New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-03-22
TENEMENT-HOUSE REFORM.

SUGGESTIONS BY PRACTICAL MEN.
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF NINE APPOINTED
AT THE COOPER INSTITUTE MEETING-PLANs
FOR FORMING BUILDING ASSOCIATION AND
ESTABLISHING A PERMANENT FUND.
The committee appointed by the Mayor in
response 10 n resolution adopted at public meeting at
Cooper Institute February %. for the purpose OF
devisng 20 carry tenemenhOuse reform into
effect" have submitted preliminary report. The
members Of the committee II. T.. PellOn [. Wander
bilt, r W. Bayard Cutting, W. W Aston, r. T. Auch
muty James Galatin. d. Willis James, +. d. Tappen
and C. p DAILY. In the opinion Of the committee the
subject IS divided into three heals: first It affects
existing tenement houses aud their inmates; second
with reference to the erection Of new and improved
dwellings; third. whether any relief can be obtained
from rapid transit The first two considered IN the
present report third is left for future consideration
The committee are satisfied that the existing laws do
not insure sufficient light, air, ventilation. that more
open space Is required each lot that definite pro-
vision is made against Oyorcrowdng. and that further
power necessary enforce the requirements Of the
law. The members have consulted with, and received
suggestions from, the Board OF Health and have pre-
pared bill which they hope will become a law before
the close OF the present session OF the Legislature Its
most important cause. are those relating TO the intro
dscton OF the system sanitary police and the licensing
by the Board OF Health OF all tenement houses. One
clause 1.-THE condition Of the streets especially
able and calls for the urgent and immediate attention
Of responsible the government of the city The
streets form the only playground for thousands of chill
dren, and the Accommodations Of filth and garbage not
only disgrace TO the community, but entail direct and
indirect evils OF the grdvest Importance to the inhao
tants. The removal of ashes and garbage performed
in irregular aud inadequate manner. causing annoy
ance and discomfort while its prevents all at
tempt cleanliness and neatness in these localities
bill this subject has been introduced in the Assem-
bly, and another before the Committee Cities
which would effect many improvements In the system If
it becomes law"
In regard to the second head Of the subject the
mittee says that ." in dealing with any large system 81
improved tenement houses, the ordinary city lot should
he put out Of The competition for
feet seems 10 show that such house cannot be satlsac
tory when four families must live the same floor.
anger pieces OF land capital and blocks OF houses
are necessary TO enable those who depeu on theli dy
wages for their living To lnd proper family accOn mo
datiOn moderate prices. The committee are satisfied
that such buildings might be Du.lt as TO pay as an
vanages They further consider the present an eXce-
ally favorable for enterprise OF TINS nature
The roulmter recommend first the formation Of one
more stock companies, under the Limited llabites
act Ton the erection such improved dwellings, % be
conducted on strictly commercial basis; aud second,
OF trust fund for the construction ana
maintenance of such improved dwellings. The net rev
enue from this trust, instead OF beng divided, vi" be
accumulated form further funds Tor employment IN
the object. They have prepared the detIiis OF
these Two plans aud submit them as the basis OF iurher
operations. They suggest that the company shall be
iuImrd with Is capital Of 100000, with power TO In
10 - 100000 the shares to be 500 each the
association he conducted strictly business princi
pies and conne itself TO the one object OF erecting M
proved dwellings, in New-GOrk Tor working peO-
Die, TO be rented at the lowest rcmuneratlye
/ rates; payments TO he made 10 dhectOr-,
management; dvIdcnGs 10 be limited to per cent Der
year, and surplus 20 De invested IN government
bonds until sufficient ~ large permit the erection OF
another building all buildings erected OI tie assOca-
with the best sanitary requirements and. as tar as
practicable fir proof building To Ice erected except
In special cases. less than lOOXlOO feet In area,
every be- made % secure Tor each living
being "a 10 the privacy and dccencles OF family me-
the buildings, when cr,Cte, to be regularly inspected,
~ ascertain tBcir condition i satisfactory
rents 10 be paid weekly, aud allowance 10 be made
ior advance payments; no arrears 10 Ice allowed; no
liquors be- sold in the buildings or on the premises OF
tar association the ASSOCIATION 10 be managed bJ
board Of nine dIeclOrs elected annually by the share
holders.
In regard TO the creation Of permanent trust fund
improved dwellings this city, com
mittec suggest that the fund $lUOOOOO, subject 10
further By gift Of It's Income
be- ia o $1,000 subscription TO
be payable until S25OOOO has been subscribed; the SUD
,gribcr-, by one 10 each $1,000 subscribed TO
choose board OF nine trustees, who sna have power
l vacancies their number; the fund 10 be vested
M these trustees WhO shall CXpcud II IN purchasing
land and building improved dwellings IN the city OF
Vol iUg the dOUrIug classes; AL income derived
from rent lud other sources 10 De- rglvsStrt IA similar
mauBrr; trustee to hold any paid Office III come elton
with tie trust nor shall any trustee receive payment
!or any scEit. rendered sell any real estate or
10 statement Of the condition OF
the trust public year tie trustees To be
CAPABLE receiving, gIts and cIces. TMe PROVISIONS
m reference 10 the management Of the buildings are
similar to those Ia the Suggestions IN regard 10 TIE dssO
citation gwen above.