diff options
| -rw-r--r-- | .gitattributes | 3 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 7992.txt | 2836 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 7992.zip | bin | 0 -> 46804 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | LICENSE.txt | 11 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | README.md | 2 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/btrha10.txt | 2818 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/btrha10.zip | bin | 0 -> 46258 bytes |
7 files changed, 5670 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/7992.txt b/7992.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..87a006a --- /dev/null +++ b/7992.txt @@ -0,0 +1,2836 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Better Homes in America, by Mrs. W. B. Meloney + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Better Homes in America + +Author: Mrs. W. B. Meloney + +Posting Date: October 14, 2012 [EBook #7992] +Release Date: April, 2005 +First Posted: June 10, 2003 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BETTER HOMES IN AMERICA *** + + + + +Produced by Joshua Hutchinson, Charles Franks, and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team + + + + + + + + + + + +BETTER HOMES IN AMERICA + +Plan Book + +_for Demonstration Week October 9 to 14, 1922_ + + + + +THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON + +July 21, 1922. + +My dear Mrs. Meloney: + +I am directed by the President to assure you of his earnest endorsement +of the Better Homes Campaign which has been launched by the Advisory +Council and is being carried on by representative women of America. He +regards the campaign as of particular importance, because it places +emphasis not only upon home ownership, which he regards as absolutely +elemental in the development of the best citizenship, but upon +furnishing, sanitation and equipment of the home. + +The President feels that as many millions of dollars and the best minds +of this generation have been devoted to improve factory conditions, the +home is deserving of its share of the same intensive consideration. +There are twenty millions of house-keepers in America. For them, the +home is their industrial center as well as their place of abode, and it +is felt that altogether too little attention has been paid to +lightening the labors and bettering the working conditions of these +women. + +The President feels that the women, who are so successfully conducting +this campaign are entitled to all consideration and recognition, and he +hopes that every community in America will exhibit a model home. + +Your sincerely, + +Secretary to the President. + + +Mrs. W. B. Meloney, Sec'y., Advisory Council for Better Homes Campaign, +223 Spring Street, New York City, N. Y. + + + + +BETTER HOMES DEMONSTRATION WEEK + + +Advisory Council + + +CALVIN COOLIDGE _Vice-President of the United States_ + +HERBERT HOOVER _Secretary of Commerce_ + +HENRY C. WALLACE _Secretary of Agriculture_ + +JAMES JOHN DAVIS _Secretary of Labor_ + +Dr. HUGH S. CUMMING _Surgeon-General United States Public Health +Service_ + +Dr. JOHN JAMES TIGERT _U. S. Commissioner of Education_ + +C. W. PUGSLEY _Assistant Secretary of Agriculture_ + +JOHN M. GRIES _Director Division of Building and Housing, Dept. of +Commerce_ + +JULIUS H. BARNES _President Chamber of Commerce of the United States_ + +JOHN IHLDER _Director Housing Conditions, Chamber of Commerce of the +United States_ + +DONN BARBER _Fellow American Institute of Architects_ + +JOHN BARTON PAYNE _Chairman Central Committee American Red Cross_ + +LIVINGSTON FARRAND _Chairman National Health Council_ + +Mrs. THOMAS G. WINTER _President General Federation of Women's Clubs_ + +MRS. LENA LAKE FORREST _President National Federation of Business and +Professional Women's Clubs_ + + * * * * * + +Bureau of Information, THE DELINEATOR, 223 Spring Street + + + + +IN AMERICA--October Ninth to Fourteenth + + +Co-operating Governors + + + ALASKA SCOTT C. BONE, _Governor_ + ARIZONA THOS. E. CAMPBELL, _Governor_ + ARKANSAS T. C. McRAE, _Governor_ + COLORADO O. H. SHOUP, _Governor_ + FLORIDA CARY A. HARDEE, _Governor_ + IDAHO D. W. DAVIS, _Governor_ + INDIANA W. T. McCRAY, _Governor_ + KANSAS HENRY J. ALLEN, _Governor_ + KENTUCKY E. P. MORROW, _Governor_ + MARYLAND A. C. RITCHIE, _Governor_ + MASSACHUSETTS C. H. COX, _Governor_ + MISSISSIPPI LEE M. RUSSELL, _Governor_ + MISSOURI A. M. HYDE, _Governor_ + NEBRASKA S. R. McKELVlE, _Governor_ + NEVADA E. D. BOYLE, _Governor_ + OHIO H. L. DAVIS, _Governor_ + OREGON B. W. OLCOTT, _Governor_ + PENNSYLVANIA W. C. SPROUL, _Governor_ + SOUTH CAROLINA WILSON G. HARVEY, _Governor_ + SOUTH DAKOTA W. H. McMASTER, _Governor_ + TENNESSEE ALFRED A. TAYLOR, _Governor_ + UTAH CHAS. R. MABEY, _Governor_ + VERMONT JAMES HARTNESS, _Governor_ + VIRGINIA E. L. TRINKLE, _Governor_ + WYOMING ROBERT D. CAREY, _Governor_ + + * * * * * + +New York City Secretary, Mrs. William Brown Meloney + + + + +_Better Homes_ + + +_By_ CALVIN COOLIDGE + +We spend too much time in longing for the things that are far off and +too little in the enjoyment of the things that are near at hand. We +live too much in dreams and too little in realities. We cherish too +many impossible projects of setting worlds in order, which are bound to +fail. We consider too little plans for putting our own households in +order, which might easily be made to succeed. A large part of our +seeming ills would be dispelled if we could but turn from the visionary +to the practical. We need the influence of vision, we need the +inspiring power of ideals, but all these are worthless unless they can +be translated into positive actions. + +The world has been through a great spiritual and moral awakening in +these last few years. There are those who fear that this may all be +dissipated. It will be unless it can be turned into something actual. +In our own country conditions have developed which make this more than +ever easy of accomplishment. It ought to be expressed not merely in +official and public deeds, but in personal and private actions. It must +come through a realization that the great things of life are not +reserved for the enjoyment of a few, but are within the reach of all. + +There are two shrines at which mankind has always worshipped, must +always worship: the altar which represents religion, and the +hearthstone which represents the home. + +These are the product of fixed beliefs and fixed modes of living. They +have not grown up by accident; they are the means, deliberate, mature, +sanctified, by which the human race, in harmony with its own great +nature, is developed and perfected. They are at once the source and the +result of the inborn longing for what is completed, for what has that +finality and security required to give to society the necessary element +of stability. + +The genius of America has long been directed to the construction of +great highways and railroads, the erection of massive buildings for the +promotion of trade and the transaction of public business. It has +supplied hospitals, institutions of learning and places of religious +worship. All of these are worthy of the great effort and the sustained +purpose which alone has made them possible. They contribute to the +general welfare of all the people, but they are all too detached, too +remote; they do not make the necessary contribution of a feeling of +proprietorship and ownership. They do not complete the circuit. They +are for the people, but not of the people. They do not satisfy that +longing which exists in every human breast to be able to say: "This is +mine." + +We believe in American institutions. We believe that they are justified +by the light of reason, and by the result of experience. We believe in +the right of self-government. We believe in the protection of the +personal rights of life and liberty and the enjoyment of the rewards of +industry. We believe in the right to acquire, to hold, and transmit +property. We believe in all that which is represented under the general +designation of a republic. + +But while we hold that these principles are sound we do not claim that +they have yet become fully established. We do not claim that our +institutions are yet perfected. + +It is of little avail to assert that there is an inherent right to own +property unless there is an open opportunity that this right may be +enjoyed in a fair degree by all. That which is referred to in such +critical terms as capitalism cannot prevail unless it is adapted to the +general requirements. Unless it be of the people it will cease to have +a place under our institutions, even as slavery ceased. + +It is time to demonstrate more effectively that property is of the +people. It is time to transfer some of the approbation and effort that +has gone into the building of public works to the building, +ornamenting, and owning of private homes by the people at +large--attractive, worthy, permanent homes. + +Society rests on the home. It is the foundation of our institutions. +Around it are gathered all the cherished memories of childhood, the +accomplishments of maturity, and the consolations of age. So long as a +people hold the home sacred they will be in the possession of a +strength of character which it will be impossible to destroy. + +Apparently the world at large, certainly our own country, is turning +more and more for guidance to that wisdom born of affection which we +call the intuition of woman. Her first thought is always of the home. +Her first care is for its provision. As our laws and customs are +improved by her influence, it is likely to be first in the direction of +greater facility for acquiring, and greater security in holding a home. + +Some of the fine enthusiasm which was developed by the required +sacrifices of war may well find a new expression in turning towards the +making of the home. It is the final answer to every challenge of the +soundness of the fundamental principles of our institutions. It holds +the assurance and prospect of contentment and of satisfaction. + +Under present conditions any ambition of America to become a nation of +home owners would be by no means impossible of fulfillment. The land is +available, the materials are at hand, the necessary accumulation of +credit exists, the courage, the endurance and the sacrifice of the +people are not wanting. Let them begin, however slender their means, +the building and perfecting of the national character by the building +and adorning of a home which shall be worthy of the habitation of an +American family, calm in the assurance that "the gods send thread for a +web begun." + +Here will be found that satisfaction which comes from possession and +achievement. Here is the opportunity to express the soul in art. Here +is the Sacred influence, here in the earth at our feet, around the +hearthstone, which raises man to his true estate. + +(Signed) Calvin Coolidge + + + + +THE HOME AS AN INVESTMENT + +By HERBERT HOOVER + + +One can always safely judge of the character of a nation by its homes. +For it is mainly through the hope of enjoying the ownership of a home +that the latent energy of any citizenry is called forth. This universal +yearning for better homes and the larger security, independence and +freedom that they imply, was the aspiration that carried our pioneers +westward. Since the preemption acts passed early in the last century, +the United States, in its land laws, has recognized and put a premium +upon this great incentive. It has stimulated the building of rural +homes through the wide distribution of land under the Homestead Acts +and by the distribution of credit through the Farm Loan Banks. Indeed, +this desire for home ownership has, without question, stimulated more +people to purposeful saving than any other factor. Saving, in the +abstract, is, of course, a perfunctory process as compared with +purposeful saving for a home, the possession of which may change the +very physical, mental, and moral fibre of one's own children. + +Now, in the main because of the diversion of our economic strength from +permanent construction to manufacturing of consumable commodities +during and after the war, we are short about a million homes. In cities +such a shortage implies the challenge of congestion. It means that in +practically every American city of more than 200,000, from 20 to 30 per +cent, of the population is adversely affected, and that thousands of +families are forced into unsanitary and dangerous quarters. This +condition, in turn, means a large increase in rents, a throw-back in +human efficiency and that unrest which inevitably results from +inhibition of the primal instinct in us all for home ownership. It +makes for nomads and vagrants. In rural areas it means aggravation and +increase of farm tenantry on one hand, an increase of landlordism on +the other hand, and general disturbance to the prosperity and +contentment of rural life. + +There is no incentive to thrift like the ownership of property. The man +who owns his own home has a happy sense of security. He will invest his +hard earned savings to improve the house he owns. He will develop it +and defend it. No man ever worked for, or fought for a boarding-house. + +But the appalling anomaly of a nation as prosperous as ours thwarted +largely in its common yearning for better homes, is now giving way to +the gratifying revival of home construction. Accordingly the time is +ripe for this revival to afford an opportunity to our people to look to +more homes and better ones, to better, more economical and more uniform +building codes, and to universal establishment and application of +zoning rules that make for the development of better towns and cities. +We have the productive capacity wasted annually in the United States +sufficient to raise in large measure the housing conditions of our +entire people to the level that only fifty per cent, of them now enjoy. +We have wastes in the building industry itself which, if constructively +applied, would go a long way toward supplying better homes, so that +what is needed imperatively is organized intelligence and direction. +For the problem is essentially one of ways and means. + +And, finally, while we are about Better Homes for America and are +lending such indirect support to the movement as the Government, +States, counties, communities, and patriotic individuals and +organizations can rightfully give, let us have in mind not houses +merely, but homes! There is a large distinction. It may have been a +typesetter who confounded the two words. For, curiously, with all our +American ingenuity and resourcefulness, we have overlooked the laundry +and the kitchen, and thrown the bulk of our efforts in directions other +than those designed to make better homes by adding to the facilities of +our very habitations. If, in other words, the family is the unit of +modern civilization, the home, its shelter and gathering-point, should, +it would seem, warrant in its design and furnishing quite as large a +share of attention as the power plant or the factory. + +We believe, therefore, that in every community in which it is possible +a "_Better Homes in America_" Demonstration should be planned and +carried through during the week of October 9th to 14th, 1922. + +(Signed) Herbert Hoover + + + + +THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE + +WASHINGTON + +July 24, 1922. + +Dear Mrs. Meloney: + +Naturally I am interested in the "Better Homes in America" movement. +When we consider the all powerful influence of home conditions and home +atmosphere on the lives and character of our people, both young and +old, surely every proper effort to improve those conditions should have +the support of all good citizens. + +Our people in the Department of Agriculture will be glad to advise with +your committee chairmen on any matters in which they can lend +assistance. Our home demonstration agents in different sections of the +country can no doubt be helpful in advising as to the setting up of +demonstration kitchens. + +You seem to have gathered to your help the cooperation of a large +number of state governors and also a number of other gentlemen who, +because of their public work, can possibly contribute to the success of +the campaign. + +With very best wishes, I am + +Sincerely yours, + +[Signature] + + +Mrs. William Brown Meloney, + Secretary to the Advisory Council + for the "Better Homes" Campaign, + 223 Spring Street, + New York City. + + + + +[Illustration: DEMONSTRATION OF BETTER. HOMES--October 9 to 14, 1922] + + +A PLAN for COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION of BETTER HOMES IN AMERICA + +_Demonstration Week October 9th to 14th, 1922_ + + +_The future history of America will be shaped in large measure by the +character of its homes. If we continue to be a home-loving people we +shall have the strength that comes only from a virile family life. This +means that our homes must be attractive, comfortable, convenient, +wholesome. They must keep pace with the progress made outside the home. +Realization of this has crystallized into a national civic campaign for +Better Homes in America endorsed and encouraged by Federal and State +officials and by prominent men in public life as set forth in this Plan +Book._ + +The following plan has been prepared to give practical help to citizens +of any community organizing for a _Better Homes in America_ +Demonstration Week, October 9th to 14th, 1922. + +The Campaign in each community centers about a _Better +Home_--completely equipped, furnished and decorated, in accordance with +approved modern practice, and placed on exhibition during Demonstration +Week. + +Better Homes exhibitions have already been held, but now for the first +time a national organization, endorsed and supported by the President +of the United States and other Federal and State officials, is prepared +to give practical help to every community wishing to share in the +_Better Homes in America_ movement. + +The community which exhibits a _Better Home_ during Demonstration Week +will be given a powerful impetus for good. Every civic interest, every +business and industry will be favorably affected. A _Better Homes_ +demonstration is a stimulus to better living, civic pride and community +morale. It encourages thrift and industry. It develops a higher +standard of taste. It means a better community in every way. This has +been proved by the experience of many communities which have held +successful exhibitions. They have ranged from cities as large as +Cleveland, Milwaukee, Columbus, Kansas City and Dayton to villages of a +few hundred population. In every case where the demonstration has been +properly organized lasting benefits have followed. + + +_Follow the Plan_ + + +The National Advisory Council of _Better Homes in America_, through its +Bureau of Information, has made a thorough investigation of previous +exhibitions of this character. + +This investigation has shown clearly that when the local organizations +proceed in the right way a _Better Homes_ demonstration may easily be +made a great success. Causes of trouble as well as of success have been +analyzed to bring out the methods that should be avoided. The Advisory +Council, therefore, is in a position to recommend plans that have stood +the test of practical experience. + +With Federal and State governments endorsing and encouraging this Plan +of educating the people to _Better Homes in America_, the conduct of +local demonstrations is given tremendous impetus and support. And with +the suggestions and the Plan for conducting such demonstrations +herewith presented, any community may confidently undertake the +production of a _Better Homes_ Exhibition during Demonstration Week, +October 9th to 14th, 1922. + +A comparatively few energetic and capable women, with the support of +local civic organizations, can effectively put into practice the ideas +and plans with which they will be supplied by the Bureau of +Information. The expense of a _Better Home_ demonstration need not be +great; in some communities it may be kept as low as $25.00. Builders, +merchants and prominent citizens will combine to supply the Model +_Better Home_, and to furnish it. Civic organizations and newspapers +will cooperate to interest the public. + +The most successful demonstrations have been so managed as to impress +upon visitors that they were not selfish enterprises, intended to help +special interests, particular firms or individuals. They have been so +conducted as to benefit every line of business and to help the +community as a whole. Neither the name of the builder or owner of the +home exhibited, nor the name of any person or business firm furnishing +any portion of the exhibit, is permitted to be displayed. + +The motive behind the demonstration is primarily educational. + + +_How to Form a General Committee for Better Homes Demonstration Week_ + + +A Better Homes Demonstration should be organized and directed by a +disinterested group of prominent women, working from motives of public +service. This group should be formed of a Chairman and a General +Committee of from four to seven members, depending upon the size of the +community. + +Each member of the General Committee is Chairman of one or more +sub-committees as outlined later in this Plan. + +The Chairman of the General Committee is appointed through the National +Advisory Council of _Better Homes in America_. She appoints the members +of the local General Committee. They in turn appoint the members of the +Sub-committees. In the case of the Sub-committees it is particularly +important that appointments should be made with the knowledge and +approval of the local civic and commercial interests whose co-operation +is desired. Detailed suggestions for procedure are outlined later. + +The duties of the members of the General Committee fit naturally into +the following arrangement of Sub-committees with a member of the +General Committee as Chairman of each Sub-committee: + + (1) Sub-committee on Advertising and Publicity. + (2) Sub-committee on Selection of Demonstration Home. + (3) Sub-committee on Equipment of Demonstration Home. + (4) Sub-committee on Furnishing and Decorating. + (5) Sub-committee on Reception of Visitors and Management of Home. + (6) Sub-committee on Program of Events. + (7) Sub-committee on Budget for Demonstration Week. + +Where the size of the community makes it desirable to have a General +Committee of only four members, some such distribution of the +Sub-committees as this is recommended: + + (1) Chairman (a member of the General Committee) heading + (a) Sub-committee on Advertising and Publicity; and + (b) Sub-committee on Progress of Events. + (2) Chairman (a member of the General Committee) heading + (a) Sub-committee on Equipment of Demonstration Home; and + (b) Sub-committee on Furnishing and Decorating. + (3) Chairman (a member of the General Committee) heading + (a) Sub-committee on Selection of Demonstration Home; and + (b) Sub-committee on Reception of Visitors and Management of Home. + (4) Chairman (a member of the General Committee) heading + (a) Sub-committee on Budget for Demonstration Week. + + +_How To Secure Patrons for Better Homes Demonstration; Full Cooperation +of All Local Interests Essential_ + + +Following the organization of the General Committee, the first duty of +its Chairman should be the arrangement for meetings of the +Committee--or its individual members--with the various City Officials, +and Civic and Commercial Organizations in the community, to explain the +Plan for a _Better Homes_ Demonstration and to secure their endorsement +and active support. + +Those endorsing and supporting the Demonstration may be known as +Patrons and should comprise the following: + + The Mayor Commissioner of Education (or Superintendent of Public School) + Publishers or Owners of Local Newspapers + Presidents of Important Women's Clubs + President of Chamber of Commerce Agricultural Home Bureau, etc. + President of Real Estate Board + President of Rotary Club + President of Kiwanis Club + Presidents of Building & Loan Associations + Presidents of other Business or Trade Associations related to the +Home Building and Furnishing Industries. + +Churches should also be asked to support the movement. + +Additional Patrons may properly be selected from prominent citizens of +the community, who are noted for their public spirit and are not +included in the above list. + +The two essentials for a successful _Better Homes in America_ +Demonstration are genuine co-operation from all local civic, financial, +commercial and educational interests, and full and extensive publicity +through the local newspapers. From the youngest boy or girl scout to +bank president, business man, school teacher, minister, manufacturer +and city official, everybody in a community should have a real personal +interest in the Demonstration. When the benefits of a successful +_Better Homes_ Demonstration are once understood this interest is +readily aroused. + +Investigation of successful exhibitions in Kansas City, Indianapolis, +Cleveland and elsewhere proved conclusively that the cooperation of all +local interests was the biggest single factor of success. + + +_How to Form Sub-Committees_ + + +It is important to appoint as Chairman of each Sub-committee a member +of the General Committee who is particularly fitted to the specific +work assigned to her Sub-committee. The special abilities of the +members of the General Committee should be taken into careful +consideration and so used in the arrangement of the Sub-committees as +to secure the best and quickest results. + +The formation of Sub-committees is necessary not only to divide the +work effectively, but also to arouse the interest and cooperation of +the various local interests directly affected by home building and home +betterment. All the local business groups--furniture dealers, hardware +dealers, wall-paper and paint dealers, electrical dealers, real estate +dealers, etc.