Evening journal., 1908-01-06
JACOB RIIS TALKS
OF WORK IN SLUMS
Tells Of Reforms Brought
About Among the Poor
in New York City

Jacob Riis. the author Of many inn
portant sociological works. slum
worker and the man whom President
Roosevelt designated "the most useful
citizen Of New York." spoke on slum
life in that great city at the mems
meeting Of the Y. NJ. c. A. yesterday
afternoon. The meeting was one of
the most largely attended of the course
Of lectures held by the Y. NJ. C. A., aud
Mr.. Riis confined his remarks largely
to his own career as showing the vari-
Gus avenues of endeavor and the
sources through which the denizens Of
the slums could be uplifted.
Mr.. Riis came to America from Den
mark when 20 years old. with the same
exaggerated idea Of Americas re-
sources as are usually those of other
immigrants. An inability TO obtain
work for two weeks disillusioned him.
He was successful in seeking employ
ment in New Jersey. but at the out
break Of the Franco German War at
tempted to enlist in the French army
from New York, but was rebuffed by
the French Consul. He tried to sail
for France as stol1er on a freight
steamer, but was Left at the wharf
when the steamer sailed.
Book Agent and Ieporter.
During another period Of idleness Mr..
Riis enjoyed the hospitality of n
French hotel cook. when he made a
hFF ..F
French cause After walking from
New York to Philadelphia and then
to jamestown, N. Y, Mr.. Riis became
a book agent. but the position was lit
tie more profitable than idleness. and
he returned to New York with nothing
but an intense desire to become
newspaper reporter. This desire was
not long unsatisfed, and it was
through his assignment to police
headquarters work that he became ac-
quainted with slum life. He was soon
engaged in bettering conditions in tho
slums of New York, and il was through
his efforts that neat settlements began
to take the place of cheap and filthy
lodging houses. Mr.. Riis rebelled
against the onerous work of police re-
porting and asked to be relieved. This
was refused and he continued in the
position for 25 years, during which time
he became a close friend of President
Roosevelt, who was then police COM
missioner. Mr.. Riis told several stories
that revealed characteristics of Presi-
dent Roosevelt that went to make him
the fear of erring policemen of the
metropolis.
What Has Been Done.
Speaking directly of his participa-
tion in the uplifting of New York, Mr..
Riis said: Il have learned that the
children of the slums hunger for the
beautiful as we'll as their more
fortunate fellows in tho mansions of
the rich. AS a result of our efforts in
the slums a law was passed compelling
the city to place public Fairgrounds az
the schools of the city and where the
districts are congested they are com
PEELED to place the Fairgrounds on the
roofs. Each week in summer a band
of music, provided by the city, enter
tains and delights the children. 1t IS
a source Of great pride TO me to watch
the little foreign children at these band
concerts stand up and salute when the
national anthem is played. It would
be well for all the people TO emulate
this example when the national airs are
sung or played. The crusade for the
betterment of the slums has resulted
in the eradication of the almost totally
dark rooms in which these children OF
the slums had to live. SO far, I be-
lieve, 100000 Of these dark ill-ventilated
rooms have been properly fitted out.
and now a law forbids the erection OF
such rooms altogether
in conclusion let me urge you all
TO be good citizens. Wilmington or
any other city is just what it's citizens
make 1t. In the end, however, one
cannot make people good by law, It
must be done by Christianity"