New-York tribune., 1896-05-09
HOMES FOR WAGE FARMERS
THE PLAN OF THE HOUSING COUNCIL
SET FORTH AT COOPER UNION.

4AAL LIAM VI 1n- IOCSA-'o
SET FORTH AT COOPER UNION.
IT, FULTON CUTTING. PROFESSOR GOULD BISHOP
POTTER AND DIR. RAINsFoRD AMONG THE
SPEAKERS RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED AP-
PROVING THE PROJECT.
In response invitations sent out by the Improved
Housing Council and disseminated by the various
labor unions Of the city. Cooper Union was fairly
we'll filled last evening by men who wished to hear
the explanation of how 1t is possible for model tene-
ments comfortable suburban houses to be brought
within the reach OF the masses OF New-York. The
plans OF the Council have been maturing for some
time, but last evening for the first time pub
lcly explained to the representatives OF those 10
whom they apply.
The work Of the Council Is so far advanced that
the plans for model tenem { houses. for which
a competition invited about six weeks ago.
will soon be chosen by the following committee:
Professor f. r. l.. Gould, Arthur W. Longfellow.
architect, Of the firm Of Longfe.low. Alden & Har-
low Boston, Mass. and ". H. Folsom. OF the
firm of Folsom Brothers The officers and commit
tees of the Council follows: President. r.
W. Glider: vce-president. w. Bayard cutting;
treasurer. Charles Stewart Smith: secretary. W. II.
Tolnan: Executive Committees. ID. Babcock.
chairman II. Fulton Cutting, s. Nicholson Kane.
Isaac n. Segman General Charles A. Whittier.
the officers ex-offcio and the charnen Of commit
tees; Committee on Model Apartment t-houses-
Joseph s. Auerbach chairman: Arthur W. Mfloury,
secretary; s. D. Babcock Charles T. Barney,
August Belmont, II. II. Cammann w. Bayard
Cutting Miss Edith Kendall. Edward Marshall, J.
r REYNOLDS Miss c. Phelps Stokes and George W.
younp: Committee on Separate Dwellings-Felix
Adler chairman: William OH Washington. sec
retary; Cornelius F. Doody. James Fitzgerald
Francis v Greene. Henry Lewis Morris. John j.
Palas Dr. Albert Shaw. Frederick A. snow ana
T. +. McSweeney.
Others Of the Council are the Rev. Dr. Lyman
Abbott. G. B. Blagden II. II. Cammann. the Rev
T y Devlns the Rev. A. p. Doyle. c. 5. Fair
child Morris K. Jesup. President Seth Low. ID.
O. Mills Mrs. ]. =. Morgan. Bishop Potter. jacob
H. schln. the Rev. Or. W. S. RaInsford, Dr. l. r:
Smith, Spencer Trask. Cornelius |anderoiIt anu
a. r. White.
A GOOD HOME AS CHEAP AS POOR ONE
Many OF the members OF the Council were on
the platform last evening when Carroll ID. wright
United States Commissioner OF Labor. called the
meeting TO order and explained that ITS purpose was
to outline a plan whereby good house couid De
secured 20 the workingman at the same price that
he is now paying for a poor one. The settlement
Of the home question" said the Commissioner ~
the settlement OF the saloon question: and the prob
lem OF the sweating System. But THIS settieHieht
cannot be secured by legislation alone FOR i's
success /, must have behind It the support OF those
t,nrent must set homeward
Commissioner Wright introduced r. Fulton Cut
ting who spoke briefly OF the necessity Tor I'M
provement In the houses OF the masses OF the wage
earners OF the city. There Is scarcely man OF
vou" said Mr. Cutting to his audience. that Is
not paying too much for what he gets "hat we
propose to do is 10 give you more for your money
The audience mado 1t clear that 1t was perfectly
willing 10 get more for Its money
Professor Gould. OF Johns Hopkins University.
who is ono Of those most active In the improved
housing movement and who has spent several
wears in studying the subject, next proceeded 10
outline the practical workings OF the plan. 1 have
never been OF tho opinion that the functions OF the
scholar Law purely In the cloister, he began, ana
with that he came down 10 a basis OF hard facts.
The Improved Housing Council he said. which In
tends soor TO become corporation proposes to
supply model tenement buildings and SUBURBAN
dwellings planned by skilful architects to those VINO
want them Those who desire to become the pos
SCISSORS of their own homes may do so by puyihe
them on the instalment plan. the instaments 10 De
OF such size that the payment OF them VIII entail
no heavier a financial burden than the payment OF
the rent now paid by most dwellers In the t'ne-
ment districts 1t IL not proposed to reduce the
rentals because says Professor Gould. reduction
in IS usually made an excuse i4r eorrespo%n %
he bu I'm accordance with the tastes or the buyers
and the size of the car can chase or Fur
thermore the life Of the purchaser Is 70 DC III
IN
shat in g case of his ieath the dwelling can be turned
over 70 the possession Of his family free or ncum-
brance.
ONLY FAIR PROFIT FOR CAPITALISTS.
Professor Gould explained that the plan Is not one
of pure charity for the prices are to be so arranged
that n fair profit OF per cent can be reaiZed oy
the capitalists who furnish the money and win
this assured the necessary millions will be FORTH
coming Srhls plan Is not mere dream, he SAID
"t has been for nine years In successful operation
IN Belgium where sixty companies are now en-
| gagged in providing these homes 10 a population
whose earnings are average probably nor
one-half of those earned by the workingnen OF
New York" Professor Gould closed by asking an
those VINO were Interested 10 write 10 MIN or come
to see him at the United Charities Building ana
talk the subject over at length
sneech I'm which he urged honest labor to cooperate
with honest capital for the good OF both ana 70 nve
IN 10 the motto which declares tnat the WRONG VI
one Ia the wrong OF all - !. ..,.. ,.r
..you don't know how much courage IL taxes lor
man ~ wealth 10 undertake plan OF this sort.
sad he "It Is easy for rich men to get In on the
ground floor OF things, but the ground moor IS olten
! 1nhealthy In secondng such plan rich men are
vuir,uaiiv putting themselves In pnory, which IS
not an enviablc position although cranks are w-
Ing to pay rent for pllory II you VIII allow them
10 psesdent Low spoke highly OF the plan. and said
,,a, h.. himself had tried 1t at Greenpoint Homes
lake character and power. and give ihspiration'
said ne, In c.osinB ., .,,,oo-, % ,ha .,ha,,.
fssn1pf address saying that to his mind the move
-, ,mm, contained a large element OF hopefulness It's
"s s'crcss said he depends on the workingmen hav-
,n, faIth i'm H. and patience under discourasement,