--should be interviewed and asked to nominate a +representative from each group to serve on the appropriate +Sub-committee. In this way the appearance of favoring special interests +will be avoided and the fullest co-operation secured. + +It may be well to stress here that the Chairman of the General +Committee should not become immersed in the details of the +Sub-committees' work. She establishes a point of contact and a clearing +house for _all_ Sub-committees and directs the _Better Homes_ +Demonstration as a whole, but not in detail. Neither should the +Chairman of a Sub-committee attempt to enter into details of the work +of other Sub-committees not under her direction. The Chairman of each +Sub-committee is responsible to the Chairman of the General Committee, +and to her alone. + +Suggestions for the formation and activities of the various +Sub-committees are given in the following: + + +_I--How to Form Sub-Committee on Budget for Demonstration Week_ + + +A member of the General Committee is the Chairman. + +This Sub-committee should be made up of prominent citizens, +representing both the financial and mercantile interests of the +community. It would be appropriate to secure a Bank Cashier, who is +accustomed to keeping accurate records of receipts and expenses, to act +as Vice-chairman of the Sub-Committee. He may also act as Treasurer of +the General Committee. This committee should have charge not only of +the securing of the modest expense fund necessary for Demonstration +Week, but also of the recording of facts and figures regarding the +operation of the Demonstration Home, and the results obtained. Such a +record will be exceedingly useful to the local General Committee as +well as the National Advisory Council. Accurate figures on the local +_Better Homes_ Demonstrations will be invaluable in continuing the +_Better Homes_ in America Campaign, and arrangements have been made for +prizes to be given to those Committees submitting the best reports and +records of successful demonstrations. + + +_Suggestions for the Sub-Committee_ + + +There will be certain general expenses incurred in conducting a _Better +Homes_ Demonstration. These general expenses may range from $25 to $500 +or more, depending upon the size of the committee and the extensiveness +and completeness of the Demonstration. + +Some of the items of expense which may be incurred are: insurance of +borrowed property; special advertising in the form of street signs, +window cards and posters; printing; prizes for contests; lecturers, +and, possibly, special forms of entertainment. + +In many communities where Demonstrations have been held, the small +contributions necessary have been readily volunteered by the various +organizations, business firms or individuals directly interested in the +financing and furnishing of homes. Contributions may be secured from +bankers, stores, public utilities, real estate dealers, building +material dealers, insurance men, etc. The amounts contributed by the +various interests should be carefully apportioned and only a sufficient +sum collected to pay the actual expenses of the Demonstration. + +In Dayton and other cities it was found that volunteer contributions +were readily made by manufacturers of, or dealers in, trade-marked +articles, such as pianos, vacuum cleaners, refrigerators, electrical +equipment, etc. As these articles, because of the trade name affixed, +received special advertising in the Demonstration Home, it was +considered proper to accept contributions from the dealers. The +selection of trade-marked articles which may be shown in a +Demonstration Home should be made in a disinterested manner by the +Subcommittee on Equipment. + + +_2--How to Form Sub-Committee on Advertising and Publicity_ + + +A member of the General Committee is Chairman. + +The success of the Demonstration rests largely upon the thoroughness +with which this Committee does its work. It should, therefore, be +composed of all of the Publishers or Advertising Managers of local +Newspapers, and the Advertising Managers of Department Stores and other +large business houses. The fullest co-operation should be secured from +all the local publishing and advertising interests. + +Local newspapers will gladly aid a _Better Homes_ Demonstration, for +such an exhibition presents unusual opportunities for selling +advertising space to local merchants. In some of the cities where +Demonstrations have been held, the newspapers have brought out large +special editions carrying a great amount of local advertising, and +filled with interesting and instructive reading matter regarding home +building and home betterment. + + +_Suggestions for the Sub-Committee_ + + +The campaign publicity should commence with an announcement of the +organization of the General Committee and the selection of Patrons. It +should be continued, in advance of the opening of the Demonstration +Home, by the use of reading matter descriptive of home planning, +furnishing, decoration and equipment. + +The local newspapers should co-operate with the Sub-committee in seeing +that advertisements of exhibitors during the demonstration week do not +mention the fact that the advertiser is an exhibitor. This, of course, +should not preclude the general advertising of goods suitable for the +equipment or furnishing of _Better Homes_. This regulation is in line +with the non-commercial policy of the campaign, and merchants will +readily understand its fairness. + +This Sub-committee should provide painted signs announcing the location +of the Exhibition Home. These signs should be placed at neighboring +street intersections. Signs in the form of arrow pointers should be +tacked on telephone poles in all parts of the city pointing in the +direction of the Demonstration Home and announcing its exact location. + +Automobile Posters or Banners for the cars of the members of the +Committee may be furnished by local sign painters or printers. + +The Committee should also see that show cards advertising the +Demonstration are properly distributed and displayed in store windows +and that posters are put up in suitable public places. + +Show cards, posters and stickers bearing the imprint of the _Better +Homes in America_ campaign, with space left for local announcements, +may be obtained by application to the Bureau of Information, _The +Delineator_, 223 Spring Street, New York City, Secretary, Mrs. William +Brown Meloney. + +A circular descriptive of the show cards, posters and stickers may also +be obtained through the Bureau of Information, which has arranged to +have this advertising display matter prepared for the use of local +Committees. It is strongly recommended that these posters and cards be +used in order to standardize the various local Demonstrations. + +The stickers should be widely distributed among local merchants for use +on city mail during the week preceding and the week of the campaign. + +Small electrotypes of the _Better Homes in America_ campaign insignia, +or trade-mark, may be obtained through the Bureau of Information for +use on printed matter and in newspapers. They are shown in the circular +descriptive of the advertising display material. + + +_3--How to Form Sub-Committee on Selection of Demonstration Home_ + +A member of the General Committee is Chairman. + +The selection of the home to be used for the Demonstration should be +made by a _disinterested_ committee. Experience has shown that this is +the only satisfactory method, as all personal interests are thus +eliminated and criticism avoided. + +Previous experience also indicates that this Sub-committee, with a +member of the General Committee as Chairman, of course, should be +composed of the President of the local Real Estate Board (if there is +one in the community), a representative of the Chamber of Commerce or +Merchants Association, a representative architect, and a representative +of the Building Material Dealers. Here again is illustrated the +importance of securing the full co-operation of the various groups of +business men directly affected by home building and owning. These +groups should be interviewed and each group asked to appoint its +representative on this committee. When the National campaign for +_Better Homes in America_, and the Plan as outlined here, have been +clearly explained to these interests, a Sub-committee for selecting the +Demonstration Home may be organized, which will act disinterestedly and +effectively. + + +_Suggestions for the Sub-Committee_ + + +The three cardinal principles to be observed in the selection of a +Demonstration Home are: first, situation with respect to accessibility +and nearness to street car lines; second, type of architecture; and +third, cost. + +A Demonstration Home should be situated within a reasonable distance of +the business section of a community, and it should not be more than +four blocks from the nearest street car line. In a city where the +Demonstration Home was selected some eight blocks from the car line and +upon a hill, the attendance was disappointingly small. The +Demonstration Home should not be situated in the outskirts of a +community. This was found to be a disadvantage in a city where a +Demonstration Home was selected in a new, partially developed suburb, +some distance from the city limits. + +An extreme type of architecture should be avoided in a Demonstration +Home. + +With respect to the cost of the home selected, it has been shown in a +number of cities that a house priced slightly above the average cost of +homes in the community attracted the larger number of visitors. The +public apparently likes to visit a home costing more than the average, +because of a desire to see and admire better things. Demonstration +Homes, therefore, may range in price from $5,000 to $15,000, including +the land, but not including the furnishings and equipment. + +Other essentials of an ideal home for demonstration purposes are fully +outlined in an article prepared by direction of Secretary of Commerce +Hoover and included in this Plan Book on pages 7 and 8. The builder or +owner of the Home selected should be willing to loan it to the General +Committee for the Demonstration Week, without charge. He should also be +willing to landscape the grounds, decorate the walls and carry all +insurance and damage risks. This has been gladly done by builders in +Syracuse, Cleveland, Milwaukee, Kansas City and elsewhere. There is no +better selling method for homes than that of putting on display a +completely furnished and equipped home. + +If the entire plan of campaign is explained to the builder or owner of +a suitable home, and the advantages of indirect selling methods are +pointed out to him, his co-operation will be readily secured. + +The name of the builder or owner is not to be displayed on the +Demonstration Home in any manner, shape or form, nor is his name to be +carried in any of the advertising during the campaign. + +This will do away with all appearance of favoritism in the choice of +the house to be used. It is proper, however, to insert a reading notice +in the newspapers announcing the selection of the Demonstration Home +and giving the name of the owner or builder. No further reference +should be made to him in any of the advertising matter during +Demonstration Week, though the attendants in the home may properly give +his name to any person inquiring for it. + + +_4--How to Form Sub-Committee on Equipment of Demonstration Home_ + + +A member of the General Committee is Chairman. + +The selection and installation of all practicable labor-saving devices +and appliances in the Demonstration Home is left to this Sub-committee. +It should be composed of representatives of dealers in home equipment, +architects, builders, and, if possible, a Home Demonstration agent of +the Agricultural Department. (See announcement of special co-operation +of Department of Agriculture by Secretary Wallace on page 9). + + +_Suggestions for Sub-Committee_ + + +On pages 47-49 will be found a statement of the best modern practise in +the equipment of a home permitting the most efficient and economical +housekeeping. + +It is probable that many communities will be unable to equip the +Demonstration Home completely, in accordance with the standards laid +down. So far as practicable these suggestions should be followed, but +local conditions and the stock of equipment carried by local dealers +may require some modifications in detail. + +_5--How to Form Sub-Committee on Furnishing and Decorating_ + +A member of the General Committee is Chairman. In the selection of this +Sub-committee the greatest care must be taken to secure the cooperation +of all the business firms and individuals concerned in the furnishing +and decorating of homes. Each group--furniture dealers, hardware +dealers, paint and wallpaper dealers, department stores (if any), +decorators (if any), art and book stores--should be interviewed on this +important subject and asked to appoint representatives to serve on this +Subcommittee. + +_Suggestions for Sub-Committee_ + +In order to maintain the non-commercial aspect of Demonstration Week, +no exhibitor's name should be displayed on any article shown in the +Demonstration Home. No price tags should be permitted on any article. +In this way all appearance of commercialism is avoided. This feature +will appeal to the fair and broad-minded merchant and will secure the +enthusiastic support of all the merchants in the community, no matter +how small their business may be. + +The attendants at the Home, in response to inquiries as to where +certain articles may be secured, should be instructed to reply that +they may be had from the inquirer's own dealer or from any dealer in +the city. + +In Dayton this non-commercial plan was wonderfully successful. + +In communities where suitable furnishings and decorations are not +obtainable from the local stores they may be borrowed from public +spirited citizens, who have such articles as are adapted to the scheme +of decoration and furnishing. For the guidance of the Sub-committee, +which may not include expert decorators or furnishers as members, +practical suggestions on good furnishing and decorating have been set +forth on pages 30-42 of this Plan Book. These suggestions will +undoubtedly prove helpful in assembling the furnishings and decorations +for a Demonstration Home. If more detailed information is required, +write to the Bureau of Information, _The Delineator_, 223 Spring +Street, New York City, Secretary, Mrs. William Brown Meloney. + +In all cases the basement of the Demonstration Home should be very +carefully arranged, equipped and prepared for exhibition. + +The furnishing of the Demonstration Home should include well-selected, +standard home literature and reference books, properly arranged in +book-cases or on shelves. A printed list of this selected library may +be supplied for distribution to the visitors. + + +_6--How to Form Sub-Committee on Management and Reception_ + + +A member of the General Committee is Chairman. + +The members of this Sub-committee should be selected for their ability +to manage the Demonstration Home and to receive and care for the +visitors. It may be composed of representatives of the various women's +organizations in the city. + +In order to insure the keeping of accurate records of attendance, one +or more bank tellers should be members of the Sub-committee. + +This Sub-committee is to provide the attendants at the Demonstration +Home and to handle the visitors in such a way as to avoid confusion and +damage. It should also keep an accurate record of attendance, of +interesting inquiries and the general results. It should report in +detail to the Budget Committee, so that the General Committee may have +an opportunity to compete for the prizes offered for the best report of +a successful Demonstration. + + +_Suggestions for the Sub-Committee_ + + +During the hours of exhibition the Demonstration Home should be in +charge of a capable woman of suitable personality. This may be a +volunteer, or a paid worker, for the entire week, or several volunteer +workers may undertake the management of the Home, having definite days +of attendance assigned to them. + +The hours of exhibition should be from 1:00 to 10:00 p.m. continuously. +It has been found in exhibitions that the home need not be kept open +during the morning hours. During this period it may be cleaned and +placed in readiness for visitors. + +An attendant for the bedrooms and two attendants for the first +floor--one in the hall or living room and the other in the dining room +and kitchen--will be required to direct and control the visitors and to +keep the house in perfect order during the exhibition hours. These +attendants may be club or committee members who volunteer their +services for certain days in the week. + +It has been noted in several exhibitions that visitors usually +congregate at certain hours in the afternoon and evening, and +frequently overcrowd upon the lawns. It is necessary, therefore, to +erect light guard rails along the sidewalk leading from the street to +the house. And it may sometimes be necessary to have an outside +attendant who will keep the visitors in an orderly line of entrance. +This is work that may very well be performed by Boy Scouts. + +During times of congestion visitors should be taken through the house +in groups not to exceed fifteen in number. They should be conducted +through the rooms in an orderly manner by the attendants. In some cases +it has been found advisable to send the visitors to the second floor +first, so that they may depart through the kitchen after inspecting the +first floor and basement. Girl Scouts may be used for conducting the +visitors through the home. + +A careful check on the attendance at the Demonstration Home should be +kept. This can best be done by assigning a Boy or Girl Scout to count +the visitors as they enter the home and keep an accurate tally, which +should be reported to the manager in charge. In some cities it has been +found that a list of visitors to the home may be readily obtained by +having them register upon a numbered card, which can be used for a +drawing contest--a prize being awarded to the lucky number. In smaller +communities where the attendance will not be large at any one time the +names of visitors may be kept in a small register or list book. + + +_7--How to Form Sub-Committee on Program of Events_ + + +A member of the General Committee is Chairman. This Sub-committee +should be composed of persons who are particularly capable in arranging +programs of entertainment, and may be selected from members of the +Board of Education, School Principals and Teachers, Theatrical and +Moving Picture Managers, Community and Song Leaders, etc. + + +_The Following Events Are Suggested_ + + +1--Sermons, Addresses and Sunday School talks in all churches on the +Sunday preceding the opening of the exhibition. + +2--Color slides relating to home owning, home management, home +furnishing and decoration to be shown in moving picture houses. + +3--Four-Minute Talks on thrift, home owning, home financing, home +furnishing, home decoration, etc., in all moving picture houses. + +4--Block Parties in front of the Demonstration Home. Lights for the +block party may be supplied from the headlights and searchlights of +automobiles properly arranged. + +5--Window Dressing Contests for hardware merchants, house furnishing +merchants, department stores, etc. + +6--Erection of Miniature Home, suitable for a girl's playhouse, on +Public Square--this playhouse may be given as first prize to the girl +of school age writing the best essay on "Why You Should Own Your Home." + +7--Showing special _Better Homes_ films in all moving picture houses. +(See special announcement on page 24.) + +8--Prizes for the best example of a Model Kitchen in the community. + +9--Cooking Demonstrations by Home Demonstration Agent, or some +well-known local cook, High School or Normal School student. + +10--Singing by Choir or Quartette on porch of Demonstration Home each +evening at about 7:30 and 8:00 o'clock. + +11--(a) Guessing contest as to how many visitors enter Demonstration +Home. + +11--(b) Prize for best essay by a boy on Home Owning. + (c) Prize for best essay by a girl on Home Equipment or Furnishing. + (d) Prize for best landscape design for Small Home by High School +or Art student. + +12--Radio Program at Demonstration Home, or elsewhere in the city. + +13--Lectures on Home Equipment, Decoration or Furnishing by experts, in +local auditorium. It has been found that admission to these lectures +may be charged, to help defray the expense of lecturers. + + +_Lecture Courses and Lectures_ + + +Lectures on Home Building, Furnishing, Decoration and allied subjects +have been found to attract large audiences in cities where they have +been given under the auspices of local organizations. Undoubtedly many +communities co-operating in the _Better Homes in America_ Demonstration +Week, October 9th to 14th, will desire to include in their program of +events lectures on _Better Homes_ subjects. + + + + +_Better Homes in America Bureau of Information + +The Delineator 223 Spring Street, New York City + +Secretary,_ Mrs. WILLIAM BROWN MELONEY + + +The Bureau of Information has been established to support and +coordinate the work of local _Better Homes in America_ committees. + +Additional copies of this Plan Book may be obtained from the Bureau of +Information. + +Other data and material will be supplied as indicated in the Plan Book. + +Bulletins will be sent out from time to time to keep local committees +posted on the national development of the _Better Homes in America_ +campaign. + +In the following pages of the Plan Book are special articles prepared +by governmental and other authorities on various phases of home +building, equipment, decorating, sanitation, etc. The Bureau of +Information will either answer inquiries in regard to any of these +special articles or, when necessary, will refer the questions to the +authors of the articles. + + + + +MOTION PICTURE PRODUCERS & DISTRIBUTORS OF AMERICA, INC. + +522 FIFTH AVENUE NEW YORK CITY + + WILL H. HAYS president + COURTLAND SMITH SECRETARY + Telephone Vandebilt 2110 + + July 19, 1922 + +Mrs. W. B. Meloney, 233 Spring Street, New York City. + + +My dear Mrs. Meloney: + +I am immensely interested in the Better Homes Campaign. This is +something that the motion picture industry should be interested in and +I am sure that they will want to be. + +I would like to help you to have available for your Better Homes week, +October 9-14, pictures that would show clearly just what the modern +home should be. + +I am glad that the Better Homes Council has had such an encouraging +response from the governors of the various states and from the women of +this country. Certainly it is a matter to which all of us should give +our very best. It will have an enduring influence on the lives of our +people and it is one of the most creditable movements that I know of. + +I have a little home in Sullivan, Indiana, that we are most anxious to +equip in just exactly the best way, and I am as much interested as any +one could be in learning how this should be done, so I am looking +forward to October 9-14 with much interest. + +With best wishes always, I am, + +Sincerely yours, + +[Signature] + + + + +Essentials for Demonstration Home Suggestions on Buildings and Grounds + +By JOHN IHLDER + +DIRECTOR, HOUSING CONDITIONS, CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF THE UNITED STATES + + +Different parts of the country have quite distinct types of one-family +dwellings. The best, unquestionably, is the detached house with +adequate yard space on all four sides; the house which gets sun and air +no matter which way it faces or what the direction of the prevailing +breeze; the house whose yard makes it possible for the family, and +especially for the children, to live much in the open. But, though this +is the best type, it may prove impracticable for people of moderate +means in communities where past practice has resulted in crowding the +land to such an extent that group or row houses have become the +standard. + +Whatever the type of house, however, there are certain fundamentals of +an essentially good house. The exhibition house should, as far as +possible, embody these fundamentals as given below. + +_Open Space Belonging to the House_ + +If the house is of the detached type (open on all four sides) it should +have a lot wide enough to permit fifteen feet of yard space on each +side. Then it is protected from any danger of side windows being +darkened and air cut off by any building which is permissible in a +one-family house residence district (see Zoning and What it Means to +the Home). Where there are no zoning regulations to give protection, +even fifteen feet of side yard will not prevent injury from a tall +apartment house or commercial building. + +Under no circumstances should the demonstration house, if of the +detached type, have less than ten feet of side yard. If no detached +house with ten feet or more (preferably fifteen feet or a little more) +of side yard can be secured, then seek a house of another type. + +Next in order of excellence is the semi-detached house (twin--two +houses side by side with a party wall). The single side yard of this +house should be fifteen feet wide and never less than ten feet. + +Next in order is the group house, or the row house. The row house may +be a perfectly good house if it is wide enough in proportion to its +depth so that there may be adequate open spaces before every window, +and if it is so planned as to take full advantage of these open spaces. +Moreover a row of houses may be so designed--perhaps as one unit so far +as the front elevation is concerned--that they will be very attractive +in appearance. A wide, row house (18 to 20 feet or more), properly +planned, is much better to live in than a detached or a semi-detached +house whose side yards are so narrow that they do not give adequate +light and air to middle rooms. + +The really good house is bright and airy. Consequently the +demonstration house should be set back from the street and its front +yard should be deep enough not only to assure privacy from the street, +but also to permit at least a well sodded grass plot. + +The rear yard will, of course, extend across the whole lot. Or the rear +yard may be 100 feet deep. But in this connection, it is necessary to +bear in mind that a yard may be too large as well as too small. It must +fit in with the house, and some account must be taken of the probable +habits of its occupants. A family which has no servants, and in which +the breadwinner works long hours away from home, may find a large yard +a burden unless some member is an enthusiastic gardener. Lacking this +gardener the back of a deep yard is likely to become a dump-heap. + +_The House Itself_ + +Given adequate open space as described above there are certain +essentials in the house itself. + +_Construction_ + +A house is, or should be, an investment. Therefore it should be +honestly constructed. One of the most important lessons for the home +buyer to learn is that the initial cost of a house is not its full +cost. It pays well to spend a little more on purchase price if, +thereby, repair bills and maintenance costs are kept down. And it pays +not only in dollars and cents but in satisfaction as well, for the +house that soon begins to go to pieces, that soon looks shabby, is +quite the opposite of a "joy forever." + +Consequently the demonstration house should be well built, and one of +the most valuable parts of the demonstration should lie in pointing out +by suitable placards its structural excellencies. Has the ground +immediately outside the walls been drained so that water will not lie +against these walls and gradually soak into them? Is the cellar well +drained and dry; well lighted and ventilated? Is the foundation well +built? Are the beams and joists heavy enough and of good material? Are +the floors and woodwork of good material, well seasoned, and of good +workmanship? Is the hardware (locks, hinges, lighting fixtures, etc.) +strong enough to stand usage? Are the outside walls of good +material--if of brick, of good quality with good quality mortar; if of +frame, of good lumber, well seasoned and well painted with three coats +of paint? What kind of sheathing is used? Is wood well seasoned? Is the +roofing of a material adapted to the climate and of good quality? What +material is used for flashing? + +Recently there has been some discussion of the heat-retaining quality +of walls. It is advocated that openings which permit circulation of +cold air between outer and inner walls shall be filled. This adds but +little to the cost of building and in cold climates reduces materially +the coal bill. Incidentally it also aids both in reducing the fire +hazard and in rat proofing. For the latter, care must be taken that +there are no unscreened openings through foundation walls into a +cellar, and that all openings from the cellar to the space between +outer and inner walls of stories above shall be filled with rat-proof +material. + +Much attention is now being given to standardizing the parts of a +house, both to reduce initial cost and to make replacement easier and +less expensive. Are the doors, windows and other parts of the +demonstration house of standard stock sizes? + +_Light and Ventilation_ + +_Every_ room must have adequate window areas giving upon wide outdoor +spaces. An interior room, or one poorly lighted from a narrow court, or +receiving its only light from a wide porch, may not impress the +visitor, who sees it only when the house is new and the room +artificially lighted, but it does in time impress the family who +inhabit it. Row houses are best when they are only two rooms deep from +front to rear. If, however, an extension is built upon the rear of a +row house, the court on one side of this extension, from which middle +rooms are lighted, should be _at least six_ feet wide for a two-story +dwelling and seven feet for a three-story dwelling. If there is a front +porch on a row house it should not extend clear across the front, +darkening every window of the front ground-floor room, but should +extend only part way, leaving one window free. This also adds to the +value of the porch by giving it greater privacy, but of course it +necessitates a house at least 18 feet wide, if the porch is to be large +enough to use as an outdoor sitting room for the whole family in warm +weather. + +So far as practicable, each room should have at least two windows, and +corner rooms should have windows in two walls. + +The rooms should be planned so that they may be opened into each other +and the breeze permitted to sweep through. + +_Privacy_ + +While the family is a unit, and a function of the house is to symbolize +and emphasize family unity, there should, nevertheless, be provision +for some individual privacy. The most elementary provision, of course, +is that there be at least three bedrooms--on the assumption that the +normal family will contain both boys and girls. Consequently the +demonstration house must contain not less than three bedrooms. But +beyond this, the grouping of rooms possible in a two-story house +(bedrooms and bath on the second floor, common living rooms on the +first floor) as against a one-story house, adds greatly to privacy. At +the same time the two-story house is nearly always the more economical +both to build and to operate, while one flight of stairs does not add +appreciably to the house-wife's work. With the kitchen, dining room, +living room and a lavatory on the ground floor there is comparatively +little need of running up and downstairs, even when there are young +children in the family. A third story, an upstairs sitting room, no +ground floor lavatory, do add appreciably to the amount of stair +climbing. + +Stair climbing is reduced by having the laundry on the same floor as +the kitchen instead of in the basement or cellar. Though it is the +scene of greatest activity only one or two days a week, it is often +used at other times, and often in connection with kitchen work. On the +score that the number of steps is thereby reduced, laundry tubs may be +placed in the kitchen; but against this must be balanced the annoyance, +or worse, that comes from having the kitchen full of steam and all +cluttered up with clothes in process of washing when meals must be +prepared. Because of this many women prefer a separate laundry in an +ell or extension opening off the kitchen. From the latitude of +Philadelphia south, this extension may be of light construction without +danger of pipes freezing except in the coldest weather; and it is a +simple matter to install a cut-off, so that these pipes may be emptied +when not in use. + +_Sanitation_ + +There should be a fully equipped bathroom on the bedroom floor and a +toilet--preferably a wash bowl also--on the