New-York tribune., 1884-02-04
orous nesh You have bedy, but ycu are spirit we
must follow the iowlyNaEarene, not the lsusberlovins
THE TEyEMEYT-HOUSE QUESTION:
FELIX ADLER ARRAIGNs THE WEALTHY CLASSES
THE CAUSE OF soUALoR.

FELIX ADLER ARRAIGNs THE WEALTHY CLASSES
THE CAUSE OF soUALoR
Felix Adler addressed the Society for Ethical
Culture In Chickering Hall yesterday morning on tne
tenementhouse problem 1.-THE one distinct advantage"
he said n discussing this question. that the facts can
not be denied 1t In unqueioned fact that the degree
Of dsrespect with which human nature Is treated In this
city IA terrible What has been the obstacle to every
effort for reformi without charging bad motives upon
any one charge upon wealthy classes the most
criminal Of Indifference In we are worse to-day
than were our foreishers OF the middle ages The media
val recognized his duties toward his interiors anu
dependencies we acknowledge duty OF one social class
10 another The doctrine Of lealone being preached
among us more and With exceptions all char
table yers are careful 10 make understood that their
bounty is quito voluntary, and not in obedience to duty
The pety Of day. absorbed in the possible msees Oh
another world allows the msees OF this world 10 dwn
die into insignidcance How did the tenementhouse
system arisei 1t in connection with the rapid
growth Of modern cities The great cities are develop
ment OF the present century Paris which in the middle
ages numbered but 10000, has grown TO population
OF s5l 900 London In 1865 had 100000 inhabtantsI
In 1901 95s 000 and at the present time, over three
and a-half millions. This OF this growth has been
the rise OF factories rise which has como from similar
causes controlling the selection Of location. the proha
bty in combination OF enterprises and the density itself
of the population In this growth OF modern cities the
value of the land constantly apprecating; especially
where az In NewYork the city is hemmed In by natural
limits The wealthy seize the best sites, and so houses
rise in air and cOnvenencss for living become more and
more cramped These only natural causes aud con-
dons Of the natural development Of cities; but there Is
another cause simply TO the bad impulses Of the hui
man heart The aborer in great cities Is too poor TO
be chooser and there those who rush in upon his
need seize all tho land and then drive him 10 the foul
life of the tenement But the question asked: Why do
the poor stay here instead OF seeking pure and cheap
homes In the countryl The 10 this Ia easy First
they cannot get away. II costs from 10 10 10 cents
a day to get to the suburbs For one man
this amounts to $50 year, item TO the aborer
Second the workman who comes home late from Work
and must II early cannot spare time 10 60 10
the suburbs. Another objection raised Is that these
homes This statement Is based on utter Ignorance OF
the facts The marvel s that there exists IN sucn
neighboThoOd much purity and sauOrlty IL Is very
false 10 mistake the effect for the cause Inc pest OF
men will grow to the level OF their surroundings IL IS
not the squad people that make the su2d houses out
the squalid houses that make the squaid people.
I'm seeking remedy, must draw distinction.
One evil cannot change. The price OF Iand Is
such rent be high comparison with the labor
ers earnings. second evil change the greed or
the CAPITALISTS who seek out OF the msees or the poor
their 10 Is 20 per cent The wRtchwOrd or reform
per cent be stgnatiZed usury OF the worst sort 40
not put this tho ground OF business interest am
come simply the Of your brothers and Sis
ters tell you OF their needs DO not tell or lack or
business prosperity hard for you Is ten times
harder for them II the churches refuse this work. then
let ms do our part We will desist until the
been at least begun to break up TINS curse ana
disgrace to the city OF New-YOrk."