Los Angeles herald., 1907-04-14
DECLARES SLUMS
ARE INSANITARY
CITY CLUB DISCUSSES PLAN
OF IMPROVEMENT
Or. coffey Tells Of Deplorable condI-
tlons Of Lives Of Lsborers Who
Live In choIo
Courts

How to provide better homes for the
working class was discussed by DR.. T.
]. Coffey yesterday at the weekly meet
ing Of the City club, held at the Hol-
lenbeck cafe.
c. A. Blackmar, oil inspector, dis
cussed some of the duties of his office
and showed how the inspector could ac-
compllsh much good In inspecting wells
and looking after other duties incident
to the position.
Following an excellent luncheon these
officers were elected: Lee G. Gates, pres
ident; e. w. Camp, first vice president;
DR.. w. A. Lamb, second vice president;
L. r. Wharton was continued as Sec
retary and treasurer and Meyer Liss-
ner,L. d. Sale and Marshall Stimson
were elected governors
Talks of slum Conditions
DR.. T. J. Coffey, head Of the housing
commission, spoke in an interesting
manner in regard to the slum condi-
tions in Los Angeles. He said in part:
1.-The phrase, beautiful Los Angeles,
city of wealth and refinement appeals
to us and in order that our city shall
be truly beautiful in every respect
public-spirited men and women have
long urged a commission to investigate
how the other half lives.
About a year ago we awakened to
the fact that we really had slums
else in the country. Years ago 1t was
common boast that we had no slums,
but we must acknowledge conditions
that confront us.
"The increased growth of the city
necessitated bringing here Mexican
poems. They lived in huts or tents Of
the most miserable description.
'In Los Angeles there are fifteen or
more courts. Perhaps the most typical
and difficult to change is the Utah
street court.
"Aliso street court is another we'll
illustrating slum conditions. In many
instances an agent rents q lot and sub
lets the ground to cholos, who make
perhaps 81 to SLIPS day. Many poems
are kept continually in debt and ap-
parently robbed by supply companies
from whom they purchase their neces-
stiles.
Insanitary Conditions Prevail
"The water supply in such courts is
generally insufficient and many Of the
residents carry water in buckets to
their houses. Toilet facilities are in
adequate and there is an overcrowding
in rooms.
Although there is law providing
that each person shall have at least
500 cubic feet of air space, the law is
often violated and whole families may
be found living in one room.''
Garbage is improperly taken care of
and drainage Is poor, according to the
speaker. He said many houses were
lacking flooring and windows. In the
Utah street court there were 312 people
living In insanitary surroundings
Lodging houses also showed filthy con-
ditions, were overcrowded and lilly ven
tilated. Under such conditions tuber-
culosis was prevalent, but the disease
was kept secret as much as possible.
DR.. Coffey maintained that every case
of sickness should be reported to the
health office, so rooms might be prop
erly fumigated and sanitary conditions
be observed.
Following the remarks of Dr. Coffey
there was an informal discussion re-
garding model tenement houses.
C. D. Willard, secretary of the Mu-
nicipal league, spoke Of the nature of
the problem and said public opinion
SHOULD be formed by an enlightenment
as regards slum conditions.
He suggested that pressure be
brought to bear upon corporations so
that they erect the right kind of struc-
lures.
Following this discussion Mr.. Black
mar spoke on the duties and opportuni-
ties connected with the Office of oil in
spector.