ground floor. A toilet in +the cellar is only a half-way measure. It does give an added +convenience of very real value, especially when there are servants; but +it is usually less accessible than the upstairs bathroom and, unless +the cellar is unusually well lighted and ventilated--unless it is +heated and unless its floor is high enough above the sewer to provide +for the necessary slope of the soil pipe--it is very likely to become a +nuisance. A sewer-connected toilet in the yard is only a step above the +old-time privy vault. It is inaccessible in bad weather; after dark it +is public; and it is likely to freeze. + + + + +_Suggestion for Furnishing and Decorating the Demonstration Home_ + +PREPARED BY THE BUREAU OF INFORMATION + + +Changing an empty house into a furnished, restful place of beauty is no +less a task than transforming a piece of paper into a lovely picture. +In one sense, interior decoration is a creative art. It is true that +decorators, or persons furnishing houses, do not weave their own +hangings, build their own furniture, or design their own wall-paper, +but they select the things they require from shops, where they have +been designed by others, and choose in such a way as to make a +beautiful and harmonious whole. + +Persons who must furnish a house for the occupancy of a family face +four distinct problems: first, they must see that the things selected +suit the house in size, coloring, and style; second, that the pieces +selected are harmonious with each other, and that they are comfortable +and well-made; third, that they suit the requirements of the family; +and fourth, that they fit the family purse. + +_Backgrounds_ + +The first requisite of a house is that it be restful; therefore, it is +wise to use wall coverings that are plain in effect. Plain paints or +tints, and wall-papers of a cloudy, all-over pattern, make the best +backgrounds. + +When a room faces north, the best colors to use are the yellows, which +might range from a cream color to a deep pumpkin yellow. + +In rooms that face south, it is possible to use light grays, which +might range to a deep putty color; though it is possible in sunny rooms +to use almost any color except those which might fade easily. + +The best way to treat rooms which have wide doorways connecting them +with other rooms is to have the walls of both rooms alike, preferably +in some plain color. + +_Floor Coverings_ + +Rugs and floor coverings should be several shades darker than the +walls, and be either in plain colors or have a small or indefinite +all-over design. Where walls are plain, the latter type of carpet +should be used. When walls have on them any figured covering, plain +carpet should be used. + +_Hangings_ + +The hangings for rooms which have plain wall coverings could be striped +or figured, but in rooms where there is a figured wall covering, the +hangings should be in plain colors, taking the color scheme for these +from the dominating color note in walls and carpet. + +_Furnishings_ + +A good rule to follow in choosing furnishings is to avoid anything +which strikes you as elaborate, or prominent. If a piece of furniture, +carpet, or curtain material stands out in a shop, you may be quite +certain that it will be even more noticeable in a house. + +A house can only be considered properly furnished when it meets the +real needs of the occupants. Comfortable chairs, sofas, and beds, good +tables, and soft carpets, make up the most important objects, and these +should be the best that the family can afford. No definite rule can be +applied to the arrangement of the furniture, but balance and wall space +should be considered first. Where a single opening is placed in the +center of the wall, or like openings at equal distances, the wall +spaces will be in balance; in the case of unequal openings, the wall +spaces will be out of balance. + +At balanced wall spaces, place pieces of furniture of relative size and +contour. These may be tables, chairs, sofas, and pictures. Leave the +more intimate and personal furniture, such as favorite chairs, sewing +table, and foot stool, for a grouping at one side or in the center of +the room. Lay all carpets and rugs parallel with the longest sides of +the room. + +In a room with unbalanced wall spaces, place against the longest spaces +the largest pieces of furniture--the piano, the bookcase, the +davenport--grouping perhaps a table, mirror, and chair against a +smaller and opposite wall space. This permits the comfortable chairs, +tables, lamps, and pottery to relieve the stiffness, allowing them to +be grouped in the center of the room. + +Do not indulge in too many pictures, but select a few of interest and +good quality. These few should be hung on a level with the average eye. +Small pictures should be hung somewhat lower. + +Do not invest in many ornaments. A few bits of colored pottery, or some +brass ware, is all that is required to strike a lively note. Place +these so that they will balance other objects arranged on the same +mantel or bookshelf. For example, a pair of brass candlesticks placed +at either end of a mantel, with a pottery bowl, clock, or ornament in +the center, strikes a balance. Never have a large jar on a small table +or stand, or small ornaments on a large table. A good thing to remember +is that ornaments decrease in value as they increase in number. + +In the following pages will be found suggestive lists of articles which +the rooms in a Better Home might contain. For further assistance and +more detail, write the Bureau of Information. + +_Suggestions for Furnishing the Hall_ + +[Illustration: HALL A Modern Colonial Hall of good proportions and +design, with the simple but necessary furnishings for convenience and +welcome.] + +The first impression of a house and its occupants comes as one enters +through the front door into the hall. Thus, nowhere in the entire house +is it more important to strike the right keynote in furnishing and +decoration. If there is no closet in the hall for wraps and umbrellas, +it will be necessary to have in some obscure corner a wooden strip +painted the same color as the woodwork, in which are solid brass hooks, +placed low enough so that the young members of the family can reach +them. Also, for umbrellas, provide a plain pottery jar which will +harmonize with the color scheme of walls and carpets. + +On the hall table have a card tray--brass if the hardware is +brass--silver if the hardware is nickel or iron--and a medium-sized +pottery vase in crackle ware, or some natural color. A hall lantern or +scones would be in harmony with these furnishings, and have decorative +value. + +_A Suggested Color Scheme for the Hall_ + +_Walls_--Ivory paper or paint. + +_Woodwork_--Paint--dull finish. + +_Floors_--Hardwood--Stained antique oak, finished with wax or varnish. + +_Floors_--Softwood--Painted a deep yellow, or gray, or stained to +represent hardwood. + +_Floors_--Linoleum--In a tile pattern of black and white, provided the +living room is not directly connected with the hall; in such case use +only plain brown, grey, or Jaspe linoleum. + +_Below is a Suggested List of Furnishings Which the Hall Might Contain_ + +_A table_--Of oak, mahogany, or walnut, either drop-leaf, gate-leg, or +console. + +_A mirror_--Gilt, or to match the wood in the table, Early American or +English. + +_A straight chair or two_--With or without rush seats, enameled black, +with stencil design, or to match the wood of the tables. + +_A low-boy_--Of mahogany or walnut, with drawers for gloves, string, +etc. + +_A large chest_--Of oak or brass-trimmed mahogany, for overshoes, etc. + +_One or two rugs_--May be _Oriental_ in blues, browns, tans or black; +or wool braided, in blues, browns, tans or black; or Wilton, in blues, +browns, tans or black; or Axminster, in blues, browns, tans or black. + +_A cocoa mat_ placed at front door. + +_The Living Room_ + +As the living room is the gathering place for family and friends, it +may well be considered the most important room in the house. It should +take its keynote for decoration from the hall. If there is a wide +doorway connecting the living room with the hall, the color scheme +should be the same. As the living room serves as library also, open +book shelves, painted the same as the woodwork, are essential, and more +substantial than book cases. + +The first requisite of such a room is that it shall be restful. Avoid +using rocking chairs. Use little bric-a-brac. Nothing which does not +contribute to the necessity and beauty of the room should be allowed. + +Tan or ivory is good in a room which is inclined to be dark, or gray +and gray-green in a room inclined to be bright. + + +_A Suggested Color Scheme for Living Room_ + +_Walls_--Ivory, cream or gray--paper or paint. + +_Woodwork_--Ivory paint--dull finish. + +_Floors_--Hardwood--Stained antique oak with wax or varnish finish. + +_Floors_--Softwood--Painted a deep yellow or gray, or stained to +represent hardwoods. + +_A Suggested List of Furnishings for Living Room_ + +_Table_--Drop-leaf--in mahogany, weathered oak, or walnut; Gateleg--in +mahogany, weathered oak, or walnut; Modern Chippendale--mahogany, +weathered oak, or walnut, or Sheraton type of table. + +_Sofa_--Upholstered in either sage green or brown upholsterer's velvet; +blue, yellow, mauve satin or taffeta sofa cushions. + +_Armchair_--Overstuffed chair in indefinite striped upholsterer's +velvet in sage green; satin cushion in corn color. + +_Armchair_--Back and seat upholstered in brown like sofa--arms of +mahogany. + +_Desk_--A reproduction of a Sheraton, Hepplewhite, or Early English +Desk. + +_Chair_--Rush bottom--same wood as desk, or in dull black or sage green +dull enamel, conventional stencil design. + +_Wicker chair_--Of brown or natural wicker, with printed linen cushions +in floral pattern. + +_Tilt table for cards or tea_--Mahogany or walnut. + +_Fireplace_ (If any)--A wood-box or basket; andirons and fire screen, +hearth brush and tongs. + +_A Reading Lamp_--Sage green or black pottery base; an old gold colored +paper shade, fluted or plain, top and bottom bound with sage green tape +ribbon, or guimpe. + +_A Clock_--In simple, plain design of wood, antique gilt, or leather. + +_Footstool_--Small ottoman, covered in black and yellow needlework, or +velvet same as sofa (brown). + +_Waste paper basket_--Small black wicker next to desk. + +_Decorative Accessories_--Green vase, gold luster bowl, mauve pottery +piece; Desk appointments in dull brass, bronze, or leather; +Book-ends--Library Shears. Match box and ash tray on table in brass or +bronze. + +_Carpet_--One large or several small Orientals, or a Wilton, Axminster, +or velvet in two tone of brown or tan, or in plain colors. + _Glass curtains_--Cream, marquisette, cheese-cloth, or scrim, made +plain. + +_Overdraperies_--(If desired)--Can be either printed linen, same as +cushion in wicker chair, lined with sage green sateen, or brown or sage +green poplin, silk damask or sunfast. + +_Chairs_--If the room is large enough, one or two chairs, chosen to +correspond with those already in the room, may be added. + +_Dining Room_ + +The dining room should be one of the most cheerful and inspiring rooms +of the house. It is the place where the family gathers to enjoy meals +together, and nothing insures a better start than having breakfast in a +bright, cheerful room. + +If the dining room and living room are connected by wide doorways, have +the walls of both rooms alike. If they are connected by a small door, +the walls may be in some light cloudy landscape paper, or in a small +allover pattern in light cream, buff, gray, tan, or putty color. +Because there is so much blue china, persons feel that they want blue +dining rooms. This is a mistake, as blue used in large quantities in +either walls, china, or hanging absorbs the light and makes a room +gloomy. Do not display china or glassware in a so-called china closet. +A built-in corner cupboard, or a small mahogany or rosewood cabinet, +which might hold rare bits of pottery and china, is permissible. It is +far better to use the pantry shelves for china than to crowd it into a +china closet. + +It is best to use a rug with small figures. The hangings should be in +plain colors, taken from the predominating colors in the wall covering; +or if the walls are the same as the living room, the hangings should be +chosen from the predominating color in the living room. This will bring +the rooms into perfect harmony, without having them just alike. + +_Suggested Color Scheme for Dining Room_ + +_Walls_--Ivory or cream, if closely connected with living room. A +cloudy landscape, crepe, or cartridge paper in buffs, pale grays, fawn, +or cream if closed off from living room. + +[Illustration: DINING ROOM This well-proportioned dining room with its +plain walls and figured floor covering has a square mahogany table and +eight chairs of the Georgian period.] + +_Woodwork_--Ivory. + +_Floors--Hardwood_--Stained antique oak, with wax or varnish finish. + +_Floors--Softwood_--Painted a deep yellow or gray, or covered in plain +brown, gray, or Jaspe linoleum. + +_Suggested List of Furniture for Dining Room_ + +_Table_--Round or square extension, or drop-leaf--six legs--in +mahogany, walnut, weathered oak, or painted black, gray, or coco. Might +be reproduction of Hepplewhite, Sheraton, or Georgian period. A glass, +silver, or pottery bowl, containing flowers, on the table; plain ecru +linen doilies. + +_Chairs_--8 chairs--Mahogany--Damask seats, Hepplewhite backs. +Walnut--English linen seats, Sheraton backs. Weathered Oak--Velvet +Seats, Queen Anne backs. Painted--Rush seats, or wooden seats, Windsor +or straight backs. + +_Sideboard_--Low, broad, after Hepplewhite or Sheraton, a Welsh dresser +with Windsor chairs. (Here keep either a few good pieces of silver with +candlesticks on either end, or a large pottery bowl filled with fruit +in the center, and candlesticks to match the bowl placed at either end, +or some bits of red or yellow glass, but do not combine all three. Do +not use delicate lace runners or doilies. Plain linen, or heavy real +filet is far more effective Display no cut glass or hand-painted china.) + +_Mirror or Mellow, dark-toned painting_--Framed in antique gilt or to +correspond with the wood of the furniture selected, and hung on level +with the eye, directly in the center and over the sideboard. + +_Serving Table_--To correspond with other furniture selected, and +placed as near the kitchen door as possible. + +Here keep two or four silver or glass candlesticks which are used on +the table at night, also a silver, mahogany, or wicker tray. + +_Mirror_--Queen Anne type--over serving table--especially if serving +table is between two windows, it gives effect of space. + +_Muffin stand_--Especially for maidless house--of mahogany, walnut, or +painted to correspond with furniture selected. + +_Nest of Tables_--Small, square, of either mahogany, walnut, or black +lacquer, to be kept in a corner and used for tea parties, functions, +etc. + +_Rug--Large Oriental_--In blues, yellows, browns, or old rose and +black; Wilton--in blues, yellows, brown, or old rose, and black; +Axminster--in blues, yellows, browns, or old rose, and black; Chenille +or velvet, in plain colors. + +_Curtains_--Glass curtains to match living room, in either marquisette, +cheese cloth, or scrim, made plain. + +_Overdraperies_--If desired, can be either like the living room, if +rooms are in close proximity, or taken from the predominating color +note of living room hangings if these are figured. + +With a cloudy or landscape paper, use plain poplin, rep, or sunfast, in +warm tans, sage green, with bands of black or orange, or both, across +the bottom; this would give character to the room. + +_Uniformity in furniture chosen_--Be sure in choosing your furniture +that uniformity is observed as to period, wood, and type. For example, +if a Sheraton sideboard in mahogany is selected, then the entire +furniture of the dining room should be of the Sheraton type in mahogany. + +_Bedrooms_ + +The first requisite in furnishing a bedroom is that it appears crisp +and clean. The walls, light in color, must be restful and simple in +design. The woodwork should be white, if possible. Painted furniture is +very popular for a bedroom because of its dainty appearance, but +dull-finished mahogany or walnut in four post or Colonial design, with +rag, braided, or hooked rugs, makes a charming bedroom. + +Place the bed where the sleeper will not be subject to strong light or +cross drafts (see page 27 for proper ventilation). A dressing table is +fashionable, but not as practical as a chest of drawers with mirror +above. A full-length mirror installed in a closet door, or hung in a +narrow wall space, is a very decided adjunct. Be sure to place the +dressing table or chest of drawers where the light is not reflected +from an opposite window. To secure a good view, the light should be +directed upon the person to be reflected, and not upon the mirror. + +Avoid placing the furniture all on one side of the room. If possible, +intermingle high and low pieces to secure a proper balance. If one bed +is used, be sure to place beside it a table on which should be a lamp, +telephone, and small water bottle and glass. If two beds are used, +place this table between the two beds. + +If the walls are plain in color, figured draperies and bedspreads can +be used. If the walls have on them a small design, plain materials for +these purposes should be used. + +_Suggested Color Scheme for Bedroom_ + +_Walls_--Corn colored cross-bar paper. + +_Woodwork_--White, dull finish, paint. + +_Floors_--_Hardwood_--Stained antique oak, with wax or varnish finish. + +_Floors_--_Softwood_--Painted a deep yellow, or covered in plain brown, +tan, or Jaspe linoleum. + +_Suggested List of Furnishings for the Bedroom_ + +_Bed_--Full size, or twin beds--In mahogany, walnut, ivory paint, or +enamel. Box or wire springs. Mattress and pillows. + +Bedspreads and bureau covers may be made of unbleached muslin, bound +with wide bands of plain yellow, blue, and brown, these colors +overlapping each other, or plain white Swiss, dimity, or Marseilles. + +_One high-boy_, or high chest of drawers for man--In mahogany, walnut, +or painted. This piece should conform with or match other furniture in +room. Brushes, comb, box for odds and ends, clothes brush. + +_Mirror_--Hung flat against the wall--in same wood as high-boy. + +_One Dressing Table_--or low chest of drawers--for lady--with mirror +hung over the chest of drawers. May be in mahogany, walnut, or painted. +With toilet articles in silver or tortoise shell, or ivory; pin +cushion, scent bottles. The mirror may be of Queen Anne type in antique +gilt, to correspond with woods used in room. + +_Two straight back chairs_--In mahogany, walnut, or painted, with plain +wood, rush, or caned seats. + +_Natural wicker arm chair_--Sturdy type placed near window, with +cushions of chintz or sateen to match the bedspreads. + +_Small flat-top desk and chair_--In either mahogany, walnut, or +painted, to correspond with furniture. + +Supply with note paper, silver or brass ink-well, and blue feather pen. + +_Small Sewing Table_--Of Martha Washington design, or a Colonial type, +in mahogany or rosewood. Place on it small lamp with base of wood, in +brown or tan porcelain, and having a shade of blue silk lined with tan +silk. + +_A Chest_--In either cedar, mahogany, or cretonne-covered, and placed +under a window or in a corner for storage of summer or winter clothes. + +_Rugs_--Oriental in black, blues, or yellows, plain brown or tan +carpet, made into a large rug, or wool braided, hooked, or heavy rag +rugs, in black, blues, tans, browns. + +Small rugs should be placed near the bed, dressing table, and high-boy. + +_Curtains_--Glass curtains of scrim, marquisette, or cheese-cloth, to +correspond with those of living room and dining room. + +_Draperies_--Draperies of either cretonne or muslin to match +bedspreads, with bands of yellow, blue and brown sateen to correspond +with bedspreads. + +_Bedroom for Either Boys or Girls_ + +It has been proven that furnishings and color produce either desirable +or disastrous effects upon the sensitive minds of children. As all +children's rooms are usually a combination of bedroom, play room, and +study, it is well to keep in mind colors, design, arrangement, and +practicality for all purposes. + +To most children, a spotty or too often repeated design is distracting. +Blues and violets soothe, while reds, yellows, and sometimes greens are +exciting and stimulating colors. We so often send our children to study +and amuse themselves in their room, but have we done our share in +providing them with the comforts and necessities that will assist them +to produce better school work? + +_Boys_--With no frills, light fabrics, or woodwork for them to soil and +mar, their rooms still may be made interesting--even beautiful--but +convenience and masculinity should be kept foremost in mind. + +_Girls_--A girl's room, on the other hand, should be dainty, bright, +and frivolous. Her personality, even at a very tender age, will clearly +be disclosed by the way she cares for her room. There is no need of a +great expenditure of money in buying furniture or hangings for a girl's +room. Some of the cheaper fabrics and simplest furniture will make the +most charming room. + + +_BOY'S ROOMS_ + +_A Suggested Color Scheme_ + +_Walls_--Buff-colored paint, or tinted walls. + +_Woodwork_--Stained mission oak or walnut. + +_Floors_--Hardwood floor, strips of coco matting, or woolbraided rugs. +Softwood--a large square of linoleum. + + +_Suggested List of Furnishings_ + +_Bed_--Something of the day bed type. Bedspread of blue denim, with +stitched bands of yellow sateen at edge. + +_Chest of Drawers_--Painted buff or brown, or walnut or mission oak. + +_A Mirror_--Antique gilt, or of wood to match chest of drawers, hung +low. + +_A Desk_--Of the craftsman type, with stool or bench to match. + +_Two Wooden Chairs_--Either painted or of mission oak. + +_A Table_--Low, plain wooden table, of walnut, or stained to match the +woodwork. + +_One Comfortable Chair_--Brown wicker, or the Windsor type. + +_A Lamp_--Of the student type, or on a bracket, securely fastened on +the wall. + +_A Tie Rack_--Hung near chest of drawers. + +_One or two shelves_--For books, trophies, etc. Made of plain wood, +stained to match the woodwork of a plain bookcase of mission oak. + +_Curtains_--Of blue denim, with stitched bands of sateen at edge--hung +straight. + + +_GIRLS' ROOMS_ + +_A Suggested Color Scheme_ + +_Walls_--Papered in a soft gray-rose, allover design paper. + +_Woodwork_--Cream paint. + +_Floor_--Hardwood--Rag rugs, with rose stripes or a gray chenille +carpet. Softwood--Battleship gray paint, with rag rugs or rose chenille +carpet. + +_Suggested List of Furnishings_ + +_Bed_--_Single_--Painted ivory or cream--four post, or with some low, +simple headboard. + +Bedspread of rose dotted swiss, with wide ruffle. + +_A Dressing Table_--To match bed, with rose colored sateen mats--bound +in pale-gray with drawers. + +_A Large Box_--For waists, etc. Covered in rose and gray cretonne. + +_A Desk_--To correspond with painted furniture; a gray blotter and rose +colored pen. + +_Two Chairs_--One of natural wicker with cushions of rose sateen, and +one of wood to correspond with painted furniture, caned seat. + +_A Sewing Table_--Of mahogany or cherry. + +_A Lamp_--China base with a shade of silk, dotted swiss, or +rose-colored paper. + + +_The Nursery_ + +The ideal nursery is also a play room. It should, as nearly as +possible, meet the ideals of the child's own world. In that room are +received early impressions which are never forgotten, and which have a +lasting influence on the adult life. + +Don't bedeck the cribs, beds, or curtains with ribbons and laces, and +expect your child to be happy. The "don'ts" and "be carefuls" make +children irritable and unhappy. Choose the room with a thought to +sunlight, and be sure it has outside blinds which will darken the room +without keeping out the air. + +The floor should be bare with the exception of one rug near the bed, or +should be covered with a good grade of plain linoleum. + +The walls and woodwork should be painted, if possible, a cream or light +gray. Some fairy tale friezes are attractive, and afford opportunities +of introducing color, but, if used, should not be placed too high on +the wall--about three-quarters of the way up from the floor is a +reasonable height. Child-study has taught that many and oft-repeated +designs and subjects become meaningless, especially to older children. + +The furniture in the nursery should be practical. Painted furniture and +wicker chairs are attractive. A comfortable winged or overstuffed chair +for the grown-ups is essential. Low shelves and cupboards, built for +toys and books, are necessary if the room is to be kept neat and tidy. +A stationary blackboard, and a large box for books and cherished +belongings, are very welcome additions. + + +_A Suggested Color Scheme for the Nursery_ + +_Walls_--A soft, misty, gray paint, tint, or plain paper. + +_Woodwork_--A dull white. + +_Floors_--Plain hardwood, with a rag or braided rug in sapphire +blue--or softwood, entirely covered in taupe Jaspe linoleum. + + +_Below Is a Suggested List of Furnishings Which the Nursery Might +Contain_ + +_A Crib_--White iron or wood, on ball bearing casters. + +Bedspread of yellow and white seersucker, or a silky yellow sunfast. + +_A Tall Chest of Drawers_--Painted cream or white, with plenty of +drawers. + +_Table_--Low nursery table or tall one which has had its legs cut. + +_Two Chairs_--Low, with wooden seats, and painted to match the +furniture. + +_A Desk_--Flat top with plenty of paper and pencils. + +_Waste Paper Basket_--White or natural wicker. + +_One Large Fireside Chair_--With slip cover of blue and yellow striped +linen. + +_Glass Curtains_--Of best quality of cream colored cheesecloth, bound +in yellow tape. + +_Over draperies_ (If desired)--Of primrose yellow silk, or sunfast, or +striped yellow and blue linen to match slip cover. + +_Clothes Rack_--Low wooden rack, painted white, with at least four +hooks. + +_Closet_--Should have a low pole on which could be hung plenty of +hangers. Also a shelf about 6 inches from the floor for shoes, etc. + +_Large Cushions_ for the floor--One each of blue, yellow, nile green +and orange. + +_Color Scheme_--If you desire another color scheme, such as +blue-and-white, or pink-and-white, write for information. + + + + +_Model Kitchen_ + + +PREPARED BY THE HOME ECONOMICS BUREAU OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE + + +The first consideration in arranging kitchen equipment is to save steps +and labor. The kitchen should be clean, odorless and attractive. + +_Size_--Not more than 120 square feet of working space for preparing +food and washing dishes. More space when kitchen is used for laundry or +has dining alcove. + +_Ventilation_--If no cross drafts are provided for, cut a transom over +back door if possible and arrange window boards to allow ventilation +through top and bottom of window. Is desirable to have hood installed +over stove to carry off drafts. + +_Lighting_--Two or three windows desirable and a glass pane in kitchen +door. If unavailable, increase light by having very pale walls and +mirrors in dark corners. Artificial light should be from powerful +burner hung from center of ceiling. Electric light should be indirect. +Additional side lights should be added near sink and stove, unless they +receive full light. + +_Wall Coverings_--(1) Commercial oil cloth wall covering; or (2) good +oil enamel paint. Color--Light tones. On Southern exposure--pale gray, +green or pale blue; on Northern exposure--buff walls with a deeper buff +or tan woodwork are good. For very dark rooms--white. Avoid white in +well lighted rooms because of glare. If natural color, woodwork should +have two coats of water proof varnish; if painted, two coats of flat +paint and one of enamel paint. + +_Floor Coverings_--If room has cement floors, provide rubber mats +before sink, stove and cabinet to avoid foot strain. Otherwise, use +linoleum slightly darker than walls and harmonizing or contrasting in +color; or any other surface easy to keep clean. + + +_List of Kitchen Fixtures_ + +The Kitchen should have the following equipment: + +_Range_--Coal, wood, gas, oil or electric. Good hood for ventilation is +desirable. Height of all working surfaces depends upon height of woman +who will work in kitchen. All working surfaces including top of range +should be as near the same height as possible. Height should be at +least 32 inches, or more, if worker is tall. A label should state this +fact. If coal range is the main one, have supplementary gas, electric +or oil range. Gas range should have stove pipe from oven. + +_Sink_--Sink should be large enough to accommodate both a washing and +rinsing dish pan. Have large drain board on each side with raised edge +or beading. It should either slope gradually toward sink or have +sloping grooves. If only one drain board is provided, add an adjustable +folding board. Bottom of sink should be at least 32 inches from floor. +Sink should be placed under or near a window to insure coolness and +view. + +_Cabinet_--White or colored enameled metal or natural wood finish with +broad working shelf 32 inches from floor or higher according to