The record-union., 1894-02-14
A SUGGESTION FOR NEW YORK.


A writer in the February Social Econo-
mast would have the American metropo-
lis, New York City, appropriate from
S4,0OO,O 600 to S6,OOO.OOO (D in repaving and
asphalting all the streets that need it; ~
removing and condemning some of the
worst tenement-house property, and
wherever possible converting the space
into public squares and parks, and ~ in
planting trees on all avenues and streets
where it is feasible so to do.
He points out that this would give en-
ployment to q great army of the unem-
ployed; would not be heavy tax on the
property-owners, and would actually en-
hance values and vastly improve the
health conditions of our chief city.
The scheme is feasible. Such city as
New York can do this and not appreci-
ably feel the cost. A trifle advance in
license rates would meet, one would
think, the burden of the cost. and would
take from aid to the unemployed the taint
of charity.
But there is no lack of money or will
ingness to furnish it. if the proper legis-
lation to secure its advance can be had.
AS the writer adds:
Moreover such move would demonstrate
to the masses and to the world that capital
lists are not the selfish, heartess class they are
| Up IN q n @hpSi6a hpinO
really economic benefactors to society, they
stand ready to use their wealth for public
welfare whenever it is necessary and feasible
so to do.
New York now stands at the foot OF
the list of great cities for its unsanitary
condition, judged by the monthly rate,
which is 26 to the 200 of inhabitants, as
compared with % in Vienna, % in Paris
and Boston, 81 in Brooklyn, Philadel-
phia and Baltimore, 20 in Berlin, 10 in
London, Edinburgh and Cincinnati, Is
in Chicago, Cleveland, st. Louis and San
Francisco, II in Brussels, Christiania
Norway and Rochester New York., 16
in Milwaukee and Buffalo, IA in Louis
Vile, l3 in Sacramento, ii in Denver and
8 in St. Paul and Minneapolis.
The writer believes that the credit of
New York for S6,O0O.000 would be taken
in few hours and that the good results
would thrice over pay the interest cost
for the use of the money and pay the
principal also. Indeed it is believed that
more than that sum is now disbursed in
each year in unproductiye and demoral-
izing charity.
rich community cannot afford to
have the poor in its bounds suffer for
want of food and shelter. Mere charity
has degrading influence, and is ab
horred by honest workmen. The essayist
holds also that the rich are willing to
apply funds ir plenty to relief, when it
can be done so as to give employment
that is, that for the most part the rich are
so disposed, and that really the only
question is how to do it.
Mr.. Gunton, the editor of the Ecomo-
| mist, in his own department thus refers
to the subject, which, by the way, has
| more or less application to all large cities {:
This is an excellent time for American
cities, particularly New York, to redeem
| themselves from their unenyiable reputation
| for dirt and disorder. There are millions OF
| abe-bodied laborers seeking work, the failure
| to get which forced them to become beggars
| and paupers. 1t would be better for laborers
| and the community TO give them employment
! in making public improvements than TO
spend .the money upon them in charity.
| Since property-owners will finally have 10
paw the taxes to support paupers, or con-
| tribute the funds for charity, they would
| much rather contribute little more and
| have it go for permanent public improve
ments. With the expenditure of few mill
| ions each, the appearance OF the great Amerl-
! can cities would be revolutionized as Paris
was by Napoleon III. Central Park came
/ into existence in that way. 1t was begun
chiefly to give work TO the unemployed in the
panic of 1S57-5S. To improve and beautify
| The great cities at this time would be an ever
| lasting credit TO America, because beside
making American cities attractive and whole
some q credit to the public spirit Of the
| country. an inspiration. to every citizen, II
would do much to obviate the worst conse-
quences of the greatest industrial panic in
| our history. Now is the time to do it. Let
ne not he afraid of a few millions,