The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-03-26
Tenement Houses, Phiianthropist., and Bu.I-
ness Men.

While experts in problems OF poverty, dis
ease, and crime meet together descant with
more than usual earnestness on the evils OF the
tenement house system. and point out what
others should do in the way OF improving tho
dwellings OF the poor, few business men have
gone practically TO work to remedy the evil.
Mr. James Scott OF 81 and 80 franklin street
who leads the movement In warmly seconded
by Mr.. James Talcott OF 10S Franklin street. 1t
Ia proposed TO orNct. on plot OF land contain
ing about sixteen lots and situated somewhere
between Sixteth and Eightieth streets. five
story brick buildings surrounding a central
courtyard one hundred feet square. These
tenements will DO light and airy. A ianitor
constantly on the SPOT. will preserve order
among the tenants and enforce proper sanitary
regulations. The mon who have started this
movement claim no merit on the score Of phil
anthropic or humanitarian motives. The pro-
iect will be carried out by stock company. and
the enterprise seems likely to meet with favor
among capitalists ms n safe and permanent six
per cent investment. All profits above six per
cent will at the end OF each year be distributed
among those tenants who have paid their rent
regularly. A member Of the Board OF Manage
ment, chosen by the tenants and having an
equal voice and vote in the Board. will keep the
stockholders thoroughly advised OF the wants
and wishes Of the tenants and Of any short
comings in the management.
All this is thoroughly practical and business
like. Messrs. Talcou and Scott advertise for
vacant lots for cash. in blocks OF at least six
teen city lots. between Fortieth and Eightieth
streets. for model apartment houses"
II the fare on the elevated roads were reduced
to live cents at all hours the northern limit for
the choice OF sites for model tenements might
usffl oil 10, 10,
River. There are at present comparatively few
vacant blocks between Fortcth and Sixtieth
streets and the area between sxtieth and
Eightieth strects-the heart Of the building dis
trict-is more in demand. and consequently held
ut higher prices. than any other unimproved
uptown property.
The public.spirited men Of wealth who have
thus energctcally taken hold Of this idea pro-
pose TO work out tenement house reform on an
intelligent business basis and only on such a
basis can II be largely and permanently sue
ccssful. The first building. or series OF build
ings. is to be ready for occupation 10y next fall
There are idle millions IN bank vaults Just now
which might in this way be well employed
With tho present chcapncss of material and tho
abundance Of labor. certainly the time could
never be more propitious for the experiment
than at this moment.
The committee OF nine appointed at the recent
Cooper Union mass meeting to devise measures
10 carry tenement house reform into effect. have.
in a long preliminary report divided into several
heads clearly demonstrated what every one
knew. This report quite reminds one Of tho
effort OF u certain French writer on the causes
Of poverty in France. TO whom Talleyrand paid
the following neat compliment: Monsieur
rous dreS rictoreus0nentp rour6. que. lie pdurre
est pdurre c'est 90 Il MA pas le SOU"