Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-15
Visits Unsanitary Sections Of
National Capital.
SURPRISED AT SIGHTS
WASHINGTON soRELY IN NEED
OF LEGISLATION.
What He Saw Will Be Basis Of Lecture
at First Congregational
Church Tonight.

you WOulO Dc SORT VI puiidNsAhopA0
anarchist then"
This little colloquy took place this fore
noon between Mr.. Jacob A. Riis Of New
York and Commissioner H. B. F. Macfar.
land They were paying visit to places In
Washington where people live in insanitary
houses. Mr.. Ris made the first statement
and Nj. Macfarland was giving good
natured reply.
Mr. Riis and Commissioner Macfarland.
together with Mr.. Charles F. Weller. sec
retary Of the Associated Charities and rep
resentatives of the local newspapers. made
a tour today of the alleys and the tene-
ment districts of the city, to get material
for Mr. Ris' lecture at the First Congre-
gational Church this evening on Washing
tons Conditions and Needs.
The unhealthy conditions found in certain
districts Of the national capital, some or
them within half a stones throw OF arfs-
tocratic sections and some in close prox-
unity to schools and churches, were a reve-
ladon to the newspaper men and also TO
Mr. Riis whose knowledge of the condi-
tions that obtained in the east side districts
of New York in the days before radical
reform was instituted had led him to be-
Neve that Washington would be the last
place in the country where similar condi-
tons might be found.
First Place Visited.
Mr.. Riis was at the White House. where
he went directly after the funeral of the
late Civil Service Commissioner Proctor,
when Commissioner Macfarland's carriage
with Mr.. Weller and the newspaper men
called.
The first place visited was what is known
as "Chinch row." or BED Bug row." a Sc
questered place of filth within the confines
Of the block bounded by 18th and 18th
streets and L and NJ streets northwest.
Only two blocks away Is the British em-
bassy, in Connecticut avenue. and equally
near the Church Of the Covenant In this
place was found row of ramshackle frame
buildings that would hardly be fit for the
habitation of horses.
Mr.. Weller explained that as many as
hve and six persons lived in single room
within these houses The outbuildings had
no connection with the sewer. and there
was everything about the locality to sug-
an epidemic.
who owns these buildings?" Mr.. Riis
asked. II ache to put torch to them"
IF we get legislation that we are asking
for viii be able to condemn them," Com
missioner Macfarland replied.
But haven't you law Of some kind that
will permit you to reach such a nuisance
and such menace to health?" Mr.. Riis
asked.
Not at present, but we hope to get it,
why" continued Mr.. Riis "the man who
owns buildings and keeps them in such a
condition is guilty of murder. There Is no
other word for it,
Just what exists here said Commissioner
Macfarland. I'VE are anxious to arouse
public opinion to the extent that there will
be righteous demand for the proper legis-
lation."
Six Sleep in One Room
I'm ons house, said Mr. Weller, I'VE
found six persons sleeping In one room.
There were five in one bed There was no
pillow tick. and the few rags that were
used as bed covering were so greasy and
dirty that the policeman who went with us
used his club to move them rather than
use his fingers"
TOO bad too bad!" said Mr.. Riis. There
Is plenty Of need for drastic work here at
the national capital. / am surprised. But
you are in the beginning 1t is different
from what We used to find In New York
There we have no alleys. What you want
to do in Washington is to head off every
thing that is suggestive of conditions in
sanitary. 1t is easier to get in your good
work now than it will be later on"
The next place visited was an open space
in the square bounded by oath and 25th
streets and M and N streets northwest.
Mr.. Weller explained that he found here a
man, wife and three children living in a
single room. The baby was only three
weeks old and the mother was out at work.
There was little clothing found within the
house. practically no furniture and only
the fragment of a bed. The outbuilding
was something fierce.
You have sanitary police, haven't you?"
asked Mr.. Ris.
"All that Congress gives u.s." Mr.. Mac
farland replied significantly. Mr.. Riis'
eyes snapped and his manner suggested
disgust.
Resembled a Dump.
This place was within a block or so Of
the weather bureau. The ground about the
buildings. II such they could be called. sug-
gested dump. The outbuildings were
filthy beyond description.
I'm one of those houses" said Mr.. Wei
Ter, I'VE found an old woman who Is kept
constantly In confinement. She is shut up
and seldom gets out of doors"
What mercy, said Mr. Riis as he
gazed at the filthy condition all about. ut
is providential that she can't got to See her
surroundings"
In 25th street Mr.. Riis pointed out a
house. half of which was under ground ard
IN most insanitary condition.
ID. DO you permit ti,hss'si shiss Mr. Riis asked
Macfarland replied. IF the house were
unsafe. in danger of falling down and in
Juring some one. we could under the pres
ent law condemn II and have II removed.
BUT we are powerless to do anything with
building that is unsanitary- And II the
property is owned by nonresident we are
unable to do anything with him unless we
can serve him with papers In the District
OF Columbia. He can remain away In
definitely. and we can't even have the work
OF making 1t sanitary done and charge 1t
TO the property"
You are certainly Handicapped. and 1t
is an outrage" said Mr.. Riis.
One Building Demolished.
IT wish you could have seen the building
that stood there" said Mr.. Weller, as the
carriage reached an open space near 18th
and NJ streets northwest. THE house that
stood there was In dilapidated condition.
II was one OF the filthiest, dirtiest places 1
have ever seen. But we were enabled to
have that removed"
Thank heavens" said Mr. RMs. 1t was
here that Mr.. Riis declared that 1t would
be good thing to inveigle the residents
out OF the buildings and then drop a stick
OF dynamite.
Congress and public opinion are the only.
hope that we have" said Commissioner
Macfarland. and Mr.. Weller nodded his
head In assent.
From here the carriage was driven to a
CONTINUED on Second Page.)