Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-11-06
The Death Rate in Alleys.

The health officers showing in his annual
report in relation to the decrease OF the
death rate in the alleys of the city Is sur
prising ard at the same time gratifying
The alleys of the capital have been men
ace to the public health and they have been
assailed from time to time by reforming
agencies with the view of cleansing them
physically if not morally. The anti-alley
agitation aroused during the past few years
has indeed been one Of the notable features
of the local history and the showing just
made By the health officer indicates that
this arrest of the public thought has
brought good results The poor who con-
gregate in the alleys are subject to many
unwholesome Influences In far too many
cases their houses are unprovided with
proper plumbing. while thousands of these
alley tenements are not connected with the
city's water service. These two lacks form
the chief danger in the by-ways of the city
and the present tendency is toward supply
ing them as rapidly as the laws will permit.
1t is heavy undertaking and one that
calls for certain sacrifices on the part of
the property owners. whose view to the
profits from their investments is not at all
times compatible with the suggestion of
additional OUTLAWS for sewer and water con-
nectionS. But the statistics contained in
this annual report encourage the belief that
the effort to render the alleys sanitary will
be continued despite the opposition that
may be encountered 1t is one of the most
important works that can be undertaken,
for it is a settled policy in the District to
prevent the construction of immense tene-
ments for the poor such as are built in
other cities where ground values are so
high that all improvements to be profitable
must be sent far skyward. The alleys
therefore. appear to be the natural housing
places for the very poor, and although
there are many drawbacks in such plan
1t yet possesses certain advantages to the
community at large that rebound to its ulti-
mate benefit If now it is demonstrated
that the alleys can be kept clean and
wholesome enough to prevent an excessive
death rate there is encouragement for fur
Their work toward the regulation of these
tenement districts. The problem of how to
house the poor is now arrestfng the atten-
ton of many prominent sociologists and
several experiments including one in this
city are under way in the hope that the
w1sest solution may be reached. To place
the matter wholly upon charitable basis
would be unwise. tending toward the pau
perizauon of certain classes that is so
greatly to b. feared in any large COM
munity- The great lodging house just
opened by Darius o. Mills in New York
city is striking example of this endeavor
This house. which is a great hotel for poor
people, contains every modern convenience
In 1t the poorest person able to pay the
very moderate sum required can live clean
iy, decently and without losing any degree
OF self respect Yet Mr.. Mills expects to
reap profit from his investment His ex-
pertinent will set an example for other
landlords in the large cities whose neglect
OF the first principles of decent construc-
ton and maintenance doubtless contributes
IN a large degree to the annual death rate
of their communities.