height +of worker. Shelves and bins for most commonly used supplies and +utensils. If a cabinet with a good work shelf is not available an +additional table near cabinet should be provided. + +_Tables_--One or two tables, porcelain, glass, enamel, or zinc topped. +If none of these can be had, linoleum may be fitted with waterproof +cement to a wooden table. It should be at least 32 inches high. A table +with drawers underneath and a swinging stool and space for knees is +good. + +_Cupboard_--If there is no dining room pantry, a cupboard should be +added for the china; if space permits, this should be added anyhow for +less frequently used utensils and supplies. + +_Stool_--Stool, preferably white, should be of right height to allow +sitting at table, work-shelf or sink. Add a plain chair if space +permits. + +_Refrigerator_--A well insulated ice box, preferably white. Ice +compartment should be at side or top. Straight easily cleaned drain +pipe should attach to plumbing. If refrigerator is indoors a door for +icing from the outside is desirable. + +_Towel Rods_--Wood or nickel with space for four or five dish towels. + +_Hand Towel Rack_--If only one person uses it, roller towel rack may be +installed. Otherwise, paper toweling or individual hand towels hung on +cup hooks near sink by loops on corners. + +_Wall Clock_--Simple, with clear figures. + +_Housekeepers' Rest Corner_--If space permits, a comfortable chair, +footrest and small table for books and sewing should occupy a +little-used portion of the room, to permit rest and recreation while +waiting for food to cook. + +_Garbage Pail_--Covered; with foot lever to raise cover without +stooping; fireproof trash basket. + + +_Arrangement of Equipment_ + +Sink, cabinet with broad working shelf and dish cabinet (if dishes are +washed in kitchen) should be as close together as possible without +cramping passage room. Stove should be convenient to, but slightly away +from, work shelf for hot weather. An ideal arrangement is china +cupboard at right of sink, cabinet with broad work shelf at left of +sink and, in a narrow kitchen, range on opposite wall from sink across +narrowest part of room; if range is far from any broad working surface +a table should be very near range. All kitchen equipment, except range, +should be as near as possible to dining room door. If no dining room +pantry with sink is provided, kitchen sink should be near dining room +door. Range with supplementary range beside it should be so placed that +full day light will light the oven. If stove is already installed in a +dark place in exhibition house, move it into light, even though +repiping and wiring may be required. Mirrors may be hung to throw +additional light on range. If there is no good working shelf on +cabinet, a table should be near cabinet for mixing food. There will +then have to be a second table with a heat proof top near the stove +unless stove is so near to cabinet that one table will serve both for +mixing and setting hot utensils on. If possible, install a gas range, +or an electric range if current is cheap enough to warrant. The range +should, if possible, have an oven heat regulator. Where gas is +unavailable and cost of electric current high, install a good oil stove +with an oven. Refrigerator should be on porch or vestibule just outside +kitchen door or should be in the kitchen near the back door away from +the stove. If space permits, table next to refrigerator is a +convenience. An out-icer is a convenience; in cold weather the ice +compartment may be left empty and open for the air to cool the food. + +Dish towel and hand towel racks should be as near as possible to sink, +high enough to be out of the way. The dish towel rack should be on side +towards window for drying and airing. + +Wall clock should be within sight of stove without worker turning +around. Garbage pail and trash basket should be under sink. Stove +should be near chief working surface; either table or cabinet. + +_Decorations_--Simple, easily washed curtains of gingham, striped +calico or unbleached muslin with a colored tape border add to the +attractiveness of the room. They should not obscure the light. If the +windows are near working centers, curtains may be half length, that is, +from top of window to center sash, and finished with a fringe. + +Smaller up-to-date equipment, such as a fireless cooker, a pressure +cooker, utensils, electric whippers, cutlery, strainers and so on, +should also be installed. Further information is given in another +bulletin. + + +_The Kitchen as Laundry_ + +If the Kitchen is also used as Laundry, laundry equipment should be +away from cooking equipment if possible. _Two Tubs_--well-lighted, tops +34 inches, a _Washing Machine_ run by whatever power the locality +affords, preferably electricity. Washing Machine may have direct +connection with plumbing, or good pipe hose should be provided for +draining and filling machine. Copper lined _Wash Boiler_ with spigot +for emptying. _Zinc Topped Table_--on rollers, same height as top of +stove, for carrying wash-boiler between sink and stove. _Ironing +Board_--If possible, board that folds into cupboard. Board should have +its own support far enough in from ends to permit of putting garment +over it. _Clothes Basket_--_with Casters on Bottom_. + +_Iron_--Electric Iron, or if electricity is unavailable, gas iron. +Electric or hand _Mangle_ for ironing. + +Have tubs, washing machine, ironing board and plug for electric iron +grouped together. + +_The Equipment of the House_ + +Having a house that is structurally sound, well planned and with +adequate yard space, the next question is its equipment. Equipment has +to do with the operation, with the house work. On the one hand this is +more or less determined by the size and plan of the building, on the +other by the furnishing and decoration. A well planned house makes +house work lighter; and furnishing and decoration which add +unnecessarily to the number of things which must be cleaned or cared +for, or heavy pieces which must be moved, add to the labor of house +work. Nevertheless, equipment occupies a clear outfield of its own that +calls for separate discussion. + +_Heating_ + +_Central Heating_--Central heating preferred. May be hot air, steam, +hot water, or vapor. Insulate heater and pipes. Large furnace water +pan, or radiator waterpans, desirable. Select heating system, using +fuel most economical for your locality. Thermostat heat regulator +installed in living room is desirable. Write placards describing why +you selected this heating plant; why it is so well insulated; why large +water pan or radiator water pans are important. + +_Supplementary Heat_--Open fireplace, Franklin stove or gas logs +desirable in living room for beauty and comfort in spring and fall. + +_Water Supply_ + +Should have running hot and cold water. If city water not available, +should be pumped by power rams. Hot water boiler may be attached to +coal range with auxiliary gas or oil heater for summer. Where gas rate +is low, gas may be used alone. Automatic gas hot water heaters very +desirable. + +_Bathroom_ + +_Size_--Should be large enough for tub, basin, toilet, clothes-hamper, +stool, medicine cabinet and towel cabinet. + +_Floor_--Should be most sanitary. Tile, stone or linoleums are the most +sanitary. Small black and white pattern or light blue and white are +good. A well-filled painted wood floor of battleship gray or colonial +buff may be used. + +_Walls_--Tile or plaster painted with two coats flat paint and one coat +of enamel, or oil cloth wall covering. White, blue and cream are the +best colors. + +_Ventilation_--Window board should be in window to allow top and bottom +ventilation. An additional separate ventilator is desirable. + +_Fixtures_--Porcelain or enameled iron tub with hot and cold running +water; shower with spray set at angle not to wet hair. + +_Basin_--Porcelain or enamel with hot and cold water. +_Toilet_--porcelain, white enameled seat desirable. _Medicine Cabinet_ +with door and mirror over basin, shelves for shaving equipment, +lotions, antiseptics, etc. _Cupboard_ large enough to hold supply of +towels, soap, toilet paper, and equipment for cleaning bathroom +fixtures. + +_Clothes hamper_ unless chute to bin near wash tubs is provided. Hamper +should have white smooth surface. Enameled metal or wood desirable. + +_Towel racks_--A nickel or enameled wood rack for each member of family +to keep towels separate. + +_Miscellaneous fixtures_--Two nickel or enameled metal soap racks, one +beside basin and one beside or hooked to tub. Tooth brush rack to hold +tooth brushes well separated. Toilet paper basket or rack. Individual +mugs or glasses for each member of family. Shelf of glass or wood +covered with oil cloth over basin. + +_Stool_--White enamel, preferably. _Clothes hooks_ on back of door, or +clothes tree. _Sash curtains_ of white material, easy to launder. + +_Lavatory_--It is well to have additional lavatory on ground floor to +save steps. It should contain toilet, wash bowl, stool and fixtures for +accessories. Should be as easy to clean and hygienic as bathroom. + +_Lighting_ + +Electricity if possible. Bulbs in all rooms should be frosted or +shaded. _Hall_--Electricity or lamp hung from center in form of lantern +or cast iron bracket to hold at least one bulb or one lamp. If side +lights are desired, fixtures of brass, cast iron, or enameled iron are +effective. + +_Living Room_--If possible, at least one baseboard plug, one center +ceiling light or side brackets if desired. If room is large a center +floor plug is desirable. Plugs permit lamps to be used without +unnecessary cords showing. If wire must pass through rug, do not cut +rug but push threads apart. + +_Dining Room_--If a center light in shape of dome is used, hang low +enough to avoid shining in eyes of those dining. A soft effect is +gained by side brackets representing sconces. Wired metal or glass +candlesticks on mantel and side-board, give pleasing effect. Floor plug +near dining table for electrical table appliances. + +_Bedrooms_--Fixtures should be placed in long wall space convenient to +bureau or dressing table. Have plug near bed for lamp for reading in +bed. If space permits, night light on table in upper hall is useful. +All plugs and sockets should be of standard shape and size. + +_Cleaning_ + +House should be easy to clean with hard smooth floors, with cracks well +filled, and rugs rather than carpets. Rounded edges and corners of +baseboards desirable, also simple baseboards. One flight of stairs is +sufficient if located out of sight of living room. This saves labor of +cleaning two flights. Two cleaning closets, one on ground floor and one +on second floor, are labor savers. Have space for vacuum cleaner and +for hanging all brushes, brooms and dusters, and a shelf above or at +side for the cleaning compounds. Zinc or other fireproof lining to +cupboard and ventilator desirable. + +_Storage Space_--Attic with rows of shelves for storing boxes and small +objects is desirable. Wooden chests, trunks, and a cedar lined chest or +cupboard useful. Built-in closets or rows of inexpensive chests of +drawers with space to pass between are good. + +_Storage Closets_ + +Every bedroom should have clothes closet with hooks and a rod for +hangers, a shelf for hats and a bottom shelf for shoes. A tall closet +may have near ceiling an additional rod for hangers for less often used +clothes, and long rod lifter to reach hangers. A cupboard for bed linen +should be in upstairs hall or in a centrally located room. On ground +floor coat closet is desirable; also tool cupboard or chest, large +china cupboard, low enough for all china to be within reach. Cold +closet with open wire screen cabinets in basement. + +_Pantry_ + +If kitchen is well ventilated and stove has hood, pass pantry not +necessary. It makes extra steps. If pass pantry is in house, only its +narrowest dimension should divide kitchen from dining room. Partitions +under sink for trays to stand; a narrow space for table leaves; a china +cupboard with reachable shelves, and a sink and drainboards like those +described for kitchen are desirable. Drawer on small shelf for cleaning +compounds and brushes for cleaning silver, steel, brass and copper. + + + + +FINANCING A HOME + +PREPARED BY THE DIVISION OF BUILDING AND HOUSING, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE + + +_1.--What You Buy and How to Buy It_ + +In purchasing a home a misstep may be unfortunate, so get the best +advice you can, and watch every step. First of all, what you buy is the +site and the improvements on it. If a building and loan association, or +bank, loans you money on the property, it has a direct financial +interest in helping you guard yourself on certain points, such as +making sure that there are no old mortgages, no unpaid back taxes, or +bills for building materials, or other claims against the property. + +Be certain your title is clear, or have it insured or guaranteed. Learn +of any easements, such as the right of a telephone company to place its +poles upon your lot. + +If you make a purchase offer with a cash deposit, include a statement +as to whether window shades, stoves, and other movable property are +included. Risk from loss by fire or elements should be assumed by the +owner until the title passes to you. + +Your offer should be dependent on your obtaining a satisfactory loan to +finance the proposition, and the ability of the owners to furnish +papers to show a good marketable title, free from liens or +encumbrances. In other words, do not bind yourself to the purchase +until you are sure of what you are paying for, and that you can finance +it. + +You must be prepared to pay taxes on your property, and special +assessments for installation of water, sewerage, electric light, gas or +other public utilities, or street paving and sidewalks. Note what +improvements are already made, and what additional ones you may have to +pay for. + +_2.--How to Pay for Your Home_ + +In buying a house and lot you must borrow what you cannot pay in cash. +Remember that the more risks you assume, the fewer the lender will have +to charge you for. Your promise to pay back what you borrow will be +secured by a mortgage or trust on the property. A first mortgage loan +on not over one-half or two-thirds of the value of a piece of property +is a very safe investment, and the rates of interest should be low. The +lender on a second mortgage takes more risk, and rates of interest and +discounts are higher. If you agree to buy a home without the title +passing to you at once, the seller takes less risk, and you may save +money. + +_3.--Where to Get Loans_ + +There are building and loan associations throughout the country, +usually organized to serve the needs of people like yourself, who wish +to finance a home. Their plan of weekly or monthly payments, both on +principal and for interest, has proved sound from the experience of +millions of people as an aid to systematic saving. Loans may often be +obtained from savings banks, trust companies, state banks, individuals, +and trustees for estates. + +Obtaining money on a second mortgage is usually not so easy. Remember +that when the owner of a house takes a second mortgage in payment he +may plan to sell it for four-fifths or less of its face value, and that +he probably charges you accordingly. + +Above all, when you start to save for a home do not throw your money +into glittering schemes that promise big dividends and the chance to +borrow money at 3 per cent or less. The concerns behind such schemes +cannot be trusted. + +_4.--How Much Can You Afford?_ + +It is said that a man may own a home worth one and one-half to two and +one-half times his annual income but the payments you make during the +first few years after purchasing are what you should pay most attention +to. Rent ordinarily requires from ten per cent, to twenty-five, or even +more, of a family's annual income. In addition to what you ordinarily +pay for rent, you can devote your customary savings, or more, to paying +off the principal of loans on your home. + +Following is an example: A man who earns $2,000 a year buys a house and +lot costing $4,000. He has $1,000 cash to pay down on it, and obtains a +loan of $3,000, or 75 per cent, of the value of the property, from a +building and loan association. + +Cost per year for a $4,000 house (not including depreciation) + + Payments on $3,000 B. & L. Shares at + 1/2% a month or 6% a year (savings) $180.00 a year + Interest on $3,000 loan at 6% 180.00 " " + Interest on $1,000 cash at $% 50.00 " " + Taxes (vary locally) 75.00 " " + Insurance 5.00 " " + Upkeep at 1-1/2% 60.00 " " + -------- + $550.00 + +Of the total income of $2,000, the $550 represents 27-1/2% divided as +follows: 18-1/2% for rent; 9% for savings. In about twelve years the +loan is paid off, and the home owned free and clear. + + + + +Zoning and What it Means to the Home + +By DR. JOHN M. GRIES + +CHIEF DIVISION OF BUILDING AND HOUSING, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE + + +Zoning helps home owners by establishing residential districts from +which garages, and business and factory buildings are excluded. +Apartments or houses covering more than 30 or 40 per cent. of the area +of a lot may be prohibited in some sections. This all means a better +and fairer chance for each family to have a home with enough light and +air, and healthful, decent surroundings, near to schools, playgrounds +and transportation facilities. + +It may be added that zoning, when wisely carried out, provides for +grouping of neighborhood stores at convenient points, and for guided +growth of business and industrial districts, in the directions best +suited for them. + +In the words of the Advisory Committee on Zoning appointed by Secretary +Hoover: + +"Zoning is the application of common sense and fairness to the public +regulations governing the use of private real estate. It is a +painstaking, honest effort to provide each district or neighborhood, as +nearly as practicable, with just such protection and just such liberty +as are sensible in that particular district. It avoids the error of +trying to apply exactly the same building regulations to every part of +a city or town regardless of whether it is a suburban residence section +or a factory district, or a business and financial center. + +"Zoning gives everyone who lives or does business in a community a +chance for the reasonable enjoyment of his rights. At the same time it +protects him from unreasonable injury by neighbors who would seek +private gain at his expense. + +"Zoning regulations differ in different districts according to the +determined uses of the land for residence, business, or manufacturing, +and according to the advisable heights and ground areas. + +"But these differing regulations are the same for all districts of the +same type. They treat all men alike." + +But the benefits of zoning are not confined to safeguarding the home +and its surroundings. It can reduce losses due to topsy-turvy growth of +cities, and cut the cost of living. Every year millions of dollars are +wasted in American cities from the scrapping of buildings in "blighted" +districts. For instance, fine residential districts may be threatened +by sporadic factories or junk yards, and owners may become panicky and +sell at a sacrifice millions of dollars worth of valuable dwellings +which will be left to stand practically idle. The public must pay for +this loss in one way or another. Frequently money for street, sewers +and other utilities need never be spent if it is known in advance that +large factories are to occupy new developments. Industry and homes are +both more efficient if kept generally separate, though separation need +not mean great distances for workers to travel. + +"How has zoning worked?" "What has it accomplished?" About 70 cities +and towns have adopted zoning ordinances since 1916, and the idea has +worked well. Reliable authorities declare that "the New York zoning +regulations have prevented vast depreciation in many districts and +effected savings in values amounting to millions of dollars in +established sections." The highest class residential districts in New +York, in which only 30 per cent of the lot area may be used for +dwellings, have developed with much greater confidence, due to the +knowledge that houses built would be safe from invasion by apartments +or industry. + +In St. Louis "it was found that residences tended to follow the +residence districts, and did not even attempt to seek locations in +industrial or unrestricted areas. Except commercial buildings which +were built partly in commercial and partly in industrial districts, the +development of St. Louis is said to be fitting itself very closely to +the zoning plan. + +"In New Jersey it has been found that the unzoned suburban town is at a +distinct disadvantage as compared with the community protected by a +zoning ordinance." + +It is sometimes said that zoning is arbitrary and restricts the liberty +of the individual to do as he wishes; but when zoning laws have been +sensibly and comprehensively drawn, the courts have approved them as a +reasonable exercise of the police power "for the public health, safety +and general welfare." + +Zoning should always be undertaken in close relation to a city plan. It +is essentially a neighborly proposition, and there should be +neighborhood meetings to explain it and gather suggestions. + +The purpose of a zoning ordinance is to insure that growth, instead of +taking place sporadically and wastefully, should go on in an orderly +way in response to generally recognized needs, and with due notice to +all concerned. + +Zoning today is giving security and the sense of security to hundreds +of thousands of families in America, in the enjoyment of happy homes +amid the right kind of surroundings. + +_Is your city zoned_? + + + + + + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Better Homes in America, by Mrs. W. B. Meloney + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BETTER HOMES IN AMERICA *** + +***** This file should be named 7992.txt or 7992.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/7/9/9/7992/ + +Produced by Joshua Hutchinson, Charles Franks, and the +Online Distributed Proofreading Team + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at + www.gutenberg.org/license. + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation information page at www.gutenberg.org + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at 809 +North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email +contact links and up to date contact information can be found at the +Foundation's web site and official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For forty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/7992.zip b/7992.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..aab9051 --- /dev/null +++ b/7992.zip diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..fa29b60 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #7992 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/7992) diff --git a/old/btrha10.txt b/old/btrha10.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..4e438b7 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/btrha10.txt @@ -0,0 +1,2818 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Better Homes in America, by Mrs W.B. Meloney + +Copyright laws are changing all over the world. Be sure to check the +copyright laws for your country before downloading or redistributing +this or any other Project Gutenberg eBook. + +This header should be the first thing seen when viewing this Project +Gutenberg file. Please do not remove it. Do not change or edit the +header without written permission. + +Please read the "legal small print," and other information about the +eBook and Project Gutenberg at the bottom of this file. Included is +important information about your specific rights and restrictions in +how the file may be used. You can also find out about how to make a +donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!***** + + +Title: Better Homes in America + +Author: Mrs W.B. Meloney + +Release Date: April, 2005 [EBook #7992] +[This file was first posted on June 10, 2003] + +Edition: 10 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: US-ASCII + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, BETTER HOMES IN AMERICA *** + + + + +E-text prepared by Joshua Hutchinson, Charles Franks, and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team + + + +BETTER HOMES IN AMERICA + +Plan Book + +_for Demonstration Week October 9 to 14, 1922_ + + + + +THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON + +July 21, 1922. + +My dear Mrs. Meloney: + +I am directed by the President to assure you of his earnest endorsement +of the Better Homes Campaign which has been launched by the Advisory +Council and is being carried on by representative women of America. He +regards the campaign as of particular importance, because it places +emphasis not only upon home ownership, which he regards as absolutely +elemental in the development of the best citizenship, but upon +furnishing, sanitation and equipment of the home. + +The President feels that as many millions of dollars and the best minds +of this generation have been devoted to improve factory conditions, the +home is deserving of its share of the same intensive consideration. +There are twenty millions of house-keepers in America. For them, the +home is their industrial center as well as their place of abode, and it +is felt that altogether too little attention has been paid to +lightening the labors and bettering the working conditions of these +women. + +The President feels that the women, who are so successfully conducting +this campaign are entitled to all consideration and recognition, and he +hopes that every community in America will exhibit a model home. + +Your sincerely, + +Secretary to the President. + + +Mrs. W. B. Meloney, Sec'y., Advisory Council for Better Homes Campaign, +223 Spring Street, New York City, N. Y. + + + + +BETTER HOMES DEMONSTRATION WEEK + + +Advisory Council + + +CALVIN COOLIDGE _Vice-President of the United States_ + +HERBERT HOOVER _Secretary of Commerce_ + +HENRY C. WALLACE _Secretary of Agriculture_ + +JAMES JOHN DAVIS _Secretary of Labor_ + +Dr. HUGH S. CUMMING _Surgeon-General United States Public Health +Service_ + +Dr. JOHN JAMES TIGERT _U. S. Commissioner of Education_ + +C. W. PUGSLEY _Assistant Secretary of Agriculture_ + +JOHN M. GRIES _Director Division of Building and Housing, Dept. of +Commerce_ + +JULIUS H. BARNES _President Chamber of Commerce of the United States_ + +JOHN IHLDER _Director Housing Conditions, Chamber of Commerce of the +United States_ + +DONN BARBER _Fellow American Institute of Architects_ + +JOHN BARTON PAYNE _Chairman Central Committee American Red Cross_ + +LIVINGSTON FARRAND _Chairman National Health Council_ + +Mrs. THOMAS G. WINTER _President General Federation of Women's Clubs_ + +MRS. LENA LAKE FORREST _President National Federation of Business and +Professional Women's Clubs_ + + * * * * * + +Bureau of Information, THE DELINEATOR, 223 Spring Street + + + + +IN AMERICA--October Ninth to Fourteenth + + +Co-operating Governors + + +ALASKA SCOTT C. BONE, _Governor_ +ARIZONA THOS. E. CAMPBELL, _Governor_ +ARKANSAS T. C. McRAE, _Governor_ +COLORADO O. H. SHOUP, _Governor_ +FLORIDA CARY A. HARDEE, _Governor_ +IDAHO D. W. DAVIS, _Governor_ +INDIANA W. T. McCRAY, _Governor_ +KANSAS HENRY J. ALLEN, _Governor_ +KENTUCKY E. P. MORROW, _Governor_ +MARYLAND A. C. RITCHIE, _Governor_ +MASSACHUSETTS C. H. COX, _Governor_ +MISSISSIPPI LEE M. RUSSELL, _Governor_ +MISSOURI A. M. HYDE, _Governor_ +NEBRASKA S. R. McKELVlE, _Governor_ +NEVADA E. D. BOYLE, _Governor_ +OHIO H. L. DAVIS, _Governor_ +OREGON B. W. OLCOTT, _Governor_ +PENNSYLVANIA W. C. SPROUL, _Governor_ +SOUTH CAROLINA WILSON G. HARVEY, _Governor_ +SOUTH DAKOTA W. H. McMASTER, _Governor_ +TENNESSEE ALFRED A. TAYLOR, _Governor_ +UTAH CHAS. R. MABEY, _Governor_ +VERMONT JAMES HARTNESS, _Governor_ +VIRGINIA E. L. TRINKLE, _Governor_ +WYOMING ROBERT D. CAREY, _Governor_ + + * * * * * + +New York City Secretary, Mrs. William Brown Meloney + + + + +_Better Homes_ + + +_By_ CALVIN COOLIDGE + +We spend too much time in longing for the things that are far off and +too little in the enjoyment of the things that are near at hand. We +live too much in dreams and too little in realities. We cherish too +many impossible projects of setting worlds in order, which are bound to +fail. We consider too little plans for putting our own households in +order, which might easily be made to succeed. A large part of our +seeming ills would be dispelled if we could but turn from the visionary +to the practical. We need the influence of vision, we need the +inspiring power of ideals, but all these are worthless unless they can +be translated into positive actions. + +The world has been through a great spiritual and moral awakening in +these last few years. There are those who fear that this may all be +dissipated. It will be unless it can be turned into something actual. +In our own country conditions have developed which make this more than +ever easy of accomplishment. It ought to be expressed not merely in +official and public deeds, but in personal and private actions. It must +come through a realization that the great things of life are not +reserved for the enjoyment of a few, but