The Washington times., 1905-07-16
REFORMS
HAVE ENDORSEMENT
Campaign OF the Times for Air and Sunlight in Apart
ment Houses Arouses Much Interest Among
Business Men.
Business Men.

The attitude OF The Times on the
apartment and tenement house ques-
tion has aroused the greatest interest
among business and professional men
Many of them are outspoken in their
Endorsement of the campaign for air
and sunlight and recommend that the
most stringent building laws be en-
forced In the District. Others declare
that the ALLEY house" should be abol-
ished. and Washington be rid of an ag
gravated eyesore. OF the latter, NJ. l.
Weller, chairman OF the association
committee of the public Fairgrounds. is
a warm advocate.
Il an heartily in accord with the at
titude of The Times on the apartment
and tenement house question" is the
substance of a statement by Mr. Weller
10 a Times reporter. when asked for an
expression of opinion on the question
of amending the building regulations in
the District OF Columbia.
Il would go even further than the
Business Mems Committee. who have
unearthed this evil. appear to have
gone" continued Mr. Weller Il would
recommend. and want to be put on
record as in favor of abolishing the
alley houses in this city
The alley houses are an eyesore to
the community in which they are al
lowed to be built. They are the breed
ers of crime and degeneration in their
worst form, and without exception are
detrimental 10 public health.
--As far back as 1883 John E. Herrcll.
president of the National Capital Bank.
expressed his opinion on the evils in
every form that are bound to exist
if the building of alley houses is TO
be permitted At that time Mr.. Her
rell said. and | remember the incident
very well, that the building of those
novels of crime and sickness ought to
be stopped.
The conditions at the present time
existing in several of these alley house
buildings in the Southeast section of
the city, and especially around the Navy
Yard. are beyond doubt the greatest
of nuisances and menace to public
health. and are considered by the police
officials as Il hotbed of degeneration.
| am heartily in favor of their abolish
ment and Will unconditionally approve
and cooperate with any movement
tending to rid Washington of such d
! condition.
AS to the sanitary condition to be
observed in the building of apartment
I ana tenement houses, / am III luIl dC-
| cord with The Times in seeking to i'm
| partially bring this matter to the public
attention.
.'In the construction of the many
apartment houses in which | am inter
ested the specifications are all planned
with due regard fo~ light and ven
! tilation. not only now. but in the fu-
ture In most cases I allow about 81
! per cent of ground for air space. not
! pa ying atteltion to whether it be a cor
| mer lot or interior lot.
! In the b'!ilding | am now construct
| ing at Fourth street and Seward square
/ ton of about l. per cent. thus making
! greater allowance than Is required under
| tn- present code of building laws ol
would be under the proposed amend
mentS of the business rIen Is committee
Il would be glad to see these business
men. with the cooperation of Th,
| Times, successful in bringing about th'
! change in the local building laws, which
uuQuestionabiy are very much needed
| TO restrict the building of unsanitar,
residences. so far as light, air. and ven
tilation are concerned
DIR. Woodward OF the city Health De
pIrtment is very emphatic in claiming
that the law should be such as TO reg
uiate the supply of light and air II
the apartment and tenement houses tha