Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 279, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 November 1910 — The American Home WILLIAM A. RADFORD Editor [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

The American Home WILLIAM A. RADFORD Editor

Mr. William A. Radford will answer questions and give advice FREE OF COST on all subjects pertaining to the subject of building for the readers of this paper. On account Of his wide experience as Editor, Author and Manufacturer, he is, without doubt, the highest authority on all these subjects. Address *ll Inquiries to William A. Radford, No. 194 Fifth Ave., Chicago, 111., and only ao> •lose two-cent stamp for rep)-’. It is frequently asserted that the people of the middle west have not developed the particular art value of the building of their homes, which might be called common to the suburban communities near the cities in the east —In fact, in most of the towns and cities of the New England states. Many ingenious statements have been made by those who have been trying to determine the cause. It is, perhaps, after all, simply a matter of time. It Is a noteworthy fact that the west has long since recovered from the ornate and gaudy In architecture and is settling down to first principles. This is not onfy true of the cities, but also of the rural communities, where the influence of popular magazines has been felt. The public in general is being educated in the uses of cement and its value and economy as a home-build-ing material. A number of trade Journals devoted to the uses of cement have wide circulation and information is being sent out broadcast. The cement house lends itself readily to the requirements of the sane in architecture. It has been proved that the cement house is cooler in summer and warmer in winter than the frame structure. The Initial cost is a little more than that of frame, but the saving in painting bills more than • offsets that item in the long run. Throughout the country, both in the cities and the rural communities, there are beautiful examples of the cement house. There are in general two classes of cement houses, those made of concrete blocks and those of the plaster type. The concrete machinery Interests have been studying the artistic demands of the block and they have succeeded in eliminating many of the objectionable features

from that form of building material. The common objection to the block is Its sameness. This objection has been removed so that it is now possible to get blocks that have all the characteristics of granite or of stone. The waterproofing features of the block also have been improved and the former fear that the concrete

block would prove damp and unsanitary has been removed. The house shown in this connection ts a combination of the block construction and the plaster house. The foundation and first story walls are to be built of Mocks, while the seclend story is of cement plaster conIrtruction. The design is a most pleasing one and while plain in appearpnce it looks substantial and neat. Ilflils house ought to be built on a large lot with plenty of trees and ahrubs. Room should be provided also for a formal garden. The appearance of the house will be en-

hanced if a cement shingle roof is provided. Cement shingles are now made that will withstand all the usage of a roof and they have proved their worth and economy. If a cement shingle is used the entire structure from foundation to the peak of the roof will have the same gray color. The house is twenty four feet wide and is twenty-nine feet eight inches long. It will be noticed by reference to the plan that no parlor is provided, but in its place is a large living room. This indicates -that this house is to be lived in all over. Off the living room is a cosy nook

provided with an open fireplace. Imagine being snugged up in that nook on a cold winter night when the wind is howling outside. Back of the living room is the dining room, and the kitchen also is conveniently located. On the second floor are two bedrooms. This is the style of house that will always find a ready sale and that is something to be borne in mind in selecting the design of a house. We all expect when we build a home to keep it for a lifetime, but in the experience of many the time comes by

change of fortune when it becomes necessary to dispose of the house. If it is of the old style conventional kind no different from hundreds of others in the community, the sale is a hard problem. But if it is stylish the owner will have no trouble in finding a buyer.

First Floor Plan.

Second Floor Plan.