are within the reach of all. + +There are two shrines at which mankind has always worshipped, must +always worship: the altar which represents religion, and the +hearthstone which represents the home. + +These are the product of fixed beliefs and fixed modes of living. They +have not grown up by accident; they are the means, deliberate, mature, +sanctified, by which the human race, in harmony with its own great +nature, is developed and perfected. They are at once the source and the +result of the inborn longing for what is completed, for what has that +finality and security required to give to society the necessary element +of stability. + +The genius of America has long been directed to the construction of +great highways and railroads, the erection of massive buildings for the +promotion of trade and the transaction of public business. It has +supplied hospitals, institutions of learning and places of religious +worship. All of these are worthy of the great effort and the sustained +purpose which alone has made them possible. They contribute to the +general welfare of all the people, but they are all too detached, too +remote; they do not make the necessary contribution of a feeling of +proprietorship and ownership. They do not complete the circuit. They +are for the people, but not of the people. They do not satisfy that +longing which exists in every human breast to be able to say: "This is +mine." + +We believe in American institutions. We believe that they are justified +by the light of reason, and by the result of experience. We believe in +the right of self-government. We believe in the protection of the +personal rights of life and liberty and the enjoyment of the rewards of +industry. We believe in the right to acquire, to hold, and transmit +property. We believe in all that which is represented under the general +designation of a republic. + +But while we hold that these principles are sound we do not claim that +they have yet become fully established. We do not claim that our +institutions are yet perfected. + +It is of little avail to assert that there is an inherent right to own +property unless there is an open opportunity that this right may be +enjoyed in a fair degree by all. That which is referred to in such +critical terms as capitalism cannot prevail unless it is adapted to the +general requirements. Unless it be of the people it will cease to have +a place under our institutions, even as slavery ceased. + +It is time to demonstrate more effectively that property is of the +people. It is time to transfer some of the approbation and effort that +has gone into the building of public works to the building, +ornamenting, and owning of private homes by the people at large-- +attractive, worthy, permanent homes. + +Society rests on the home. It is the foundation of our institutions. +Around it are gathered all the cherished memories of childhood, the +accomplishments of maturity, and the consolations of age. So long as a +people hold the home sacred they will be in the possession of a +strength of character which it will be impossible to destroy. + +Apparently the world at large, certainly our own country, is turning +more and more for guidance to that wisdom born of affection which we +call the intuition of woman. Her first thought is always of the home. +Her first care is for its provision. As our laws and customs are +improved by her influence, it is likely to be first in the direction of +greater facility for acquiring, and greater security in holding a home. + +Some of the fine enthusiasm which was developed by the required +sacrifices of war may well find a new expression in turning towards the +making of the home. It is the final answer to every challenge of the +soundness of the fundamental principles of our institutions. It holds +the assurance and prospect of contentment and of satisfaction. + +Under present conditions any ambition of America to become a nation of +home owners would be by no means impossible of fulfillment. The land is +available, the materials are at hand, the necessary accumulation of +credit exists, the courage, the endurance and the sacrifice of the +people are not wanting. Let them begin, however slender their means, +the building and perfecting of the national character by the building +and adorning of a home which shall be worthy of the habitation of an +American family, calm in the assurance that "the gods send thread for a +web begun." + +Here will be found that satisfaction which comes from possession and +achievement. Here is the opportunity to express the soul in art. Here +is the Sacred influence, here in the earth at our feet, around the +hearthstone, which raises man to his true estate. + +(Signed) Calvin Coolidge + + + + +THE HOME AS AN INVESTMENT + +By HERBERT HOOVER + + +One can always safely judge of the character of a nation by its homes. +For it is mainly through the hope of enjoying the ownership of a home +that the latent energy of any citizenry is called forth. This universal +yearning for better homes and the larger security, independence and +freedom that they imply, was the aspiration that carried our pioneers +westward. Since the preemption acts passed early in the last century, +the United States, in its land laws, has recognized and put a premium +upon this great incentive. It has stimulated the building of rural +homes through the wide distribution of land under the Homestead Acts +and by the distribution of credit through the Farm Loan Banks. Indeed, +this desire for home ownership has, without question, stimulated more +people to purposeful saving than any other factor. Saving, in the +abstract, is, of course, a perfunctory process as compared with +purposeful saving for a home, the possession of which may change the +very physical, mental, and moral fibre of one's own children. + +Now, in the main because of the diversion of our economic strength from +permanent construction to manufacturing of consumable commodities +during and after the war, we are short about a million homes. In cities +such a shortage implies the challenge of congestion. It means that in +practically every American city of more than 200,000, from 20 to 30 per +cent, of the population is adversely affected, and that thousands of +families are forced into unsanitary and dangerous quarters. This +condition, in turn, means a large increase in rents, a throw-back in +human efficiency and that unrest which inevitably results from +inhibition of the primal instinct in us all for home ownership. It +makes for nomads and vagrants. In rural areas it means aggravation and +increase of farm tenantry on one hand, an increase of landlordism on +the other hand, and general disturbance to the prosperity and +contentment of rural life. + +There is no incentive to thrift like the ownership of property. The man +who owns his own home has a happy sense of security. He will invest his +hard earned savings to improve the house he owns. He will develop it +and defend it. No man ever worked for, or fought for a boarding-house. + +But the appalling anomaly of a nation as prosperous as ours thwarted +largely in its common yearning for better homes, is now giving way to +the gratifying revival of home construction. Accordingly the time is +ripe for this revival to afford an opportunity to our people to look to +more homes and better ones, to better, more economical and more uniform +building codes, and to universal establishment and application of +zoning rules that make for the development of better towns and cities. +We have the productive capacity wasted annually in the United States +sufficient to raise in large measure the housing conditions of our +entire people to the level that only fifty per cent, of them now enjoy. +We have wastes in the building industry itself which, if constructively +applied, would go a long way toward supplying better homes, so that +what is needed imperatively is organized intelligence and direction. +For the problem is essentially one of ways and means. + +And, finally, while we are about Better Homes for America and are +lending such indirect support to the movement as the Government, +States, counties, communities, and patriotic individuals and +organizations can rightfully give, let us have in mind not houses +merely, but homes! There is a large distinction. It may have been a +typesetter who confounded the two words. For, curiously, with all our +American ingenuity and resourcefulness, we have overlooked the laundry +and the kitchen, and thrown the bulk of our efforts in directions other +than those designed to make better homes by adding to the facilities of +our very habitations. If, in other words, the family is the unit of +modern civilization, the home, its shelter and gathering-point, should, +it would seem, warrant in its design and furnishing quite as large a +share of attention as the power plant or the factory. + +We believe, therefore, that in every community in which it is possible +a "_Better Homes in America_" Demonstration should be planned and +carried through during the week of October 9th to 14th, 1922. + +(Signed) Herbert Hoover + + + + +THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE + +WASHINGTON + +July 24, 1922. + +Dear Mrs. Meloney: + +Naturally I am interested in the "Better Homes in America" movement. +When we consider the all powerful influence of home conditions and home +atmosphere on the lives and character of our people, both young and +old, surely every proper effort to improve those conditions should have +the support of all good citizens. + +Our people in the Department of Agriculture will be glad to advise with +your committee chairmen on any matters in which they can lend +assistance. Our home demonstration agents in different sections of the +country can no doubt be helpful in advising as to the setting up of +demonstration kitchens. + +You seem to have gathered to your help the cooperation of a large +number of state governors and also a number of other gentlemen who, +because of their public work, can possibly contribute to the success of +the campaign. + +With very best wishes, I am + +Sincerely yours, + +[Signature] + + +Mrs. William Brown Meloney, + Secretary to the Advisory Council + for the "Better Homes" Campaign, + 223 Spring Street, + New York City. + + + + +[Illustration: DEMONSTRATION OF BETTER. HOMES--October 9 to 14, 1922] + + +A PLAN for COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION of BETTER HOMES IN AMERICA + +_Demonstration Week October 9th to 14th, 1922_ + + +_The future history of America will be shaped in large measure by the +character of its homes. If we continue to be a home-loving people we +shall have the strength that comes only from a virile family life. This +means that our homes must be attractive, comfortable, convenient, +wholesome. They must keep pace with the progress made outside the home. +Realization of this has crystallized into a national civic campaign for +Better Homes in America endorsed and encouraged by Federal and State +officials and by prominent men in public life as set forth in this Plan +Book._ + +The following plan has been prepared to give practical help to citizens +of any community organizing for a _Better Homes in America_ +Demonstration Week, October 9th to 14th, 1922. + +The Campaign in each community centers about a _Better Home_-- +completely equipped, furnished and decorated, in accordance with +approved modern practice, and placed on exhibition during Demonstration +Week. + +Better Homes exhibitions have already been held, but now for the first +time a national organization, endorsed and supported by the President +of the United States and other Federal and State officials, is prepared +to give practical help to every community wishing to share in the +_Better Homes in America_ movement. + +The community which exhibits a _Better Home_ during Demonstration +Week will be given a powerful impetus for good. Every civic interest, +every business and industry will be favorably affected. A _Better +Homes_ demonstration is a stimulus to better living, civic pride and +community morale. It encourages thrift and industry. It develops a +higher standard of taste. It means a better community in every way. +This has been proved by the experience of many communities which have +held successful exhibitions. They have ranged from cities as large as +Cleveland, Milwaukee, Columbus, Kansas City and Dayton to villages of a +few hundred population. In every case where the demonstration has been +properly organized lasting benefits have followed. + + +_Follow the Plan_ + + +The National Advisory Council of _Better Homes in America_, +through its Bureau of Information, has made a thorough investigation of +previous exhibitions of this character. + +This investigation has shown clearly that when the local organizations +proceed in the right way a _Better Homes_ demonstration may easily +be made a great success. Causes of trouble as well as of success have +been analyzed to bring out the methods that should be avoided. The +Advisory Council, therefore, is in a position to recommend plans that +have stood the test of practical experience. + +With Federal and State governments endorsing and encouraging this Plan +of educating the people to _Better Homes in America_, the conduct +of local demonstrations is given tremendous impetus and support. And +with the suggestions and the Plan for conducting such demonstrations +herewith presented, any community may confidently undertake the +production of a _Better Homes_ Exhibition during Demonstration +Week, October 9th to 14th, 1922. + +A comparatively few energetic and capable women, with the support of +local civic organizations, can effectively put into practice the ideas +and plans with which they will be supplied by the Bureau of +Information. The expense of a _Better Home_ demonstration need not +be great; in some communities it may be kept as low as $25.00. +Builders, merchants and prominent citizens will combine to supply the +Model _Better Home_, and to furnish it. Civic organizations and +newspapers will cooperate to interest the public. + +The most successful demonstrations have been so managed as to impress +upon visitors that they were not selfish enterprises, intended to help +special interests, particular firms or individuals. They have been so +conducted as to benefit every line of business and to help the +community as a whole. Neither the name of the builder or owner of the +home exhibited, nor the name of any person or business firm furnishing +any portion of the exhibit, is permitted to be displayed. + +The motive behind the demonstration is primarily educational. + + +_How to Form a General Committee for Better Homes Demonstration +Week_ + + +A Better Homes Demonstration should be organized and directed by a +disinterested group of prominent women, working from motives of public +service. This group should be formed of a Chairman and a General +Committee of from four to seven members, depending upon the size of the +community. + +Each member of the General Committee is Chairman of one or more sub- +committees as outlined later in this Plan. + +The Chairman of the General Committee is appointed through the National +Advisory Council of _Better Homes in America_. She appoints the +members of the local General Committee. They in turn appoint the +members of the Sub-committees. In the case of the Sub-committees it is +particularly important that appointments should be made with the +knowledge and approval of the local civic and commercial interests +whose co-operation is desired. Detailed suggestions for procedure are +outlined later. + +The duties of the members of the General Committee fit naturally into +the following arrangement of Sub-committees with a member of the +General Committee as Chairman of each Sub-committee: + + (1) Sub-committee on Advertising and Publicity. + (2) Sub-committee on Selection of Demonstration Home. + (3) Sub-committee on Equipment of Demonstration Home. + (4) Sub-committee on Furnishing and Decorating. + (5) Sub-committee on Reception of Visitors and Management of Home. + (6) Sub-committee on Program of Events. + (7) Sub-committee on Budget for Demonstration Week. + +Where the size of the community makes it desirable to have a General +Committee of only four members, some such distribution of the Sub- +committees as this is recommended: + + (1) Chairman (a member of the General Committee) heading + (a) Sub-committee on Advertising and Publicity; and + (b) Sub-committee on Progress of Events. + (2) Chairman (a member of the General Committee) heading + (a) Sub-committee on Equipment of Demonstration Home; and + (b) Sub-committee on Furnishing and Decorating. + (3) Chairman (a member of the General Committee) heading + (a) Sub-committee on Selection of Demonstration Home; and + (b) Sub-committee on Reception of Visitors and Management of Home. + (4) Chairman (a member of the General Committee) heading + (a) Sub-committee on Budget for Demonstration Week. + + +_How To Secure Patrons for Better Homes Demonstration; Full +Cooperation of All Local Interests Essential_ + + +Following the organization of the General Committee, the first duty of +its Chairman should be the arrangement for meetings of the Committee-- +or its individual members--with the various City Officials, and Civic +and Commercial Organizations in the community, to explain the Plan for +a _Better Homes_ Demonstration and to secure their endorsement and +active support. + +Those endorsing and supporting the Demonstration may be known as +Patrons and should comprise the following: + + The Mayor Commissioner of Education (or Superintendent of Public School) + Publishers or Owners of Local Newspapers + Presidents of Important Women's Clubs + President of Chamber of Commerce Agricultural Home Bureau, etc. + President of Real Estate Board + President of Rotary Club + President of Kiwanis Club + Presidents of Building & Loan Associations + Presidents of other Business or Trade Associations related to the +Home Building and Furnishing Industries. + +Churches should also be asked to support the movement. + +Additional Patrons may properly be selected from prominent citizens of +the community, who are noted for their public spirit and are not +included in the above list. + +The two essentials for a successful _Better Homes in America_ +Demonstration are genuine co-operation from all local civic, financial, +commercial and educational interests, and full and extensive publicity +through the local newspapers. From the youngest boy or girl scout to +bank president, business man, school teacher, minister, manufacturer +and city official, everybody in a community should have a real personal +interest in the Demonstration. When the benefits of a successful +_Better Homes_ Demonstration are once understood this interest is +readily aroused. + +Investigation of successful exhibitions in Kansas City, Indianapolis, +Cleveland and elsewhere proved conclusively that the cooperation of all +local interests was the biggest single factor of success. + + +_How to Form Sub-Committees_ + + +It is important to appoint as Chairman of each Sub-committee a member +of the General Committee who is particularly fitted to the specific +work assigned to her Sub-committee. The special abilities of the +members of the General Committee should be taken into careful +consideration and so used in the arrangement of the Sub-committees as +to secure the best and quickest results. + +The formation of Sub-committees is necessary not only to divide the +work effectively, but also to arouse the interest and cooperation of +the various local interests directly affected by home building and home +betterment. All the local business groups--furniture dealers, hardware +dealers, wall-paper and paint dealers, electrical dealers, real estate +dealers, etc.--should be interviewed and asked to nominate a +representative from each group to serve on the appropriate Sub- +committee. In this way the appearance of favoring special interests +will be avoided and the fullest co-operation secured. + +It may be well to stress here that the Chairman of the General +Committee should not become immersed in the details of the Sub- +committees' work. She establishes a point of contact and a clearing +house for _all_ Sub-committees and directs the _Better Homes_ +Demonstration as a whole, but not in detail. Neither should the +Chairman of a Sub-committee attempt to enter into details of the work +of other Sub-committees not under her direction. The Chairman of each +Sub-committee is responsible to the Chairman of the General Committee, +and to her alone. + +Suggestions for the formation and activities of the various Sub- +committees are given in the following: + + +_I--How to Form Sub-Committee on Budget for Demonstration Week_ + + +A member of the General Committee is the Chairman. + +This Sub-committee should be made up of prominent citizens, +representing both the financial and mercantile interests of the +community. It would be appropriate to secure a Bank Cashier, who is +accustomed to keeping accurate records of receipts and expenses, to act +as Vice-chairman of the Sub-Committee. He may also act as Treasurer of +the General Committee. This committee should have charge not only of +the securing of the modest expense fund necessary for Demonstration +Week, but also of the recording of facts and figures regarding the +operation of the Demonstration Home, and the results obtained. Such a +record will be exceedingly useful to the local General Committee as +well as the National Advisory Council. Accurate figures on the local +_Better Homes_ Demonstrations will be invaluable in continuing the +_Better Homes_ in America Campaign, and arrangements have been +made for prizes to be given to those Committees submitting the best +reports and records of successful demonstrations. + + +_Suggestions for the Sub-Committee_ + + +There will be certain general expenses incurred in conducting a +_Better Homes_ Demonstration. These general expenses may range +from $25 to $500 or more, depending upon the size of the committee and +the extensiveness and completeness of the Demonstration. + +Some of the items of expense which may be incurred are: insurance of +borrowed property; special advertising in the form of street signs, +window cards and posters; printing; prizes for contests; lecturers, +and, possibly, special forms of entertainment. + +In many communities where Demonstrations have been held, the small +contributions necessary have been readily volunteered by the various +organizations, business firms or individuals directly interested in the +financing and furnishing of homes. Contributions may be secured from +bankers, stores, public utilities, real estate dealers, building +material dealers, insurance men, etc. The amounts contributed by the +various interests should be carefully apportioned and only a +sufficient sum collected to pay the actual expenses of the +Demonstration. + +In Dayton and other cities it was found that volunteer contributions +were readily made by manufacturers of, or dealers in, trade-marked +articles, such as pianos, vacuum cleaners, refrigerators, electrical +equipment, etc. As these articles, because of the trade name affixed, +received special advertising in the Demonstration Home, it was +considered proper to accept contributions from the dealers. The +selection of trade-marked articles which may be shown in a +Demonstration Home should be made in a disinterested manner by the +Subcommittee on Equipment. + + +_2--How to Form Sub-Committee on Advertising and Publicity_ + + +A member of the General Committee is Chairman. + +The success of the Demonstration rests largely upon the thoroughness +with which this Committee does its work. It should, therefore, be +composed of all of the Publishers or Advertising Managers of local +Newspapers, and the Advertising Managers of Department Stores and other +large business houses. The fullest co-operation should be secured from +all the local publishing and advertising interests. + +Local newspapers will gladly aid a _Better Homes_ Demonstration, +for such an exhibition presents unusual opportunities for selling +advertising space to local merchants. In some of the cities where +Demonstrations have been held, the newspapers have brought out large +special editions carrying a great amount of local advertising, and +filled with interesting and instructive reading matter regarding home +building and home betterment. + + +_Suggestions for the Sub-Committee_ + + +The campaign publicity should commence with an announcement of the +organization of the General Committee and the selection of Patrons. It +should be continued, in advance of the opening of the Demonstration +Home, by the use of reading matter descriptive of home planning, +furnishing, decoration and equipment. + +The local newspapers should co-operate with the Sub-committee in seeing +that advertisements of exhibitors during the demonstration week do not +mention the fact that the advertiser is an exhibitor. This, of course, +should not preclude the general advertising of goods suitable for the +equipment or furnishing of _Better Homes_. This regulation is in +line with the non-commercial policy of the campaign, and merchants will +readily understand its fairness. + +This Sub-committee should provide painted signs announcing the location +of the Exhibition Home. These signs should be placed at neighboring +street intersections. Signs in the form of arrow pointers should be +tacked on telephone poles in all parts of the city pointing in the +direction of the Demonstration Home and announcing its exact location. + +Automobile Posters or Banners for the cars of the members of the +Committee may be furnished by local sign painters or printers. + +The Committee should also see that show cards advertising the +Demonstration are properly distributed and displayed in store windows +and that posters are put up in suitable public places. + +Show cards, posters and stickers bearing the imprint of the _Better +Homes in America_ campaign, with space left for local announcements, +may be obtained by application to the Bureau of Information, _The +Delineator_, 223 Spring Street, New York City, Secretary, Mrs. +William Brown Meloney. + +A circular descriptive of the show cards, posters and stickers may also +be obtained through the Bureau of Information, which has arranged to +have this advertising display matter prepared for the use of local +Committees. It is strongly recommended that these posters and cards be +used in order to standardize the various local Demonstrations. + +The stickers should be widely distributed among local merchants for use +on city mail during the week preceding and the week of the campaign. + +Small electrotypes of the _Better Homes in America_ campaign +insignia, or trade-mark, may be obtained through the Bureau of +Information for use on printed matter and in newspapers. They are shown +in the circular descriptive of the advertising display material. + + +_3--How to Form Sub-Committee on Selection of Demonstration Home_ + +A member of the General Committee is Chairman. + +The selection of the home to be used for the Demonstration should be +made by a _disinterested_ committee. Experience has shown that +this is the only satisfactory method, as all personal interests are +thus eliminated and criticism avoided. + +Previous experience also indicates that this Sub-committee, with a +member of the General Committee as Chairman, of course, should be +composed of the President of the local Real Estate Board (if there is +one in the community), a representative of the Chamber of Commerce or +Merchants Association, a representative architect, and a representative +of the Building Material Dealers. Here again is illustrated the +importance of securing the full co-operation of the various groups of +business men directly affected by home building and owning. These +groups should be interviewed and each group asked to appoint its +representative on this committee. When the National campaign for +_Better Homes in America_, and the Plan as outlined here, have +been clearly explained to these interests, a Sub-committee for +selecting the Demonstration Home may be organized, which will act +disinterestedly and effectively. + + +_Suggestions for the Sub-Committee_ + + +The three cardinal principles to be observed in the selection of a +Demonstration Home are: first, situation with respect to accessibility +and nearness to street car lines; second, type of architecture; and +third, cost. + +A Demonstration Home should be situated within a reasonable distance of +the business section of a community, and it should not be more than +four blocks from the nearest street car line. In a city where the +Demonstration Home was selected some eight blocks from the car line and +upon a hill, the attendance was disappointingly small. The +Demonstration Home should not be situated in the outskirts of a +community. This was found to be a disadvantage in a city where a +Demonstration Home was selected in a new, partially developed suburb, +some distance from the city limits. + +An extreme type of architecture should be avoided in a Demonstration +Home. + +With respect to the cost of the home selected, it has been shown in a +number of cities that a house priced slightly above the average cost of +homes in the community attracted the larger number of visitors. The +public apparently likes to visit a home costing more than the average, +because of a desire