New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-05
TJcJOrS AMENDMENT.

The Tenement House law, under which we
NAV hope that a yeritable transformation Oh
many PARTS of the city will eventually DE &C
co,,,-lishcd was not uassed without serious op-
position. and has been subjected ever since iIs
enactment to iusidiOus attacks or one SORT OF an
other. These selfish efforts Of the owners OF
tenement house property TO further their I'M
mediate personal interests without regard 10
The safety Of their tenants or the general well
fare have been successfully resisted in nearly
every instance and there is reason 10 believe
that public support Of the policy which the
State has undertaken TO enforce Is gaming
strength II may not be rash even 10 assume
that short sighted owners viii sooner or later
be led by a more intelligent calculation OF ad-
vantages to abandon their attempts TO under
mine the law. 1t is evident however, that con-
slant vigilance is still needed 10 detect ana
thwart their Vaccinations.
We are sorry to see that Assenhlyman New
comb has given his name TO the latest and one
OF the most Objectionable in q long series OF at
lacks upon the Tenement House act Mr.. New
comb has commended himself TO public re-
spect this winter by his firm though temperate
opposition TO various injurious measures, IN
Guiding the railroad grab bills, which have
found such strong and mysterious backing at
the Capitol, and we should be glad 10 know
that he had merely introduced TINS amend
trent to the Tenement House law by request
He might better have declined such request
but if he makes It clear that he is prepared to
block instead OF smoothing its way. the mad
vertence will be overlooked. One OF the most
valua bic provisions OF the law as IT stands Is
that which requires the removal Of sinks ana
rrivy vaults and the substitution for them or
thoroughly ventilated closets with suitable sewer
connections. The old conditions were Justly
condemned on grounds OF decency and health,
and hardly any feature Of the new law has
been regarded as Of more importance than that
which was meant to insure their abolition.
According to the time limit fixed I'm the act
they ought TO have disappeared entirely before
now but il is said that in thousands OF cases
they are still maintained The amendment is
designed TO relieve owners OF expense by per-
hitting them 10 supply, in place OF outside
sinks. etc. an inadequate number OF I'll lighted
and i'll ventilated inside closets.
It is doubtful IL such a relaxation OF the law
would result in any improvement OF the old con-
ditions Indeed, there Is reason 10 fear Il would
produce a change for the worse. There IS no
pretence Of solicitude for the welfare OF tenants
about the amendment Ii is merely another
manifestation % eaGerness on the part OF tene
ment owners 10 avoid the requirements of law
which is daily demonstrating its utility with
out imposing unnecessary burdens on property.
In fact. the announcement Of a pretty general
increase Of rents I'm the tenement districts, as
well as in other parts Of the city. suggests the
supposition that owners are resolved 20 REIN
burse themselves for whatever additional ex-
pense the law may have compelled them TO IN
cur or may compel them to incur hereafter.
At this late day in the session there may be
little reason TO fear the passage OF so important
an amendment, but, inasmuch as II purpOrts 20
bear the Endorsement OF a respected member,
1t seems advisable to warn Mr.. Newcomb's as
sociates that il does not deserve their support.