New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-02-27
INSPECTING CHEAP LODGING-HoUSEs.
WHAT AN INSPECTOR OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
AND DETECTIVE FOUND IN THE FOURTH WARD.

AND DETECTIVE FOUND IN THE FOURTH WARD.
The Board of Health last March appointed
several physicians to inspect the cheap In
the lower wards OF the city in order suppress the
typhus fever epidemic The condition OF the houses at
that time was extremely bad Rats unmo-
Tested over the bodies OF sleeping men
and women who lay on the floor in
the room, in beds crowded closely together
that person could not stand between them Many OF
the beds have been removed the have been white
washed and cleaner bedding has been secured. The
worst lodging house in the city the shiloh was closed
Owing q lack OF the Board discontinued this
inspection at the close Of the summer months but
began it again last week, after a Of
typhus fever had been reported from lodging
house in Cherryst II said that 1000 persOns mostly
men, sleep In these lodging houses in the Fourth ward
alone paying from twenty five to five night There
are 1856 houses under inspection and ones are
being discovered every day.
TRIBUNE reporter the other night accompanied Dr.
John r. HObbie OF the inspectors who has eighyve
houses now on his list He has the District,
comprising the BOwery Chatham-st, and all the city
between them and the East River detective was OBJ
tanned the Oak Street Police Station and the first call
made at No "A Over-st.
1--WE will what is to be found here" said the doc
tor. rapping at the basement door Not light visi
bic. A louder knock and "Open the door reused a man
who carefully removed several fastenngs but refused to
open the door when he that the party not to
remain all night Pushing the door open scene
at once vile and sckcnmg was presented. On
q shelf five feet wide, attached to the wall about three
feet from the floor lay twenty men, various stages Of
nudity, cursng asleep one man calling for
beer others snoring, while few all
were filthy beyond description The room had not a
particle ventilation and the tramps soaked with stale
beer were breathing atmosphere that was sitting.
The proprietor looked with suspicion the ntruders
but the sight OF the badges displayed By the nspec
tor and detective sienced him. The price OF nights
"stay in this cellar is only cents.
THAT ia sample Of what found last spring."
said Dr. Hobbie but that mans fate is sealed This
place found at ! a. m to-day with thirty-seven
tramps i'm it, At o'clock warrant had been issued
S% mor rG Pie @ the buns even
blame than the tenant and he, too. must suffer the
penalty of the law for allowing the room TO be used for
The visitors we're thankful to reach the street. and
long. deep breath was taken Then No. 1O2 Otyerst.
was visited This, too, was in cellar, and even
than the other place. The atmosphere was not
quite so sickenlng nut there were twenty persons,
men, women and children huddcd tOgehern two rooms
which should not have cOnain ed more than i've Children
of both sexes were preparing for bed also
men and women in the same room. The VENT alton was
sidewalk fhc tide often flows into il to the depth Of
two feet. The beds are then placed on blocks or
bricks the number of persons sleep there II
the floor dry. warrant has also been issued for
the arrest Of the proprietor OF this place
House. No. 262 Waterst greatly incensed because
Dr. Hobhic suggested thai where he had ten beds the
I
The Board of Health requires that each 81 eper should
have 800 cubic feet of air space At No 81 Cherryst Il
seemed II nearly every one OF the
forty nationalities Of which the population of New
of 800 recently imposed upon the proprietor for
having dodgers sleep in the basement The air far
from whOlC5Ome where the sieepers lay crowded as
closely as the bodies could be placed. No. IS
Chathamst. was also shown as place where
last spring thirteen cases Of typhus fever were
| removed 10 the hospital. The walls have b en-
whewashcd, and the beds tbDned out nearly one
half of the sanitary inspector The upper floor
"a
only from four six feet in height. There win
dOws the roof which sufficient to furnish neces-
sary air if they kept open, which not the
last night All the dodgers seen thus far were Of
the lowest class of the Fourth Ward popu,
latiOn, but going further up Chathamst. toward
the Bowery, the rooms were found more
cleanv and the ventilation and bedding far better The
class Of dodgers also improved. At the Progress
House, Nos 20i and 206 Chahamsquare, there are
dodgers who cunning from - to - day. and who
separate room, which has closet with lock.
1t is Of the best houses of the CHI aper
kind. No disorder is allowed and liquor H. sold.
The Howard House, No $40 Chatham-st, lodges 200
ment 1t by tie Board of Health. The Gilbert No lJ2
Chathimst.. the best house that visited The
enperare kept 900 all the time and some Of the
rooms nave been occupied by the persons for five
years Fire escapes provided and system Of gu
latiOns rigdy enforced Ia rStclaSs hotel The
sheets and pillow Of regular dodgers changed
twice "a week. and for transient lOGgers as often as
IL il deemed necessary.
The greatest difficulty is experienced by the inspectors
in watching the men whom they have compelled TO
lowed. In month, less they Will return to the
same locality, often TO the aud gather about
them the Of dodgers they formerly HAD Constant
inspection Is thus made Il necessity.