New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-01-28
SELECTIONS FROM THE NAIL
\ PLAN TO HELP THE UNEMPLOfE ED.
PROFESSOR GUNTON SUGGESTS THAT THE CITY
ISSUE BONDS AND USE THE MONEY FROM
THEIR SALE IN MAKING PUBLIC

ISSUE BONDS AND USE THE MONEY FROM
THEIR SALE IN MAKING PUBLIC
IMPROVEMENTS.
To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: These are exceptional times. and the ex-
ceptona amount Of enforced idleness justlhes ex-
ceptonal public measures. In the last resource
society is responsible for all its members Even
from strictly economic point Of view. rich COM
munlty cannot afford 10 permit starvation. large
part OF the loss inflicted upon society IN times
like these. must necessarily be borne by the rich
Fortunately the rich for the most part az Will
ing as they are able to contribute to the necessi-
ties Of the occasion. The only question is how to
do It.
There Is properly prevalent distrst OF the
efficacy Of charity meet the needs OF the stua-
ton. Workmen who have always been seif-sup-
porting abhor the idea OF receiving charity They
would almost rather starve than to have 10 unuerso
the degrading ordeal OF becoming paupers Ihis
wholesome feeling is also shared by the rich Inc
question therefore. IL not how 10 give charity'
but how To give employment. As one OF the means
of doing this II has been suggested that the TIC"
expend more freely than usual ins'eau VI e''
MIXING in every direction. Another means s"s
gesed is 10 open workshops for the manufacture or
various kinds Of wearing apparel and give away
the products thus aiding considerable NUMBER
by giving employment. and relieving many more
by a judicous distribution OF the clothing bo'h
OF these suggestions have their merits ana shouid
be encouraged. but they are wholly ih'oed"ae "
meet the general situation.
VIVA, IS needed in New-York and other Iarse
cities is a scheme that shall give several months
employment TO than 10000 people. Ihis cAn-
not be found in the avenues OF ordinary pus"'es'.
because the lack OF trade In the various INES oi
business Is the cause OF the enforced io'e"eSS NM
want There is one direction. however III winch
enn,ovment can be given to an almost unlimited
number for n shor, time. and where the Work II
greatly needed. namely. In pubic Improvements,
For years II has been standing chafse hsa"''
New-York City that 1t Is one OF 'he Host "''-
sanitary unclean and disorderly cities OF us size
in the world II is proverbal that Americans upon
returning from Europe Immediately eXclam against
tbe neglected unsantary and altogether disgraceiu
condition Of New-York City az having no pa'aie'
abroad The truth OF this charge Is a'tes'eo ny us
exceptionally high rate OF mortality. IL occupies inc
unenvable position OF having the hishest ''"'''
rate OF any city Of l.cc0Vp population
In 1se9 the death rate in New-York city was %
TO the thousand inhabitants IA compared win 70
In Vienna. q In Paris and Boston Il IN br"'h'"'
Philadelphia and Baltimore: 20 in Berlin ~ IN Lon
Land ST. louis and san Francisco: Il In Brussels.
Christiania. Norway and Rochester; ~ in Dem n.
YER and 3 in 81 PAU and Minneapolis.
Now IL the time for the American metropolis 20
nd itself OF this unsavory reputation. and at INC
same time to Take front rank for philanthropy and
public spirit. This can be largely accoHipsn,TIu, ns
the citys appropratng from FOUR 10 SIX minor" i
OF dollars for publ ny % iha need H.
second removing and conforming some OF the
worst tenement house property. and. wherever pos,
sble cCpyeTnE me sHGe mo r rne"G in All avenues
and streets where II IS feasible TO DO so Very much
OF the street repairing would be done IN the IhateI
where the poor i've which IL the first great step
toward sanitation and more Wholesome cohr''i2 E
for the masses. Besides benenung the poor ms
would improve the value of property ana brautliy
the city. and In every way be- a lasting benefit 10
the American metropolis . . -
or course. "A lGrse number OF the present unem,
ployed would be unused 10 THIS sort OF woI" an'
narily employed IN such occupations. ms woui
make the work cost more than IT otherwise would
probably one-fourth more. but II every aborrr mus
employed received 81 for - cents worth OF WORK.
% cents OF the expenditure would be ohhrF, put a
all the demorillzing faint OF charity II womb also
have the great advantage - srcur.hs ihn'h hsr',v
public improvements. together win "A "n"i'S"n',
and largely economic distribution OF w"hIth am
| Otherwise must ensue. Every citizen would gladly
contribute his share toward IN" means OF So
Gent wav il TO raise money by the sale OF bonds
| bearing a low OF interest. SIX million no',his
neopie Of %ew-York City in II few hours. there IL
really lack ~ money nor ~ wihhh'Ss no III
nlsh H. all that Is needed - an ear"'' t'hp'nm'
| Effort 10 accomplish the object " any irHhI u,
cuties should arse such as me cry -. TsgiS
at,,re would readily pass act giving PERMISSION
10 issue bon Is necessary for such an un'e' @
| property owners of New-York Ciiv ana the Logs
~ ,hs mnd~raking were inaugurated IN New York
CITY the example would soon be followed III 'ne ,a's
| citica throughout the country. anu tnuN,
nr,,,', immediate relief 10 the prevailing distress
| In our Industrial centres. II would bIln. an mp.
| ceden,od ImproVement Ia American clu's: anu wv,
| a,,n,iish Two great objects In philanthropy anu
| social progress with almost no ulllht 80
| Nor.over such "A NOV" would deinonsfh'" l" Wv
s arrs Ia me world that capitalists are not 'he
| selfish heariess class they ar" grnrray hs r,
=, H. bu besides being really economic b"h'iaS
~ nc,o,v ,hey stand ready TO Us" their w'ai'h Tor
nuiIIc welfare whenever II ~ necessary ana
| to do ,. t-,t,r cnu,re New
| York. Jan. u. 1884,