New-York tribune., 1879-03-24
TENEMENT Reform.

The outcome of the present tcnement-house
agitation ought to be some practical relorln' ior
the subject seems to have clinched the attention
of our millOnaires as well as our clergy ana
architects. The report of the Committee OF
Nine appointed at the recent meeting IN Cooper
Institute goes long way in the right dlrec-
ton, although it may not cover the Whole
ground. The legislation which it recommends
cannot fail to be salutary in its influence upon
landlords and tenants. A system OF sanitary
police and licensing of all tenement-houses Dy
the Board of Health will do much to 0bvlate
the evils of the present system. The com
mttee'S building scheme, moreover, Is
practicable and comprehensive. The or
ganizatiOn of stock companies, with the
capital ranging from $5OO,OOO to S2,o0o,-
600, is advocated, but building opera
tiOns are virtually restricted to four city lots
instead Of one. 1t cannot be questioned that
the stock of building companies conducted on
this basis by discreet agents would yield talr
dividends on the capital invested. We are
glad to Learn that six of our leading mer-
chants have already taken measures to
organize snch o company. We trust that
their example will be followed by many OF
our capitalists and real estate owners
whether they are inclined to promote the
welfare of the working classes or are merely
bent upon making rcmunerative investments.
1t is obvious, however, that these prac-
teal suggestions do not go far enough.
Our tcnemcnt-house population numbers
hearty half a million souls. few blocks
of model dwellings would afford scant
measure of relief. The Peabody houses IN
London are not occupied by the very poor,
but by the shabby eenteel. The Seven Dial5
points unerimgly to wretchedness, dirt and
crime. In like manner these blocks of work
ingmens houses in New York would be let
mainly 10 respectable clerks and the better
class of poor tenants. Paradisc-equare and
Cherry-St. would still be poisoned body and
sOul. The complex problem of tenement
house reform cannot be worked ont by few
building associations whose operations are
restricted TO uptown districts. There are small
capitalists in all quarters of the city. They do
not own rs many as four city lots, and have no
disposition TO take stock in associations
which are oliceted by milliOnaircS and may
ultimately be conducted on the basis Of PHI
lanthrOpy rather than profit and loss. Let
them once be convinced that welI-bnllt
tenement -hOuse on two city lots, or even on
one, especially if it be a corner lot, will be q
paying investment, and it will not be long
before the main body Of our working people
are lodged where they can lead healthier and
happier lives.
Blocks of model tenements one hundred
feet square will serve an excellent purpose.
Let as many be built as possible. Still, until
these measures of practical reform can be
carried into effect on large scale Ill all
quarters of the city, the working classes must
live where and as they can. But assuredly
something can be done to help them where
they are. The present tenement-hOuSe system,
with its ovcrcrowding, its lack Of privacy, its
dark rooms its foul air, its sewer-sas and
its rccking drains, can be remodelled and
rendered tolelably habitable, if rigid sanitary
laws are enacted and then enforced.