New-York tribune., 1901-07-28
HOUSING WORKING WOMEN
THE MODEL TENEMENT OFFERS A FAR
TIAL SOLUTION OF THE PROBLEM
OF THE HOME FOR THOSE
EARNING SMALL WAGES.

Among the places OF interest visited by members
OF the Summer School Of Philanthropy during the
last week. the "womens house" was conspicuous
IL Is one of model tenement block on the upper
West Side, built about three years ago. When the
houses were finished a committee OF women inter
ested In the various projects for wonlens hotel,
went to the owners and asked them to reserve one
of the buildings for -self-supporeing women. The
owners agreed. and so, without blare Of truupe
or beat of drum 'woman's building" has beer
in operation for more than two years
Like the other houses OF the block. IL Is divided
into apartments of two. three and four rooms AT
moderate monthly rentals They are not triurnphs
OF elegance with the last word in modern improve
meuts but they neat and convenient and have
lavish supply of light and air that might be
envied by denzens of pretentiOus apartments
The rooms are larger, too. than in the average
fiat although not to be called actually spacious,
Every tenement has private toilet room. but
space is economical by having general laundry
and bathroom IN the basement, that the kitch-
without tubs. There is a constant supply
of hot water. however. in the laundry which af-
fords considerable saving OF fuel and in summer
OF heat
Another summer advantage that Is not TO be
overlooked "a the roof garden on which the
residents pass most OF the sultry evenings II is
thoroughly protected by raiings and is neatly
cred with gravel. while edge boxes Of plants and
flowers add a touch OF brightness There the little
parties are held and some ambitious hostesses take
small tables for the pitcher of lemonade. while
casionaIly a Chinese lantern contributes 10 the
festive aspect. As a rule, however a few small
rugs and cushions considered adequate.
The building is in respect like a hotel being
designed wholly for housekeeping, and the rooms,
therefore. in all cases furnished by the occu-
pants One room OF the two room tenement com
bines the functions of kitchen, dining room and
sometimes of sleeping room. when it is desired TO
reserve the other for a sitting Generally
the without the performs double duty
by being at once sitting and bed room typical
three room fiat has kitchen. bedroom and Tarlor.
Not all the tenants. however. need a kitchen. as
a good many take their dinners elsewhere, and
small gas stove suffces 10 prepare the light break
fast. This is the case. as rule when the Ianl-
ily'' consists of only member. as II often does
Frequently il is composed Of mother and daughter,
and occasionally of two friends. who prefer TINS
mode OF living to a boarding house:
The businesses represented by the tenautry OF
the ''women's house are many, among them
being bookkeeping, StenOgTdphy, dresSnakins'
millinery and nursing, while few appear as liter
airy workers" artists and saleswonen- A nuInoer
OF widows with small incomes, or supported 6y
their children. among the residents and many
pretty little homes give evidence OF having seen
better days
1t is stated suggestively by the owners that IN
this house. with thrty-five fats tenanted by WON
the losses from unpaid rent are almost notnins-