Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 40, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 December 1907 — THOSE CONCRETE HOUSES. [ARTICLE]

THOSE CONCRETE HOUSES.

Eminent Philanthropist Will Build City of Edison Homes. Working together, Thomas A Edison, wizard of East Orange, N. J., and Henry Phipps, a New York millionaire, believe they can solve the tenement house problem. They plan this by-erecting an entire city of concrete houses, Mr. Edison having perfected plans recently whereby, he says, he can build within 12 hours and at a cost of from SI,OOO to $1,200 a beautiful nine-room house, suitable for two families. Each apartment of these double houses can be rented profitably at $7.50 a month, according to Mr. Edison, thus saving to the working man now paying $lO a month for a two-room home in the tenements, enough money -each month to cover his carfare expenses to and from his work. Mr. Phipps; who 4n 1005 gave 000 for the erection of model tenements in New York Olty, recently spent as afternoon In Mr. Edison’s laboratory at East Orange, discussing with him the possibilities of the cement or concrete house. The steel manufacturer was accompanied by a corps of architects,

builders and concrete expert*, who mad* a careful investigation of the Edison plana When they last they were enthusiastic over It* possibilities. Mr. Edison purposes to build these houses by forcing a concrete mixture Into cast iron molds, which are to be set vp after the excavation for the basement is complete. ' f