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168 THE STANDAED OF LIVING

living. A South Carolina firm supplied cottages at $.50
per room per month, barely enough for repairs and taxes,
but the buildings were of an inferior sort, though "good
enough for the people who occupied them." Aside from
this case, which was not financially a paying venture, the
lowest rental was $1.50 per month for four rooms. Now
four rooms is rightly considered by Dr. Chapin, and John
Mitchell, insufficient for a typical family, and it did not
appear that more than four rooms could be hired for less
than eight dollars a month in any case. Yet it can be said
that these undertakings seem to demonstrate that for a
reasonable rent, good houses can be provided. There have
been numerous semi-philanthropic experiments in provid-
ing cheap good shelter, notably in New York, Philadelphia,
and Washington. The City and Suburban Homes Com-
pany has helped many mechanics to piu"chase their houses.
