Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1934-11-09
HOUSING PLAN
FOR THIS CITY
NOW PROPOSED
Ounce Ashburn Is Chosen Head
Of Local Committee To
Push Campaign
OTHER PROMINENT
CITIZENS IN CHARGE

Pocomoke City is to have a city
wide modernization and improvement
campaign as part of the National Bet
ter Housing Program sponsored by the
Federal Housing Administration. This
has been decided at meeting of bust
ness, civic and social leaders.
Mr.. Ounce Ashburn was unani-
mously chosen to head the campaign.
"The purpose Of the campaign" said
Chairman Ashburn, els to enable Po-
comoke City to get as large and i'm
mediate benefits as possible from
the National Housing Act.
"The Federal Government has pro-
vided a plan under which local lending
institutions can make money available
to property owners for repairs and
improvements at the lowest charges
ever offered for this type of loan.
"Our purpose will be to inform every
property owner in the city how he can
take advantage of this new financing
plan and of the desirability of making
necessary improvements to his prop
erty at this time.
"This campaign" Chairman Ash
burn continued, twill have an immed-
late and most important effect on ev-
cry type of business in the commun-
ity. 1t will, of course, benefit the
building industry first, and there is
no industry which has been harder hit
than building and there are few which
are so important to this community.
But It will also have o direct effect on
all other lines Of activity.
approximately 75 cents Of every
dollar spent for repairs and improve
ments go to local labor. Most of the
money they receive in wages is i'm
mediately put back into the channels
of retail trade. Bills are paid. Pur-
chases are made Of food, clothing and
such necessities, then of other goods
and Injuries.
"More than 80 cities held moderniz-
ing and improvement campaigns in
1928 similar to the one we are now
planning for. These campaigns re-
suited in an average expenditure Of
approximately SO per capita for re-
pair and Improvement work, and at
that time there was no financing plan
such as now available under the Ma
tional Housing Act.
"Should we be able to do in our city
only as we'll as those earlier cam
paigns. we would give rise to trem-
endous increase in all lines of business
for every dollar taken out Of idle saw
ings and paid in wages multiplies
many times in the course of a year.
"Our campaign will also be most
helpful in relieving distress among
the unemployed. Approximately one
third of all families now on the re-
lief rolls in our city are the families
of workers normally engaged in build
ing. It is estimated that for every
building tradesman put back to work
on the average, a family of four can
be taken off the relief roll.
with winter coming on, this means
reduction in relief expenditures
which later will reflect itself in low
cred taxes.
II know the people Of Pocomoke will
get behind this campaign and back
it to the limit. 1t is real opportun-
ity for us to improve local business
conditions, to relieve distress, and to
increase property values and beauti-
fy the city.
"There is real need for moderniza-
ton work. Too much of it has been
too long delayed during the depression
The value of many properties will be
seriously jeopardized unless this work
is undertaken Immediately.
eve will urge no property owner
to undertake repairs or improvements
who is not fully able to do so, or un-
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