Milford chronicle., 1931-10-23
ELEVENTH NATIONWIDE
BETTER HOMES CAMPAIGN

puny in physique, weak in mora
stamina, and low in ideals. This
according to DR.. Ray Lyman Wilbur
Secretary of the Interior, is the
compelling force which should en-
list the active interest of every AM
erican citizen in a move to provide
the best possible environment for
the growing child.
Dr. Wilbur, who succeeded Presi-
dent Hoover as president of Better
Homes in America, gave expression
to this opinion in the foreword to
the GuidebOok, issued by that or
ganization in preparation for the
eleventh nationwide Better Homes
campaign. The launching of this
campaign, coming almost simulta-
neously with the calling of the Pres
ident's Conference on Home Build
ing and Home Ownership, is expect
ed to arouse more widespread inter-
est on the part of homemakers than
ever before. During the past year,
more than eight thousand communi-
ties availed themselves of the infor-
nation and help offered by this Or
ganization, whose headquarters are
in Washington, D. c., under the di-
Tection of DR.. James Ford. The pro-
grams which are being organized at
this time will have their culmina-
tion in the observance of Better
Homes Week, April "a to May l,
1882.
DR.. Wilbur's statement follows:
"Pre-eminent among the forces
that make for an enduring and pro-
gressiye civilization is the Home. It
is the first mold of physique and OF
character. 1t is the nursery of our
culture, aspirations and ideals. No
nation can afford to be neglectful of
its influence.
"Under conditions of ignorance or
neglect there may develop a gener-
alton puny in physikue. weak in
moral stamina, low in ideals. The
neglected rural homes may be sour
ces of danger, the slums of our cit
les are menace.
"All children should be granted !
the right to grow up in houses that
are safe, sanitary, private and, free
from ugliness, and needless dis
Even more, they require
daily contacts in their homes with
high moral attitudes, wise judg-
ment, firmness of purpose and
unselfish aims.
1--WE have houses in order that we
may have homes. Good houses
make it easier to maintain good
homes. Thoughtful citizens have
therefore organized throughout the
nation to arouse local interest in
home improvement. Over eight
thousand such local committees
we're active last spring under the
guidance of Better Homes in Amer
ca, in arranging for local home i'm
contests, demonstrations,
exhibits, lectures and tours.
their efforts hundreds of
of families were helped (
o take the next steps in the better
nent of their own homes or prem
ses. !
"In a period like this where some {
are suffering from eco !
ionic depression and from unem- {
Iloyment, Better Homes committees {
fAl bC vi 81 cat DuDllC NlSCg elAOO 9
through cooperating with local |
gencies in employment relief by c
iscOvering and encouraging Oppor-
unitieS for the employment of men |
nd women in the care and repair G
{ homes. Such a program has the @
lree-fOld merit of providing en- b
lOyment, of enhancing property t
nd community values and of in u
reasing the number of well-equip-
ed, sanitary, convenient and at ]
active homes in the community.
pecial suggestions can be sent for
lis phase of the Better Homes cam
aign to all committees that are in +
,rested. e
New stimulus will come to Bet )
II Homes committees during this &
ear from the Presidents Confer n
nee on Home Building and Home p
to be held i'll November, b
,31. Thirty-one committees of our N
ation's leading citizens are at S
ork at the time of this writing in b
'sembling the best experience and b.
isdom of leading citizens and spe- Of
alists on such subjects as the de- ii
gn OF homes, home construction, n
lancing Of homes, household man pi
hOmemaking, landscape eC
and planning for homes, 81
e elimination of slums and blight al
areas, farm and village housing, es
'me information centers, home m
rnishing and decoration, and stan 81
rds and objectives. Better Homes
mmittees will be given access to CT
cir findings which they can bring Fl
the attention of local citizens of
ID arrange to carry out within tn
cir own communities. Sc
Life offers no greater command tn
privilege than that of giving the tr
W generation a chance to be more ac
oductive and better citizens than by
cir parents have been. This priv mi
ge belongs primarily to the local
tier Homes committees and to all st,
operating individuals and groups to
ch as women's clubs, parent-tea- M;
er associations, home bureaus mt
d scores of others. Here is an op- CO
rtunity which will command the stl
ention of thoughtful parents and Ur
seeing citizens"