Greenbelt cooperator., 1940-05-02
BY Anne Hull

week. a
led group of Better Buyers to Delcanp, Maryland,
to the Bata shoe plant, established there last
fall. The Cooperatorts prize cbjectives first,
to determine whether Greenbelt High School boys and
girls would do well seek implement vi tn Tata,
and second to compare the Bata housing project With
Greenbelt.
On the basis of the scanty information received,
it is difficult to advise Greenbelt boys girls
interested in working at the Bata plant. None of
the group admi tied to the factory, and Jan
was apparently having long lunch hour that day.
group of Better Buyers contacted rr. Schneider,
director Of education, but the editor and his
sistant had to depend upon interview carried
through peephole into the office with pin-cheek-
ed boy, who said he from hnghamton, New York.
According to him, Bata is employing 1900 Ameri
workers, besides 100 Czech "instructors". Work.
do not have to live the place, though in view
of the low rents he cited, it seemed it would pay
them to do so. Ehen the "hote1H is completed, for
stance single Will cost only IS cents week.
ly mot including extras like laundry. The two
family brick cottages, of which there about 20
at present, rent for SO month, plus utilities.
He also handed out for inspecti of the employ
ment application blanks, which asks, among other
things, the of all your tmedi te family what
property they own, and if you support them the
fession of your father-in-law, whether you sup
ply cash bond, what languages you speak, and .
IF. Bata figured, said our informant, that he
didn't want to employ anyone who had to hide
anything He said he expected of Bata's Europ-
practices would be modi fled time went on.
Already, he said, the apprentice system had been
bandoned because of state law ting children
under 10 from using factory machines. bulletin
hours at the factory we're from to s, wit hour
for lunch.
T. Schneider, director of education, with whom
the Better Buyers spoke, professed entire ignorance
of the apprentice school which described in
eral Washington papers, Mr. Bata is not planning at
present to build school the premi ses n.
Schneider said, and the children taking the
ty buses to Aberdeen schools. He took offense
being asked if the workers allowed to buy at
outside food stores. "So, think He're slaves?"
he Is said to have exclaimed.
NE prcN Tr nj
cious Of their motives in asking questions, kept
trying to find out just who they and where they
came from, not accepting their statement that they
we're housewives from metropolitan Washington. He
absolutely refused to take them through the plant
sweeping the lobby stopped his work to listen
and watch.
hrs. Ella Roller of Berwyn, active in the recent
1y formed Milk Club, accompanied the party, and
mented later, "!f they were clever, they would be
very polite and gracious to visitors at least show
them little of the place, maybe even serve tea.
Then people would go away feeling friendly. As it
mder. -OO' WY ''~'' 0O 'N'-'''
state, muddy and torn up, it gives promise being
quite attractive in time. The trees along the banks
of the Bush River make this part of the development
especially desirable Here stands rr. Batas house,
larger and more pretentious than the two-family
houses nearer the road. There are, however, some
one-story cottages being built the river, for
workers, and trees and shrubs being planted
around the ani1y units. The curtains hanging at
the windows of the latter drew sighs of admiration
from the ladies in the editorts car. moh what beau
tifn destgnsI "Doesn't that look like hand flet?
The red brick used in the construction at Belcamp
isn't as pleasing to the eye the light walls and
polychrome trim used here at Greenbelt, but many a
row apartment dweller here, with noisy hbors
might appreciate living in two family unit with
ano ther family side only, and above
or below. Those living in the huge dormitory or
"hote1", as it is called, will suffer the usual a.
partnentite headaches. The fiat Belcamp landscape
Will be dominated by the large factories and dori
tories, in contrast to Greenbelt, whose ups and
downs are provided by the natural topography.
According to an article in the Belcamp weekly by
R. H. Podzery, archi tect, recreation center and
bathing beach will be developed on the river bank
The main square will in time resemble carpet
of green, $50 by 500 feet in size. It will be flank
ed by solid ring of trees enclosing 23o foot
promenade equipped with park benches. Dominating