New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-03-07
NEW HOMES rOR CITY POOR.

The details of Professor Adlcr's plan of tene-
ment-house reform have not been published.
They are not ready, We are informed. Ii is not
too late, then to offer suggestions as tO!what the
plan ought to include, and what it ought to
avoid.
The subject has an unwonted importance
now; not because the need of reform is grow
ing; but because new light has been let in upon
the mode of reform This new light comes partly
from actual experience in the better tenement
houses that have been built in this and other
cities within few years. and partly from a
novel proposal, the invention probably Of
Professor Adler himself.
Desirable elements of reform are always
presenting themselves to the minds of those who
touch the subject at all Abuses abound !;
opportunities for reform equally abound.
Amateur reformcrs are apt to get bewildered in
the confusion of conflicting claims upon
sympathy One good element jars with other
good elements. One good feature crowds others
out. Among those that jostle in and those that
are iosllcd out, the home feeling Of the tenant,
which after all is the end and aim OF all the
planning, is apt to be lost sight OF; and the
building fails of its purpose.
Improvements in the safety, order, and
dcc0rum OF tenement-house life are apt to
depend on cOnstraints upon the tenants to such
an extent as to give offence to those whom they
are designed to benefit; and so they are apt to
be considered impracticable by those actively
concerned in the management of such property
Indeed they are apt to prove impractlcable !;
for if the houses remain empty there is no
reform. The nearer one gets to being practical,
L. -
reforms proposed. The most experienced are
the slOwest. As among the politicians and for
better reason, reform in general is approved by
everybody, but particular reform by few !;
reform in the abstract but not in the concrete.
Reform ycs--this identical jump from abuse to
advantage no. And the difficulty is in the
fact that the reforms proposed are discon-
nected they do not make one whole plan OF
building and administration. and that plan
workable plan.
How few constitutions for government work
as they are beforehand expected to work
plan of tenement-house management is a con-
stitution for government on a small scale, but
touching all sides of family life and comfort;
and it has this disadvantage-th subjects, if they
do not like it, can get away from under
II has no stronger hold upon them than the first
impressions of people who are far from far
seeing or sure seeing. The plan must have
backbone enough Ito command obedience
through respects but it must VIM it cannot
begin by commanding.
The plan must win those who are to govern
as well as those to be governed. Capital does
not accept every opportunity to control people.
II goes out to bring back. A few put money out
from motives of pure benevoence; theylhave
their satisfaction in doing So The channels
already open for benefcence arc fairly well
marked. The sick, the hurt, the critically dis
tresscd, those whom temporary help Is likely to
restore to self-dependence, have prior claim over
mere ameloration of tho chronic condition of
anybody whatever. Think how little is
voluntarily done for those hopeless ofrestoration;
and how still less can be expected for the i'm
provement of the way of living of whole class
Of accomplishing people. Tenement houses for