Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-01-05
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
HOUSING QUESTIONABLE
TO BE SENT TO MEMBERS
Answers to Questions Submitted Will
Give Housing Committee of Cham
Der of Commerce Good Idea of the
Sort of a Program Which Would
Best Meet Conditions in CITY


To determine Augustus needs in re-
gard to houses, the housing committee
of the Augusta Chamber of Commerce
is submitting to the 406 members of
the chamber, questionnaires which if
responded to to any extent, will give
the committee an accurate idea of the
sort of houses that ought to be built,
the ability of people of the city to pay
for them, and the kind of a program
that should be put on to meet conditions
in the city. The QUESTIONABLE which
has been prepared by. Secretary George
c. Clarke, submits the following ques-
lions to members:
HOUSING QUESTIONABLE.
To assist the Housing Committee in
its work you are asked to answer the
following questions:
A. Is there Il shortage of houses in
Augusta?
should be adopted to relieve this
situation?
/. Promote a Build a Home"
.. Iuild new hotel.
8. Build houses for industrial
workers.
4. Build an apartment house.
S. Assist people of small means
to build on easy terms.
6. Procure plans and data for the
free use of prospective builders.
:. Act as purchasing agents and
advisors.
s. Secure cheap land at acreage
prices for resale at cost.
c. Are you planning to build? If so
answer the following questions:
/. Do YOU wish to build on easy
terms?
2. Can you furnish 1o% of the
cost of your house?
9. How much rental do you pay
now?
4. How many in your family?
5. Do you own your lot?
C. What type of house will you
:. How many roomsc
D, Are you interested in obtaining
apartments? If SO answer the fol-
lowing questions:
]. How many rooms do you de-
g. What maximum rental are you
willing to pay?
3. Where should SUCH an apart
ment be located?
T. Would you apply in advance OF
construction for an apartment
on yearly lesse?
F. Are you trying to ans f1nd the rent fo IN
i. What rental are you willing
>. How many rooms do you de-
3. What part of the city do you
wish to live in?
A. What rent are you now pay
ing?
p What further suggestions would
YOU make to the committee?
Name ......... Address .......
The general public is invited to ans
wer any or all of these questions, as
there are many more people interested
in more and better houses for this city
than are represented in the Chamber or
commerce. The Chamber of Commerce
is simply the agent of the community
and it's chief function is to institute
reforms and improvements and safe
guard the interests of the people.
AS soon as the questionnaires have
been received at the office, the COM
mittee will meet again to reach some
decision in the matter of housing.
The Augusta Civic Survey has the
following to say on the matter or nous
ing (pages 125, 126, I'D:
THE recent decrease in the total
population of the city is almost en-
tirelv due, to inadequate housing IA
cilities
During the campaign for the Clean
mn week and sewer extension the di-
rector of the survey attended a meet
ing of the Civic Forum conducted by
the Chamber of Commerce, at which
it was stated that Augusta had plenty
of money to build houses. the land to
build them on, material at hand, and
men to do the work. Under these con-
ditions it seems that poor and made
ouate housing in this city is inexcus-
able,
eve would recommend that an asso-
citation be formed to build cottages for
factory workers, and an apartment
house for those people who prefer that
mode of living. We would also recon-
mend that the charitable and civic Or
of the city combine to pay
tho salary of a visiting housekeeper.