HOW HARRISBUR
HOUSING INQUIRY
GOT UN
THE accompanying editoriai from the Harrisburg TelegTaph
of March 8, this year, linden the caption, "Our Next Big
Problem," and the interview of Andrew S. Patterson, presi
dent of the Chamber of Commerce, show how the housing inves
tigation, now under way, got its start. Both editorial and inter
view are so pertinent to the question now under discussion that
they are reproduced herewith:
(Prom the Telegraph, March 8)
All indications point to a tre
mendous and unexpectedly rapid
growth of population in Harrisburg
and vicinity. The war is largely re
sponsible. Our steel industries have
been greatly stimulated by war or
ders, and the coming of Schwab to
Steeltori has been a mighty force in
hastening conditions that otherwise
might not have come about for a
decade. And finally, there is now the
United States Government with
promises of expenditures of many
millions either at Middletown or
is'ew Cumberland and, probably at
both. These supply depots, we are
told, will be permanent. But
whether or not the government finds
use after the war for the buildings
to be erected, they will not long be
permitted to stand idle. Too many
manufacturers have their eyes on
Harrisburg to permit bargains in
buildings to go begging.
But now it happens that this sud
den and unexpected prosperity
which has come to us is not so much
a matter of importance of itself as is
what we are going to do about it,
•for the new conditions bring with
them new responsibilties. Foremost
of these is the housing question.
With nearly every house in the city
occupied and many residences turned
into apartments, we are face to face
with the alternative of permitting
the housing of our rapidly growing
population to work itself out in hap
hazard, hit-or-miss fashion or we
must make an endea\or to guide it
along proper lines.
We are at the parting of the ways.
Either we are to have a city of over
crowded, unsanitary, undesirable,
tenements and hasUly constructed
hovels or we arc to grow and de- j
velop along lines that will make forj
a more beautiful, more healthful,
more prosperous and more contented
city. For the former, we have but
to sit idly by and permit profiteering
landlords to erect the class of housaß
that provide a minimum of beauty,
comfort and healthfulness. while
they yield a maximum of rental.
We are in bad enough way now.
There are districts in which a ma
jority of houses are a public dis
grace. We rejoiced when the old
Capitol Park Extension section of
the Eighth ward was wiped out, but
the slum has not been eliminated.
The location has been changed; that
is all. Are we to have more of the
same kind? That is a question we
must answer, and answer very soon.
The Real Estate Board has real
ized that all is not well. President
Oipple's suggestion for an "own your
home" campaign is a step in the
right direction. But more is needed.
The time has come when such or
ganizations as the Real Estate
Board, the Chamber of Commerce,
the City Planning Commission and
the Municipal League should take
counsel together as to how the many
difficulties that stand in the way of
a correct solution of the problem
may be met. Good fortune has left
n golden treasure on our doorstep.
Opportunity for the making of such
a city as we have dreamed of Har
risburg becoming is knocking at our
rfoor. What are we going to about
HARRISBURG AT THE
TURNING POINT
[Continued from First Page.]
house is vacated the new tenant Is
asked more than the old.
This condition Is bad enough but
the scarcity of houses and the run
down condition of hundreds of those
that do rent for figures within the
reach of the average workingman
are far more. The outrageous home
conditions to be found in tho poorer
quarters of Harrisburg approach
those of the slum districts of Chi
cago and will be dealt with by pho
tographic illustration and otherwise
in subsequent instalments of this
series.
Most serious of all from the "win
the-war" standpoint of our great
steel and railroad industries, now en
gaged to the extent of millions of
dollars in important government
work which the War Department is
demanding that they speed up, Is
the fact that there are no houses for
incoming employes. Hundreds more
men are needed. They are hired,
come here and go to work, but when
they plan to bring their families they
are unable to find homes for them.
Then they either go back whence
they came or go on to communities
that offer them a roof for their
heads. And the war industries lose
their services.
300 Per Cent, Turn Over
The seriousness of the situation
may be judged from the statement
of a big employer to the effect that
the labor turn over in some Harris
burg mills and factories is as much
as 300 per cent.
