, 1881-06-05

| Among the laws passed by the late LeElsla-
| turc of local Importance to Chicago was one
entitled IAN act for the regulation and in
spcction Of tenement and lodging houses, anil
other places Of habita.ion," in cities which
have population Of more than O,0o0 people.
This law makes it the duty of architects aud
| builders, not merely of tencments and lodg-
ing-houscs, but of all places of l,abitation, to
submit complete plans and specifications to
the City Health Commissioner in or,ler that
the latter may approve or reject the same on
account of the appliances provided for prop
er ventilation OF rooms, light and air shafts.
ventilation Of water-closcts, drainage, and
plumbing. 1t is also made the duty Of the
plnllber, or the contractor for the plumbing
work. to receive written certificate OF in
struction from the Health Commissioner be-
fore beginning work on new building, and
to proceed according to the plans. specitica-
tions. and instructions rs approved by the
Health Commissioner. 1t is the further
duty OF the plumber, before covering
up Ills work, to notify the Health Com:nis-
sioncr that it is ready for inspection, anu lie
is forbidden to- conceal the plumbing work
until the same shall have been approved. 4
Is attached as 4 penalty for violation Of this
law by builder, contractor, or plumber, and
Il forfeiture Of license for one year upon Il
second conviction.
This law is broad and specific enough to
enable the city authorities to establish I.
thorough system OF inspection Of plumbing
appliances; but, like many other State laws
of a municipal bearing, 1t will be a dead
letter unless the Council shall provide the
necessary machinery for its enforcement.
THE TRIBUNE, in al inspection Of its own
undertaking, has exposed the frightful coli
diton of many Of the telcments in this city,
it did not possess the necessary authority
to compel a rectification of palpable de-
fccts. The new law will at least
provide the authority, and, indeed,
make it the duty Of the Health Coln-
missioner to compel the adoption of proper
appliances in all new buildings, and 1t may
be supplemented BY Il city ordinance which
shall extend the inspection system to tene-
ment and clearinghouse, where there is
reason to suspect lack Of adequate sewer
age and proper ventilation.
It is no longer Il matter OF conjecture that
a certain class of diseases are promoted by
defective sewerage, and much of the lassi-
tude and bad feeling peculiar to life III
crowded communities which does not take
the well-lcfined sllitpe of disease Is similarly
due to lack Of ventilation. It is equally true
that science and experiment during the past !
few years have developed greatly the appli- !
ances for Kidding households of sewer-gas
and providing the needed supply of |
pure mir. 1t is the Indifference, neg |
[igence, and parsimohy of landlords and |
along with the Ignorance |
and dishonesty Of plumbers, that require
Considerations Of public health
lenand that the city authorities provide
thorough inspection and intelligent dfrec-
ion to avert the disasters Of defective plumb
ng. Chicago, though already 4 great city,
S still ,oung and growing community, and
f a protective system Of inspection be cstab-
isled now, and maintained with vigilance
md honesty, the extent of disease and rate
VI deaths will be lower In this city than any
>ther of large dimensions. The Mayor
hould give this subject his special attention
md obtain FROM the Council all the neccs-
AIRY assistance for carrying out general
anitary reform.