to see and admire better things. Demonstration +Homes, therefore, may range in price from $5,000 to $15,000, including +the land, but not including the furnishings and equipment. + +Other essentials of an ideal home for demonstration purposes are fully +outlined in an article prepared by direction of Secretary of Commerce +Hoover and included in this Plan Book on pages 7 and 8. The builder or +owner of the Home selected should be willing to loan it to the General +Committee for the Demonstration Week, without charge. He should also be +willing to landscape the grounds, decorate the walls and carry all +insurance and damage risks. This has been gladly done by builders in +Syracuse, Cleveland, Milwaukee, Kansas City and elsewhere. There is no +better selling method for homes than that of putting on display a +completely furnished and equipped home. + +If the entire plan of campaign is explained to the builder or owner of +a suitable home, and the advantages of indirect selling methods are +pointed out to him, his co-operation will be readily secured. + +The name of the builder or owner is not to be displayed on the +Demonstration Home in any manner, shape or form, nor is his name to be +carried in any of the advertising during the campaign. + +This will do away with all appearance of favoritism in the choice of +the house to be used. It is proper, however, to insert a reading notice +in the newspapers announcing the selection of the Demonstration Home +and giving the name of the owner or builder. No further reference +should be made to him in any of the advertising matter during +Demonstration Week, though the attendants in the home may properly give +his name to any person inquiring for it. + + +_4--How to Form Sub-Committee on Equipment of Demonstration Home_ + + +A member of the General Committee is Chairman. + +The selection and installation of all practicable labor-saving devices +and appliances in the Demonstration Home is left to this Sub-committee. +It should be composed of representatives of dealers in home equipment, +architects, builders, and, if possible, a Home Demonstration agent of +the Agricultural Department. (See announcement of special co-operation +of Department of Agriculture by Secretary Wallace on page 9). + + +_Suggestions for Sub-Committee_ + + +On pages 47-49 will be found a statement of the best modern practise in +the equipment of a home permitting the most efficient and economical +housekeeping. + +It is probable that many communities will be unable to equip the +Demonstration Home completely, in accordance with the standards laid +down. So far as practicable these suggestions should be followed, but +local conditions and the stock of equipment carried by local dealers +may require some modifications in detail. + +_5--How to Form Sub-Committee on Furnishing and Decorating_ + +A member of the General Committee is Chairman. In the selection of +this Sub-committee the greatest care must be taken to secure the +cooperation of all the business firms and individuals concerned in the +furnishing and decorating of homes. Each group--furniture dealers, +hardware dealers, paint and wallpaper dealers, department stores (if +any), decorators (if any), art and book stores--should be interviewed +on this important subject and asked to appoint representatives to serve +on this Subcommittee. + +_Suggestions for Sub-Committee_ + +In order to maintain the non-commercial aspect of Demonstration Week, +no exhibitor's name should be displayed on any article shown in the +Demonstration Home. No price tags should be permitted on any article. +In this way all appearance of commercialism is avoided. This feature +will appeal to the fair and broad-minded merchant and will secure the +enthusiastic support of all the merchants in the community, no matter +how small their business may be. + +The attendants at the Home, in response to inquiries as to where +certain articles may be secured, should be instructed to reply that +they may be had from the inquirer's own dealer or from any dealer in +the city. + +In Dayton this non-commercial plan was wonderfully successful. + +In communities where suitable furnishings and decorations are not +obtainable from the local stores they may be borrowed from public +spirited citizens, who have such articles as are adapted to the scheme +of decoration and furnishing. For the guidance of the Sub-committee, +which may not include expert decorators or furnishers as members, +practical suggestions on good furnishing and decorating have been set +forth on pages 30-42 of this Plan Book. These suggestions will +undoubtedly prove helpful in assembling the furnishings and decorations +for a Demonstration Home. If more detailed information is required, +write to the Bureau of Information, _The Delineator_, 223 Spring +Street, New York City, Secretary, Mrs. William Brown Meloney. + +In all cases the basement of the Demonstration Home should be very +carefully arranged, equipped and prepared for exhibition. + +The furnishing of the Demonstration Home should include well-selected, +standard home literature and reference books, properly arranged in +book-cases or on shelves. A printed list of this selected library may +be supplied for distribution to the visitors. + + +_6--How to Form Sub-Committee on Management and Reception_ + + +A member of the General Committee is Chairman. + +The members of this Sub-committee should be selected for their ability +to manage the Demonstration Home and to receive and care for the +visitors. It may be composed of representatives of the various women's +organizations in the city. + +In order to insure the keeping of accurate records of attendance, one +or more bank tellers should be members of the Sub-committee. + +This Sub-committee is to provide the attendants at the Demonstration +Home and to handle the visitors in such a way as to avoid confusion and +damage. It should also keep an accurate record of attendance, of +interesting inquiries and the general results. It should report in +detail to the Budget Committee, so that the General Committee may have +an opportunity to compete for the prizes offered for the best report of +a successful Demonstration. + + +_Suggestions for the Sub-Committee_ + + +During the hours of exhibition the Demonstration Home should be in +charge of a capable woman of suitable personality. This may be a +volunteer, or a paid worker, for the entire week, or several volunteer +workers may undertake the management of the Home, having definite days +of attendance assigned to them. + +The hours of exhibition should be from 1:00 to 10:00 p.m. continuously. +It has been found in exhibitions that the home need not be kept open +during the morning hours. During this period it may be cleaned and +placed in readiness for visitors. + +An attendant for the bedrooms and two attendants for the first floor-- +one in the hall or living room and the other in the dining room and +kitchen--will be required to direct and control the visitors and to +keep the house in perfect order during the exhibition hours. These +attendants may be club or committee members who volunteer their +services for certain days in the week. + +It has been noted in several exhibitions that visitors usually +congregate at certain hours in the afternoon and evening, and +frequently overcrowd upon the lawns. It is necessary, therefore, to +erect light guard rails along the sidewalk leading from the street to +the house. And it may sometimes be necessary to have an outside +attendant who will keep the visitors in an orderly line of entrance. +This is work that may very well be performed by Boy Scouts. + +During times of congestion visitors should be taken through the house +in groups not to exceed fifteen in number. They should be conducted +through the rooms in an orderly manner by the attendants. In some cases +it has been found advisable to send the visitors to the second floor +first, so that they may depart through the kitchen after inspecting the +first floor and basement. Girl Scouts may be used for conducting the +visitors through the home. + +A careful check on the attendance at the Demonstration Home should be +kept. This can best be done by assigning a Boy or Girl Scout to count +the visitors as they enter the home and keep an accurate tally, which +should be reported to the manager in charge. In some cities it has been +found that a list of visitors to the home may be readily obtained by +having them register upon a numbered card, which can be used for a +drawing contest--a prize being awarded to the lucky number. In smaller +communities where the attendance will not be large at any one time the +names of visitors may be kept in a small register or list book. + + +_7--How to Form Sub-Committee on Program of Events_ + + +A member of the General Committee is Chairman. This Sub-committee +should be composed of persons who are particularly capable in arranging +programs of entertainment, and may be selected from members of the +Board of Education, School Principals and Teachers, Theatrical and +Moving Picture Managers, Community and Song Leaders, etc. + + +_The Following Events Are Suggested_ + + +1--Sermons, Addresses and Sunday School talks in all churches on the +Sunday preceding the opening of the exhibition. + +2--Color slides relating to home owning, home management, home +furnishing and decoration to be shown in moving picture houses. + +3--Four-Minute Talks on thrift, home owning, home financing, home +furnishing, home decoration, etc., in all moving picture houses. + +4--Block Parties in front of the Demonstration Home. Lights for the +block party may be supplied from the headlights and searchlights of +automobiles properly arranged. + +5--Window Dressing Contests for hardware merchants, house furnishing +merchants, department stores, etc. + +6--Erection of Miniature Home, suitable for a girl's playhouse, on +Public Square--this playhouse may be given as first prize to the girl +of school age writing the best essay on "Why You Should Own Your Home." + +7--Showing special _Better Homes_ films in all moving picture +houses. (See special announcement on page 24.) + +8--Prizes for the best example of a Model Kitchen in the community. + +9--Cooking Demonstrations by Home Demonstration Agent, or some well- +known local cook, High School or Normal School student. + +10--Singing by Choir or Quartette on porch of Demonstration Home each +evening at about 7:30 and 8:00 o'clock. + +11--(a) Guessing contest as to how many visitors enter Demonstration +Home. + +11--(b) Prize for best essay by a boy on Home Owning. + (c) Prize for best essay by a girl on Home Equipment or Furnishing. + (d) Prize for best landscape design for Small Home by High School +or Art student. + +12--Radio Program at Demonstration Home, or elsewhere in the city. + +13--Lectures on Home Equipment, Decoration or Furnishing by experts, in +local auditorium. It has been found that admission to these lectures +may be charged, to help defray the expense of lecturers. + + +_Lecture Courses and Lectures_ + + +Lectures on Home Building, Furnishing, Decoration and allied subjects +have been found to attract large audiences in cities where they have +been given under the auspices of local organizations. Undoubtedly many +communities co-operating in the _Better Homes in America_ +Demonstration Week, October 9th to 14th, will desire to include in +their program of events lectures on _Better Homes_ subjects. + + + + +_Better Homes in America Bureau of Information + +The Delineator 223 Spring Street, New York City + +Secretary,_ Mrs. WILLIAM BROWN MELONEY + + +The Bureau of Information has been established to support and +coordinate the work of local _Better Homes in America_ committees. + +Additional copies of this Plan Book may be obtained from the Bureau of +Information. + +Other data and material will be supplied as indicated in the Plan Book. + +Bulletins will be sent out from time to time to keep local committees +posted on the national development of the _Better Homes in +America_ campaign. + +In the following pages of the Plan Book are special articles prepared +by governmental and other authorities on various phases of home +building, equipment, decorating, sanitation, etc. The Bureau of +Information will either answer inquiries in regard to any of these +special articles or, when necessary, will refer the questions to the +authors of the articles. + + + + +MOTION PICTURE PRODUCERS & DISTRIBUTORS OF AMERICA, INC. + +522 FIFTH AVENUE NEW YORK CITY + + WILL H. HAYS president + COURTLAND SMITH SECRETARY + Telephone Vandebilt 2110 + + July 19, 1922 + +Mrs. W. B. Meloney, 233 Spring Street, New York City. + + +My dear Mrs. Meloney: + +I am immensely interested in the Better Homes Campaign. This is +something that the motion picture industry should be interested in and +I am sure that they will want to be. + +I would like to help you to have available for your Better Homes week, +October 9-14, pictures that would show clearly just what the modern +home should be. + +I am glad that the Better Homes Council has had such an encouraging +response from the governors of the various states and from the women of +this country. Certainly it is a matter to which all of us should give +our very best. It will have an enduring influence on the lives of our +people and it is one of the most creditable movements that I know of. + +I have a little home in Sullivan, Indiana, that we are most anxious to +equip in just exactly the best way, and I am as much interested as any +one could be in learning how this should be done, so I am looking +forward to October 9-14 with much interest. + +With best wishes always, I am, + +Sincerely yours, + +[Signature] + + + + +Essentials for Demonstration Home Suggestions on Buildings and Grounds + +By JOHN IHLDER + +DIRECTOR, HOUSING CONDITIONS, CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF THE UNITED STATES + + +Different parts of the country have quite distinct types of one-family +dwellings. The best, unquestionably, is the detached house with +adequate yard space on all four sides; the house which gets sun and air +no matter which way it faces or what the direction of the prevailing +breeze; the house whose yard makes it possible for the family, and +especially for the children, to live much in the open. But, though this +is the best type, it may prove impracticable for people of moderate +means in communities where past practice has resulted in crowding the +land to such an extent that group or row houses have become the +standard. + +Whatever the type of house, however, there are certain fundamentals of +an essentially good house. The exhibition house should, as far as +possible, embody these fundamentals as given below. + +_Open Space Belonging to the House_ + +If the house is of the detached type (open on all four sides) it should +have a lot wide enough to permit fifteen feet of yard space on each +side. Then it is protected from any danger of side windows being +darkened and air cut off by any building which is permissible in a one- +family house residence district (see Zoning and What it Means to the +Home). Where there are no zoning regulations to give protection, even +fifteen feet of side yard will not prevent injury from a tall apartment +house or commercial building. + +Under no circumstances should the demonstration house, if of the +detached type, have less than ten feet of side yard. If no detached +house with ten feet or more (preferably fifteen feet or a little more) +of side yard can be secured, then seek a house of another type. + +Next in order of excellence is the semi-detached house (twin--two +houses side by side with a party wall). The single side yard of this +house should be fifteen feet wide and never less than ten feet. + +Next in order is the group house, or the row house. The row house may +be a perfectly good house if it is wide enough in proportion to its +depth so that there may be adequate open spaces before every window, +and if it is so planned as to take full advantage of these open spaces. +Moreover a row of houses may be so designed--perhaps as one unit so far +as the front elevation is concerned--that they will be very attractive +in appearance. A wide, row house (18 to 20 feet or more), properly +planned, is much better to live in than a detached or a semi-detached +house whose side yards are so narrow that they do not give adequate +light and air to middle rooms. + +The really good house is bright and airy. Consequently the +demonstration house should be set back from the street and its front +yard should be deep enough not only to assure privacy from the street, +but also to permit at least a well sodded grass plot. + +The rear yard will, of course, extend across the whole lot. Or the rear +yard may be 100 feet deep. But in this connection, it is necessary to +bear in mind that a yard may be too large as well as too small. It must +fit in with the house, and some account must be taken of the probable +habits of its occupants. A family which has no servants, and in which +the breadwinner works long hours away from home, may find a large yard +a burden unless some member is an enthusiastic gardener. Lacking this +gardener the back of a deep yard is likely to become a dump-heap. + +_The House Itself_ + +Given adequate open space as described above there are certain +essentials in the house itself. + +_Construction_ + +A house is, or should be, an investment. Therefore it should be +honestly constructed. One of the most important lessons for the home +buyer to learn is that the initial cost of a house is not its full +cost. It pays well to spend a little more on purchase price if, +thereby, repair bills and maintenance costs are kept down. And it pays +not only in dollars and cents but in satisfaction as well, for the +house that soon begins to go to pieces, that soon looks shabby, is +quite the opposite of a "joy forever." + +Consequently the demonstration house should be well built, and one of +the most valuable parts of the demonstration should lie in pointing out +by suitable placards its structural excellencies. Has the ground +immediately outside the walls been drained so that water will not lie +against these walls and gradually soak into them? Is the cellar well +drained and dry; well lighted and ventilated? Is the foundation well +built? Are the beams and joists heavy enough and of good material? Are +the floors and woodwork of good material, well seasoned, and of good +workmanship? Is the hardware (locks, hinges, lighting fixtures, etc.) +strong enough to stand usage? Are the outside walls of good material-- +if of brick, of good quality with good quality mortar; if of frame, of +good lumber, well seasoned and well painted with three coats of paint? +What kind of sheathing is used? Is wood well seasoned? Is the roofing +of a material adapted to the climate and of good quality? What material +is used for flashing? + +Recently there has been some discussion of the heat-retaining quality +of walls. It is advocated that openings which permit circulation of +cold air between outer and inner walls shall be filled. This adds but +little to the cost of building and in cold climates reduces materially +the coal bill. Incidentally it also aids both in reducing the fire +hazard and in rat proofing. For the latter, care must be taken that +there are no unscreened openings through foundation walls into a +cellar, and that all openings from the cellar to the space between +outer and inner walls of stories above shall be filled with rat-proof +material. + +Much attention is now being given to standardizing the parts of a +house, both to reduce initial cost and to make replacement easier and +less expensive. Are the doors, windows and other parts of the +demonstration house of standard stock sizes? + +_Light and Ventilation_ + +_Every_ room must have adequate window areas giving upon wide +outdoor spaces. An interior room, or one poorly lighted from a narrow +court, or receiving its only light from a wide porch, may not impress +the visitor, who sees it only when the house is new and the room +artificially lighted, but it does in time impress the family who +inhabit it. Row houses are best when they are only two rooms deep from +front to rear. If, however, an extension is built upon the rear of a +row house, the court on one side of this extension, from which middle +rooms are lighted, should be _at least six_ feet wide for a two- +story dwelling and seven feet for a three-story dwelling. If there is a +front porch on a row house it should not extend clear across the front, +darkening every window of the front ground-floor room, but should +extend only part way, leaving one window free. This also adds to the +value of the porch by giving it greater privacy, but of course it +necessitates a house at least 18 feet wide, if the porch is to be large +enough to use as an outdoor sitting room for the whole family in warm +weather. + +So far as practicable, each room should have at least two windows, and +corner rooms should have windows in two walls. + +The rooms should be planned so that they may be opened into each other +and the breeze permitted to sweep through. + +_Privacy_ + +While the family is a unit, and a function of the house is to symbolize +and emphasize family unity, there should, nevertheless, be provision +for some individual privacy. The most elementary provision, of course, +is that there be at least three bedrooms--on the assumption that the +normal family will contain both boys and girls. Consequently the +demonstration house must contain not less than three bedrooms. But +beyond this, the grouping of rooms possible in a two-story house +(bedrooms and bath on the second floor, common living rooms on the +first floor) as against a one-story house, adds greatly to privacy. At +the same time the two-story house is nearly always the more economical +both to build and to operate, while one flight of stairs does not add +appreciably to the house-wife's work. With the kitchen, dining room, +living room and a lavatory on the ground floor there is comparatively +little need of running up and downstairs, even when there are young +children in the family. A third story, an upstairs sitting room, no +ground floor lavatory, do add appreciably to the amount of stair +climbing. + +Stair climbing is reduced by having the laundry on the same floor as +the kitchen instead of in the basement or cellar. Though it is the +scene of greatest activity only one or two days a week, it is often +used at other times, and often in connection with kitchen work. On the +score that the number of steps is thereby reduced, laundry tubs may be +placed in the kitchen; but against this must be balanced the annoyance, +or worse, that comes from having the kitchen full of steam and all +cluttered up with clothes in process of washing when meals must be +prepared. Because of this many women prefer a separate laundry in an +ell or extension opening off the kitchen. From the latitude of +Philadelphia south, this extension may be of light construction without +danger of pipes freezing except in the coldest weather; and it is a +simple matter to install a cut-off, so that these pipes may be emptied +when not in use. + +_Sanitation_ + +There should be a fully equipped bathroom on the bedroom floor and a +toilet--preferably a wash bowl also--on the ground floor. A toilet in +the cellar is only a half-way measure. It does give an added +convenience of very real value, especially when there are servants; but +it is usually less accessible than the upstairs bathroom and, unless +the cellar is unusually well lighted and ventilated--unless it is +heated and unless its floor is high enough above the sewer to provide +for the necessary slope of the soil pipe--it is very likely to become a +nuisance. A sewer-connected toilet in the yard is only a step above the +old-time privy vault. It is inaccessible in bad weather; after dark it +is public; and it is likely to freeze. + + + + +_Suggestion for Furnishing and Decorating the Demonstration Home_ + +PREPARED BY THE BUREAU OF INFORMATION + + +Changing an empty house into a furnished, restful place of beauty is no +less a task than transforming a piece of paper into a lovely picture. +In one sense, interior decoration is a creative art. It is true that +decorators, or persons furnishing houses, do not weave their own +hangings, build their own furniture, or design their own wall-paper, +but they select the things they require from shops, where they have +been designed by others, and choose in such a way as to make a +beautiful and harmonious whole. + +Persons who must furnish a house for the occupancy of a family face +four distinct problems: first, they must see that the things selected +suit the house in size, coloring, and style; second, that the pieces +selected are harmonious with each other, and that they are comfortable +and well-made; third, that they suit the requirements of the family; +and fourth, that they fit the family purse. + +_Backgrounds_ + +The first requisite of a house is that it be restful; therefore, it is +wise to use wall coverings that are plain in effect. Plain paints or +tints, and wall-papers of a cloudy, all-over pattern, make the best +backgrounds. + +When a room faces north, the best colors to use are the yellows, which +might range from a cream color to a deep pumpkin yellow. + +In rooms that face south, it is possible to use light grays, which +might range to a deep putty color; though it is possible in sunny rooms +to use almost any color except those which might fade easily. + +The best way to treat rooms which have wide doorways connecting them +with other rooms is to have the walls of both rooms alike, preferably +in some plain color. + +_Floor Coverings_ + +Rugs and floor coverings should be several shades darker than the +walls, and be either in plain colors or have a small or indefinite all- +over design. Where walls are plain, the latter type of carpet should be +used. When walls have on them any figured covering, plain carpet should +be used. + +_Hangings_ + +The hangings for rooms which have plain wall coverings could be striped +or figured, but in rooms where there is a figured wall covering, the +hangings should be in plain colors, taking the color scheme for these +from the dominating color note in walls and carpet. + +_Furnishings_ + +A good rule to follow in choosing furnishings is to avoid anything +which strikes you as elaborate, or prominent. If a piece of furniture, +carpet, or curtain material stands out in a shop, you may be quite +certain that it will be even more noticeable in a house. + +A house can only be considered properly furnished when it meets the +real needs of the occupants. Comfortable chairs, sofas, and beds, good +tables, and soft carpets, make up the most important objects, and these +should be the best that the family can afford. No definite rule can be +applied to the arrangement of the furniture, but balance and wall space +should be considered first. Where a single opening is placed in the +center of the wall, or like openings at equal distances, the wall +spaces will be in balance; in the case of unequal openings, the wall +spaces will be out of balance. + +At balanced wall spaces, place pieces of furniture of relative size and +contour. These may be tables, chairs, sofas, and pictures. Leave the +more intimate and personal furniture, such as favorite chairs, sewing +table, and foot stool, for a grouping at one side or in the center of +the room. Lay all carpets and rugs parallel with the longest sides of +the room. + +In a room with unbalanced wall spaces, place against the longest spaces +the largest pieces of furniture--the piano, the bookcase, the +davenport--grouping perhaps a table, mirror, and chair against a +smaller and opposite wall space. This permits the comfortable chairs, +tables, lamps, and pottery to relieve the stiffness, allowing them to +be grouped in the center of the room. + +Do not indulge in too many pictures, but select a few of interest and +good quality. These few should be hung on a level with the average eye. +Small pictures should be hung somewhat lower. + +Do not invest in many ornaments. A few bits of colored pottery, or some +brass ware, is all that is required to strike a lively note. Place +these so that they will balance other objects arranged on the same +mantel or bookshelf. For example, a pair of brass candlesticks placed +at either end of a mantel, with a pottery bowl, clock, or ornament in +the center, strikes a balance. Never have a large jar on a small table +or stand, or small ornaments on a large table. A good thing to remember +is that ornaments decrease in value as they increase in number. + +In the following pages will be found suggestive lists of articles which +the rooms in a Better Home might contain. For further assistance and +more detail, write the Bureau of Information. + +_Suggestions for Furnishing the Hall_ + +[Illustration: HALL A Modern Colonial Hall of good proportions and +design, with the simple but necessary furnishings for convenience and +welcome.] + +The first impression of a house and its occupants comes as one enters +through the front door into the hall. Thus, nowhere in the entire house +is it more important to strike the right keynote in furnishing and +decoration. If there is no closet in the hall for wraps and umbrellas, +it will be necessary to have in some obscure corner a wooden strip +painted the same color as the woodwork, in which are solid brass