New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-29

BAD TENEMENT HOUSE BILLS.
determined and dangerous effort is being
made al Albany I'd destroy all that has Deeh
Gained in the last two years for public heaiuH
and deccncy under the Tenement House law
-Four absolutely vicious bills have been INTRO
duced TO make shat law Ineffective ANA permit
tie existence OF or even the return 10 ola uii-
eaDftorr conditions. and to create a field for
bribery and extortion. BY far tie worst u
those bills is that introduced in the Senate oy
AR Hawkins. Under pretcnce Of giving 10 the
Commissioner mower 10 pass on the modes Oh
construction and materials used in the aitera-
tion OF any building erected before Aprh H.
1aa1 II practically rcpcals the existing law as
arDlyinr 10 tcnements erected before us p"7-
s7ro II gives the Commissioner POI 10
modify any provision" of the law relauhs 70
these old buildings, and ito limit or suspenu
ifs snnlicatfon" This would destroy all the
advance made in lfty years for the improve
rnent Of old houses and make way Tor Inc per
l,o+ra-ior Of the worst rooleries which Com
Ipissioner-s subordinates might stupuly OF us
honestly approve.
II experience teaches anything Il IS that ols-
cretionary power is not to he trusted IN tIls
matter. Previous to 1901 the Superintendent "l
r,,il5in,-s ros.csscl Il. and the result was that
exercised the Jaw with its reasonable require
,,c,ts for health and safety was practically
untitled. The old law prescribed the proportion
Of a lot which might be- built upon, but allowed
tio authorities in exceptional cases - increase
lie limit somewhat The exception became the
rule and not more than / per cent OF the new
bindings had the prescribed sir space. since
the present law was passed bitter night has
been made TO preserve the unspeakaoiy vile
school sinks which are the most dangerous
single nuisance fl the crowded tenement house
region The law has been sustained by the
Court Of Appeals as entirely reasonable ana
4 great reform physical and moral, is being
wrought The Hawkins bin, If II became
law, would make possible and probably secure
the stopping 81 this work. Ii would make the
erection Of fire escapes on old houses subject
10 The within OF the Commissioner. II would
allow the addition Of new stories 10 wooden
fretrqps. the continued existence Of dark and
unven-ilatcd rooms where tuberculosis breeds
the building over Of entire lots under cover Of
alterations. the occupation Of cellars. and other
denominations almost without limit Even II the
Commissioner had good intentions and no de-
sire 10 serve selfish interests Of influential tene-
rnent house owners, he would De helpless I'M
der such a !aw having 10 depend on host
Of inspectors fer advice concerning the eXer-
else Of his discretion in each case. The prop
ertv owner with a pull" on an Inspector or
with q Ulhe. could secure liberation Of almost
any nuisance.
Another buI introduced by Senator Hawkins
which is only less vicious is that which per
mits the Tenement House Commissioner 70 re-
nit penalties incurred for violations Of the
Tenement House law. That would mean that
Il might be violated with impunity by every
influential property owner. AS the Commits
si0ner would in this matter also be dependent
on the advice Of a host Of subordinates It would
open the door 10 wholesale bribery. This dis
erection existed under the Old law, and out Of
1000 penalties Incurred for violations in one
year 1896 were RENTED As Owner7 are new =
proceeded against for penalties without ample
notice OF violations Of law 70 be remedied, with
ample opportunity 70 make repairs. generally
three OF four notices being given through one
or two months, there Is absolutely no reason in
Justice for such a measure. It IS merely an at
tempt indirectly 10 break down the Tenement
House law A1r. Russell has a bin in the legis-
lature 10 do away with the mandatory regula-
tons concerning fire escapes. A commissioner
under Il might 90 away with fire escapes on
the front OF buildings. and put them ia narrow
airshafts. This Is a fay0rite plan IF some
builders, but Il Is q dangerous one. Tor i'm case
Of fires these shafts often become mere chin
neys and cut Off escape. or leave a person with
out egrcss from a burning area, even if he j.
able 20 get 10 the ground. The Wagner hill
purports 10 permit the flooring over Of unused
driveways into back yards and the creation Of
new apartments IN the space. IL IS needless
for that purpose. a. the law now does not for
bid such use OF a driveway. IL is special lcgis-
lation intended % enable the owner Of one par
ucular wooden tenement house not merely 20
use such space but 10 make dark interior rooms,
which he cannot now do.
Last year the Tenement House law was
amended 10 remove oyerdrastic regulations,
and meet all reasonable and responsible oppo-
sition. These new bills are the work Of the
foes Of any decent law. They are all thorough
~ bad, and any member Of the legislature who
gives them aid IN any way viii thereby an
nOunce himself an enemy 10 the people Of New
York City. His name VIII be noted and remem-
bered that 81 one willing 20 deliver his fell
lows over 10 perils Of fire and disease in order
to serve selfish interests.
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