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Slums Must Go And People Must Be Brought BackBY AL G. PERRYThat East Chicago might easily be a city with a population as large as Gary, and Hammond much smaller than it now is, despite Its vastarea, if there were sufficient homes and home areas in the Twin City for the people employed here, is the inescapable conclusion that must be reached after reading the report on inter-racial relations adopted recently by the East Chicago Civio League.This report Indicates, after * careful survey, that housing is the number one problem in East Chicago. That it is now probably a city of 70,000 with homes only for about40.000. and with a large majority of the population living in badly crowded tenements.Employes Live ElsewhereAlthough the report does not to state, one is able to visualize from it that through employes in East Chicago living elsewhere, particularly in Gary, Hammond, Highland* Munster, south county towns, Left* ; sing and other Illinois citle*, at' least 50,000 more citizens might be living in East Chicago, were housing conditions different, and home ( areas larger, jThat the citizens now crowded! into all kinds of inadequate shelter,! could occupy at least 6,000 new! homes at once, and that local bus*! in ess might be greatly stimulated] and provide extended service*! through a definite building program, through better housing and' the return of local employes here to live nearer their work, Is the belief of those who have studied the situation. 1The report, which was prepared j by a committee headed by Andrew Sanders, before presentation to the league for consideration and adop* tion, is worth reading by all tb09e interested In community welfare. I| follows:Report on SurveyHousing is East Chicago's number one problem. This city at no time has had enough homes. As far back as 1927 a survey conducted by the Chamber of Commerce disclosed a shortage in housing. The situation today is tragic; and the worst in our history.East .Chicago’s population Ini 1940 was 54,784. At that time there was a need for 4,000 to 5,000 new houes. Today, a conservative estimate puts the population figure at65.000. The more probable figure is70.000. Of this number the city's colored population today 13 close to 10.000. It was 6,000 in 1940. The estimated Mexican population now is 3,000. Less than 1^0 new home# were built in East Chicago during the war.East Chicago is 'surroundpd' by Gary, Whiting and Hammond. It cannot expand its present area of ten square miles, two thirds of which is occupied by industry and the railroads. Despite this fact, 10,-000 to 15.000 people have settled in East Chicago during the war years, practically all of whom may be referred to as in the low incomeclass.These figures and statistic*show clearly the startling situationwith which our citizens are faced.Poor Suffer MostThe low income groups and our citizens who have been subject to discrimination have suffered the most. The need is far greater in certain portions of our '•'♦v than .in other parts. There is a tragic need for slum clearance, new low cost housing, increased recreation and playground facilities and the elimination of discrimination.Despite this fact, our citizen* can point with pride, that despifcl the knowledge that overcrowdin| leads to friction and tension with possible explosive results, Eas! Chicago has been relatively free o! incidents arising as a result of ra cial or religious antagonisms.
Newspaper Details
East Chicago Calumet News
East Chicago, Indiana, US
Mon, Nov 19, 1945
Page 5
Full Page
Clipped by
Emiliano A.
USA 01 Mar 2019
Other Publications Near East Chicago, Indiana
Hammond Times
East Chicago Times
East Chicago Calumet News
East Chicago Calumet News Weekly
