New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-06-11
THIETING.

That Americans have not yet wholly acquired
the art Of living in flats may be seen from the
epidemic of lOotng which begins with the
exodus of apartment dweers to summer re-
sorts and continues almost undated until cool
weather kills the plumber germ by bringing them
back to town. In spite Of the backward season
this summers record up to date fills ten pages
of typewritten copy, more than thousand arti-
clcs having been reported stolen during the
course of a single recent week. The police say
they are powerless either to recover more than
Il small fraction of the stolen goods or satisfac-
torily TO check the petty pundering And the
public, Srumblng at this inetticiency, fees In
despair 10 private detective agencies.
This proves, for one thing, that we have much
10 learn from Europeans on the subject Of
safety in apartment life. Although our build
ings far outshne those Of Europe in elegance
and comfort, they preserve in some degree the
old American rustic innocence which makes
them peculiarly beloved Of sneak thieves. The
American village home with its unfenced yard,
unlocked cellar door and unlatched windows.
has been transplanted to the New York apart
ment house; all the charming features Of the
former have gone. lost in the change, but the
least valuable ones have not. Much apart
ment house managers have striven to produce
the hotel effect by installing hall boys they have
failed 10 make the property Of their tenants
cure. The jauitor, the door boy and the eleva-
tor man are poor substitutes for the concierge,
that guardian angel Of every European apart
ment house Strangers may too easily gain adj
mission even to buildings OF the better class; If
not 10y getting past the hall guards by ruse, then
through the cellar doors or over the roof or by
way Of the fire escape. Even our improve
ments" smooth the thIers way for both the
dumb waiter and the private telephone are
made the allies Of many a plundcrcr.
The time seems ripe for the importation OF
the concierge and his system, however obnox-
ious ii may ut first appear. The concierge be-
Neyes In keeping all outside doors locked all the
time; he admits nobody save after careful In
spection, and he Is stimulated TO watchfulness
in many cases by the knowledge that theft
will bring down suspicion on him. All this
means work and patience, more indeed than is
cXacted Of the average hal boy and ianitor at
present 1t means less casy-goug, casy-coming
carelcSsu"ss on the part of tenants and their
visitors, but the trouble is well worth the secur-
ity il affords. OF course, II would never do 10
call the proposed controller Of the outside doors
q concierge, as that label would raise rents hv
10 per cent But If be will exercise unrcmittlug
control over the entrances and the exits we
shall surrender all control over his name save
that JUST indicated. In the mean time while
landlords are wondering whether the concicrge
system is q necessity, it may Ice we'll to bear III
mind that the epidemic Of thevinE which af-
hicts the town Is not due solely To the sluggish
ness of The police nor 10 the enormous number
Of crooks, Much Of the blame falls on the ten
ants who want 10 run in and out at all hours
unhindcrcd, aid wish their visitors To enjoy aIo
same privilege.