New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-03-18
4 CLEAN B0WERT.

Fitness has become so conscious OF its des-
tiny 20 survive that it wakes meddlescme with
the ancient prerogative Of unhtness TO decay
according TO its own sweet will. Where kindly
tolerance formerly left lfes failures 10 cumber
their obscure corners Of the city unmoested
by official charity, brusQue sanitation now
asserts s0cety's superior rights. BoWery Iodg-
ing houses must have clean sheets, as II III
Tie democracy of the outcasts the "reminiscences
Of some equal and brother could give offence
Stairs must be washed down. Rooms must be
fllnlgated weekly The fear of microbes is a
possession of the fit in his determination TO
survive; the unfit is immune his life being one
long habituaton TO them.
The lodger must have 4 scientifically deter
mined number OF square feet Of air and air
space costs money in New York. Pragmatlc in
snectcrs. keen eyed ana sharp nosed, with the
rrei1IdIces Of another social world and the
added preiudices Of medicine and sanitation,
will look after the Outcasts' physical welfare
Baths. hot and cold. must be in readiness rs a
standing invitation and repr0ach-in moral in
tention something like the old temperance
fountains that used to stand IN the streets OF
many cities. an ever present warning against
the cup that cheers Everybody will remember
them, surnounted by a statue with set me-
tallIc smirk. denoting the conscious rectitude OF
good example. SO the baths, They are societys
hint: the Bowery's ancient comfortable con
tempt for cleanliness viii not be spared the
daily insult of superior virtue.
There is a demand for the cheapest lodging
house. where beds Of ancient traditions, no
baths and little air may be had for 10 or 10
cents a night, just as there Is demand Tor the
man who lends a few cents on shoes and sup
plies their owner with a temporary pair, tat
tered and burst TO house his feet until fortune
Ifc iaf Tl11T *
little patience with such demand, and if the
better hotels" with cleaner beds and baths
and more air space between the sleepers, cost
more than 10 or 15@cents a night the patrons of
these B0WaTy caravansaries must save more OF
their incomes from odd chores, beggary or al
lowances from relatives 10 pay for their lodg-
ings or they must find some other city more
hospitabe TO the unfit than New York
Some Of our wandering citizens may be dis
franChsed By this action Of The Health De-
partment for many men who are afflicted with
the 'wanderlust' in It's worst form maintain
voting residences in New York. No matter
where their fancy takes them the rest Of the
year, they come home 10 the Bowery caravan
saries in November They are a large part of
the voting population Of the downtown districts,
resisting the Usual tendency TO move 10 the
OUTLYING suburbs. They may overcome their
aversion 10 the sight of the tub and the
Shower" sufficiently 10 return TO their old
haunts for the exercise Of their prerogative as
freemen, but It is going 10 cost more. 1t is,
however. tie one season of the year when the
humble lodger may say, Hang the expense -
His keeping up his residence is matter of
consideration 10 the BOwery bosses.
Even the lodging house habitue must now
acknowledge the truth Of the common OBSERVE
zion that "the cost Of living has gone up"
Many a heart will sympathze with him regard
ing the expense and attractions Of New York.