New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-04-27
SELECTIONS FROM THE MAIL
IMPROVEMENT OF TENEMENT-HOUsEs.
FACTS THAT MUST BE CoNsIDERED-THE PEND
ING BILL.

lNG BILL
To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: The letter from Mr. Hosmer. Of the Building
Department, In your Issue of to-day recalls to my
mind the many attempts made in past years to I'M
prove the building operations of this city with special
reference to tenement houses have In fact'
number of times been member of the successive
committees appointed to formulate a proper regi-
men on the subject.
There Is considerable difference Of opinion. among
experienced owners, architects and builders as 10
where the line can best be drawn between the
necessity Of studying the scant purses OF the ten
ants of these dwellings. in relation to the payment
OF rent sufficient TO cost interest and revenue
and the desiraby of securing the best results Tor
their health with reference 10 light and ventila-
ton. and for their safety with reference to fire.
Sir Alfred Waterlow, great student of the subject
we'll expender OF large capital In building
tenement-houses in London to realize his theories,
has testified that fast one set OF poor tenants
Is colonzed In an improved tenement building
still poorer rush to the vacated premises as an
Improvement what they have before habted:
and he added the deporable statement that there
Is class. still lower down in the depths OF the
social strata who would be glad to sleep in dog
kennels II they could afford the luxury. And this
can well believe. Not long after he found the
gorilla In what then considered interior Africa,
the eminent explorer. Paul du Chailu. told me that
in his opinion there was stratum of human ex-
n
Chrlstendom than In the kraals OF the naked saw
ages OF the dark continent. The claims of the very
poor have then to be considered at the sacri-
flee OF some elements of health and safety TO them
selves. The richest and most powerful individuals
OF a community cannot In fact escape from some
measure OF sacrifice no matter whether made will
ingly or unwingly. to the needs Of their whole en-
vronment.
But without speaking for any other architect than
myself allow TO express the hope that the pend
Ing bill for a Tenement-house law Will not be
passed TIL our legslato have weighed carefully
al the objections made to It by the administration
OF our Building Department. Stevenson Con-
stable. Its chief. In his heroic efforts to put the
best attainabe basis the department to the control
of which he was appointed has had particularly
hard row to hoe" and deserves the sympathy and
cooperation OF our legislators, State and municipal
In those efforts Reverting specifically to this Tene
ment-House bill and admitting that present struct-
ures mot legitimately open to condemnation as I'M
safe for life limb might be let alone for those
so poor that they can afford nothing better-dOes
II not stand to reason that more light and venta-
ton can be secured out OF an open to the sky
that includes IS per cent Of the building site ihan
out OF like area including only % per cent? And
IL the Chief OF the Fire Department thinks. with
reference to his experience In his speciality, that the
connection In tenement houses, of the basement
stairs with the main stairway Is little short of
criminal" II seems to me that Is good reason for
the law Insisting on disconnection; and he must be
but an Indifferent planner who rule, finds
difficulty In securing such dsconnection.
New-York April 25 1856. A. j. BLOOR