New-York tribune., 1908-04-12
HOUSING REFORM
The Burns Scheme for Forcing Local
Authorities Into 4ction.
London. April


90. been so closely employed in obtaining pos
sion OF the tramways, operating them With
-, mower. and municipalizing gas water
electric light that they have relaxed their
.-+s 70 improve unsanitary areas and to re-
-. the working population. Investments in
slectric and tramway plants have been so
e.-r. that the most progressive municipalities
- veIlnigh exhausted their borrowing
r,-s and have shrunk from costly schemes
a. improving the houses OF the lower classes
-. towns meanwhile, have continued to grow:
-. hives Of population have swarmed in out
,,,r districts without emptying the older and
s.nser tenement sections; and neither specula-
csc. builders nor improvement societies have
,,.,t abreast of the requirements for hous-
a., reform There has been lack of legisla-
.Ion for one government after another has
+.Een I'd the subject and increased the facilities
!. loosI authorities for clearing slums and
,u,,diug workmens houses. These enabling
ats have been permissive and not compulsory
~. 1ocsl corporations have been struggling
,i,b costly undertakings Of another class and
have been sluggish in their attempts to work
~, the most important of social reforms-the
,rsnsplanting OF the artisan and laboring popu-
,s+,ou from foul tenements TO comfort a BILE
homes.
birmingham led the way when Mr. Chamber
,sin was a municipal statesman. The making
Of Corporation street involved the purchase of
over four thousand buildings and rookeries and
-. -ehousing OF more than sixteen thousand
-<opIe A highway broad Partisan bou-
Isvs-d was obtained where there had been
-,azs OF alleys and slums. and remunerative
investment secured for a future generation on
.h. expiration OF the building leases; but only
g ueagrs number OF model dwellings built
n, public or private enterprise for the superior
,lsss Of vorunen. The Manchester Corporation
tried the experiment OF constructing improved
tsnenents n overpopulated districts, but these
operstions were conducted small a scale
as 70 be Ineffective Liverpool Leeds and other
industrial towns have made similar ventures.
and with SO little success that the working peo-
NE have been dependent upon private specu-
jstors and building companies for the improve
rnent Of their homes. Glasgow has had more
success and better financial returns for munich
pal ownership Of lodging houses and tene-
rnents: yet the results are out Of proportion
with the enormous increase Of population and
the requirements OF sanitary science and social
reform Despite the munfcence OF philan-
thropsts like George Peabody and sound busi-
ness enterprises like the Rowton Houses the
metropolis has been at the mercy of land specu-
lators and jerry builders as the population has
resEarned outward from one dreary suburb to
another OF brick boxes and rubbish piles The
housing question has been left TO solve itself
e. hsphazard. and the difficulties Of practical
reform have multiplied every decade
Mr.. Burns has now undertaken TO grapple with
ire evil when municipalities are inert and phi
snthropy lacks the financial resources for re-
housing one-terth Of the population OF the king
CON. He has introduced a comprehensive meas
ure with over sixty clauses which may be en-
acted y there De autumn session for clear
ing the arrears OF legislation. There is not
likely be serious opposition TO it, since no fac
ton can have any disposition TO offer resistance
70 systematic scheme Of housing reform and
town planting. On paper the ground is cleaned
for new heaven and earth for working
England, and tow planners are licensed to create
ideal suburbs with open spaces hedgerows and
an artistic environment for the children Of toll
Only one thing is lacking. and that is the prom
ise Of grants from the imperial Exchequer; and
social reform has beggariy prospect SO long as
there is no definite method OF financing II. What
the measure. however, viii provide is authority
for compelling local authorities in cities, towns
and rural districts 10 take action without wait
ing foT special legislation. The Local Govern
rnent Board. if the bill be passed. will De en-
powered 10 respond TO the appeals Of handful
q respectable householders and TO enforce re
forms at the cost OF property owners or of the
rstepsyers in the last resource. It is the reserve
o. compulsory authority that invests this meas
with the potency Of social reform.
For example, II is notorious that there are
death breeding slums in nearly all towns and
that ore tenement in ten is quite unfit for human
habitaton. There are sanitary inspections under
local authority Yet only insignificant num-
her OF those uinha bitable dens and rookeries
of =
wear The SUM landlords evade the inspectors.
and the local authorities are sluggish because
they d. not want 10 incur the expense Of pur-
chasing dwellings unfit for occupation and Of
clearing and rebuilding noisome districts MI.
Burns's scheme will enable the Local Govern
nent Board TO intervene with decisive effect.
Property owners will be forced 10 put their
houses in order or else 70 pull them do" H. ana
Il private capital IS not available for reconstruc-
uon the local authorities viii be compelled 70
supply ii within z definite period The procedu'e .
IS sfupli7ed not only for holding the representa-
lives of the rsteravcrs responsible for any de
fault tr carrying out necessary measures foT I'M
proving unhealthy areas ard demolishing unin-
habitable houses. hut also for enabling them 70
get rid n me-cenary land spectators and con
trarr builders and 10 plan suburbs ana ouuEii's
villages with artistic effect, as has been done All
some of the most progressive German '''ie9'
approaches 70 London and other kngilsh Town
are nov made se hiGeous IS possible pS inc con-
struerion of ugl,. monotonous suburbs "l'i''uo
gardens. trees, open spaces OF variety OF ''''"e
architecture. Under the proposed bill land may De
reserved for homelike attractive supuros anu
artistic thoughtful planning will have all the
encouragement md safeguards Whlch ule 1'o0
Government Board can provide
Miracles cannot be wrought by legislation IN
Industrial countries where the population IN
creases more rapidly than reformers can devise
practical expedients for mnistering to It's com
fort and elevation by improved standards ana