Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-04-29
NOW MY IDEA IS THIS
Daily Talks WHh Thinking Philadephans Subjects They
knOW Best
KnOU Best

mischief. The first floor. by your leave. will
he boarding house, with an nssemblagc Of
roomers who, cheated Of homes, have only
this TO fall back on. The other eypedients
forced on them in lieu of the family rela-
ton, the love OF husband for wife and wife
for husband. need not be outlined in detail
lhey aren't getting money enough TO
marry on.
Dollar Is Worthless
From a banker | have the admission of
just what the difference is between pre- war
pay' and present day pay. 1t is worth
while considering in connection with the
housing problem and the talk of those who
urge saving upon the people generally. I
nave doubled my Chautfcur'S salary in the
last four years declared this banker, but
he tells me, and believe him, that he can
not save anything, whereas formerly he
could put away something for a rainy day
week by week
This wage situation. SGT against the
general expense situation, aggravated by
the scarcity of houses. is causing the law OF
supply and demand in the primary realm Of
shelter 10 act in a most vicious manner. 1t
acts as an economic cheek on normal human
life, driving young people to the dance halls
and worse, depriving them of proper home
contacts and environment.
so acutcly is this felt that tenants fairly
beg inspectors Of the Department of Health
not to report lapSPS by their landlords, lest
they he forced to do the almost impossible
lind another home. II a prospective tenant
inSpeCts Il house that il vacant or will be
he dare not find fault with any defect in
sanitation or equipment.
''rhp landlord smugly smiles and tells
the ObJectOr that there are plenty Of others
who would gladly take the house as il is.
And leases nowadays provide That man
make his own repairs.
Time for Action Here
"'Thc big vital point is that the time
has come 10 quit meeting and considering
at great length We have a housing short
age which must be faced. 1t is sapping the
vitality of the groups involved through in
creased exposure TO immortality and lowered
efficiency. both in the family and in the
factory. shop and Office 1t is situation
not solely the concern Of the people who are
injured, but the concern Of the community
as n whole.
THE community ~ n whole has roaped
and will reap more viciously in the future
the consequences Of the injury done to those
who cant liv" as they should. Therefore,
the community as a whole has an interest
in solving the problem.
An instance Of the problem; 4 man in
kenSington made good living for his
family before the war and paid n rent
say, Of $25 for little two story house that
sheltered his family, and his alone lie
had enough 10 spare for food, hc got proper
rest al night. he had little for recreation
and could save. Now let us look at him
lie shares his house with two couples. each
of which has II noisy. Young. Rnclnic child :.
there Is one hathtub for them all: his
living expenses have increased his children
are crowded on 10 th" streets and into the
dance halls that arc giving us 80 much
surface shock.
''l.pt's get to the bottom Of this. That
house is home no longer. It is noisy
I'M hnl u,tl h, L.
It necessary 10 do n good days work Nor
eau either oi the wage -rarnprS who share
It with him. Fatigue is n poison that
must be removed by each nights rest II
piles up on thes" men, on their dispiritcd
wives, crowded for elbow room.
"Irritablity is the first thing we NAV
expect. II j. thc physiological by-product
which leads directly to drink. divorce the
dane" hall and other woes about which we
do 80 much protesting today. Give people
homes and not houses, and YOU will have
done much TO block this drift to moral
deCrepitUde
Bankers Must Help
''Ihc financing of tho building Of the
necessary number Of homes for lhiladcl-
pha Is the thing that has To br done now
The banker and the material man and the
building tradcsman have got to get their
prOhtS down 10 a sane business get down
to brass tacks and build houses. But I do
not particul ularIy recommend the reduction of
I'll" laborcr's wngc II he viii increase his
output,
The community. IN any progrom ror
which II stands sponsor, must see To il thot
the banker. the material mnn, the buildiug
operator anu the workers are all willing tn
pull together. That way we can build fn,
oar needs and get back to the status of
dwellerS In homes rather than occupants OF
floor space in houses"