Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-04-28
HOOVER WANTS

Continued from Page One1.
gram is carried out through local
volunteer committees of citizens, act
ing under the direction and in CO.
operation with the national head
quarters, at 1853 Pennsylvania Ave-
nue., N. w, Washington, D.. G. Last
year 5,055 such local committees
participated, and this year an even
greater number Of communities,
ranging from the largest to the
smalleS3 and spreading not only
throughout continental United
States, but to the Philippines,
Hawaii, Alaska and Porto Rico, will
take part.
The Guidebook issued by national
headquarters for the use of its local
committee contains as its fore
word the thorough-going endorse
ment of President Hoover, in these
words:
1.-THE local Better Homes COM
mittees, which numbered more than
5000 in 1928, have made the Better
Homes in America movement on Of
the strong u%pbuilding forces in
national life. 1t is characteristical-
ly a product Of the American peo-
pie, developed in response to a ma
tion-wide need, and taken up
throughout the country and adapted
to local situations with amazing
rapidity.
1T draws on the past for the best
that lies in u experience and ira
ditions, but is always looking for
ward-an institution of a people &C
cuStomed to change. 1t is based on
the promise that progress towards
the nobleSt ends may be achieved by
resourcefulness and character in
mastring such problems as are in
volved in homemaking.
1.-THE Better Homes activities con-
verge at a definite focal point-the
home. The local committees have
done an enormous public service by
working out methods for making
homes attractive, healthful, and con-
venient, within the resources of time
and money at the command of fam
lilies of low dncome. BY bringing
such a goal more nearly within
reach, and eXalting it, they have
encouraged many thousands Of fam
lilies to improve their homes, and
they have brought to them a pro-
founded realization Of the value of
character and mutual cooperation in
homemak1ng and in home life.
No Higher Undertaking
There can be ne higher under
taking than that of aiding others in
efforts that can develop their char
acter and spiritual qualities, and
the Better Zones work is of that
type. 1t starts with improving the
physical setting Of home life, and
obtaining the best returns from eX-
penditures Of time and money on
homemaking. But happy, healthful
home life and the human qualities
required to attain it, r emphasized
throughout the programs, and are
always in mind as the final objec-
tive.
"The work Of home improvement
can never be finished, for the prob
lens of homemaking will always be
with us, and new conditions will al
ter them. Young people as they
grow up must learn how to solve
them, and increasing participation
Of the schools each year recognize
this fact. Furthermore the home
must always play its part along
with church and school in passing
on and building up the ideals of
our people upon which depends the
true success of civilization and
national life.
THE field is so great that it calls
for the united effort Of Better
Homes committees and f the many
groups which cooperate with them
in the demonstration programs. I
am confident that 2 splendid res
ponse will come from far-sighted
and public spirited individuals and
groups throughout the country and
that they will have the cordial sup
port of all citizens"
During Better Homes Week each
year-and this is the eighth success
sive year it has been held-one or
more homes ere demonstrated in
each community, and prizes of con
siderable value are awarded to those
which. in the opinion Of judges,
have best depicted to their reSpec-
tive communities the finest types of
homes, of the more modest class,
with all of the many factors Of
~homemaking taken into c~onsidera-
ton.