hooks, +placed low enough so that the young members of the family can reach +them. Also, for umbrellas, provide a plain pottery jar which will +harmonize with the color scheme of walls and carpets. + +On the hall table have a card tray--brass if the hardware is brass-- +silver if the hardware is nickel or iron--and a medium-sized pottery +vase in crackle ware, or some natural color. A hall lantern or scones +would be in harmony with these furnishings, and have decorative value. + +_A Suggested Color Scheme for the Hall_ + +_Walls_--Ivory paper or paint. + +_Woodwork_--Paint--dull finish. + +_Floors_--Hardwood--Stained antique oak, finished with wax or +varnish. + +_Floors_--Softwood--Painted a deep yellow, or gray, or stained to +represent hardwood. + +_Floors_--Linoleum--In a tile pattern of black and white, provided +the living room is not directly connected with the hall; in such case +use only plain brown, grey, or Jaspe linoleum. + +_Below is a Suggested List of Furnishings Which the Hall Might +Contain_ + +_A table_--Of oak, mahogany, or walnut, either drop-leaf, gate- +leg, or console. + +_A mirror_--Gilt, or to match the wood in the table, Early +American or English. + +_A straight chair or two_--With or without rush seats, enameled +black, with stencil design, or to match the wood of the tables. + +_A low-boy_--Of mahogany or walnut, with drawers for gloves, +string, etc. + +_A large chest_--Of oak or brass-trimmed mahogany, for overshoes, +etc. + +_One or two rugs_--May be _Oriental_ in blues, browns, tans +or black; or wool braided, in blues, browns, tans or black; or Wilton, +in blues, browns, tans or black; or Axminster, in blues, browns, tans +or black. + +_A cocoa mat_ placed at front door. + +_The Living Room_ + +As the living room is the gathering place for family and friends, it +may well be considered the most important room in the house. It should +take its keynote for decoration from the hall. If there is a wide +doorway connecting the living room with the hall, the color scheme +should be the same. As the living room serves as library also, open +book shelves, painted the same as the woodwork, are essential, and more +substantial than book cases. + +The first requisite of such a room is that it shall be restful. Avoid +using rocking chairs. Use little bric-a-brac. Nothing which does not +contribute to the necessity and beauty of the room should be allowed. + +Tan or ivory is good in a room which is inclined to be dark, or gray +and gray-green in a room inclined to be bright. + + +_A Suggested Color Scheme for Living Room_ + +_Walls_--Ivory, cream or gray--paper or paint. + +_Woodwork_--Ivory paint--dull finish. + +_Floors_--Hardwood--Stained antique oak with wax or varnish +finish. + +_Floors_--Softwood--Painted a deep yellow or gray, or stained to +represent hardwoods. + +_A Suggested List of Furnishings for Living Room_ + +_Table_--Drop-leaf--in mahogany, weathered oak, or walnut; +Gateleg--in mahogany, weathered oak, or walnut; Modern Chippendale-- +mahogany, weathered oak, or walnut, or Sheraton type of table. + +_Sofa_--Upholstered in either sage green or brown upholsterer's +velvet; blue, yellow, mauve satin or taffeta sofa cushions. + +_Armchair_--Overstuffed chair in indefinite striped upholsterer's +velvet in sage green; satin cushion in corn color. + +_Armchair_--Back and seat upholstered in brown like sofa--arms of +mahogany. + +_Desk_--A reproduction of a Sheraton, Hepplewhite, or Early +English Desk. + +_Chair_--Rush bottom--same wood as desk, or in dull black or sage +green dull enamel, conventional stencil design. + +_Wicker chair_--Of brown or natural wicker, with printed linen +cushions in floral pattern. + +_Tilt table for cards or tea_--Mahogany or walnut. + +_Fireplace_ (If any)--A wood-box or basket; andirons and fire +screen, hearth brush and tongs. + +_A Reading Lamp_--Sage green or black pottery base; an old gold +colored paper shade, fluted or plain, top and bottom bound with sage +green tape ribbon, or guimpe. + +_A Clock_--In simple, plain design of wood, antique gilt, or +leather. + +_Footstool_--Small ottoman, covered in black and yellow +needlework, or velvet same as sofa (brown). + +_Waste paper basket_--Small black wicker next to desk. + +_Decorative Accessories_--Green vase, gold luster bowl, mauve +pottery piece; Desk appointments in dull brass, bronze, or leather; +Book-ends--Library Shears. Match box and ash tray on table in brass or +bronze. + +_Carpet_--One large or several small Orientals, or a Wilton, +Axminster, or velvet in two tone of brown or tan, or in plain colors. + _Glass curtains_--Cream, marquisette, cheese-cloth, or scrim, made +plain. + +_Overdraperies_--(If desired)--Can be either printed linen, same +as cushion in wicker chair, lined with sage green sateen, or brown or +sage green poplin, silk damask or sunfast. + +_Chairs_--If the room is large enough, one or two chairs, chosen +to correspond with those already in the room, may be added. + +_Dining Room_ + +The dining room should be one of the most cheerful and inspiring rooms +of the house. It is the place where the family gathers to enjoy meals +together, and nothing insures a better start than having breakfast in a +bright, cheerful room. + +If the dining room and living room are connected by wide doorways, have +the walls of both rooms alike. If they are connected by a small door, +the walls may be in some light cloudy landscape paper, or in a small +allover pattern in light cream, buff, gray, tan, or putty color. +Because there is so much blue china, persons feel that they want blue +dining rooms. This is a mistake, as blue used in large quantities in +either walls, china, or hanging absorbs the light and makes a room +gloomy. Do not display china or glassware in a so-called china closet. +A built-in corner cupboard, or a small mahogany or rosewood cabinet, +which might hold rare bits of pottery and china, is permissible. It is +far better to use the pantry shelves for china than to crowd it into a +china closet. + +It is best to use a rug with small figures. The hangings should be in +plain colors, taken from the predominating colors in the wall covering; +or if the walls are the same as the living room, the hangings should be +chosen from the predominating color in the living room. This will bring +the rooms into perfect harmony, without having them just alike. + +_Suggested Color Scheme for Dining Room_ + +_Walls_--Ivory or cream, if closely connected with living room. A +cloudy landscape, crepe, or cartridge paper in buffs, pale grays, fawn, +or cream if closed off from living room. + +[Illustration: DINING ROOM This well-proportioned dining room with its +plain walls and figured floor covering has a square mahogany table and +eight chairs of the Georgian period.] + +_Woodwork_--Ivory. + +_Floors--Hardwood_--Stained antique oak, with wax or varnish +finish. + +_Floors--Softwood_--Painted a deep yellow or gray, or covered in +plain brown, gray, or Jaspe linoleum. + +_Suggested List of Furniture for Dining Room_ + +_Table_--Round or square extension, or drop-leaf--six legs--in +mahogany, walnut, weathered oak, or painted black, gray, or coco. Might +be reproduction of Hepplewhite, Sheraton, or Georgian period. A glass, +silver, or pottery bowl, containing flowers, on the table; plain ecru +linen doilies. + +_Chairs_--8 chairs--Mahogany--Damask seats, Hepplewhite backs. +Walnut--English linen seats, Sheraton backs. Weathered Oak--Velvet +Seats, Queen Anne backs. Painted--Rush seats, or wooden seats, Windsor +or straight backs. + +_Sideboard_--Low, broad, after Hepplewhite or Sheraton, a Welsh +dresser with Windsor chairs. (Here keep either a few good pieces of +silver with candlesticks on either end, or a large pottery bowl filled +with fruit in the center, and candlesticks to match the bowl placed at +either end, or some bits of red or yellow glass, but do not combine all +three. Do not use delicate lace runners or doilies. Plain linen, or +heavy real filet is far more effective Display no cut glass or hand- +painted china.) + +_Mirror or Mellow, dark-toned painting_--Framed in antique gilt or +to correspond with the wood of the furniture selected, and hung on +level with the eye, directly in the center and over the sideboard. + +_Serving Table_--To correspond with other furniture selected, and +placed as near the kitchen door as possible. + +Here keep two or four silver or glass candlesticks which are used on +the table at night, also a silver, mahogany, or wicker tray. + +_Mirror_--Queen Anne type--over serving table--especially if +serving table is between two windows, it gives effect of space. + +_Muffin stand_--Especially for maidless house--of mahogany, +walnut, or painted to correspond with furniture selected. + +_Nest of Tables_--Small, square, of either mahogany, walnut, or +black lacquer, to be kept in a corner and used for tea parties, +functions, etc. + +_Rug--Large Oriental_--In blues, yellows, browns, or old rose and +black; Wilton--in blues, yellows, brown, or old rose, and black; +Axminster--in blues, yellows, browns, or old rose, and black; Chenille +or velvet, in plain colors. + +_Curtains_--Glass curtains to match living room, in either +marquisette, cheese cloth, or scrim, made plain. + +_Overdraperies_--If desired, can be either like the living room, +if rooms are in close proximity, or taken from the predominating color +note of living room hangings if these are figured. + +With a cloudy or landscape paper, use plain poplin, rep, or sunfast, in +warm tans, sage green, with bands of black or orange, or both, across +the bottom; this would give character to the room. + +_Uniformity in furniture chosen_--Be sure in choosing your +furniture that uniformity is observed as to period, wood, and type. For +example, if a Sheraton sideboard in mahogany is selected, then the +entire furniture of the dining room should be of the Sheraton type in +mahogany. + +_Bedrooms_ + +The first requisite in furnishing a bedroom is that it appears crisp +and clean. The walls, light in color, must be restful and simple in +design. The woodwork should be white, if possible. Painted furniture is +very popular for a bedroom because of its dainty appearance, but dull- +finished mahogany or walnut in four post or Colonial design, with rag, +braided, or hooked rugs, makes a charming bedroom. + +Place the bed where the sleeper will not be subject to strong light or +cross drafts (see page 27 for proper ventilation). A dressing table is +fashionable, but not as practical as a chest of drawers with mirror +above. A full-length mirror installed in a closet door, or hung in a +narrow wall space, is a very decided adjunct. Be sure to place the +dressing table or chest of drawers where the light is not reflected +from an opposite window. To secure a good view, the light should be +directed upon the person to be reflected, and not upon the mirror. + +Avoid placing the furniture all on one side of the room. If possible, +intermingle high and low pieces to secure a proper balance. If one bed +is used, be sure to place beside it a table on which should be a lamp, +telephone, and small water bottle and glass. If two beds are used, +place this table between the two beds. + +If the walls are plain in color, figured draperies and bedspreads can +be used. If the walls have on them a small design, plain materials for +these purposes should be used. + +_Suggested Color Scheme for Bedroom_ + +_Walls_--Corn colored cross-bar paper. + +_Woodwork_--White, dull finish, paint. + +_Floors_--_Hardwood_--Stained antique oak, with wax or +varnish finish. + +_Floors_--_Softwood_--Painted a deep yellow, or covered in +plain brown, tan, or Jaspe linoleum. + +_Suggested List of Furnishings for the Bedroom_ + +_Bed_--Full size, or twin beds--In mahogany, walnut, ivory paint, +or enamel. Box or wire springs. Mattress and pillows. + +Bedspreads and bureau covers may be made of unbleached muslin, bound +with wide bands of plain yellow, blue, and brown, these colors +overlapping each other, or plain white Swiss, dimity, or Marseilles. + +_One high-boy_, or high chest of drawers for man--In mahogany, +walnut, or painted. This piece should conform with or match other +furniture in room. Brushes, comb, box for odds and ends, clothes brush. + +_Mirror_--Hung flat against the wall--in same wood as high-boy. + +_One Dressing Table_--or low chest of drawers--for lady--with +mirror hung over the chest of drawers. May be in mahogany, walnut, or +painted. With toilet articles in silver or tortoise shell, or ivory; +pin cushion, scent bottles. The mirror may be of Queen Anne type in +antique gilt, to correspond with woods used in room. + +_Two straight back chairs_--In mahogany, walnut, or painted, with +plain wood, rush, or caned seats. + +_Natural wicker arm chair_--Sturdy type placed near window, with +cushions of chintz or sateen to match the bedspreads. + +_Small flat-top desk and chair_--In either mahogany, walnut, or +painted, to correspond with furniture. + +Supply with note paper, silver or brass ink-well, and blue feather pen. + +_Small Sewing Table_--Of Martha Washington design, or a Colonial +type, in mahogany or rosewood. Place on it small lamp with base of +wood, in brown or tan porcelain, and having a shade of blue silk lined +with tan silk. + +_A Chest_--In either cedar, mahogany, or cretonne-covered, and +placed under a window or in a corner for storage of summer or winter +clothes. + +_Rugs_--Oriental in black, blues, or yellows, plain brown or tan +carpet, made into a large rug, or wool braided, hooked, or heavy rag +rugs, in black, blues, tans, browns. + +Small rugs should be placed near the bed, dressing table, and high-boy. + +_Curtains_--Glass curtains of scrim, marquisette, or cheese-cloth, +to correspond with those of living room and dining room. + +_Draperies_--Draperies of either cretonne or muslin to match +bedspreads, with bands of yellow, blue and brown sateen to correspond +with bedspreads. + +_Bedroom for Either Boys or Girls_ + +It has been proven that furnishings and color produce either desirable +or disastrous effects upon the sensitive minds of children. As all +children's rooms are usually a combination of bedroom, play room, and +study, it is well to keep in mind colors, design, arrangement, and +practicality for all purposes. + +To most children, a spotty or too often repeated design is distracting. +Blues and violets soothe, while reds, yellows, and sometimes greens are +exciting and stimulating colors. We so often send our children to study +and amuse themselves in their room, but have we done our share in +providing them with the comforts and necessities that will assist them +to produce better school work? + +_Boys_--With no frills, light fabrics, or woodwork for them to +soil and mar, their rooms still may be made interesting--even beautiful-- +but convenience and masculinity should be kept foremost in mind. + +_Girls_--A girl's room, on the other hand, should be dainty, +bright, and frivolous. Her personality, even at a very tender age, will +clearly be disclosed by the way she cares for her room. There is no +need of a great expenditure of money in buying furniture or hangings +for a girl's room. Some of the cheaper fabrics and simplest furniture +will make the most charming room. + + +_BOY'S ROOMS_ + +_A Suggested Color Scheme_ + +_Walls_--Buff-colored paint, or tinted walls. + +_Woodwork_--Stained mission oak or walnut. + +_Floors_--Hardwood floor, strips of coco matting, or woolbraided +rugs. Softwood--a large square of linoleum. + + +_Suggested List of Furnishings_ + +_Bed_--Something of the day bed type. Bedspread of blue denim, +with stitched bands of yellow sateen at edge. + +_Chest of Drawers_--Painted buff or brown, or walnut or mission +oak. + +_A Mirror_--Antique gilt, or of wood to match chest of drawers, +hung low. + +_A Desk_--Of the craftsman type, with stool or bench to match. + +_Two Wooden Chairs_--Either painted or of mission oak. + +_A Table_--Low, plain wooden table, of walnut, or stained to match +the woodwork. + +_One Comfortable Chair_--Brown wicker, or the Windsor type. + +_A Lamp_--Of the student type, or on a bracket, securely fastened +on the wall. + +_A Tie Rack_--Hung near chest of drawers. + +_One or two shelves_--For books, trophies, etc. Made of plain +wood, stained to match the woodwork of a plain bookcase of mission oak. + +_Curtains_--Of blue denim, with stitched bands of sateen at edge-- +hung straight. + + +_GIRLS' ROOMS_ + +_A Suggested Color Scheme_ + +_Walls_--Papered in a soft gray-rose, allover design paper. + +_Woodwork_--Cream paint. + +_Floor_--Hardwood--Rag rugs, with rose stripes or a gray chenille +carpet. Softwood--Battleship gray paint, with rag rugs or rose chenille +carpet. + +_Suggested List of Furnishings_ + +_Bed_--_Single_--Painted ivory or cream--four post, or with +some low, simple headboard. + +Bedspread of rose dotted swiss, with wide ruffle. + +_A Dressing Table_--To match bed, with rose colored sateen mats-- +bound in pale-gray with drawers. + +_A Large Box_--For waists, etc. Covered in rose and gray cretonne. + +_A Desk_--To correspond with painted furniture; a gray blotter and +rose colored pen. + +_Two Chairs_--One of natural wicker with cushions of rose sateen, +and one of wood to correspond with painted furniture, caned seat. + +_A Sewing Table_--Of mahogany or cherry. + +_A Lamp_--China base with a shade of silk, dotted swiss, or rose- +colored paper. + + +_The Nursery_ + +The ideal nursery is also a play room. It should, as nearly as +possible, meet the ideals of the child's own world. In that room are +received early impressions which are never forgotten, and which have a +lasting influence on the adult life. + +Don't bedeck the cribs, beds, or curtains with ribbons and laces, and +expect your child to be happy. The "don'ts" and "be carefuls" make +children irritable and unhappy. Choose the room with a thought to +sunlight, and be sure it has outside blinds which will darken the room +without keeping out the air. + +The floor should be bare with the exception of one rug near the bed, or +should be covered with a good grade of plain linoleum. + +The walls and woodwork should be painted, if possible, a cream or light +gray. Some fairy tale friezes are attractive, and afford opportunities +of introducing color, but, if used, should not be placed too high on +the wall--about three-quarters of the way up from the floor is a +reasonable height. Child-study has taught that many and oft-repeated +designs and subjects become meaningless, especially to older children. + +The furniture in the nursery should be practical. Painted furniture and +wicker chairs are attractive. A comfortable winged or overstuffed chair +for the grown-ups is essential. Low shelves and cupboards, built for +toys and books, are necessary if the room is to be kept neat and tidy. +A stationary blackboard, and a large box for books and cherished +belongings, are very welcome additions. + + +_A Suggested Color Scheme for the Nursery_ + +_Walls_--A soft, misty, gray paint, tint, or plain paper. + +_Woodwork_--A dull white. + +_Floors_--Plain hardwood, with a rag or braided rug in sapphire +blue--or softwood, entirely covered in taupe Jaspe linoleum. + + +_Below Is a Suggested List of Furnishings Which the Nursery Might +Contain_ + +_A Crib_--White iron or wood, on ball bearing casters. + +Bedspread of yellow and white seersucker, or a silky yellow sunfast. + +_A Tall Chest of Drawers_--Painted cream or white, with plenty of +drawers. + +_Table_--Low nursery table or tall one which has had its legs cut. + +_Two Chairs_--Low, with wooden seats, and painted to match the +furniture. + +_A Desk_--Flat top with plenty of paper and pencils. + +_Waste Paper Basket_--White or natural wicker. + +_One Large Fireside Chair_--With slip cover of blue and yellow +striped linen. + +_Glass Curtains_--Of best quality of cream colored cheesecloth, +bound in yellow tape. + +_Over draperies_ (If desired)--Of primrose yellow silk, or +sunfast, or striped yellow and blue linen to match slip cover. + +_Clothes Rack_--Low wooden rack, painted white, with at least four +hooks. + +_Closet_--Should have a low pole on which could be hung plenty of +hangers. Also a shelf about 6 inches from the floor for shoes, etc. + +_Large Cushions_ for the floor--One each of blue, yellow, nile +green and orange. + +_Color Scheme_--If you desire another color scheme, such as blue- +and-white, or pink-and-white, write for information. + + + + +_Model Kitchen_ + + +PREPARED BY THE HOME ECONOMICS BUREAU OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE + + +The first consideration in arranging kitchen equipment is to save steps +and labor. The kitchen should be clean, odorless and attractive. + +_Size_--Not more than 120 square feet of working space for +preparing food and washing dishes. More space when kitchen is used for +laundry or has dining alcove. + +_Ventilation_--If no cross drafts are provided for, cut a transom +over back door if possible and arrange window boards to allow +ventilation through top and bottom of window. Is desirable to have hood +installed over stove to carry off drafts. + +_Lighting_--Two or three windows desirable and a glass pane in +kitchen door. If unavailable, increase light by having very pale walls +and mirrors in dark corners. Artificial light should be from powerful +burner hung from center of ceiling. Electric light should be indirect. +Additional side lights should be added near sink and stove, unless they +receive full light. + +_Wall Coverings_--(1) Commercial oil cloth wall covering; or (2) +good oil enamel paint. Color--Light tones. On Southern exposure--pale +gray, green or pale blue; on Northern exposure--buff walls with a +deeper buff or tan woodwork are good. For very dark rooms--white. Avoid +white in well lighted rooms because of glare. If natural color, +woodwork should have two coats of water proof varnish; if painted, two +coats of flat paint and one of enamel paint. + +_Floor Coverings_--If room has cement floors, provide rubber mats +before sink, stove and cabinet to avoid foot strain. Otherwise, use +linoleum slightly darker than walls and harmonizing or contrasting in +color; or any other surface easy to keep clean. + + +_List of Kitchen Fixtures_ + +The Kitchen should have the following equipment: + +_Range_--Coal, wood, gas, oil or electric. Good hood for +ventilation is desirable. Height of all working surfaces depends upon +height of woman who will work in kitchen. All working surfaces +including top of range should be as near the same height as possible. +Height should be at least 32 inches, or more, if worker is tall. A +label should state this fact. If coal range is the main one, have +supplementary gas, electric or oil range. Gas range should have stove +pipe from oven. + +_Sink_--Sink should be large enough to accommodate both a washing +and rinsing dish pan. Have large drain board on each side with raised +edge or beading. It should either slope gradually toward sink or have +sloping grooves. If only one drain board is provided, add an adjustable +folding board. Bottom of sink should be at least 32 inches from floor. +Sink should be placed under or near a window to insure coolness and +view. + +_Cabinet_--White or colored enameled metal or natural wood finish +with broad working shelf 32 inches from floor or higher according to +height of worker. Shelves and bins for most commonly used supplies and +utensils. If a cabinet with a good work shelf is not available an +additional table near cabinet should be provided. + +_Tables_--One or two tables, porcelain, glass, enamel, or zinc +topped. If none of these can be had, linoleum may be fitted with +waterproof cement to a wooden table. It should be at least 32 inches +high. A table with drawers underneath and a swinging stool and space +for knees is good. + +_Cupboard_--If there is no dining room pantry, a cupboard should +be added for the china; if space permits, this should be added anyhow +for less frequently used utensils and supplies. + +_Stool_--Stool, preferably white, should be of right height to +allow sitting at table, work-shelf or sink. Add a plain chair if space +permits. + +_Refrigerator_--A well insulated ice box, preferably white. Ice +compartment should be at side or top. Straight easily cleaned drain +pipe should attach to plumbing. If refrigerator is indoors a door for +icing from the outside is desirable. + +_Towel Rods_--Wood or nickel with space for four or five dish +towels. + +_Hand Towel Rack_--If only one person uses it, roller towel rack +may be installed. Otherwise, paper toweling or individual hand towels +hung on cup hooks near sink by loops on corners. + +_Wall Clock_--Simple, with clear figures. + +_Housekeepers' Rest Corner_--If space permits, a comfortable +chair, footrest and small table for books and sewing should occupy a +little-used portion of the room, to permit rest and recreation while +waiting for food to cook. + +_Garbage Pail_--Covered; with foot lever to raise cover without +stooping; fireproof trash basket. + + +_Arrangement of Equipment_ + +Sink, cabinet with broad working shelf and dish cabinet (if dishes are +washed in kitchen) should be as close together as possible without +cramping passage room. Stove should be convenient to, but slightly away +from, work shelf for hot weather. An ideal arrangement is china +cupboard at right of sink, cabinet with broad work shelf at left of +sink and, in a narrow kitchen, range on opposite wall from sink across +narrowest part of room; if range is far from any broad working surface +a table should be very near range. All kitchen equipment, except range, +should be as near as possible to dining room door. If no dining room +pantry with sink is provided, kitchen sink should be near dining room +door. Range with supplementary range beside it should be so placed that +full day light will light the oven. If stove is already installed in a +dark place in exhibition house, move it into light, even though +repiping and wiring may be required. Mirrors may be hung to throw +additional light on range. If there is no good working shelf on +cabinet, a table should be near cabinet for mixing food. There will +then have to be a second table with a heat proof top near the stove +unless stove is so near to cabinet that one table will serve both for +mixing and setting hot utensils on. If possible, install a gas range, +or an electric range if current is cheap enough to warrant. The range +should, if possible, have an oven heat regulator. Where gas is +unavailable and cost of electric current high, install a good oil stove +with an oven. Refrigerator should be on porch or vestibule just outside +kitchen door or should be in the kitchen near the back door away from +the stove. If space permits, table next to refrigerator is a +convenience. An out-icer is a convenience; in cold weather the ice +compartment may be left empty and open for the air to cool the food. + +Dish towel and hand towel racks should be as near as possible to sink, +high enough to be out of the way. The dish towel rack should be on side +towards window for drying and airing. + +Wall clock should be within sight of stove without worker turning +around. Garbage pail and trash basket should be under sink. Stove +should be near chief working surface; either table or cabinet. + +_Decorations_--Simple, easily washed curtains of gingham, striped +calico or unbleached muslin with a colored tape border add to the +attractiveness of the room. They should not obscure the light. If the +windows are near working centers, curtains may be half length, that is, +from top of window to center sash, and finished with a fringe. + +Smaller up-to-date equipment, such as a fireless cooker, a pressure +cooker, utensils, electric whippers, cutlery, strainers and so on, +should also be installed. Further information is given in another +bulletin. + + +_The Kitchen as Laundry_ + +If the Kitchen is also used as Laundry, laundry equipment should be +away from cooking equipment if possible. _Two Tubs_--well-lighted, +tops 34 inches, a _Washing Machine_ run by whatever power the +locality affords, preferably electricity. Washing Machine may have +direct connection with plumbing, or good pipe hose should be provided +for draining and filling machine. Copper lined _Wash Boiler_ with +spigot for emptying. _Zinc Topped Table_--on rollers, same height +as top of stove, for carrying wash-boiler between sink and stove. +_Ironing Board_--If possible, board that folds into cupboard. +Board should have its own support far enough in from ends to permit of +putting garment over it. _Clothes Basket_--_with Casters on +Bottom_. + +_Iron_--Electric Iron, or if electricity is unavailable, gas iron. +Electric or hand _Mangle_ for ironing. + +Have tubs, washing machine, ironing board and plug for electric iron +grouped together. + +_The Equipment of the House_ + +Having a house that is structurally sound, well planned and with +adequate yard space, the next question is its equipment. Equipment has +to do with the operation, with the house work. On the one hand this is +more or less determined by the size and plan of the building, on the +other by the furnishing and decoration. A well planned house makes +house work lighter; and furnishing and decoration which add +unnecessarily to the number of things which must be cleaned or cared +for, or heavy pieces which must be moved, add to the labor of house +work. Nevertheless, equipment occupies a clear outfield of its own