New-York tribune., 1901-01-13
FOR BETTER SOCIAL CONDITIONS.
THE FIFTEEN TO WORK FOR MODEL TENE-
MENT HOUSES AND HEALTHFUL AMUsE-
MENTS FOR THE POOR.

Plans for the permanent improvement of social
conditions in the tenement house district OF the
city are being considered by the Committee OF Fif
teen. The encouragement Of clubs intended TO
withdraw support from the saloons. and Of places
designed TO give healthful amusement to people Of
the tenement houses will be part Of the commit
tees work. The committee agrees with Bishop
Potter that the saloon is the poor mans club. but
ought be. and that success In Withdrawing
patronage from the saloons and dance halls can
be accomplished only by making provision for the
establishment Of better places that can he patron
ized by the poor
A subcommittee Of the Committee OF Fifteen OF
which Austen C. Fox is the chairman is consider
ing legislation that will be needed IT is said. 10
enable capitalists TO erect many model tenement
houses in the city. 1t is believed that model tene-
ment houses should have certain advantages as 10
taxation over the old fashioned and dangerous
houses that abound in the city. Capitalists II is
declared, will not spend money in the erection Of
hreproof well ventilated and we'll lighted tenement
houses If there is provision for a reduction Of
the assessed valuations OF such houses.
Bishop Potter yesterday expressed himself
satisfied with the progress of the reform move
ment The general progress in the movement for
reform is satisfactory and the awakened interest
OF the public toward the questions involved is most
gratifying" he said. He asked whether he
thought the Committee of Fifteen in work for
form and in work that might grow out OF
form movement would act upon his suggestion
that the saloon was the poor mans club and that
something ought to be done TO supply the poor
with places where they could meet in social inter
course, with the Objectionable features OF the
saloon of to-day left out. He replied: That
thing ought be done in that direction l most
sincerely believe. A little has already been done,
but enough. The saloon find IT to-day
an absolute evil One of the bad features Of the
saloon. and I think that important. is its connec-
with the very type of politics. 1t will
be found however, that prohibition does not hold
the remedy for this evil. and it is this ground
that cannot hope to do away with the saloon
If do not put in its place something catering
the needs as the saloon, with all its objec-
tionabe features left out. This has been shown
in the case of the army canteen. Experience might
justify the sale of light alcoholic beverages in the
coffee houses that should take the place of the
saloon as the poor mans club"
Bishop Potter added that he did not think this
work would come within the scope of such a body
the Committee of Fifteen indeed should il
be undertaken by the government the munich
palty These places should be called into existence
by individual enterprise and be placed purely
business basis. he thought Only so could they
lasting good. This. the Bishop said ex-
perience had proved to be possible.
The Bishop spoke favOrably about the saloon sys-
tenn in Sweden. the so-caled "Gothenburg system"
where the revenue from the saloons, which are CON
Quoted by the municipality, goes for educational
purposes. He thought, however. that this system
well adapted to this country. it involved
ternaliSm"