The Washington times., 1902-12-22

arbitrary as Il appears. for public septi-
ment Is carefully watched and needed.
The President. in his message. told
Congress that slum tenements should
not be allowed to grow up in our midst
He pointed out the danger OF houses OF
the back alley type
I've ask now Of Congress wiser laws
On this subject. Queer stories are told
as 10 why the law proposed twelve years
ago failed. The press favored It, The
people indorsed It. The Commissioners
approved. but certain real estate inter
ests fought and killed &C.
'It provided that no dwelling house
should be built IN an alley less than
forty feet wide. and that had not been
opened through from street to street,
and then not until proper water, paving,
and sewerage had been provided.
"One Senator said be had property OF
MS own involved, and then made an
eloquent plea to his brethren to defeat
the measure and increase the strength
OF the police force. Think Of IT, To
deprive men OF that which makes for
noble living anC provide at the same
time a larger club to whip them into
iinei The day OF such craftsmanship,
thank God, is passed.
AS Jacob Riis said Friday night. You
cannot expect children 70 live like pigs
and then grow up to vote like men
We invoke the aid Of the law in de-
stroying the slum tenement. Wha; II it
is the negro who Is mainly concerned.
am ashamed of the attitude many OF
my Northern friends take toward the
negro In this city OF Washington. We
have much TO learn from the South
Harshness, unkindn, IS, neglect OF the
negro here in Washington is not South
ern- II IS Northern. II we glory in the
spirit OF anti-slavery days. let US show
little OF It here and now in our lives
We invoke the aid OF the law also IN
establishing Fairgrounds for children IN
crowded sections. We can purchase now
for a few thousands land that by and
BY will cost millions. No boy can grow
10 right who has not chance TO fill his
lungs and kick a ball. Let US take him
or the policeman's beat and give him
one Of his own.
What Congress Has Done.
Congress has heard the cry OF this
people for relief from the malaria aud
fever breeding germs OF the Alacostia
fats and the Eastern Branch. Surveys
are being made Let the work 20 on.
II viii prevent untold suffering and pow
erty. II will save human life Every
consideration OF humanity calls for the
clearing out OF that stagnant river.
I'VE are building a filtration plant for
our water supply and constructing a
sewage disposal system. The work must
not stop through lack OF funds. We in
yoke the aid Of the law to abate nui-
sances and TO safeguard the health OF
the people Of this District
$50 much FOR public interests-now
for private.
I'VE invoke the law to secure a poor
man his rights. Legal aid societies Ike
that in New York are not charities. They
are evidences Of public-spirited citizen
ship. They give wise counsel. They
save the poor man from legal sharks.
I'VE invoke the law to compel men
to support their families. This is the
last resort Charity workers try
friendship and encouragement and moral
ruasion first. When this fails they must
s-ernly apply the law. We invoke the
Law to reform and punish criminals.
agree with Judge Bundy that all punish
ment should be reformatory. that our
Jail must be made a school and a work
shop-not a loafing place for idlers
I'VE invoke the law TO save the chill
dren- I agree with Judge Kimball that
no machinery is calculated 10 do more
good than the Juvenile Court. The law
which gave Us a Board of Children's
Guardians and a probation officer IS
thoroughly modern and up to date OF
that / shall speak more next week in
ny concluding address upon Grimes
Against Criminals >"