One Hagerstown man advertised
for a house to rent at $25 a month.
He got no replies.
Another man, called out of the
city to accept a government position
In the South, found himself with a
lease on his hands and had to find
a tenant quickly.
Twenty-three For One House
He placed an advertisement to run
In the Telegraph tnree times.
MRS. EMMABRITT
Tells How Vino! Creates Strength
For Tired, Nervous Housekeepers
Texarkana, Texas.—"l keep house
and 1 was weak, run-down and nerv
ous, back ached a good deal of the
tme, so it was hard to take care of
my chickens and do my work.
Vinol has restored my strength, and
my nervousness has gone, so I can
do my work as well as ever."—Mrs.
Emma Britt.
There is no secret about Vinol.
It owes its success in such cases to
beef and cod liver peptones, iron
and manganese peptonates and
glycerophosphates, the oldest and
most famous body building and
strength creating tonics. We recom
mend Vinol. —George A. Gorgas,
Kennedy's Medicine Store, 321 Mar
ket Street; C. F. Kramer, Third and
Boas Streets: Kitzmiller's Phar
macy, 1326 Derry Street, and drug
fists everywhere.
MONDAY EVENING, '
(From the Telegraph, March 9)
As soon as developments relative
to the big ordnance depots to be
erected near Middletown and the
large quartermaster's plants to be
built near New Cumberland have
reached a stage far enough ad
vanced to estimate the additional
tax which they will place upon Har
risburg and vicinity in the way of
increased population, the Chamber
of Commerce is prepared to employ
an expert of international reputa
tion to making a housing survey of
Harrisburg and its suburbs. The
next step will be to ask the gov
ernment for aid in solving the city's
housing problem.
This is the conclusion reached by
President Andrew S. Patterson, of
the Chamber, after giving the rapid
ly growing problem careful consid
eration.
Discussing the situaUon, as out
lined by the Harrisburg Telegraph
in its leading editorial last even
ing, Mr. Patterson said:
"One of the first matters that
attracted my attention upon my re
cent election as President of the
Chamber of Commerce was the need
of additional housing facilities in
Harrisburg. The war industries
which have come into being or have
grown out of concerns organized
for other purposes, have been large
ly responsible for the fact that we
are now very short of houses, and
especially good houses at reason
able rentals. I have been giving
thought to this condition and just
as soon as the Government makes
a final and definite decision as to
the location and size of the war sup
ply depots it contemplates for this
section the Chamber will be ready
to employ an expert of international
fame to tell us just what we should
have to make Harrisburg the kind
of a city that will attract and keep
the people who may find hesidences
here more or less temporarily dur
ing the approaching construction
period. I believe a majority of the
officials of the Chamber realize the
importance of this and will readily
consent to it. Once we know what
we should have we will ask the
government to help solve our prob
lem for us, Congress having set
aside money to meet the needs of
communities such as ours, where
the normal growth of population !
has been greatly augmented by an
influx of men employed on war
work. Two cities already have un
dertaken surveys with this in view
and Harrisburg will not be slow
to act once we know just where we
stand."
J. Horace McFarland, president
of the American Civic Association,
also heartily approves the plan
for a survey and said that he'be
lieved the time at hand when the
city would have to take a forward
step in the matter of housing or be
content to stand among less pro
gressive cities whose people do not
see that prosperity, health, content
ment and good citizenship generally
follow naturally in the wake of good
housing. It is Mr. McFarland's be
lief the next few years will see not
only radical legislation on this sub
ject, .but also along the line of iro
viding wholesome recreation, Winter
and summer, for the people of
cities, and that this will come shortly
to be regarded as just as much a
function of municipal government
as water supply, sewage disposal or
paved streets.
for a house before finding one to
Before the oiTice closed for the
evening on the day his "ad" first ap
peared he called up on the phone to
cancel its publication.
In the space of two and one-half
hours he could have rented his house
twenty-three times.
The man who took the residence
off his hands told him: "I can't
really afford to pay your figure, tut
1 m desperate. I've hunted a house
for three weeks."
The secretary of the Chamber of
Commerce also searched three weeks
meet his needs.
