New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-10-21
An TNSTPPLIED DEMAND,


Within the last ten years New-York has
undergone Transformation scarcely less inn
pressive to the returning wlnderer who sud-
denly beholds il than the marvels of the spec
tacular stage. One does not need to have
passed his teens to remember when "a full
width, four-story, high-stoop, brown-stone
house in the best neghborhood' was equivalent
for all the ambitions Of a loyal American to
patent of nobility. and dining-room ex-
tension left absolutely nothing to be desired.
The furniture and decorations were in perfect
keeping with the exterior ideal and to all in
tents and purposes any one Of thousand homes
was as complete and interesting as any other.
There is no need to express the contrast be-
tween that period and this. 1t asserts itself
on every side.
If the prevailing rate and mode Of expendi-
ture were simply symbOlical of increased wealth
or extravaganza, or both, there might be reason
for amenting the change, but there can be no
doubt that in this case the metamorphosis has
been progress. People have learned and are
daily learning to live more inteligently, more
in accordance with the standards which the
word civilization" conveys or ought to con-
comfortable as well as more attractive. The
officious nourishes and the discordant din Of
public dining-rooms have disappeared, and
quiet, unobtrusive. orderly service aids both
appetite and conversation at private tables
The remarkable multiplication and expansion
of clubs has been accompanied perhaps by some
mischievous tendencies, but also undoubtedly
by much sound instruction in the art OF living.
A more delicate and definite perception Of what
is inherently decent and satisfactory prevails,
and because life is more rational in many di
rections it is likewise pleasanter and more COM
Portable
But there is at least one department Of human
activity which has failed to keep pace with
this elevation of ideals The boarding and
lodging houses are very likely more expensive
~ conducted than they were formerly, but they
have made very slight advances in the line OF
genuine comfort; and this is particularly true
Of those which exist to furnish sleeping accom-
modations to men. The present devotion to
athletic sports has done much to develop new
set Of desires in the devotees, but not at all in
the direction OF hnical and superfuous luxures.
Men want more closet room and better bathing
facilities than they used to think requisite.
They wear more kinds and pairs of shoes in the
course of the day. and want them cleaned
oftener. couple of dwarf and sleazy towels
in the space of twentyfour hours are no longer
thought to be reasonable supply. They will
not admit that servant who is asked to carry
a can of hot water up two or three flights OF
stairs has ample excuse for giving warning.
They think that the mysterious delinquencies OF
the Croton Aqueduct are not a valid answer to
the complaint that the water won't run above
the second floor, so long as an army OF me-
chanics stand ready to put tank under the
roof and force-pump in the basement. They
decline to acknowledge that a District Mes
senger call, carrying with it connection with
the nearest telegraph office, is grotesque and
sinful extravaganza, or that the retention of
a man in the house to perform an extra service
occasionally is the memorable guarantee Of
bankruptcy.
1t is largely because of these and other kin
ded requirements which men sought in vain
under the prevailing system, that bachelor
apartments have been built and found profit
able. That successful experiment carries
warning and ought to teach lesson to citizens
of New ork who work hard at the business of
providing so-called homes for the homeless, and
are annually discouraged by the ratio between
their receipts and expenditures. 1t is no an
swer to say that such accommodations and con-
veniences as are here suggested cost money.
In the first place they need cost comparatively
little money, and nobody would expect TO get
them for nothing. They do cost considerable
forethought and constant supervision. and
they imply an intelligent comprehension of
what is wanted and may reasonably be de-
manded. Women in need Of earning liveli-
hood often complain that every field is already
occupied Here is one that is more than half