More Houses Needed In Norwood-This Day In Norwood History-August 24, 1895

Norwood Awake!

Since the advent of the Press Works in Norwood, with its hundreds of employees, there has been an increasing demand for suitable tenements and houses. The supply has not been equal to the demand by any means, and a consequent result is that many of the Press Works employees have had to continue going to and from other towns, more especially Boston, in order to get suitable accommodations for themselves and families. This has worked as a detriment to the best interests of the town, and in a number of cases it has caused considerable inconvenience to the firms of J. S. Cushing & Co,, and Berwick & Smith, for their men have refused to stay here, being unable to obtain places in which to live.

This state of affairs has continued for some time, and it is now necessary to sound a loud clarion call, summoning the townspeople to their duty in this matter. It is not enough to have the Press Works here; an increase in the number of inhabitants must be met by larger and better facilities for housing them. There is a demand for more tenements and houses, for the accommodations existing at present are not sufficient to supply the many wanting them; people who are anxious to got a home, and able to pay for it if suited.

The plant of the Press Works is growing, and a book bindery will be added as soon as the management feel justified in so doing, but at present, with the limited accommodations and lack of houses for their employees in town, they do not foci like pushing their enterprise as it should be pushed. The business has brought a most desirable lot of people to the town, and their payroll each week distributes some $2900 in cash, a large percentage of which money finds its way into the pockets of Norwood’s residents.

A complaint has been made that the lack of tenements and houses has in a number of cases raised the rents of those who were unable to afford it, and that the value of land is increased at an altogether too rapid rate. This is to be deplored. There are many house lots to be had, however, at a reasonable price, and it is hoped that the men of Norwood will recognize the state of affairs as at present existing, and take such steps as will rouse the owners of vacant property to erect houses thereon. There will be no loss in such action, for the demand is far in excess of the supply.

Our townspeople cannot afford to remain any longer in a comatose state. There is need of immediate action, for the winter months will soon be upon us, and it is imperative that ample accommodations be given all those who come here in the employ of the Press Works. There must be no delay, no putting off; something must be done, and that quickly, if the progress of the town is to be assured and the best results obtained from the Press Works being in our midst. Do not let us kill the goose that lays the golden egg, by indifference in this matter.

More Houses Needed

To the Editor of the Advertiser:

The enterprising spirit that prevailed upon the proprietors of the Norwood Press to bring their business to the town seems to have flown, having, accomplished the desired purpose. Now the proprietors of that establishment find themselves in a quandary, being unable to retain desirable help for any length of time, owing to the meager facilities and accommodations for living. Lack of housés seems the great desideratum. “More houses and better accommodations” seems to be the cry. The argument of poverty should not prevent the erection of suitable houses on the numerous vacant lots in town.

High rents act as a barrier to permanent location. Placing fictitious prices on land adds nothing to its value. A single bite does not catch the fish. The Press Works are here. We need to keep the workers.

Let Norwood’s older citizens rouse from their present stupor and branch out in what should be the chance of a lifetime and prize the golden opportunity that now shows itself. Build houses suitable to live in; rent the same at reasonable figures, or sell at a fair profit. The class of labor at the Press Works is such that it prefers to own upon fair conditions, which are obtained in every live town. Stir yourselves, gentlemen, to activity in the line of building.

Encourage these strangers to remain in your midst. A better element of labor is very difficult to find. Give them the means to stay; they will pay fairly for it. Allow them to find conveniences for homes in town, and they will gladly remain rather than bear the expense of traveling to other towns.
Houses, houses, houses, are what is needed most. Give them houses to live in: they will do the rest, and in a few years cause Norwood to rank as one of the most enterprising towns in all New England.

If you would argue in the columns of your valuable paper the immediate necessity of some such action as outlined above, you would confer a lasting benefit upon Norwood, and a great favor to many.

A Stranger