The new Boy Scout executive had
even more trouble. The national
Scout commissioner recently located
here is residing in a furnished house
which he must relinquish September
1. while searching feverishly for a
permanent location. Failure to oro
cure one may force him to another
city.
One real estate man reports he
could rent 200 reasonably good
houses in a single day if he had
them.
Another places the number of
houses needed at 400, and many
more at the close of the war when
many families that have been con
solidated while men are in the Army
again desire to separate and a large
number of expected marriages of re
turned soldiers occur.
s2l For a "Kotten House"
In response to the Telegraph's re
quest for information on the housing
problem comes this letter:
"Glad to oblige you, sir, with
my bit of evidence and glad the
Telegraph has the grit to tackle
this proposition. I'm itching to
tell my experience, so here it is.
Three months ago I came to
Harrisburg to work for the pipe
bending works. My family I
left in Morgantown until school
was over. A few weeks ago I
spent every evening looking for
a house. I finally found one—
in an alley, s2l a month and
rotten. I never lived in an alley
before and my wife is heart
broken. Will move somewhere
else if I can find a place that
don't eat up more , than one
fourth of my wages. We always
had a garden. We have no room
here, and no furnace and the
house needs paint and paper. I
like my work and my wages,
but my family don't like the
town much, unless they can live
better." .
ljeft the City
Another letter from a Bethlehem
Steel Company man nays:
Recently I induced my brother
in-law of Newark to come here,
thinking we could live more
pleasantly here in the same town.
He was assured work at a good
salary in a professional way at
Steelton.. He came to visit me,
liked the city and was enthusias
tic. But after hunting for a
house for three days he left dH
gusted, and now ho never will
consider work here. This may
not be what you wanted, but at
least it throws light on what I
agree with you is a very serious
condition."
These are but a few of hundreds
of instanocs that might be noted.
That the Telegraph's effort has
struck a keynote is evident from the
large numbers of offers of assistance
and endorsement that are being re
cord.
STATE WORKING
TO END PLAGUES
Hospitals Join in the Crusade
Against Social Diseases
in Pennsylvania
■ partment for
I rJaSaSSt- combatting social
1 I fWWMfSIStf diseases have sent
E raaHpJEj IS Si, t0 Physicians and
9 jj health officials the
culars to be is
sued establishing the new regula
tions. This circular is to ibe sent to
every school board as well as health
board. Physicians will be required to
give each patient found suffering
with these diseases a copy of the
stato regulations with the notice that
the person who does not obey them
will be quarantined.
The state's campaign against these
diseases was launched after confer
ence with army officers and national
government officials and Pennsylva
nia is declared to be taking a very
advanced ptand. B. F. Royer, the
state's acting commissioner of health
says that "at least eight per cent, of
adult Pennsylvanians in certain large
groups studied routinely by the de
partment show by laboratory tests
that Oiey are not completely cured
of syphilis." The state's thirty genlto- i
urinary dispensaries established by
4 the Department of Health and 170
hospitals throughout Pennsylvania
have joined in a campaign of treat
ment to salvage persons found Infect-'
ed. The instructions issued give ad
ivlce as to modern methods of treat
ment, laboratory studies and living,
while it is declared that the use of
alcohol under the conditions is very
i dangerous. The department has also
called attenUon to the requirements
of the Pennsylvania marriage law
which requires freedom from trans
missible disease.
Commission Affirmed—The super
ior court has upheld the Public Serv
ice Commission in the Cochranton
telephone merger, but an appeal will
toe taken.
Inquire Into Housing State
Health Department experts have
been asked to assist in an inquiry
into housing condition." in Johns
town.
Hearing Goes Over—The Public
Service Commission hearing into na
tural gas rates in the northwestern
counties has been continued until
October by Commissioner Rilling.
Two Gets Permit The Buckeye
Coal Company, which is developing
mines and building a town in Greene
county has obtained a permit from
the State Department of Health for
construction of a water supply sys
tem and sewer lines and a disposal i
plant for a model town it is erecting
for its workers.
