New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-11-25
TO HELP THE POOR.
BROAD LINES on WHICH THE TENEMENT
HOUSE COMMITTEE is WORKING.

IT'S POWER 10 SUBPOENA w1TNEssEs-PLANs TO
IMPROVE THE CROWDED. PARTS OF THE
CITY WHAT RICHARD WATSON
GLIDER AND OTHERS SAY.
Richard Watson Glider was examining that part
of a big terrestrial sphere where the CLASH oil arms
in heard between the two great Asiatc Powers "hel
a Tribune reporter approached him in The Century
Magazine" office yesterday ana asked him about the
work of the Tenement House Committee, of which
he is chairman and which has already held hall a
dozen meetings and obtained vast amount Oh "
torestng information.
Now l am glad" he replied. that The Tribune
IL anxious to take this question in something IKE
a comprehensive way. for ! think that the news
papers have not paid much attention to TINS mat
ter as lis importance demands The discoveries that
we have made and making and intend to make
before our final report Is written are OF vital mo-
nent to the great masses Of the people VINO innaot
this great city. know of no subject deserving "l
greater attention thar that which concerns the man
ner IN which tenement-hOuse population. con-
sisting of hundreds OF thousands OF persons. are
housed really knew little about the mention OF
my name connection with the matter. much less
my appointment ny the Governor as chairman OF
the committee unit, after the appointment had been
made have taken up the matter. however. heart
and soul. and feel confident that the best results
will flow from the work in which We are engaged.
Mr. Glider said that in addition to the secretary,
Edward Marshall. his colleagues on the committee
were DIR. Cyrus Edison. of the Board OF Heaith'
Roger Foster. a weknown lawyer; Solomon Moses
who is prominently connected with the Hebrew
charities: George Il. Post the architect; John r.
schuchman another lawyer, and w. OH. Washing
ton. an engineer.
CURIOUS THINGS LEARNED
Some curious things have come to light in the
investigations which we have made so far said
Mr. Glider mot the least remarkable of which is
that here in this very city we have a condition or
absentee and,ordisn which would he denounced
or the effects at least Of which would be denounced
If 1t were found to exis, in Ireland. do not mean
10 speak of owners Of tenement-house property here
who live in foreign countries, who live away
from New>York and who collect high rents regard
less of the condition of the people VINO nave 10 pa!
these rents. BY absenteeism in this city mean
landlords who alone live in the city. but who in
some cases live within twenty blocks of the crowded
apartments whence their incomes are derived They
are not all accountable for the Wretched condition
In which the people are who dwell in their houses,
but some Of them certainly are and ii VIII be the
duty OF this committee TO leave no excuse to any
body whose duty 1t is TO see that the oVercroWdhs'
the bad sanitary arrangements, and the other OBJ
jectonab,e features of the tenement-house system
are aside to give place to ones more in Keeping
with the spirit Of the age. Where the absence OF
this Improvement results from the neglect OF the
landlord. we mean TO see that the law is enforced
and where 1t results from absence of an adequate
provision Of law. shall probably suggest such
enactments the Legislature In It's wisdom snail
deem proper TO adopt
SMALL PART OF THE WORK.
The public hearings only a small part OF the
work OF the committee. All summer It's house TO
house investigations have been in progress. under
its secretary. Mr. Marshall, and now PROFESSOR
Giddings OF Columbia. has taken hold for the COM
mittee with band Of enthusiastic and intelligent
students OF the university.
In further conversation in regard TO this matter,
Mr. Glider paid high compliment to the commits
sion Of ten years ago, of which DR.. Adler, Mr.
Wingate, Mr.. Drexel. Mr.. Fairchild ana other
prominent citizens were members. ana SAID that
most Of the recommendations Of that committee
had been carried out TO the great advantage OF
the city
THE present committee" he added, "are making
careful inquiry into the subject Of safety from fire.
as we'll as the health of the occupants Of tene-
ments, and trying TO bring about an accord De-
tween the recommendation Of experts Of the Fire
Department and those of the Board OF Health.
Hitherto the requirements to health and those
as to safety from fire have been in unfortunate
conflict
The committee is also looking into the questions
of public baths. small parks and Fairgrounds. and
kindred matters and Will probably make important
suggestions these subjects, based upon the views
of we-oualifed students and observers. The con-
ditions Of chd-lfe being carefully inquired into
and the question of increased educational facil-
ties is a special matter Of inquiry.
THE question is being considered also Of profits
from both inferior buildings and model tenemenis'
and the final report will be of great service to
those who purpose investing in this class Of
property, partly wholly. on philanthropic
grounds.
You see" he continued. we are powerful in
q way the LeXow Committee. for We can compel
the attendance of witnesses and obllSe them 10
testify as TO what they know and to bring any
books, papers documents in their custody, or
under their control that will throw any light on
the matter. We have already had some unwilling
witnesses and ii is my opinion" he added. amil-
Ing that shall have many more before the
point is reached at which our final report can be
made"
The lengths TO which the committee may 20 are
defined in section OF the act authorizing IT'S ex-
istence, which passed b. the last Legislature,
and which says:
THE duties of said committee shall be TO make a
careful examination into the tenement-houses Of
the city OF New-York: their condition as TO con-
struction healthfulness. safety rentals and the
effect OF tenementhouse life the health. educa-
ton. savings and morals Of those who live in such
habitations. and all other phases OF the so-cailed
tenement-house question in the city that can affect
the public welfare
The members receive compensation, but the
necessary expenses will be betrayed out OF a sum
Of SOOoA rsh-ae has been appropriated for that pur
pose
"fIo~ long rii you continue the work.
I'VE have until January 10 make investiga-
TONS Mr.. Glider replied. "and hope 10 have
them as thorough as possible We have already had
some valuable Information from Professor Could, OF
Johns Hopkins University. who examined the con-
dtions existing I'm European cities, and also OF Pro-
fessor A. c. Bernhem. OF Columbia College who
told us about the conditions existing here. The work
Of the last committee. 10 which have already re-
ferred. done in 1854. and was well done so far
as IL went, but ! have record OF any labor OF
that character undertaken any time previous II
that. 1t is excellent means of discovering the
actual needs OF the great majority Of our people
SO far as their housing is concerned. and feel
L. lcnlt al