OCR Text |
Show THE COST OR , RENT Tho editor noticed this week In an oxchango, n pathetic plea, evidently signed by boiiio man who was out of work, for somo form of emp.oyment. Tho writer thereof said tho cost of ront had so Increased as to provout working peoplo from accumulating any savings for ubo In such need as has resultrd tills winter from tho European Eu-ropean war. In many plates the landlord must now pay twlco us much us formerly to get a hoiiBo painted, l'lumblng, papering, and mason work aro similarly simi-larly costly. It Is only to bo oxpuct-ed oxpuct-ed that tho mechunic should now bo nsked to pay a largely Increased rent bill. Social economists must glvo n great deal of thought to tho question of how u comfo'lublo homo can bo pro-vldod pro-vldod working poop'o at a moderate cost. A man working on $IG u week ought not to have to pay more than $12 a month for ront. Yet tho lottot referred to stated that tho wrltor thereof earned but $12 a week In good times, yot had to pay $1G n month for his rent. In many places cheap wood "threo decker" tenements aro tho favorlto means of housing work pyl lo inexpensively. inex-pensively. Those aro oftrn ot tho most lllmsy construction ana iuy coustttuto ft Uro risk and nlo injure tho nppearanio of a city. Some oo-clal oo-clal roformcis say tho solution is to bo found In blocks of connected houses. hous-es. I'osslbly this Is tho case, though It reduces light, nlr, and comfort to an extent that seems needless except In tho larger places. If peoplo would ucqulro tho habit of living farther In tho outskirts of u town, und dupcud moro on walking to work and social pleasures, thoy should bo nb'o to bulanco tho hlghor cost ot building by tho lower cost ot tho land. The habit of living In tho outskirts makes room for gardening and gives tho children healthful lite. To muuy of us.bucIi a homo would look far bettor than a tiny Hat or crowded block. |