The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-04-04
hIR AND LIGHT FOR THE POOR.
The Provisions Of "a Tenement House HI
now Pending at Albany.


ALBANY, April 3.-The Tenement House
bill introduced by Mr. Murphy on Wednesday
Is, in form. bill to amend the Tenement and
Lodging House net OF 1867 1t confers and en-
joins upon the New York and Brooklyn Boards
Of Health. each for its own city and exclusively,
all the powers conferred and duties enjoned by
that act upon the Metropolitan Board of Health.
except In so far as they are modified by its pro-
visions.
It is made the duty Of these Boards to see that
every tenement house in the two cities has an
adequate ventilation in the roof. and that all
interior windowless sleeping rooms in tene-
ment houses are ventilated ny two transoms Of
a specified size the New York Board is further
required to see 10 1t that the halls Of every tene
m'nt house in this city are properly aired and
lighted and that there are skylightG in the
roofs. The bill makes II unlawful hereafter to
erect for or convert to the purposes Of tene-
ment or lodging house n building on any lot
where there is another building on the same lot,
unless there is clear open space exclusively
belonging thereto and extending upward
from the ground at least ten feet between
said buildings IN they are one story high
II they are two stories high tho distance between
them shall not be less than ifteen feet: II they
are three stories high the distance shall not be
less than twenty feet, and II they are more than
three stories high the distance shall not be less
Than Twenty-Five feet. At the rear OF every
building hereafter erected for or converted to
the purposes of a tenement or lodging house on
any lot. there shall be clear open space OF not
less than ten feet between Il and the rear line Of
the lot. But when thorough ventilation Of such
open spaces can I've otherwise secured such dis
tances may be lessencd or modified In special
cases by n permit from The Board OF Health.
No one continuous building shall he built or
converted to the purposes Of n tenement or
lodging house in the city Of New YORK upon an
ordinary city lot, TO occupy more than sixty
five per cent, OF the said lot. and in the same
proportion II the lot be greater or less
vision shall not apply to corner lots. and
may be modified in other special =, cases
Habitable rooms in tenement houses must be at
least eight feet in height from floor 10 ceiling.
save attic rooms. which must he Of this height
throughout not less than one-hnlf Of their area.
Every such room must nave mt least one win
dow opening to the outside air or n perfectly
CONSTRUCTED ventilntor. The total area OF win
dow or windows in every room communicating
with the external air shall bs nj least one-tenth
OF the superficial area OF every such room md
not be less nan seven ieet and six inches above
the floor and the upper half, ut least. shall be
made so rs to open the full width. Every hah-
table room OF a less area than 100 superficial
feet. II 1t does not communicate directly with
the external air. and is without an open fire.
place, shall be provided with special means OF
ventilation by n separate air shaft extending To
the roof or otherwise rs the Board OF Health
may prescribe. Every room shall have ut enst
one window with "A movable sash having an
opening of not less than twelve square feet. AL
hitting light and air directly from the public
street or the yard OF the said house. unless sui
fcient light and ventilation shall be- otherwise
provided. n q manner Ind upon plan ap.
proved ny the BOaru OF Health whenever the
Board finds that n tenement house is over
crowded. 1t Is empowered TO order the owner,
lessee occupant. or agent TO get rid Of IS many
tenants MS II may deem necessary within ten
days. In the case OF a tenement house con-
tanning more than twenty-five persons the
Board may require the employment oi Janitor
or housekeeper. The bill provides for the pay.
ment Of a yearly tenement house license Zee Of
So the money 10 be used in paying thirty police
officers and men. Of at least five years expert
ence on the force. whom the Police Board is re-
Quired TO detail upon the rpquistion OF the
Health Board for the service Of the latter. and
who ara To be- known as the Sanitary Company
OF Police.
The eighth section OF the bill makes the viola
ton OF any Of it's provisions misdemeanor en-
failing a penalty Of SO for every day the offence
continues the money to go TO the fund Just
mentioned. In all proceedings the owner shall
be- prima facie the person liable to pay such
penalty. and after him the person who is the
lessee OF the whole house, In preference 10 the
tenant or lessee Of q part thereof In any such
action the owner lessee. and occupant. or any
two OF them. may BE- made defendants. and
judgment may he given against the one or more
shown 10 De liable. II he or they were the sole
defendant or defendants