Great Falls tribune., 1921-04-15
Ole SPIRIT
f. 80
OfAMERI CA

| D A I Z Y
EDITORIAL
D LG ES +
Prepared Exclusively fer Ihs 1slbsnA
Todevs Subject:
UNCLE SAM AND THE "HOMES
OF THE FREE.
The Senate Committee on Recon
struction can evidently depend on the
friendly support Of large part of the
press in, its effort to meet housing
needs. The findings of the committee
are accepted as throwing additional
light on a problem that lis acute in
practically every community, and its
| recommendations are welcomed by
most writer's at least "as a useful
starting point.
Some papers, of course, see in the
report but one more Congressional in
vestigation." They agree with the St.
Louis Post Dispatch (Ind.) that "the
showing up of evils is a futile past
time if it be not followed by recon-
mendations Of practical remedy" and
in this specific case there is "a lack
Of any satisfactory solution Of the
drastic housing shortage" But while
objections are made to some Of its
proposals, the general feeling is that
the committee. in the words Of the
st. Louis Globe Democrat (Rep.) "has
done a great service in laying the
facts before the public" irrespective Of
whether the measures proposed prove
effective.
The conclusion at which the Balti-
more American (Rep.) arrives, after
reading the report, is that the
Journey back to the normal in house
construction will be long and hard
one," and even the proposals of the
committee 'are suggestions which
pursue the slow and painful course of
normalcy." Recognizing also this alb
sence Of immediate panacea, the
Boston Transcript (Ind. Rep.) draws
the normal that ut is apparent that
no time should be lost in finding ways
Of raising the needed capital and
getting to work"
The necessity for cooperation Of all
forces in solving what the Cleveland
Plain Dealer (Ind. Dem.) says lis
recognized as national problem is
emphasized by the Atlanta Journal
(Dem.), because:
NO city can truly thrive and full
fill its rightful purpose, no city can
and material prosperity. much less of
democracy and social justice. while
part of its people are crowded into
living quarters which are unhygienic,
or are driven from pillar to post be-
cause there are not enough houses to
60 around. Moreover, there are few
factors that will make more steadily
for good citizenship among the rank
and file than home ownefship."
So far as concerns the suggestions
Of the committee, the Newark News
Gnd) virtually expresses the press
estimate Of the proposed remedies
when it says they are like the dis
position Of the little girl in childhood s
remembered rhyme when they are
good they are very, very good. and
To this it must be added, however. that
editorial opinion is not entirely in ac-
cord as to which of the suggestions are
very good and which very bad. For in.
stance, the News cannot endorse
: the proposal in the committee program
ITO amend the federal reserve act SO
that savings and time deposits may
be used for long time loans because
; it is bad while to the Omaha News
Ind.) this feature Of the plan seems
sensible and practical" So, also, with
the proposal to give certain tax ex-
emptions to money invested in building.
which the New York Evening Post
1nd.) condemns because ito add to the
already long list Of tax-exempt secur-
tiles would be mischievous' If not
dangerous" and further, this measure
offers "less stimulus to housing than is
the Canton News (Dem.l approves
this scheme as a means of '.divertins
to real estate investment much money
that has been attracted by tax-free in
dustrial securities"
One plan. however, Is generally com
mended-that of establishing within
the department Of commerce "a divi'
sion for gathering information on hous'
ing, covering economy, constructor.
methods, cost data. city planning, etc.
This the New York Globe (lnd. Re-
CARDS as "the most important" and II
adopted, will make housing a nationa
concern" The New York Mail lind.
also feels that nothing but what ].
good should be said Of the proposal,
since "the establishment Of such d.
vision world make available for th.:
country all the experience that ha!
been gained In Europe, for instance
during the last few years" =.
Objection to the whole scheme pro
posed by the senator's is voiced in somt
southern papers. because Of what ths
Louisville Post (Ind.) calls .'its pater
nalistic feature" Surely" the Pos
thinks. 1--WE learned during the wal
enough about the baleful effects OF ths
government taking over private indus
try" The Chattanooga Times Ind
Dem) agrees that "the proposition
goes very far toward government IN
reference in individual affairs nm.
leans in the direction of big father
but at the same time it sympathizc'
with the position OF the Knoxville Sen
tinel lind. Dcm.) that .'however mnci
We may coincide with the view that
governments business is to govern ant
suffer private and individual enterprise
to carry on business for the people
We cannot view without sympathy ant
approval the awakening interest th'
federal government is manifesting Il
the nrorressinr hOmelessnesS' Of tn,