New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-10-28
MILLS HOUSE NO. / OPENED.
THE NEW HOTEL FOR MEN OF MODER-
ATE MEANS.


ATE MEANS.
INTERESTING CEREMONIES AT TIE BIG NEW
STRUCTURE IN Observation-Disclosures
BY MR.. MILLS. BISHOP POTTER. EX-
MAYOR HEWITT AND Mr. DEPEw
Mills House No. was opened yesterday af-
ternoon with appropriate ceremonies and Mr..
Mills received the congratulations Of hundreds
Of his fellow-citizcns, who predicted success for
his undertaking. and realized that the great
hotel mast prove blessing. The house has
been described and the purpose for which it was
erected has been explained but its possibilities
could not be fully appreciated by those who
were interested in the scheme until yesterday,
when they its gigantic proportions and the
arranger1e Its made for the care and comfort OF
those who will patronize the hotel. And even
then unless they knew Mr.. Millss plans as to
,rho shall be entertained there. they could not
fully understand what the hotel. with its mag
niicent appointments and moderate charges,
could accomplish. New-York has large floating
population that drifts naturally toward the low
lodging houses in the Bowery and West Broad
day. Crime IS cultivated and disease is gem
Grated in these places, and the atmosphere
moral and physical-is loathsome. Into these
Portable places men OF moderate means. but Of
a higher degree Of intelligence than the average
occupants. are frequently compelled to go for
nights 'odging. and into such places strangers
frequently drift. not knowing the rt-lst Jake.
Ths-priees charged FOR lodging are moderate,
but Mr.. Mills thought that at the low fig
ures these men might be accommodated with
superior quarters, healthy atmosphere and
desirable companj. Let the tramp and the
bum and the criminal waiting for job at his
particular line of lawess work patronize the
low lodging houses but the man who is poor
shall not be compelled to associate with them
This Mr.. Mills's idea, and the ten-story
structure in Blocker, Sullivan and Thompson
SITS. Is the result.
NO CHARITY ABOUT IT
The building is unique in many respects and.
although it will prove a blessing 10 thousands
and stand as q monument TO the philanthropy
Of. the builder. II is not a charity institution.
which was made clear by Mr.. Mills while the
structure was in course Of erection and en-
phasized in his address at the opening cere-
mony, when he said
Let me make clear however at the outset
that it is in a charitable concern. 1t
is not TO be supposed OF course. that I should
turn completely aside from my lifelong avoca-
tipHo d1iu u spSHu tIulc, Idpor, tHOusHt
and money In enterprise novel unless
were impelled by some other consideration than
mere money-makng. 1t would be affectation
on my part 10 deny a humanitarian impulse,
and fervent desire to benefit my feow-men.
But seek to do this in strictly business way,
without offending the pride or the praseworthy
independence Of those whom I strive to serve.
Mills Hotel No. 1 will differ from the ordinary
lodging house Of all in its effort to give the
man what he pays for-the very fullest possible
equivalent for his money. But 1t is the inten-
ton, from the very beginning. to conduct the
enterprise upon business basis; and this I'M
plies that 1t shall be self-supportng.
II would not dwell upon this but for my very
earnest desire to avoid any misrepresentation. No
patron Of the Mills Hotels will receive more than
he pays for unless 1t be my hearty goodwin
and good wishes. 1t is true that l have devoted
thought labor and capital to very earnest ef-
fort to help him: but only by enabling him to
help himself In doing the work on so large a
scale, and in securing the utmost economies IN
purchases and in administration. hope to give
him a larger equivalent for his money than has
hitherto been possible He can. without scrupie'
permit me to offer him this advantage; but he
will think better OF himself and will be more
self-reliant manly man, and better citizen. II
he knows that he is honestly paying for what
he gets.
cTrry ArJON OF THE HOUSE.