New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-05-28
WAR on TIE REAR TENE nEAT.

WAR on TIE REAR TENEMENT.
The action Of the Health Board yesterday IN
ordering the vacation Of fifteen Of the most dl-
lapidated and unhealthy rear tcnement-hous's
IN the city marks the beginning of Il serious
movement for the doing away OF the Sums Oh
York This Is the first practical outcome
In this direction of the WORT, of the Glider Ienc-
ment House Committee. Its Investigations pre-
pared the way for the radical legislation under
which the abolition of the rear tcnemeni-honsc
Is 10 be attempted. A struggle is sure to follow.
Considerations Of humanity have not nvailcd
with owners for the destruction Of these plague
spots Avaricc caused them 10 be built and TO
be crowded and left to breed disease. ana ava
rice will fight 10 the last every effort to clear
the ground on which they stand and bring lgh'
and air 10 occupants of other buildings In the
blocks But though there will BE- struggle,
there can be little doubt Of the result. The con
dItions of life in a great city have made ncccs-
sary the amplihcation Of the police power of the
State in such matters to a point not contchi-
plated by old lawmakers. English cities have
found in this compulsory regulation OF the use
of private property The cfrectual remedy of Stun
evils there and our courts have been extremely
liberal in constituting the powers OF Health
Boards The new law, which allows the Board
to order the destruction Of tcncment-hoiscs like
~ to cause sickness among their occupants. or
the occupants Of ncghboring houses. ana pro-
viding for compensation based on the proper
rental value only. instead of on rents to be got
by crowdng and In case of the property being
irrcdeemably unfit for habitaton giving pay
only for the mere value Of the building ma
tcra has not yet been upheld AZ constitutional
by the highest court Ii Is. however. so thor
oughly in line with the tendency Of modern
municipal law that IL Is likely 10 stand.
The Glider Committee showed n condition of
life I'm these houses calling for immediate notion.
There are about 1000 tenement structures In
this city hidden behind other buildings. They
are the Oldest and worst and most ovcrcrowdcd
of their kind Filling up backwards. which
should he open for the benefit Of other houses.
they are surrounded on NIL sides by narrow
wells and are dark brecding-pl places of disease.
The committee found that the death rate Of
houses in the First Ward standing slngly on
lots was 29O3 per 1909 while that where lots
were occupied 10y front and rear buildings WAS
G1g7 In the same ward the baby death rate
for single tcnclncnts was lOJ.js. while that for
the rear tcncments was 20i.ji In one Of the
houses Yesterday ordered to be vacated one
third Of all the children under five years died
IN 1855, or the rate was 80. and the rate re
ported last year. after vigorous efforts by the
Board al improving the condition Of houses. was
I'LL. The reports made by the sanitary In
spectors preparatory To the destruction Of these
houses tell Of filth darkness and dllapilation
that would make people raise their hands In
horror If they read them about the homes of
Armeninns or victims Of Irish landlordism. Sick
babies are 10 be found here In summer suffering
In rooms with n temperature Of 10 degrees. aud
people live on the top floor Of buildings without
windows and with no ventilation hui that of
scuttlcs that have to be closed when 1t rains
1t Is to do away with thcs" conditions that the
law was passed. and 1t should be enforced uniIl
every ramshacklc and unsanltary tenement
house In The city has bccu torn down. once re-
moved they cannot he built again for our pres
ent laws compel proper proportion OF evc~y
lot 10 Dc lcfi open for air space.
or course the owners Of these houses Will cry
out loudly over the injustice ~ DESTROYING their
buildings But they have no ground for CON
plant. They are to BE- paid for the real value
of their property. and their loss. II they los,
! anything. will be- only what they have tried "a
gain by overcrowdIng md breeding dlsca q
! among their tenants. by trying 10 get rents
| from human beings for garreis and cellars Thai
| no human being should over have 10 enter
| Owners OF other property are compelled 70
| leave air space around their buildings. and
while II Is proper 10 permit the existence OF
structures that could not now legally be- erected
under reasonable conditions II Is not right that
! such liberation be given TO dccay"d house.
which are kept standing simply 10 hold Tho
! ground they cover The tenement house prob
lem can be solved only by the strict subordinl
ton Of private plans for profit TO the public
necessity of making the homes Of the masses
! dcccntly comfortable and hcalthful'