The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-02-13
CONTRA REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF cITI
zENs, SHOWING THE RESULT OF THEIR
INVESTIGATIONS CONCERNING THE
SANK QC ESTION.

SAMk OF ESTION.
Point Air: OF the Inspectors report.
The tenement workers have from thirty
two to sixty per cent. more air space
than the most spacious factory rooms.
This assertion Is based upon superficial
measuring of space and counting OF persons,
because, but three factory rooms served
as a base, and the average room of the
tenement dwellings was adjusted too high.
According to the commlttees 8 measuring
the average space is not higher than l5xl2-
8 feet, and accepting three and one halt per-
sons to each dwelling, would bring about
Alb cubic feet of air space for each person.
From this room one tenth is absorbed BY
furniture, working impliments, stock, ETC.
and must be deducted. In the factory,
with the exception Of working tables and
chairs, no furniture is kept, and separate
rooms are used for the keeping Of stock,
implements, etc. Considering all this
then the air space for the tenement worker
is by no means larger than the air space en-
joyed by the factory operative.
Point Light:
The assertion of the inspectors in
regard to light: Both the workers
iii tenements and factories, have an abund-
ance," must be declared erroneous by the
committee, because, in many instances,
both classes suffer for want of it, so, that
at gloomy days the work has to be per-
formed by gas or petroleum light in many
The factories have An advantage over the
tenements from widows ON both sides, or
skylights, while the tenements invariably
are lighted but from one side.
Point I.-Ventilation:
! The assertion of the Inspectors that
''in both cases ventilation can be had by
opening doors and windows" must be re-
| jecte1 By the Committee, because it is an
lmposslbility III winter months for the
tenement worker to open windows and
doors without endangering the health Of
his children or his own, by catching cold
| from a sudden change of temperature; also
are the tenements closed all night, during
which time an odOr Of the damp tobacco ac-
cumulates sufficient to drive back any one
who may come near, at opening unknow-
lngly.
About ventilation in tenements we refer
to former reports of the Board, treaGing
about foul air, and Inadequate ventilation
in these houses.
Larger factories have 8 ventilation
without opening doors and windows in
their elevators. which, from time to time,
furnish fresh air to the floors by the ship
ping or receiving of goods; also are the
halls wider, doors and windows larger, and
a publication Of air good deal quicker ac-
complIshed than in the tenements.
To the further assertion of the Inspec-
tors: by closed doors and windows the
air becomes more rapidly vitiated in fac
torres than in tenements." The Commit
tee canrOt assent, because it In proven,
scientifically, that the cooking of meals,
the washing and ironing of clothes, ths
drying Of tobacco, etc., creates vapors
detrimental to the health All this il
serving to accelerate the fOuling process o.
air in the tenements
Point IV.-Food:
| The assertion Of the inspectors that The
tenement workers have an advantage con
cerning their meals, especially concerning
the preparing Of midday meals," tn,
Committee acknowledges as correct