23X COMMISSION OF CONSERVATION 



the sale of land, and all real estate operators should be licensed by govern- 

 ments under safeguards designed to prevent improper dealing in land. 



Provincial governments should reconsider their systems of administer- 

 ing colonization, highways, municipal affairs and public health, with 

 special regard to the need of securing more co-operation and efficiency in 

 connection with land and municipal development than is possible under 

 present conditions and for increasing the responsibilities and powers 

 of municipal authorities, under the advice of a skilled department of 

 local government in each province. 



To meet a temporary need, the Federal Government should take an 

 active interest in the housing of workers engaged in munition plants, 

 particularly in government arsenals and in small towns and rural districts 

 where there is lack of strong local government. The Federal Government 

 should either require adequate accommodation and proper sanitary con- 

 ditions to be provided at a reasonable cost for those who are engaged in 

 the service of the country, or itself assist in making that provision, as is 

 being done in Great Britain and allied countries. 



In respect of the last of these matters some reference has already 

 been made to what is being done in Britain. The United States has 

 only recently entered the war; but action is already being taken to 

 deal with the situation created by the establishment of new industrial 

 plants for war purposes. The National Conference on City Planning, 

 which met at Kansas City in May last, passed two resolutions on this 

 subject. One referred to the creation of soldiers' camps, and offered 

 the professional services of its members to advise "as to the various 

 and intricate problems which will arise in connection with the provision 

 of wholesome and sanitary accommodations for the great numbers of 

 men who will be called to the service of the country." 



The second resolution passed was as follows: — 



"Whereas, the United States Government proposes to establish 

 certain plants for the manufacture of armour plate and of other mater- 

 ials which may be required for the effective prosecution of the war, 

 which plants will require the services of a large number of workeis; 



"Resolved, that the National Conference on City Planning 

 strongly urges the President, the Secretary of War, and any other 

 officers of the Government who may be charged with the location, 

 planning and construction of such plants, to profit by the example 

 of our Allies in providing for the proper housing of the workers in 

 such plants, to the end that their efficiency may be increased to the 

 highest possible degree and that the servants of the country may not 

 be exploited by land speculators and builders, but that decent and 

 sanitary homes may be provided for them at reasonable cost." 



