New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-07-05
done. for our conditions are. in some respects the
worst In the civilized world. The question is,

DONE FOR our conditions are. In some respects the
worst In the civilized world. The question u.s.
How? '
Il think we are on the right track here in New
York. What the government Is to do under the
now law seems all that is Immediately necessary.
namely. to destroy the most hope.essly bad
buildings. under the law adapted from the Eng
hsh enactments, and now being enforced by the
Hoard of Health; also to destroy these undesIia-
bic buildings by the creation of small parks in
the oYercrowded neighborhoods; and. lastly. TO
look out for the future by enforcing the building
regulations which make virtually every new
tcnementhouse model tenement-house. I need
not so over all the new sanitary regulations. the
provisions in regard to the prevention of fires
and the other laws now being enforced
THE HOUSING COUNCILS WORK
'"rhesc are all necessary and in the right drec-
ticn. Yet laws are necessarily largely negative
IN their action. Thou shalt not build dark
tenement or one than con burn up. with every
body in IT, Is ell YER; we'll but need 10 insist
upon the affirmative more strongly. Thou shalt
build better. brighter and more wholesome t-ne
ments' The present law prevents us from
ceding it. in fact. carries US step forward, but
such voluntary efforts as are now to be put forth
by the Improved Housing Council arc affirmative
IN the fullest sense. They will lift I'd the stand
ard. and not only provide excellent homes at low
rates. but will influence the future Of tenement
house building in Ncw-York for the better for all
time. The company which. under tho presi-
dcncy Of Professor Gould. is to erect In New York
probably the best tcnements ever built In Amer
lea is of the most beneicent undertakings
ever begun in our city. l think we Will see this
example initiated before long in every one Of our
more crowded cities.
"A fresh review of the field shows tnat New
York is lamcntably behind in the number or
small breathlng-places provided In the poorer
sections of the city In London and Paris these
are very frequent. Nearly every block or 80 ~
supplied with of them. The establishment
of more small parks in the East side ana else
where is long step in the right di'ect"n. AZ ~
gratifying to know that the new laws are 50
+, firmly established in the good opinion "1 the
community that any attempt to break the!n
down is likely to be unsuccessfnl ~ any ISIS
| it will be found that the laws were drawn py
| men who knew their constitutional as Wen as
! their sanitary bearings. While Mr. Schucninan
| (now Judge Schuchman) cO-operated ably in
| the work Of the Commission. the laws mem
selves were mainly drafted by Mr.. Foster, VINO
Is himself an authority constitutional law.
1t was he who subsequently, acted as counsei 10,
| the Board of Health in their successful appear
to the Court of Appeals in the case against ,
| Trinity Corporation. We numbered among 'ne
other members Of the Commission George Is.
Post the distinguished architect; Mr.. Washns
ton, we'll known both as an engineer anu 10 q
| philanthropist, and Solomon Moses whose
| knowledge Of the conditions with wnicn we hau
| to deal. especially the East Side. was eXcep
tional DR.. Cyrus Edison another memper' 4au
| been so long connected with the Heai'h Dc
! nartment that he was familiar with every de-
| tail. The secretary, Mr. Edward Marshall was
an expert on the subject OF New-fork tencneI.
| houses If any tests Of the law are to be mace, II
would be well for all persons concerned II they
came soon l myself am not anxious apou, .,e
result of an appeal to the courts on the cons'i'u-
tional question. -, -o,,dod
When asked If the rigid restrictions provioeu
| for by the new Tenement House law wouid no.
| prevent landlords from building houses 10 vaNe
| The Mace of those being torn down, MT Hlluer
| ren,ied. "Those restrictions will. as Mr. Con-
stable has said prevent the building OF just
the sort Of tenement-houses we 40 not Wa '..i;
| THAT is what the law intended. think you VIII
and that the business men who are going 10
net the new model tenements will make good
and safe profits. They are proceeding nov , ol,.
| on nh,lanthropic but on business princlIhc,s
We shall not only have a Greater New orH'
but a new and better New-York