Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-03-30
FELIX ADLER.
Work of the Famous New York Mate
rlalist-Bis Tenement House Project.


Work of the Famous New York Mate
rialist-His Tenement House Project.
"The good that men do lives after
them," has been quoted this week bv
many persons who have had occasion to
recognize the wisdom and generosity of
the requests made by the late Julius Hal
garten for the benefit of workingmen.
says New York correspondent Of the
Troy Times. Among other requests was
money for free Sunday concerts OF the
very best music under Theodore Thomas
direction, the first concert having been
given to crowded audience a week ago.
and another legacy has helped to start
this movement of Felix Adler, the noted
materialist preacher, in favor of building
model tenements. Adler is a Jew. 45
years old, the son of a well-knOwn New
York rabbi. The young man promised so
well that fifteen years ago the congrega-
ton over which his father presided sent
him to Europe to study and pre-
pare to take his fathers place.
He came back, in 1873, a confirmed
materialIst, and having paid back to the
congregation the money expended upOn
him, organized the Society for Ethical
Culture. His congregation now meets on
Sunday morning in Chickering Hall and
people Of New York, particularly the
young people. The orthodox Jews are
disturbed and anxious, but can make no
Roadway against the new movement. The
Society for Ethical Culture has ALWAYS
been distinguished for its charities and its
schools, and now it is beginning this I'M
pOrtant work of inducing rich men to
build decent homes for the poor. Last
Sunday Adler said: ~ sat next a man at
a hnN
turned on a strike of labOring men then
In progress. Some men, he said, were
born to drink champagne, and some to
carry hOds. But how can we look
on with silent indifference when we
see the chances of culture shut off
from the great majority Of people as they
are to-day? The rent of the decent work.
ing people of New York ranges at an
average of from IS to $14 per month.
That IS fixed quantity, and they cannot
pay more than that because their wages
will not permit it. The higher the rate Of
interest demanded by the landlord the less
the comforts furnished. If the landlord
must have 10 or 10 per cent. the comforts
must be miserably inadequate. But if he
content himself with 6 per cent. the COM
forts Will be more abundant and more
satisfactory. The plans submitted to our
friends and Endorsed by them provides for
:" A~tNAA "a y PCA Ctllbs VI WHICH lue owner
contents himself with and the other 3 is
used as sinking fund for the payment of
rent and the security of landlords and
tenants IN hard times; if not so applied to
be placed at interest with view to wiping
out the original cost of the building. 1t is
urged that it will be difficult to find capt.
talists who will be philanthrOpic enough
to lend their money at 3 per cent. when
they may get 10; but what low estimate
is this of the capitalistic class Are they
not men, then? Have they not beating,
human hearts? Do you suppose men are
made OF dirt? There are churches in this
city whose membership is so wealthy
they could afford to build whole blocks of
tenement houses without assistance.
What great church corporation has built
a tenement house for tine poor? When
they see that we 90 ahead in this matter
"a band of radicals whom they do not
admit to their fellOwship-perhaps they
will be ashamed. Perhtps the public
finger of scOrn which will be pointed at
them will awaken them from their leth-
argy.