The Draft—Commencing to-day
over 1,500 drafted men for general
military service will being to move
from Eastern Pennsylvania for Camp
Wadsworth, Spartanburg, S. C., and
local draft boards will prepare 11,-
700 men who are to start moving for
Camp I..ee next Monday. State draft
headquarters has begun the calcula
tions of the quota of the 5,000 men
to start for Camp Wadsworth com
mencing August 5. Under orders
recently received the induction of
British subjects and Canadians is to
RESORTS
OFLPONICFL/ \
*jjL )
jl ITOnrP A—n THE STBW JFmB I
Tau. Twos* rauak Ift J
YOU KNOW IN
AMLPMIA, YOU'LL H(Et9k WET
THEM MIK rop
HOTEL ADELPHIA
CHESTNUT AT 13™ ST.
L PHILADELPHIA
ATLANTIC CITY, y. J.
June rates—American plan, 12 50
to $4 daily, $12.50, sls, $17.50, S2O
weekly. Best located, popular price
hotel in Atlantic City, N. J.
NETHERLANDS
New York Av. 50 yd*, from Boardwalk
Overlooking lawn and ocean. CaDa
city, 400. Center of all attractions
Elevator, private baths; over 50 oat
side rooms have hot and cold runnine
water. Special Free features, llnth
liik I'rlvilcKe From HoteL l.uivn
TcnnlM Court. Dance Floor. Booklet
with Points of Interest in Atlantic
City mailed on request.
AUGUST RUHWADEL. Proprietor.
Hotel Majestic £i r a *' h n , u A & e n
view; cap. 300; elevator; private
baths; running water in rooms. White
service; Amer. plan; $2.50 up daily
Special weekly. M. A. SMITH
HOTEL ST. CI.AKE
Penna. av., near beach and Steel
Pier; superior location; private baths
superior table, etc.; fine porches :
lawns. A. O'REILLY HENNESY. ProDr'
JULIA A. MILLER. Manager.
CHESTER HOUSE. 15 & 17 S. Georgia
Ave. nr. Beach. Two squares from
Reading Station. $2 dafly; $lO U n
weekly. Mrs. T. Dickerson. P
THE WILTSHIRE Virginia Ave.
And Beach
Ocean view. Capacity, 350. Private
baths, running water in rooms, eleva
tor, etc. Music. $3 up daily. Special
weekly. American plan. Onen all
year. Booklet. SAMUEL ELLIS.
HOTEL BOSCOBEL
Kentucky av„ nr. beach; baths ele
vator; line table; bathing privileges
special rates; booklet. Always onen'
Capacity, 350. A. E. MARION.
$g.5Q nn Dallr. $1 *.KO no Wkly, Am.Plan
ELBERON
A Fireproof A unex. Tennwrnee Av. nr. Beach.
[ -ap. 400. Central; open aurroundinjrs; opp. Catho
lic and Proteatant Churches. Private baths.
RUNNING WATER IN ALL ROOMS
Excellent table; fresh vegetables. Windows
■creened. White service. Booklet. R. B.IUDY, M. 0.
Tennj ave near Bout h: always open; pri
vate batha; running water in rooms; elevator:
excellent table: white Mrvlce; orchestra.
Am. plan; H 00 up dally: 117.60 no weekly
Booklets. Garage M. WALSH DUNCAN
WILDWOOD, N. J.
CONTINENTAL L'fi
Write for booklet.
"GHANFATLAIITIC
Virginia Av. near beach. Capacity
SOO. A strictly modern hotel after ex
temslve alterations. Private haths,
running water in rooms, elevator, etc.
Notable table, white service. $3.50 up
daily, special weekly. Booklet.
W. F. SHAW.
HARRISBURO gfSSHfc TELEGRAPH]
be suspended. Announcement will be
made shortly of the local boards of
instruction for drafted men, which
have ibeen authorized by the provost
marshal general.
Teitbhers Ready—The state's forty
farm tractors, which have been un
dergoing overhauling the last month,
will resume plowing this week under
a schedule plan worked out at the
State Department of Agriculture. The
date for starting plowing is earlier
than usual, but owing to the labor
situation the state authorities are
encouraging It. Many commerPfßl
tractors will start plowing this
month.
