New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-10-28

be possible for man who loves light ana decen Sa
get the fu value Of what be shall pay fer 1t vii
be great ohject-lesson for modern lie IN thts
any Other the people Of the United states are look
ing for light upon the social problems 81 Qua;
awakened among the English people by the the d ,e-
ghtfu hospitality OF the daughter Of our noS
during queen Victorias Jubilee celebration II IS
dcnce Of God her father reared in New-York this
Mills Building No. |. May 1t prosper uhder A, riIs
dant wisdom OF its founder.
WHAT MR. MILLS SAID.
When Mr. Mills assembled the little platform he
greeted with loud applause. He said
This somewhat formal opening Of Mills Hotel
No. | and your kind and sympathetic presence
are due to the fact that the building operations
begun here nearly two years ago have aroused
public interest and comment to degree when
I had not at the outset expected. or Indeed, DE-
sired It is the first attempt on so large scale
to make good provision for single men as the
so-called model dwellings, have sought to fur
nsh for families. This seems proper time
to explain briefly its purpose and scope
MY attention was called. years ago, m me
difficulties Of self-respecting men. who earned
only small salaries or were hunting work. an
trying to live decenty within their means. For
single clerks saIesmen mechanics. laborers, etc.
thus situated there were four kinds Of accom-
modatons to he had:
"Fjrst-Respecta able hotels. These charge not
less than 30 cents a night for a ROOM and on
a corresponding scale for meals. Such prices are
practically prohibitory To the class | have IN
mind
"Secondly-Small hall bedrooms In private
houses or flats. These are hot In summer ana
cold In winter: they cost at least 81 ~ week.
and they secure no sitting-rooms or meals. Inc
lodger must go out TO eat al A cheap restaurant
and is apt to spend the long evening hours IN
poolrooms saloons or cheap concert halls where
alone he can find shelter. light and some de-
gree Of comfort
"Thirdly-Private lodgings in some family
This Is apt TO be in a tenement. under unsan-
itary conditions: 1t tends to destroy family
privacy and breed family quarrels. as well as
sometimes to promote immortality.
"Fourthly-The cheap lodging house. charging
from II to - cents for bed and open 10 all
Corners Those in New-York arc by no means
the worst OF their class. and In recent years
they have been somewhat improved. Still. their
ordinary condition has too often been filthy
physically and morally. <out Of 116 in this city.
having a capacity lorf17.4lO dodgers, only 30
have baths. They have accommodations for less
and so badly arranged that only an average ot
800 dodgers use them: that is. only one man out
OF every eighteen. The other - Of these houses.
wfffY-over s. 900 dodgers. have no baths at all.
The beds are seldom divided by partitions; they
are often placed twenty or thirty or even moro
in a room. and are of the 'double-deck type.
destructive Of health as well as Of privacy.
FOR sELF-REsPECTING MEN.
"It Is obvious that this is utterly unht ac-
commodation even In a material sense for de-
cent men earning small incomes. 1t may do for
the loafer the drunkard or the habitual round
err seeking TO save money on food and lodgings
only TO spend IL on drink This hotel Is not in
tended TO compete for the patronage or such
people. on the contrary. 1t will positively refuse
to harbor them. II Ia intended for self-respect-
Ing men. who propose TO support themselves. ana
want to do II in cleanliness. comfort and con-
venience, but want also TO lay by something
toward attaining an independence.
Let me make clear, however. at the outset
that II is in no sense a charitable concern. II IL
not e be supposed, OF course that should turn
completely aside from my lifelong avocations
and interest to spend time. labor. thought ana
money in an enterprise so novel unless | were
impelled by some other consideration than mere
money making 1t would he afrectaton. on my
fervent desire to benefit my fellowm"n. But
seek 10 do this in a strictly business way. with
out offending the pride or the praiseworthy in
dependence OF those whom | strive 10 serve.
Mills Hotel No | Will differ from the ordinary
lodging house most Of all In It's effort to give tho
man what he PAYS for--thc very fullest possible
equivalent for his money. But II Is the inten-
ton. from the very beginning, to conduct the
enterprise upon business basis, ana this I'M
plies that It shall be self-supporting.
y would not dwell upon this. hut for my very
earnest desire to avoid any msapprehcnsion. NO
patron OF the Mills Ho'els will receive more than
he pays for, unless IL be my hearty good Will
and good wishes. 1t is true that have devoted
thought. labor and capital to a very earnest eff
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 scruple.
permit me 10 offer him this advantage; but he
will think better OF himself and will be a more
self-reliant. manly man. and 4 better citizen II
he knows that he IL honestly paying for what
he gets.
What he can get you may now sec. and
shall be very glad TO have you visit every part
Of Mills Hotel No | and pass judgment upon
it's adaptation to the purpose for which 1t was
built. The hotel will be regularly opened for
business next Monday, November l. The price
will be uniformly 20 cents per night. This VIII
secure a private bedroom. with good a bed as
1t has been possible TO get. together with the
privileges OF rooms for reading. writing. smok-
ing and games. free circulating library. hot or
cold baths and In general the convenience and
comforts Of home.
NOVEL FEATURES
There are some novel features which may
justify special mention. The hotel will do laun-
dry work for its guests at very low price: but
for unemployed men or others desiring 1t, a room
has been provided with tubs. hot and cold water.
and a drying chamber. where any one can wash
bis own clothes with ease and comfort. II Is be-