New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-11-18
POORLY BUILT HOUSES
MANY SUCH STRUCTURES.
Ransom Il. JTilcor Says That Glass
of Property Cannot Pay.

Ransom f. Wilcox. OF the real estate firm OF
wilcox & Shelton, said last night In speaking
shout The Care and MANAGEMENT of Tenement
r4cuse Property" before the real estate school Of
the West Side Young Mems Christian Association,
thst Il real estate brokers refused to offer for
-srtal houses which poorly constructed. it
would help in a large measure TO bring about the
obstruction OF better built fathouses. For over
tveaty-ive years Mr.. Wilcox has been one of the
largest managers of tenement house property in
.ris city. and he has in that period made
ri study Of every phase OF the real estate
se its relation the placing of tenement house
property on a good. rentable basis
Among those present We're number of wen
known property owners. besides many young men
rhc are about 10 engage in the real estate bust
ress. There ought II have been hundreds OF
builders present who figured or less con-
s7r1ously in the big purchasing and building
novenent throughout the upper and newer dis
,-icfs a the city a result OF the opening Of
tho sUbUay in 1900. The speaker had much TO say
about she work or scores Of builders identified
With tia: movement. and such persons would
have learned from him exactly what all of the
lssding real estate firms think Of the 6eplora bic
methods they used in charging the residential
zones or the city. He did not nsince words on
this SUBJECT and Il is thought that his views win
hep bring about change in building condi-
lions IN many sections Of the city especially
tavard eliminating the builder who erects houses
erly Tor the sake or getting the largest possible
profit from his investment. lie emphaticany said
that many Of the houses which had been built in
TIE last three or more years were so poorly con-
s.ructed that the cost of maintenance esualIed
and in many cases exceeded the total sum OF rents
he further said. il part. as follows:
WEAK POINTS OF HOUSES UNSEEN.
we pay far too little attention here in New
York The Quality Of construction in tenement
buses. 4 man about TO purchase for investment
i I'll observe the locality with great care. weigh
re chances for perTnanence and increase. give
attention the plan of the apartment and
Ihen hsgsle over The price. having scarcely thought
whetller the material and workmanship are such
IS vii tend 10 permanence and economy. If the
house appears 70 stand up straight and the front
oo9T ana hail are attractive. he thinks # IS good
| fuidlTE- Leaning concerns who take first mort
.seEes on ieTle71eIts are negligent 1Ipon this point
Z I7d7eds Of tenement houses ara r,,t ~, -.,e
market IN this city in every building period which
PIE CONSTRUCTED poorly they can never be MADE
r. pay So much Of tho earnings must constants,
be taken 10 hold the building together there never
an be 4 fair profit Al intervals there must coma
expensive overllauiings and reinforcement tiu +,
owner al last finds he has little income - AZ
H'-oie- and the property goes on the ,nar,I
IN z low Price or Is traded about for no one
knows what value
a good house can never be made out OF poor
ere II your tailor puts poor cloth into your coat
r-ts II carelessy upon wrong lines and sews the
mend YOU viii, you cannot make decent gar
nent- Tenement houses are artificial and compli-
ared structures. At their very best it cost a
great deal Of money 10 preserve them. How nee
ess5rv. then. II one would have safe and perma-
rent investment that they be well made2 Il is
fortunate for real estate interests in New York
tia, few investors build fer themselves. Prob
z n,v not ! per cent Of tenement houses
erected by the parties vino intend to hold them
A. first thought might consider that this would
ead excellence and perfection il being done by
professionals. Alas: il is so: Our ordinary
five and six story tenement houses not put up
n builders, hut by spectators. and irresponsible
sresulstors at that They are adepts in nothing
exert making a little go long way. and very
roo- tlinE to look for q time il il good
-s6risei by shreErd architects. they get TO be
syr-zse-ul juEEers who divert your attention from
li6e thing you want 10 by making a snowy dis
irIs- Of something else. a buyers eyes are so daz-
lteG with the mahogany and the marble Of the
it.yle and the embossed plush with which the
Ihaus are hung that he cannot see that the floors
la t1e house are Of level, that the doors DO
Euc- fl and that scaaJy and poor materials are
e-errp-bere in eTidence- There is such fine polish
on ts psrlon nantel he docs not that the bal
Fnge q the woodwork has not received particle
= ssn5papering since it left the Inil and very
KEY only enc coat Of cheap vsrnish.
/ STIPULATION. A CAUSE OF TROUBLE.
4 skiful agent must have a discerning eye for
Ihsze things often client Will seek his opinion
pcu property it is purposed to purchase. Let nm
II. b szerved j.. his judgment by the prospective
Ian r. b. derived 4 reputation for reliable deal
Ing in such matter viii be worth money IN Inc
lrs6e ,So man without experience should purchase