New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-08-26
PRICE FOUR CENTS.
COOPERATION.
MODEL TENEMENT-HoUsEs AND COOPER

| How the dwellings of laborers and of the people
generally, living in cities may be comfortable and
convenient and under such rent as they afford
to pay is of the important subjects attract
ing thewidest attention among practical and ntelli
gent men. That the readers of The TRIBUNE might
| know what has been done to this end visited tho
| model tenement-houses of Boston. Calling upon the
AHdntlo Monthly people, and stating this object and
also tnat wished to learn what progress had been
made In cooperative housekeeping which had been
urged and explained in series Of articles in their
publication, one of the gentlemen connected with
| the establishment kindly spent some time with me-
IN visits and investigation. Some years ago Abbott
Lawrence bequeathed $4,000 to be devoted
to the building of model tenement-houses for class
| Of Americans something above common labOrers
and one house was erected in Kneeland place, near
Harrson-ave. for the accommodation of 20 families
! giving 20 each four rooms. The sum devoted was
10000 of which 10000 was paid for several lots Of
land, while $4,000 was invested in the house; but
this was before the war; and the cost would now be-
double. In the cellar, rooms partiuoned of and
kept under lock and key for the storing of coal The
stairway is through the center of the building Tho
rent averages about a % O week Before the house
was completed there were more than 100 applicants
from whom selections made and now, after some
eight years. the plan has proved successful there
have been no moro then eight removals, while APP
taxes gas bills, water rent and other charges tho
property, Judge that the net revenue is about $500
year, which is more than most houses return. and
that, so far from being a charity, it must be
sdered good business investment. The families
are living neatly and comfortably and have the gen.
eral appearance Of those belonging to higher
class.
Madison-place and Madison-block are two large
first class houses said TO have cost $4,000 each,
Gently built, and intended for a middle, or still
higher, class of tenants Some of the suites contain
four, and some six rooms and in addition to water
closets for EACH there stationary tubs for wash
ing and two iron pipes each 10 inches in diameter,
with covers. and descending to the cellar, one for
ashes and the other for kitchen refuse The rent varies
according to situation and number of rooms from $3.50,
TO $500 year. In ALL there % suites the largest
is about - feet square, but there is defect in
having two rooms of each suite without windows or
light, being generally bedrooms and think saw
at least one dark kitchen. Why Boston architect
and why Boston capitalists, should devise and
accept such plan 1 cannot understand, and it
will be no surprise say that of the suites
not occupied. real estate agent, in speaking of
this property said that the rent too high still,
if it were put into his hands, he would get the rent
demanded in year or so, and he conveyed the idea
that he would do it by making the rent lower, and
then raising by degrees; which means that when
people are settled they will submit TO imposition
rather than move. It seemed to me that the houses
and the agent both need reconstruction.
At No. II Dedham-st., we found a nice fOur-stOry
house. At the door were plates indicating the rooms
of the different occupants, and in connection were
speakingtubes. Onringing certain bell an inmate
inquiries through the tube, when answer is re-
turned, and them by means of wire, the bolt in o
dead IL drawn back and che door can be opened
Thus, by this ingenious contrvance the door is an
swered and opened by the lady while she remains in
her ROOM perhaps in her chair however high and re-
mote she may be- On going mp stairs well dressed
woman received us, and willingly showed us her
rooms, there being six Of them, beside closets,
and y bathroom. The parlOr and sitng-room.
though not .arge were neat and airy, the kitchen
was as neat as pin, and everything seemed provided
that could make city residence agreeable Inc
rent for suites on the FIRST floor is $500 year. anu 10
lass for each floor above making those on the upper
floor 1880 These apartments are calculated Tor
those who have income Of $500 TO $1,000 year,
that is, for respectable citizens, and indeed, little
seemed lacking for those doing much better and
who desire to live neatly and elegantly. Now, pro-
visions and means of living are fully as dear In Bos-
ton as in NewYork, but there are houses in our city
renting for the same sum as this house, which are
far less desirable in fact nearly double this rent Is
paid for houses not as good.
In Osborn place we found Several houses five
stories high, all built the model plan, and all
with such conveniences as have been named. These
were for mechanics and labOring people. and tho
population must have been several hundred. Al
though the place was swarnng with children, they
were as well dressed rs for their good and they
were clean and well behaved. One thing calling for
especia note was library in the hall for the use OF
the tenants. whence books are drawn at stated
periods The rent of some suites is from S5 to $50
month there being four rooms, with closets, while
there are some suites of three small rooms, but every
way convenient renting as low as g week. Wa
went into one where mechanic was eating his dim
ner and he and his wife cheerfuy showed MS every
thing. anG | could not fail to see that while they
ware paving as much as they could afford they were
still comfortable while the owner receiving good
returns for the capital invested. And now II seems
that while such model houses exist, and are SO ~
speak, on exhibition, builders in New-fork and other
cities are wholly nexcusabe if they neglect TO adop'
these designs and Improvements. AT the same tme
il was sad to consider that these labores IN lie"
years will pay enough rent to build houses VI iheir
own as we are told is done by cooperative ouilulng
societies in England. and that being themselves tho
constructors of bonses they pay for the privilege Of
living in them. But first the blade, and then the
ear.
Irco Grstclass tenement house is nearly completed,
and opposte is another just finished but the jantor
,as absent and we did not see the interior. How
evor we had the pleasure of visiting which il
sad 10 be the best in the city, known as the Cont
mental block, with marble front on the corner of
fremont and Waltham-sts., built by the Haskell
estate at cost Of 100000 The lower floor is divided
into II ste res which rent for from 500 20 5000
year. The apartments for families rent for scOayear
aud upward. and Of are intended for Tlch