crowding, and mental and
bodily suffering that can only mean
lowering of standards"
There is a dire need for l.5OO.-
600 houses. and instead OF building
$4,000 houses a year, which was
the normal increase, only 10000
houses were built last year"
Freer Loans Proposed.
Freer loans for building purposes
were urged by Ernest T. TrigE
president of the National Federation
Of Construction Industries. With
the present stringenCy Of funds, he
said, it is impossible for the man OF
ordinary means to finance construc.
tion of a home.
1t is confidently hoped" he said
that the spring and summer. viii
, show better conditions, both as tc
financing and construction oi
houses"
Life insurance companies ar,
vitality interested in better housing
said Walter Stabler. comptroller Of
Metropolitan Life Insurance Com,
pany, of New York. Many OF ou-
policy holders have been hit b,
crowding and high rents, with :
definite reaction on their health anC
longevity"
Would Let Women Decide.
Miss Julia c. LathrOp, head OF tn,
Children's Bureau of the Depart
ment of Labor, said that the efrec
of housing shortage is inevitabI,
high rents, lowered standards o.
living, and ultimately decreased
productiveness upon the part o.
workers.
H. Goodwin Rhett, Of Charleston
S. c., former president Of the United
States Chamber Of Commerce, de.
clared that the future Of the Ameri,
can democracy depended on the
kind Of housing program the United
States adopts.
Women should have a say in the
type of houses to be constructed .
said Rhett. "A house is a woman's
workshop and she must have labor
saving devices and machinery in.
corporated in the plans"