[48] "The Example of Germany," by T. C. Horsfall. Published by the Manchester University Press.
[49] Near York Mr Joseph Rowntree has successfully carried out a housing scheme upon Bournville lines, and provided at the modest rental of 4s. 6d. a week (the rates are an additional 8d. per week) houses within the reach of unskilled workmen. The cottages are thus described:
On the ground floor is a large living room (12 ft. 6 in. by 20 ft. 6 in.) with a bay window and plenty of cupboard accommodation, a small pantry, and a scullery fitted with a copper, bath, and sink. The copper is fitted with a patent exhaust to carry the steam direct into the flues, thus preventing the discomfort which often arises in small houses on washing day. The bath is fitted with a drop-down lid, forming a table when the bath is not in use. Upstairs there are three bedrooms, each fitted with a fireplace, and there is a large wardrobe on the landing. The walls are plastered internally with adamant cement, which dries very quickly, and assumes a smooth hard surface, and is thus more sanitary than the ordinary plaster. All the rooms are fitted with picture mouldings. Gas is supplied throughout the house, and city water is laid on.
The gardens are not so large as at Bournville and the houses of cheaper construction. The rental named, 4s. 6d. a week, is found to yield a clear profit of 4 per cent., which is devoted, in happy emulation of the Bournville scheme, to the extension of the little community.
[50] On this point the experience of Richmond, Surrey, is of great value. In the "Housing Handbook" Alderman W. Thompson shows what great financial advantages Richmond will reap from its cottage building, although this was carried out on land costing £700 an acre. The houses, built in 1894 and 1900, cost from £162 to £276 each and let from 6s. to 8s. per week. Altogether there are 132 houses containing 650 rooms and 132 sculleries, on six acres of ground costing £4,250 for site; £1,857 for roads and sewers; £505 for sundries, and £31,200 for building, being a total cost of £37,812 and an average inclusive cost of £58 per room. The income gives a gross profit which provides interest at 3¼ per cent. on capital outlay, a sinking fund contribution of £486 per annum, and a net profit of £38 per annum. Thus a large number of people have been well housed at a profit to Richmond. At the end of 42 years from 1897 Richmond will have paid off the entire loan through the operation of the sinking fund and be in possession of a property worth £35,000 and producing a net income of over £1,600 a year. It is found that the tenants take a great pride in their dwellings, and that their social habits have greatly improved.
[51] The Grand Duchy of Hesse compels municipalities to borrow money whether they like it or not. Hesse has determined that her people shall be properly housed—a most wise and patriotic determination. The Duchy therefore lays it down that the first duty of a municipality is to buy land that its borders may extend in a proper and healthful manner. Further, under the law of 1902, Town Councils which decline to build houses for the people can be compelled to accept a loan from the bank and to lend the money so obtained to a building society which is willing to do the work.
CHAPTER XVII
THE EMPTY COUNTRY
ALTHOUGH it is a well-known fact that the increase of population of the United Kingdom is practically an addition to the urban population, it may be well to preface consideration of the land question in its relation to the national wealth and income by reminding the reader of the precise facts of the case.
If we have regard only to the technical "Urban" and "Rural" Districts, we get the following figures: