The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-09-30
MODEL TENEMENT PLAN
Chicago Woman Novel Plan tc
Reform the Ghetto.
MANY WANTS TO BE CARED FOB
Common Kitchens, Laundries, Hospt-
tai, k1ndcrEnrten and Gymnasi m
Features of the Project Proposed by
Mrs. Frances NJ. Norton-BuildfnE to
Cover Whole City Block.

Features of the Project Proposed h,
Mrs. Frances NJ. Norton-Building 4.
Cover Whole City Block.
Mrs. Francis Nj. Norton is the lates
TO tackle the housing problem in Chi
cago with plans for a model tenement
In the congested ghetto, says the Chi
cago Tribune
In public statement issued over he,
signature and fortified with a sketch
obligingly furnished by a craftsman
Mrs. Norton slipped easily over the
financial difficulties In the way of her
philanthropic venture to revel in the
domestic details of huge family bar.
racks that is to usher in Utopia at the
corner of Jefferson and West Thir-
teenth streets.
A family hotel'' would best describe
the scheme in its present proportions
Only these ghetto families will have
kindergarten and hospital facilities
thrown in and some of the gymnasium
advantages for which members Of the
Chicago Athletic club pay $12O year.
Mrs. Norton's general proposal to
start public subscription looking to-
ward the erection of a model tenement
won a pledge of support from Presi-
dent X. r. Mccormick of the sanitary
board. He said he would place $780,
600 worth of stock among the wealthy
men of the city.
On the other hand. some of the de-
tails in which Mrs. Norton is reveling
at present have brought out considera-
BILE criticism from settlement workers
In that district, who suggest that she
is not allowing anything for strongly
rooted racial habits In her desire to
"uplift' the neighborhood all at once.
Mrs. Norton proposes a building four
stories high, covering an entire block.
with large court in the center, enter
ed from the street by lane piercing
each side. She thinks it would be nice
to cut tho courtway into four sections
for the children of different ages,
though this. it is pointed out, would go
hard with the little mothers who
have whole families to care for. Stores
will occupy the first floor.
The whole of the second and third
stories is to be divided into apartments
of suitable size for the accommodation
Of good sized families" the report con-
tnues. Each family is to have only q
large living room and as many bed |
rooms as are needed No individual |
kitchens or laundries will be provided, |
because all the cooking, baking and |
laundry work will be done by experts |
on the top floor in the cookroom. Bak- |
ng and cooking will be done In a far |
more economical and satisfactory way |
han could be possible by each family |
n separate kitchens
I'm addition, there should be a hospi-
al, nursery, a kindergarten and an
amusement auditorium, all on the top
loor. Every evening there should be
N entertainment of some.sort in the
auditorium. Resident talent could be
developed, assisted by humanitarian
workers. from the outside-something
o give recreation for the women and
.eep the men from the saloons
1T would be necessary to have rooms
or the managers family and for the
ervants, these to be on the top floor
There should also be q library.
ION the ground floor should be a
gymnasium adjoining the playrooms.
IN each floor should be commodious
athroonls and lavatories; also fire es-
apes and stairways easily accessible.
We must not allow disease breeding
enters OF conditions under which de-
ent moral living Is impossible longer
exist In our midst. For our own pro
ecton we who are prosperous must
pend our wealth in remedying evils
the evils surely will overtake us. no
natter how we hedge ourselves about
our fine homes and pleasant, health
IL surroundings
Mrs Laura Dainty Pelham, for sew
al years resident of the Lanedon
'artments, erected by the heirs of the
angdon estate near the outskirts of
'e ghetto, shook her head at Mrs.
orton's details. :
She Is making no allowances for the
smopoiitanism Of the people nor for )
cir fixed habits" said Mrs. Pelham.