It needs a research just as truly as the cancer problem or desert botany, and affects thousands more.
One other cause of increased cost in construction and operation which does, if wisely carried out, increase health and efficiency is the sanitary provision of our recent building laws.
The instalment of these sanitary appliances becomes increasingly costly because of the rise in wages of the workmen, plumbers, masons, etc.

The careful statistics of the Bureau of Labor show conclusively that all building trades have decreased hours of labor and increased wages per hour, so that cost of construction has doubled, and the sanitary requirements have again doubled the cost, so that it is easy to see why the family with a stationary income has quartered its dwelling-space.
The end is not yet: the new devices mentioned in previous chapters will at first increase cost of construction.
From lack of business training the public is at fault in estimating relative costs.

A well-built "automatic house" costs too much, they say.
Yes, but what does it save?
Cost looms large, saving seems small.
Moreover, the value of mental serenity, of that peace of mind consequent on the smooth running of the domestic machine, is undervalued.

The American child such as he is is largely the product of the American house and its ill adapted construction.

I must reiterate my belief that the modification of the house itself to the life the twentieth century is calling for is the first step in social reform..