New-York tribune., 1885-03-05
HUGE APARTNENrHoUSEs UNHEALTHY
DIR. LoRING REGARDS THEM As A STANDING MENACE
TO TIE COMMUNITY.

DIR. LORING REGARDS THEM As STANDING MENACE
TO TIE CoMMUNITY.
The article which appeared in yesterdays
TRIBUNE calling attention to the evils OF tall buildings
in the residence portions OF the city attracted much
attention and many wel-known citizens yesterday ex-
pressed cordial approval OF the views therein set FORTH
The matter Is looked at from many points OF vew from
each OF which there to he much to say Inc most
immediate and pressing evil appears to De that OF
sanitary, or rather unsanary nature Ihe danger
from also strongly insisted on by severa eadhs
insurance men, who pointed out that though these
buildings are nominally hrc-proo yet they all contain
An immense amount OF cOmbustible material winch
would send volumes OF thick smoke through tue houses
by the convenient passages provided In the liShtwes
and elevator shafts. one OF them said; People are
rarely burned death in fire. They are smothered
first ana may be burned afterward' IL Is shloAe'
however, and not name that kills.
The property-owners complained chiefly OF the meal
culable damage that had been done to surrounding
property by these huge structures and stated that
marked depreciation OF the property III tPsis Tsis
was borne out. and strong point mace, macs a a.
to their unhrallhness IN au'udon ia oS ,p,d nouse in
Mad ave, whose 10y no heans stuned proportions
ara thrown into comparative insigniHcance by TIE
twelve red brick stories OF It's opposite nelghO" one OF
the decrird apartment houses. said Dr. Loring:
nv " row Of ornary brown stone hous s. one OF which
still remains A. you can see The apartment mouse
renaning OF which now looks like a little child by the
side OF Chinese GIANT Before that place was bult
had the sun shining into my reception room from 10
the morning until II even o'clock. Now my iecep-
tion gets sunlight at all while TINS room III
which are ana which is directly over the reception
room has sun for "A few minutes only. bue change IN
tue atmo.r here OF the house is perceptibe NY bed
room which front strikes chill into me ds soon as
1 enter IT, and | going TO change TO the back or tue
house which has "a northern aspect II used TO Or the
cold side Of the house, IL Is the My light II
serously nterfered with, and haze had to rcarrange
you see this side which the sun, Is damp ana
muddy. The opposite side is nearly, Dry. 1t t Is Is
absolutely essential In order TO get rid OF the microbes
and germnerous matter which are 10 be found IN the
damn streets OF city that the sunghG should strike
the cutters for some hours during the day IL is Just as
essential that the living and sleeping rooms OF hnman
beings shond the direct rays OF the sun AS to
the interior sanitary condition or these apa tment-
houses | have no statistics which VIII enable me 10
sneak positively. There Ia, however, strong pf10't
evidence that they must be extremely unhealthy Inc
massng together many families In itself tends 10
proInoe disease, while the multiplication OF drainage
mines and plumbing affords yet another footbold ior
disease. Among my own patients know of some VINO
suffer from the Wholesale system Of heating Even II
they shut of the steam. the presence Of such Immense
steam ducts In walls renders their rooms unheathy
o, and they have TO pull the beds into the middle OF te
room before they hope to sleep look IN fact on
apartment houses as standiLg menace 10 lho heh
and comfort % the community.