that +calls for separate discussion. + +_Heating_ + +_Central Heating_--Central heating preferred. May be hot air, +steam, hot water, or vapor. Insulate heater and pipes. Large furnace +water pan, or radiator waterpans, desirable. Select heating system, +using fuel most economical for your locality. Thermostat heat regulator +installed in living room is desirable. Write placards describing why +you selected this heating plant; why it is so well insulated; why large +water pan or radiator water pans are important. + +_Supplementary Heat_--Open fireplace, Franklin stove or gas logs +desirable in living room for beauty and comfort in spring and fall. + +_Water Supply_ + +Should have running hot and cold water. If city water not available, +should be pumped by power rams. Hot water boiler may be attached to +coal range with auxiliary gas or oil heater for summer. Where gas rate +is low, gas may be used alone. Automatic gas hot water heaters very +desirable. + +_Bathroom_ + +_Size_--Should be large enough for tub, basin, toilet, clothes- +hamper, stool, medicine cabinet and towel cabinet. + +_Floor_--Should be most sanitary. Tile, stone or linoleums are the +most sanitary. Small black and white pattern or light blue and white +are good. A well-filled painted wood floor of battleship gray or +colonial buff may be used. + +_Walls_--Tile or plaster painted with two coats flat paint and one +coat of enamel, or oil cloth wall covering. White, blue and cream are +the best colors. + +_Ventilation_--Window board should be in window to allow top and +bottom ventilation. An additional separate ventilator is desirable. + +_Fixtures_--Porcelain or enameled iron tub with hot and cold +running water; shower with spray set at angle not to wet hair. + +_Basin_--Porcelain or enamel with hot and cold water. +_Toilet_--porcelain, white enameled seat desirable. _Medicine +Cabinet_ with door and mirror over basin, shelves for shaving +equipment, lotions, antiseptics, etc. _Cupboard_ large enough to +hold supply of towels, soap, toilet paper, and equipment for cleaning +bathroom fixtures. + +_Clothes hamper_ unless chute to bin near wash tubs is provided. +Hamper should have white smooth surface. Enameled metal or wood +desirable. + +_Towel racks_--A nickel or enameled wood rack for each member of +family to keep towels separate. + +_Miscellaneous fixtures_--Two nickel or enameled metal soap racks, +one beside basin and one beside or hooked to tub. Tooth brush rack to +hold tooth brushes well separated. Toilet paper basket or rack. +Individual mugs or glasses for each member of family. Shelf of glass or +wood covered with oil cloth over basin. + +_Stool_--White enamel, preferably. _Clothes hooks_ on back of +door, or clothes tree. _Sash curtains_ of white material, easy to +launder. + +_Lavatory_--It is well to have additional lavatory on ground floor +to save steps. It should contain toilet, wash bowl, stool and fixtures +for accessories. Should be as easy to clean and hygienic as bathroom. + +_Lighting_ + +Electricity if possible. Bulbs in all rooms should be frosted or +shaded. _Hall_--Electricity or lamp hung from center in form of +lantern or cast iron bracket to hold at least one bulb or one lamp. If +side lights are desired, fixtures of brass, cast iron, or enameled iron +are effective. + +_Living Room_--If possible, at least one baseboard plug, one +center ceiling light or side brackets if desired. If room is large a +center floor plug is desirable. Plugs permit lamps to be used without +unnecessary cords showing. If wire must pass through rug, do not cut +rug but push threads apart. + +_Dining Room_--If a center light in shape of dome is used, hang +low enough to avoid shining in eyes of those dining. A soft effect is +gained by side brackets representing sconces. Wired metal or glass +candlesticks on mantel and side-board, give pleasing effect. Floor plug +near dining table for electrical table appliances. + +_Bedrooms_--Fixtures should be placed in long wall space +convenient to bureau or dressing table. Have plug near bed for lamp for +reading in bed. If space permits, night light on table in upper hall is +useful. All plugs and sockets should be of standard shape and size. + +_Cleaning_ + +House should be easy to clean with hard smooth floors, with cracks well +filled, and rugs rather than carpets. Rounded edges and corners of +baseboards desirable, also simple baseboards. One flight of stairs is +sufficient if located out of sight of living room. This saves labor of +cleaning two flights. Two cleaning closets, one on ground floor and one +on second floor, are labor savers. Have space for vacuum cleaner and +for hanging all brushes, brooms and dusters, and a shelf above or at +side for the cleaning compounds. Zinc or other fireproof lining to +cupboard and ventilator desirable. + +_Storage Space_--Attic with rows of shelves for storing boxes and +small objects is desirable. Wooden chests, trunks, and a cedar lined +chest or cupboard useful. Built-in closets or rows of inexpensive +chests of drawers with space to pass between are good. + +_Storage Closets_ + +Every bedroom should have clothes closet with hooks and a rod for +hangers, a shelf for hats and a bottom shelf for shoes. A tall closet +may have near ceiling an additional rod for hangers for less often used +clothes, and long rod lifter to reach hangers. A cupboard for bed linen +should be in upstairs hall or in a centrally located room. On ground +floor coat closet is desirable; also tool cupboard or chest, large +china cupboard, low enough for all china to be within reach. Cold +closet with open wire screen cabinets in basement. + +_Pantry_ + +If kitchen is well ventilated and stove has hood, pass pantry not +necessary. It makes extra steps. If pass pantry is in house, only its +narrowest dimension should divide kitchen from dining room. Partitions +under sink for trays to stand; a narrow space for table leaves; a china +cupboard with reachable shelves, and a sink and drainboards like those +described for kitchen are desirable. Drawer on small shelf for cleaning +compounds and brushes for cleaning silver, steel, brass and copper. + + + + +FINANCING A HOME + +PREPARED BY THE DIVISION OF BUILDING AND HOUSING, DEPARTMENT OF +COMMERCE + + +_1.--What You Buy and How to Buy It_ + +In purchasing a home a misstep may be unfortunate, so get the best +advice you can, and watch every step. First of all, what you buy is the +site and the improvements on it. If a building and loan association, or +bank, loans you money on the property, it has a direct financial +interest in helping you guard yourself on certain points, such as +making sure that there are no old mortgages, no unpaid back taxes, or +bills for building materials, or other claims against the property. + +Be certain your title is clear, or have it insured or guaranteed. Learn +of any easements, such as the right of a telephone company to place its +poles upon your lot. + +If you make a purchase offer with a cash deposit, include a statement +as to whether window shades, stoves, and other movable property are +included. Risk from loss by fire or elements should be assumed by the +owner until the title passes to you. + +Your offer should be dependent on your obtaining a satisfactory loan to +finance the proposition, and the ability of the owners to furnish +papers to show a good marketable title, free from liens or +encumbrances. In other words, do not bind yourself to the purchase +until you are sure of what you are paying for, and that you can finance +it. + +You must be prepared to pay taxes on your property, and special +assessments for installation of water, sewerage, electric light, gas or +other public utilities, or street paving and sidewalks. Note what +improvements are already made, and what additional ones you may have to +pay for. + +_2.--How to Pay for Your Home_ + +In buying a house and lot you must borrow what you cannot pay in cash. +Remember that the more risks you assume, the fewer the lender will have +to charge you for. Your promise to pay back what you borrow will be +secured by a mortgage or trust on the property. A first mortgage loan +on not over one-half or two-thirds of the value of a piece of property +is a very safe investment, and the rates of interest should be low. The +lender on a second mortgage takes more risk, and rates of interest and +discounts are higher. If you agree to buy a home without the title +passing to you at once, the seller takes less risk, and you may save +money. + +_3.--Where to Get Loans_ + +There are building and loan associations throughout the country, +usually organized to serve the needs of people like yourself, who wish +to finance a home. Their plan of weekly or monthly payments, both on +principal and for interest, has proved sound from the experience of +millions of people as an aid to systematic saving. Loans may often be +obtained from savings banks, trust companies, state banks, individuals, +and trustees for estates. + +Obtaining money on a second mortgage is usually not so easy. Remember +that when the owner of a house takes a second mortgage in payment he +may plan to sell it for four-fifths or less of its face value, and that +he probably charges you accordingly. + +Above all, when you start to save for a home do not throw your money +into glittering schemes that promise big dividends and the chance to +borrow money at 3 per cent or less. The concerns behind such schemes +cannot be trusted. + +_4.--How Much Can You Afford?_ + +It is said that a man may own a home worth one and one-half to two and +one-half times his annual income but the payments you make during the +first few years after purchasing are what you should pay most attention +to. Rent ordinarily requires from ten per cent, to twenty-five, or even +more, of a family's annual income. In addition to what you ordinarily +pay for rent, you can devote your customary savings, or more, to paying +off the principal of loans on your home. + +Following is an example: A man who earns $2,000 a year buys a house and +lot costing $4,000. He has $1,000 cash to pay down on it, and obtains a +loan of $3,000, or 75 per cent, of the value of the property, from a +building and loan association. + +Cost per year for a $4,000 house (not including depreciation) + + Payments on $3,000 B. & L. Shares at + 1/2% a month or 6% a year (savings) $180.00 a year + Interest on $3,000 loan at 6% 180.00 " " + Interest on $1,000 cash at $% 50.00 " " + Taxes (vary locally) 75.00 " " + Insurance 5.00 " " + Upkeep at 1-1/2% 60.00 " " + -------- + $550.00 + +Of the total income of $2,000, the $550 represents 27-1/2% divided as +follows: 18-1/2% for rent; 9% for savings. In about twelve years the +loan is paid off, and the home owned free and clear. + + + + +Zoning and What it Means to the Home + +By DR. JOHN M. GRIES + +CHIEF DIVISION OF BUILDING AND HOUSING, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE + + +Zoning helps home owners by establishing residential districts from +which garages, and business and factory buildings are excluded. +Apartments or houses covering more than 30 or 40 per cent. of the area +of a lot may be prohibited in some sections. This all means a better +and fairer chance for each family to have a home with enough light and +air, and healthful, decent surroundings, near to schools, playgrounds +and transportation facilities. + +It may be added that zoning, when wisely carried out, provides for +grouping of neighborhood stores at convenient points, and for guided +growth of business and industrial districts, in the directions best +suited for them. + +In the words of the Advisory Committee on Zoning appointed by Secretary +Hoover: + +"Zoning is the application of common sense and fairness to the public +regulations governing the use of private real estate. It is a +painstaking, honest effort to provide each district or neighborhood, as +nearly as practicable, with just such protection and just such liberty +as are sensible in that particular district. It avoids the error of +trying to apply exactly the same building regulations to every part of +a city or town regardless of whether it is a suburban residence section +or a factory district, or a business and financial center. + +"Zoning gives everyone who lives or does business in a community a +chance for the reasonable enjoyment of his rights. At the same time it +protects him from unreasonable injury by neighbors who would seek +private gain at his expense. + +"Zoning regulations differ in different districts according to the +determined uses of the land for residence, business, or manufacturing, +and according to the advisable heights and ground areas. + +"But these differing regulations are the same for all districts of the +same type. They treat all men alike." + +But the benefits of zoning are not confined to safeguarding the home +and its surroundings. It can reduce losses due to topsy-turvy growth of +cities, and cut the cost of living. Every year millions of dollars are +wasted in American cities from the scrapping of buildings in "blighted" +districts. For instance, fine residential districts may be threatened +by sporadic factories or junk yards, and owners may become panicky and +sell at a sacrifice millions of dollars worth of valuable dwellings +which will be left to stand practically idle. The public must pay for +this loss in one way or another. Frequently money for street, sewers +and other utilities need never be spent if it is known in advance that +large factories are to occupy new developments. Industry and homes are +both more efficient if kept generally separate, though separation need +not mean great distances for workers to travel. + +"How has zoning worked?" "What has it accomplished?" About 70 cities +and towns have adopted zoning ordinances since 1916, and the idea has +worked well. Reliable authorities declare that "the New York zoning +regulations have prevented vast depreciation in many districts and +effected savings in values amounting to millions of dollars in +established sections." The highest class residential districts in New +York, in which only 30 per cent of the lot area may be used for +dwellings, have developed with much greater confidence, due to the +knowledge that houses built would be safe from invasion by apartments +or industry. + +In St. Louis "it was found that residences tended to follow the +residence districts, and did not even attempt to seek locations in +industrial or unrestricted areas. Except commercial buildings which +were built partly in commercial and partly in industrial districts, the +development of St. Louis is said to be fitting itself very closely to +the zoning plan. + +"In New Jersey it has been found that the unzoned suburban town is at a +distinct disadvantage as compared with the community protected by a +zoning ordinance." + +It is sometimes said that zoning is arbitrary and restricts the liberty +of the individual to do as he wishes; but when zoning laws have been +sensibly and comprehensively drawn, the courts have approved them as a +reasonable exercise of the police power "for the public health, safety +and general welfare." + +Zoning should always be undertaken in close relation to a city plan. It +is essentially a neighborly proposition, and there should be +neighborhood meetings to explain it and gather suggestions. + +The purpose of a zoning ordinance is to insure that growth, instead of +taking place sporadically and wastefully, should go on in an orderly +way in response to generally recognized needs, and with due notice to +all concerned. + +Zoning today is giving security and the sense of security to hundreds +of thousands of families in America, in the enjoyment of happy homes +amid the right kind of surroundings. + +_Is your city zoned_? + + + + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, BETTER HOMES IN AMERICA *** + +This file should be named btrha10.txt or btrha10.zip +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks get a new NUMBER, btrha11.txt +VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, btrha10a.txt + +Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we usually do not +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + +We are now trying to release all our eBooks one year in advance +of the official release dates, leaving time for better editing. +Please be encouraged to tell us about any error or corrections, +even years after the official publication date. + +Please note neither this listing nor its contents are final til +midnight of the last day of the month of any such announcement. +The official release date of all Project Gutenberg eBooks is at +Midnight, Central Time, of the last day of the stated month. A +preliminary version may often be posted for suggestion, comment +and editing by those who wish to do so. + +Most people start at our Web sites at: +http://gutenberg.net or +http://promo.net/pg + +These Web sites include award-winning information about Project +Gutenberg, including how to donate, how to help produce our new +eBooks, and how to subscribe to our email newsletter (free!). + + +Those of you who want to download any eBook before announcement +can get to them as follows, and just download by date. This is +also a good way to get them instantly upon announcement, as the +indexes our cataloguers produce obviously take a while after an +announcement goes out in the Project Gutenberg Newsletter. + +http://www.ibiblio.org/gutenberg/etext05 or +ftp://ftp.ibiblio.org/pub/docs/books/gutenberg/etext05 + +Or /etext04, 03, 02, 01, 00, 99, 98, 97, 96, 95, 94, 93, 92, 92, +91 or 90 + +Just search by the first five letters of the filename you want, +as it appears in our Newsletters. + + +Information about Project Gutenberg (one page) + +We produce about two million dollars for each hour we work. The +time it takes us, a rather conservative estimate, is fifty hours +to get any eBook selected, entered, proofread, edited, copyright +searched and analyzed, the copyright letters written, etc. Our +projected audience is one hundred million readers. If the value +per text is nominally estimated at one dollar then we produce $2 +million dollars per hour in 2002 as we release over 100 new text +files per month: 1240 more eBooks in 2001 for a total of 4000+ +We are already on our way to trying for 2000 more eBooks in 2002 +If they reach just 1-2% of the world's population then the total +will reach over half a trillion eBooks given away by year's end. + +The Goal of Project Gutenberg is to Give Away 1 Trillion eBooks! +This is ten thousand titles each to one hundred million readers, +which is only about 4% of the present number of computer users. + +Here is the briefest record of our progress (* means estimated): + +eBooks Year Month + + 1 1971 July + 10 1991 January + 100 1994 January + 1000 1997 August + 1500 1998 October + 2000 1999 December + 2500 2000 December + 3000 2001 November + 4000 2001 October/November + 6000 2002 December* + 9000 2003 November* +10000 2004 January* + + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation has been created +to secure a future for Project Gutenberg into the next millennium. + +We need your donations more than ever! + +As of February, 2002, contributions are being solicited from people +and organizations in: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, +Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, +Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, +Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New +Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, +Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South +Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West +Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. + +We have filed in all 50 states now, but these are the only ones +that have responded. + +As the requirements for other states are met, additions to this list +will be made and fund raising will begin in the additional states. +Please feel free to ask to check the status of your state. + +In answer to various questions we have received on this: + +We are constantly working on finishing the paperwork to legally +request donations in all 50 states. If your state is not listed and +you would like to know if we have added it since the list you have, +just ask. + +While we cannot solicit donations from people in states where we are +not yet registered, we know of no prohibition against accepting +donations from donors in these states who approach us with an offer to +donate. + +International donations are accepted, but we don't know ANYTHING about +how to make them tax-deductible, or even if they CAN be made +deductible, and don't have the staff to handle it even if there are +ways. + +Donations by check or money order may be sent to: + + PROJECT GUTENBERG LITERARY ARCHIVE FOUNDATION + 809 North 1500 West + Salt Lake City, UT 84116 + +Contact us if you want to arrange for a wire transfer or payment +method other than by check or money order. + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation has been approved by +the US Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) organization with EIN +[Employee Identification Number] 64-622154. Donations are +tax-deductible to the maximum extent permitted by law. As fund-raising +requirements for other states are met, additions to this list will be +made and fund-raising will begin in the additional states. + +We need your donations more than ever! + +You can get up to date donation information online at: + +http://www.gutenberg.net/donation.html + + +*** + +If you can't reach Project Gutenberg, +you can always email directly to: + +Michael S. Hart <hart@pobox.com> + +Prof. Hart will answer or forward your message. + +We would prefer to send you information by email. + + +**The Legal Small Print** + + +(Three Pages) + +***START**THE SMALL PRINT!**FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN EBOOKS**START*** +Why is this "Small Print!" statement here? You know: lawyers. +They tell us you might sue us if there is something wrong with +your copy of this eBook, even if you got it for free from +someone other than us, and even if what's wrong is not our +fault. So, among other things, this "Small Print!" statement +disclaims most of our liability to you. It also tells you how +you may distribute copies of this eBook if you want to. + +*BEFORE!* YOU USE OR READ THIS EBOOK +By using or reading any part of this PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm +eBook, you indicate that you understand, agree to and accept +this "Small Print!" statement. If you do not, you can receive +a refund of the money (if any) you paid for this eBook by +sending a request within 30 days of receiving it to the person +you got it from. If you received this eBook on a physical +medium (such as a disk), you must return it with your request. + +ABOUT PROJECT GUTENBERG-TM EBOOKS +This PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm eBook, like most PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm eBooks, +is a "public domain" work distributed by Professor Michael S. Hart +through the Project Gutenberg Association (the "Project"). +Among other things, this means that no one owns a United States copyright +on or for this work, so the Project (and you!) can copy and +distribute it in the United States without permission and +without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, set forth +below, apply if you wish to copy and distribute this eBook +under the "PROJECT GUTENBERG" trademark. + +Please do not use the "PROJECT GUTENBERG" trademark to market +any commercial products without permission. + +To create these eBooks, the Project expends considerable +efforts to identify, transcribe and proofread public domain +works. Despite these efforts, the Project's eBooks and any +medium they may be on may contain "Defects". Among other +things, Defects may take the form of incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other +intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged +disk or other eBook medium, a computer virus, or computer +codes that damage or cannot be read by your equipment. + +LIMITED WARRANTY; DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES +But for the "Right of Replacement or Refund" described below, +[1] Michael Hart and the Foundation (and any other party you may +receive this eBook from as a PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm eBook) disclaims +all liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including +legal fees, and [2] YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE OR +UNDER STRICT LIABILITY, OR FOR BREACH OF WARRANTY OR CONTRACT, +INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE +OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE +POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. + +If you discover a Defect in this eBook within 90 days of +receiving it, you can receive a refund of the money (if any) +you paid for it by sending an explanatory note within that +time to the person you received it from. If you received it +on a physical medium, you must return it with your note, and +such person may choose to alternatively give you a replacement +copy. If you received it electronically, such person may +choose to alternatively give you a second opportunity to +receive it electronically. + +THIS EBOOK IS OTHERWISE PROVIDED TO YOU "AS-IS". NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, ARE MADE TO YOU AS +TO THE EBOOK OR ANY MEDIUM IT MAY BE ON, INCLUDING BUT NOT +LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A +PARTICULAR PURPOSE. + +Some states do not allow disclaimers of implied warranties or +the exclusion or limitation of consequential damages, so the +above disclaimers and exclusions may not apply to you, and you +may have other legal rights. + +INDEMNITY +You will indemnify and hold Michael Hart, the Foundation, +and its trustees and agents, and any volunteers associated +with the production and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm +texts harmless, from all liability, cost and expense, including +legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of the +following that you do or cause: [1] distribution of this eBook, +[2] alteration, modification, or addition to the eBook, +or [3] any Defect. + +DISTRIBUTION UNDER "PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm" +You may distribute copies of this eBook electronically, or by +disk, book or any other medium if you either delete this +"Small Print!" and all other references to Project Gutenberg, +or: + +[1] Only give exact copies of it. Among other things, this + requires that you do not remove, alter or modify the + eBook or this "small print!" statement. You may however, + if you wish, distribute this eBook in machine readable + binary, compressed, mark-up, or proprietary form, + including any form resulting from conversion by word + processing or hypertext software, but only so long as + *EITHER*: + + [*] The eBook, when displayed, is clearly readable, and + does *not* contain characters other than those + intended by the author of the work, although tilde + (~), asterisk (*) and underline (_) characters may + be used to convey punctuation intended by the + author, and additional characters may be used to + indicate hypertext links; OR + + [*] The eBook may be readily converted by the reader at + no expense into plain ASCII, EBCDIC or equivalent + form by the program that displays the eBook (as is + the case, for instance, with most word processors); + OR + + [*] You provide, or agree to also provide on request at + no additional cost, fee or expense, a copy of the + eBook in its original plain ASCII form (or in EBCDIC + or other equivalent proprietary form). + +[2] Honor the eBook refund and replacement provisions of this + "Small Print!" statement. + +[3] Pay a trademark license fee to the Foundation of 20% of the + gross profits you derive calculated using the method you + already use to calculate your applicable taxes. If you + don't derive profits, no royalty is due. Royalties are + payable to "Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation" + the 60 days following each date you prepare (or were + legally required to prepare) your annual (or equivalent + periodic) tax return. Please contact us beforehand to + let us know your plans and to work out the details. + +WHAT IF YOU *WANT* TO SEND MONEY EVEN IF YOU DON'T HAVE TO? +Project Gutenberg is dedicated to increasing the number of +public domain and licensed works that can be freely distributed +in machine readable form. + +The Project gratefully accepts contributions of money, time, +public domain materials, or royalty free copyright licenses. +Money should be paid to the: +"Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +If you are interested in contributing scanning equipment or +software or other items, please contact Michael Hart at: +hart@pobox.com + +[Portions of this eBook's header and trailer may be reprinted only +when distributed free of all fees. Copyright (C) 2001, 2002 by +Michael S. Hart. Project Gutenberg is a TradeMark and may not be +used in any sales of Project Gutenberg eBooks or other materials be +they hardware or software or any other related product without +express permission.] + +*END THE SMALL PRINT! FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN EBOOKS*Ver.02/11/02*END* + diff --git a/old/btrha10.zip b/old/btrha10.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..923442e --- /dev/null +++ b/old/btrha10.zip |