New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-14
TENEMENT INSPECTION.
Ten Women Employed Here in This Work
A Typical Days Record.

'1lew-York City already employs ten women in
spectors while an eligible list OF sixty women can
d,dstes who have passed their Civil Service exam
fustions for the position bears evidence 10 the IN
teres which the work is arousing in the chief city
OF the land" Says Mary p. Sayles. in The Out
lock" In g number OF other cities well organized
citizens movements are under way which Will
doubtless result not only in improved codes Of tene-
uent house laws but in increased and more highly
specialized inspection; and in the special investga
lions upon whose results these reform movements
are based women have borne an important part
These examples serve 70 indicate the growing i'm
portanoe which is coming TO be attached TO the
work OF sanitary inspection. and to women's part in
that work.
The tenement inspectors work is so varied. so
narysided. that IL is difficult TO give any idea OF IL
IN set account more vivid realization Of what is
actually done may perhaps be gained from follow
ing an inspector through part Of her daily round.
To this end the first half OF typical days record
Is rresented-a record made up OF representative
experiences though not all are literal accounts OF
sinrle actual occurrence.
"AtS55 O'Clock the inspector whom we are 10 &C
company r. at her desk IN the large inspectors
y m The rocan over she hands IN her reports
the preceding day. consults the chief inspector
some difncult problem that has arisen, refers a
o.ea where important plumbing work has been
Dofun 10 ~ the plumbing inspectors arranges
the work which has been assigned 10 her for the
say and AT O'Clock Is ready 10 start for her dis
q ia compactly built up group OF some ten blocks
on the lower East Side
"First OF all. there four complaints. made by
tenants living IN this district which must be nves
tEsted: FOR the complaints OF citizens take prece-
dence all other kinds 81 work. In is the
Inspector informed who has made the complaint.
she merely receives a care bearing the address OF
the house and brief summary Of the complaint
made with space for fun statement Of what she
nnds on investigation. She Is thus able truthfuIly
10 assure the rate landlord who demands the name
Of ne 7laf int zprr hats ne
and so. very likely. save some long suffering
tenant from being turned out in revenge.
"Aighting from crosstowu the outskirts
Of district the inspector draws from her equip
the FIRST OF her complaints and reads the
typewriter summary. she walks the remaining
haH block 10 the house designated: Whole house
nhy. Horrible smells IN cellar make children
sick This is q sweeping accusation. and calls for
a sun investigation OF the house, i've story brick
building as Il turns out. occupied by five families
or a floor with two-foot wide sirsharts on either
side and shallow paved yard in the rear.
The inspector has only 70 enter the door TO dis
cover the first condition needing sttention-hall
walls blackened with the dust Of years and streaked
from contact with many grimy hands. This condi-
non noted, she knocks in turn at each OF the four
kitchen doors on the first story. and being ad-
United examines all plumbing in each apartment
hoing few minor defects in the waste pipes under
Ne sinks. Having thus located the vertical waste
INES rom al the plumbing fixtures in the house. so
uai she VIII know where 10 look for the pipes in
me cellar. she draws her electric torch from her
case and cautiously the cellar stairs into
ehe badness below. Instantly she is met by rush
" ioul sewer cir and. after searching few min
u's ste discovers the source-a large Jagged open
ing IN the toy OF the house drain at side Of the
VIA from which pours stream OF nauseating
oses huge heap OF rubbish and garbage in one
eofner also claims her attention Careful search
reveals no other condition Of a serious character.
l1 she climbs the stairs and shuts the door behind
ne drawing a breath OF relief in the somewhat
P1ie air above. Next comes the investigation OF
tht upper halls and Of the plumbing in each apart
mem The inspection OF yard and shafts. and an
examination o. the roof which Is found 10 leak so
"aey that the plastering one ceiling is bulgng
ene ready to fall Al last having completed her
Heesugatlon and secured from the Janitress the
1e ana address Of the owner. the inspector IS
s1y 70 pass on 20 her second complaint
ne summary here reads almost exactly like that
AZ s 81 case and would lead one 20 suppose that
So susig serious state OF affairs existed especially
So- -o-se is "a rear one whore so often the worst
tie 1e a.t loene " hat then IS ne sSI PRISE Yi
10 ra1 o,oi when her most Painstakng efforts Tan
oorfl. = single oeiect ~ plumbing or any othef
de- serious enough 10 CAL Tor action ty the
sSeser soon lead her 10 suspect The explan ZION.
a.. sn she reaches the last apartment on the top
eo~, ~ suspicion d. confirmed. Az. eKca.ns a
III III ~ eh hcrrizzlod woman. usherilg her iu with
To- q grand duchess at last so. ale come.
60 SSs a chair-no-I insist. Il is ] who made this
s,-@-i.aiiI and I VIE Do acarC, on. what 4 have
d.. ihai noIsoue cellar And she proceeds. with
- -t-l gestures and a marvellous flow 81 Eng
-. - loTAte q tale u horror which might Nel
- ne kn0tted and combined locks - The mex
sr...-Cel visitor 70 part a1c stand end The In
49, however. serene ~ the knowledge that the
a.. story is baseless yarn. probably Invented
49,. oi spite makes such inofensivc and u1n-coT,-
.s.e remarks she devise. and withcrans IS
tse.ll.E as possible Diplomacy. however. proves
a ,sl-ifg. and she Is followed down the stairs by
a.. les of words OF which the last that she hears
80 ne effect that she like all the other in
rs.s.oks who have visited the house, knows no
a. about her business than baby and that one
dr. a. snal be reported at once for neglect OF
r.. lie inspector is not surprised when one o.
~. Elants on lower floor. who has come out into
Aan % learn the cause q the disturbance.
rs 10 her she passes She's crazy mad.
So neen turned out-oWes three months rent
TO- y ne spite complaint. wei known 10 every
-eihent house inspector"
v--.sVh ne author after having given the reader
tl.r aho interesting account OF two more inspec-
anc several reinspections. goes on 20 say:
.slsal snal o. the work The qualities
49, Tor IL The satisfactions which IL brings?
~. opportunities which n offers FOR usefulness on
ont nand and for seif-education on the other2
A. ne nrst place must be perfectly evident 20
Ger OF the foregoing account. college ecu-
- h not necessary part of the equipment OF 1
eot-s-hent inspector. Power Of quick am accurate
eef hsuon ano concise expression. 8 certain knowl
80 u Plumbing ane practical housing construc-
Cesar head well poised not 10 be IN