Armory Board Quits—The row be
tween the York and Columbia officers
of the Reserve Militia, which culmi-
"The Live Store" "Always Reliable"
The Last Week of
Doutrichs Shirt Sale
What a "Shirt Sale" it has been; customers can testify
that HERE we have the stock and an unlimited selection of desirable shirts
i at genuine reductions We're ready for another busy week Our July records will show
the largest increased business in the history of the store lt's because we have the right
kind of merchandise and good will of the people. ' I
This Is the Store Everybody |
Every Shirt in Our Entire Stock Reduced 1
All SI.OO shirts 79c j All $5.00 Shirts $3.89 1
All $1.50 Shirts $1.19 || All $5.85 Shirts $4.89 1
I All $1.85 Shirts $1.59 |l All $6.85 Shirts $5.89 |
I All $2.50 Shirts $1.89 All $7.85 Shirts $6.89 I
All $3.50 Shirts $2.89 | All $8.85 Shirts $7.89 j
Blue Chambray Shirts S9c 99c §
■
July Clothing Reductions |
It's quite a relief when you've looked all around for a
suit of clothes and found stocks pretty well shot to pieces and sizes all
broken and nothing that you especially cared for that fitted as it should lt's quite a relief
to step into DOUTRICHS and find plenty of everything in all sizes and models, and then
have the opportunity to buy them at July reductions Here you can have an unrestricted
choice of Blue Serges, Blacks, Fancy Mixtures and all
Hart Schaffner © Kuppenheimer I
& Marx Clothes |
All $90.00 SUITS, $|7.50 j All $3£.00 SUITS, I
All $g5.00 SUITS, s*>'>.so All SztQ.OO SUITS, $30.50
AII $30.0q SUITS, AII $45.00 SUITS, $39^50
All Straw Hat
nated In the resignation of H. B.
Clepper, in command of the Columbia
platoon, has been further Intensified
by the resignation of the members of
the Columbia Armory Board, includ
ing Major F. H. Kckman and Alfred
H. Myers.
Ordered to Improve—The Lancaster
county authorities have been given
orders by tho State Board of Public
Charities to immediately Improve Jail
and almshouse conditions.
Attending meeting—Banking Com
missioner Daniel F. Lafean is attend
ing the conference of the state bank
ing commissioners at St. Louis, for
the purpose of forming a national as
sociation.
Conference Under Way—Coleman
J. Joyce, Chief of the Bureau of Ac
counts of the Public Service Com
mission, la In Pittsburgh attending
the conference of state representa
tives on uniform accounts for natural
gas companies.
Returned to City—A. B. Miller,
secretary of the Public Service Com
mission has returned from Phlladel
phla.^
Government Moves to
Stop Journal Brass Thefts
Loss of more than half a million
dollars annually by theft of journal
brass from railroad cars has caused
the Railroad Administration to take
steps for its prevention.
Wholesale junk dealers have been
JULY 15, 1918.
notified that such material In their
possession 'will be seized. Several
tons recently were taken from deal
ers in Chicago. Prosecution under
the sabotage act of journal brasses
thieves already has resulted in tho
conviction of two men at Detroit,
where sentences of four and five
years In the Leavenworth Federal
Prison were given Saturday.
Captain Paul L. Barclay, of the
Philadelphia division police depart
ment, sometime ago inaugurated
plans for keeping close watch on
cars. Brass thefts on the Philadel
phia division have been few.
AVIATOR'S FALL IS FATAL
By Associated Press
1 Buffalo, N. Y„ July 15. —F. S.
7
Hale, of Quincy, Ills., an aviator,
was killed by the fall of an alrplan*
at Curtlss field to-day. Homer V.
Sharp, of Washington, D. C., wa
seriously injured.
To Grocers:
We are in position to supply you
with Sugar Certificates for Canning
and Preserving.
We print these In large quantities
and can supply any quantity on
short notice. THE TELEGRAPH
PRINTING COMPANY, Printing,
Binding, Designing, Photo-Engrav
ing, Die Stamping, Plate Printing,
Harrlsburg, Pa.