Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 105, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 May 1911 — THE AMERICAN HOME [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

THE AMERICAN HOME

SIf2A.RADFORD ir. EDITOR

; Mr. WUUtm A. Radford will answer questions and gfv*. advice FREE OF OOST on all subjects pertaining to the subject of building, for the readers of this paper. On account of his wide expertenoe as Editor, Author and Manufacturer, he la, without doubt, the highest authority tm all these subjects Address all Inquiries to William A. Radford. No. 171 West Jackson boulevard, Chicago, 111., and only endow two-cent stamp for reply. "A, The Unit important work in building S* the excavations for the foundation walls. All complete plans specify that trenches should be left with natural bottoms, level and smooth for the reception of walls, piers, etc. Not long ago a. workman In digging a trench for a center wall In a large city block misread the directions and got the excavation a foot deeper than the specifications called for. The contractor called the owner's attention to it, as an honest man should, and offered to build the wall from the bottom up If the owner would pay the bare cost of the extra material, but this the owner refused to do. The contractor thereupon dumped In loose earth, the only thing he could do, and brought the bottom up to the depth required fay the specifications. The building was completed and accepted by the owner. After a lapse of six months the center wall settled to crack the plaster on every wall in the house clear to the third story. It was a block of fiats ocupied by aix families. Three of the families moved out because they thought the building was unsafe to live in. This led to a lawsuit between the owner and the contractor. The contractor was able to prove that he went to the owner and offered to fill in from the

bottom with masonry Instead of dumping In earth. The court decided in far ▼or of the contractor. This incident Is mentioned merely to call attention to the importance of showing a little common sense In the different parts of the building, from the foundation to the roof. It la not always best to stick bard and fast to every provision of the contract, especially when some accident arises that calls for the exercise of judgment. Of course a man does not want to be run over by anyone. Every one in business finds out early in life that he most stand up for his rights or have them taken away from him. The old Bible admonition which instructed every man to accept a whack on both cheeks will not work in this country as society Is organised at present One thing the owner needs to have an eye on is the excavation for foundation and drains. The workmen are not interested In the little details the

eame as the owner, and the health of ftke workmen and their families la not ■at stake afterward, as the escape of a Uttle'sewer (as here and there will not mean anything to them. You intake a solid "contract and the contractor may live up to It, but you hare mo guarantee that he will do so. and ■you cannot get at the underground de--1 tails after the trenches are filled. So the only way to know that a job Is done right Is to Inspect it as the work jgbea along. Of course you can hire in man to do this, and you can usually depend on such a man, especially if Ihe Is a stranger and does not know itbs contractor. I prefer to have an iMspector who Is a stranger in the neighborhood, a man who Is personally | not acquainted with any man on the jjbb. I am not n pessimist and have

not lost faith in humanity, but there are so many details, vital details, about the building of a house that not one of them can be overlooked with safety. . 1 : Now, here is the design of a house that is a most pleasing one for a young couple Just starting out It has' fouz rooms and a The width is twen-ty-four feet six Igehes and the length la thlrty-alx feet Jp hai the aspect of cosiness and neatness and appeals to the artistic sense. This house will cost very little and when it la completed it. will look so neat that all your friends will be talking about it There la a little porch where«you can sit out evenings and this opens directly into the dining room. The living room is In the front and immediately back la the bedroom. This house should be built on a large lot and if it is so constructed there will be abuqdant opportunity for the display of shrubbery that will enhance the appearance of the place.

Floor Plan