The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-03-23
TENEMENT HOUSE SYSTEM.
Discussed at Considerable Length at the
Meeting of the w. G. t. U.

The meeting of the W. G. I. u. Fri
day afternoon was to discuss the best
methods of relieving the miseries that
exist in the present tenement house sys-
tenn. The leader of the meeting is we'll
known philanthropist and has given con-
siderable thought to the subject. In
stances were given of the "herding" to-
gether in this city of whole families in
one or two rooms. A mother and her
four children occupied one bed in dark
unyentilated bedroom. One OF the chill
dren sickened and died with consumption.
During her long illness there Has no
change made in the sleeping arrange
ments and at her death the only change
was the removal of the body, the moth
er and the remaining three children slept
on, with the same unventilated, UNI
washed condition of the bed and clothing
prevailing as before. The only apparent
results of the child's death were the
further appeals by the mother to the long
suffering friends, for increased bounties,
and the enhanced weakness and disease
both mental and physical-of the three
children.
And what is true of these children is
true in many other cases. And yet, our
people, with but little effort, obtain a
vast amount of money for a place OF
pleasurable entertainment, (Which, in
itself is legitimate enough) and the tene-
| ment houses with their deplorable I'M
sanitary. and in many cases, unlivabIe
conditions, continue, a menace to the
health of our city, q suitable plague spot
in our midst. These statments are not
Pigment of the brain, they sre terribly
| real, and can be vouched for.
What is being done? Can anything be-
done to relieve these conditions? Cannot
legislation compel the tenement house
| owners to displaee them by properly
built houses, homes that could be made
healthful and attractive and yet be good
Investments, for good returns are what
property holders think mostly Of.
The question arose, after the old
places are done away with, new homes
built in their stead, what is going to be
| done with the tenants, who have lived
| in misery and filth SO long; that they
know nothing about clearly conditions,
aud would bring the old filthy habits
| into their new environment, 80 that be-
fore long, they really would not be much
better off, The settlement system which
has done such good work in London and
| our own American cities, was mentioned
as means of teaching these people of
what right views of living consist. This
| Hull house in Chicago was given as an
| illustratration. While distinctively.
W. c. T. U. settlement could not be well
carried on in Portland, the leader of the
meeting said, there were agencies at
work in that direction which could take
| it's place in a somewhat limited degree,
viz: the Fraternity house and the
Headquarters of the W. G. T. U. Their
close proximity would render the inter-
and the two organization, each distinct
in itself but working for the same pur-
pose, could form center Of great use
fitness.
The personal effort clement that
must enter into all efforts for better
living, was forcibly discussed. Money
may be given without stint, to help the
cause of the poor and wretched and plans
made without number to better their
condition. But unless the personal ele-
ment enters into it all, it fails of accom-
plishing it's full purpose, "the gift with
out the giver is bare.
Something must be done to lessen the
chasm that now exists between the rich
and poor, before the desired results can
be obtained. The hour limit which is
allowed the meetings Of the union was
so far exceeded in the discussion of the
complex problem, that no definite plan
was formulated as to any action that their
union might take in the matter.
1t is expected, however. that at a near
future meeting this matter will again re-
oeiye consideration, and plans will be
crystallized for practical effort in this
direction.
PERSONAL.