FOR AND AGAINST

Every three months or so, to keep us patient, we are given news of these famous low-rent buildings that have been promised to us for so long, that must be so beautiful and so cheap, that must bring happiness to children and peace of mind to parents.

So we have just been given the quarterly news on the subject. And it is news that is neither lacking in irony nor cynicism.

Here it is: Today, in high places, people are wondering whether it would not be appropriate to postpone the construction of these providential buildings. They are wondering whether it would not be wise to remain for a while longer in the idleness and routine tranquility of the status quo. They seem to be saying to us, very kindly: Let's see! Let's see!... Is this such a pressing matter, this building business?... Is it really worth it, and the right time, to build houses?...

Sitting on her throne, Lady Administration, who always knows how to find apartments and palaces for her, answers like the clown Grock to the unfortunate families who moan about finding themselves homeless:
— No? Seriously?...

However, it's not a joke!... The rent crisis is not a joke but a pitiful drama. The only remedy for this crisis, the only hope of the poor tenants, were these buildings with moderate rents which were to be erected at the extremities of Paris, in the air, in the light, in paradise!…

Since the time we have been talking about them, of these beautiful houses, we could believe that they were already all ready to receive their world... And we are suddenly told that they are still only projects, only projects which it is indeed a question of executing at this hour but which we only think of executing in the manner of Mr. Deibles.

— So? Goodbye, apartments, lodgings, homes and broods?...
— So?... Nothing has begun and everything is already finished?...
— So? There is nothing, decidedly, nothing to do?…

We should know, once and for all. We should be told yes or we should be told no. We should be shown new houses; or else we must be frankly shown the absolute impotence, the fundamental impotence of our administrations and the State. If all our administrations combined are incapable of building a simple little house, we must recognize it and we must stop telling us stories…

But then, neither the administrations nor the State will have the right to moan about the birth rate crisis, will have the right to try to make us believe that depopulation worries them…
— No? Seriously?…

It will be our turn to say like the clown when we are offered fine speeches and fine promises…

Maurice PRAX.