Evening star., 1925-02-28
BY JAMES FORD.
Executive Director, Better Homes in
America.
ARTICLE 5.


The preceding article in this series
described in some detail the better
homes" demonstration at Kalamazoo,
Mich, winner of the first prize in the
Better Homes campaign of 1929. The
second prize went to Atlanta, Ga.
where a multiple demonstration was
planned and well executed by local
committee headed by Mrs. Newton c.
Wing, who is chairman of the 1925
Atlanta Better Homes Committee.
While Atlanta demonstrated three
homes, only two We're considered BY
the committee of judges in awarding
prizes The one valued at S1O,5O0
was beyond the limit set for consid-
Grafton. The other houses were val
red at $4,000 and S2,500, respectively,
The more expensive OF the two
homes considered by the committee
of judges was remarkable for its CON
venfent arrangement of rooms. Civ
ing an appearance of spaciousness to
the interior This demonstration
house was designed largely by the
Atlanta Better Homes Committee
The home valued at $500 was in
'ended for a negro family 1t was
located in a Colored section OF the
city and was demonstrated by col
ored subcommittee. acting under the
n1ittee This was a dVe-rodm house
and was entirely redecorated and re-
painted for Better Homes Week
Main Features Cited.
# Will be impossible within the
limits Of this article to go at length
into the details of the architectural
features of the three Atlanta dem
onstration houses. However, many
features of the campaign are worthy
Of attention and OF emulation by oth-
or local committees.
One striking and interesting feature
Of the multiple demonstration was the
'budgeting of the furnishings for al three
houses. For the most expensive house
the committee fixed the furnishing bud
get at S2950. the second house at Sl,too
and the least expensive at 5000. These
limits were adhered to rigidl< and based
On the probable income of the 1amliy
which would occupy each.
Another feature of the Atlanta cam
paign was a budget of eXczxnses worked
out for an average family !: five, assUm-
ing an income Of S4,500, cuying home
valued at 50 poo and making a cash pay
nent on the house of $500. This bud
get was published and distributed widely
throughout the city.
Cooperation is Given.
Outside of the demonstration homes
themselves the Atlanta campaign was
widespread, and receiv Il cordial CO.
operation practically everywhere in the
city The three Atlanta newspapers
opened their columns II this work of
local education, giving invaluable aid
The city government co-operated fully,
and the mayor officially proclaimed the
period from May II to IS as Better
Homes week"
The superintendent .. the Atlanta
schools and the president Of the Atlanta
Parent-Teacher Association were mem
bers of the advisory board, and gave the
fullest cooperation. The schools We're
used widely for instruction in the means
of improving homes. The supervisors of
domestic science in two Of the schools
were in charge of demonStra tions of
kitchen equipment for the demonStrat ton
homes. School classes prepared exhibits
and assisted in the demonstrations by
baking articles used 1H furnishing, in
cluding towels. dresses scarfs. aprons
and equipment for the home nursery.
The cooperation received from the
Boy Scout patrols was excellent. these
organizations acting as relief hosts,
patrolng the grounds of the demonstra-
ton homes, distributing posters and
stickers advertising the demonstra tions.
while the Girl Scouts and the Campfire
NIlllS demonstrated MODERN nttnOgS OF
performing various kinds of household
operations.
The Atlanta clergy assisted by
preaching better homes sermons. and
by conducting religious services at
the opening of each of the demon
stration homes.
The women's clubs. not only of At
lanta, but of the entire county, CO.
operated by providing hostesses
throughout the day and evening for
all three of the demonstration homes.
The public library drew up a list of
books suitable for the home library,
and placed them in the demonstra-
I on houses during Better Homes
Week"
Success Assured.
Such wholesale and whole hearted
cooperation assured the success of
the demonstration in Atlanta before
i. started, and the actuality did not
fall short of the promise. "Neighbor-