Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-06
Much Already Accomplished.

been accomplished with respect to eacn SUI
ject, but it is agreed that there remains
great deal more to be accomplished before
the people of the District can rest from
their efforts with credit.
About four years ago active steps Were
taken to secure legislation giving the Com
missioners authority to remedy to some eA-
tent the unsatisfactory and insanitary con-
ditions that prevailed with respect 70 eLo
various sections of the city where d"eit
those in unfortunate circumstances dhu
those obliged to work at meager compen-
sation Commissioner Macfariano, VINO pe.
came District Commissioner ABOUT tna'
time was interested in the matter anu Co.
operated with other citizens OF the 1850
in the movement to secure the enactHient
of measures calculated to prevent cerlaih
evils.
Condemnation of Buildings.
strong effort was made to obtain legis-
lation providing that the District authorl-
ties might either require the owners OF I'M
suitable dwellings to make repairs or else
require the demolition of the buildings. AS
q result of the efforts of officials and ciu-
Gems during several years, Congress nnaily
gave the Commissioners authority 10 con-
denim buildings which are regarded py the
building inspector as dangerous because "
sioners have no authority, however, TO con-
denim buildings which are menace TO tne
health of their occupants because OF theti
insanitary condition. =,
nous efforts requiring owners. OF houses OF
the nature indicated to install PLUMBING and
to make connections with sewers when sueh
connections were practicable. large
number of arrests for the violation OF this
law, 1t is stated. have been made, put many
owners of such dwellings IN V1oiatlon Oh
the law are non-reSidents and great dim-
Guilty has been experienced in enforcing the
y, to- r
- The local authorities have no power 10
prevent overcrowding in alleys. Recently
a law was enacted prohibiting the erection
of any new buildings in alleys and this IS
considered as a step toward advancement.
It has been the desire of the officials, how
ever, to have Congress designate the resi-
Dental alleys as minor streets, so that fur
Their remedies might be applied to the con-
dition Of the alley houses.
Model Tenements.
Within the past few years number Of
philanthropic citizens have formed associa-
tons for the purpose of building model
tenements in compliance with the best
known rules of sanitation for this type of
dwellings Two associations have been
formed-the Sanitary Improvement Com
pany and the Sanitary Housing Company
and these organization have made prac-
teal demonstrationeof the feasibility of the
plan to build tenements affording comfort
able and healthful accommodations for per-
sons with moderate incomes.
Strong opposition to all these movements
has been met with from the owners Of alley
houses, who make. it is said, from 10 to 20
per cent on their investments from rental
of the cheap buildings.
The Associated Charities, it is declared,
has done a great work toward bringing the
undesirable conditions of the alley resi-
dences to the attention of influential citi-
zens. Through the agents of this organ
t., sla Af ,f,~r tr<V1
became aroused to a knowledge of the ex-
tent of the .slum'' conditions. Huts and
novels deemed unfit for animals to live In
and located In alleys stones throw from
residences of the aristocratic were pointed
out by the agents of the Associated Chart
ties to those interested in the advancement
of Washington, and many evils which had
not been previously emphasized were
brought sharply to the attention of men,
bers of Congress and influential citizens.
Jacob Riis, the New York citizen, who
visited Washington last year and in COM
pany with Commissioner mcfarland, made
a tour of the sslums' in the national capi-
tai, also performed a great work. it is con-
sidered, in describing the existing condi-
tons before the committees of Congress and
in telling the people of Washington in
public address something about the unfor-
tunate circumstances under which 1.-The
other half" lives. All these things 1T is be-
Ieved have had the effect of arousing the
public mind to realization of the exact
ion 1t is considered is necessity before any
great reform can be satisfactorily exc
euted.
Compulsory Education.
For many years there has been so-called
compulsory education law on the statute
books, but it has been found to be defective
In that 1t made no provision for proper en-
fcrcement of its requirements and because
of other particulars Also for number of
orc fe Lon lad fHpra r,cl,.