New-York tribune., 1908-03-11
EVILS OF CONGESTION.
CONFERENCE CONTINUED.
DR.. Adler Points to the Country as
Solution of Problem.

Different phases OF the problem Of congestion Of
population IN this great city were discussed at
three meetings yesterday and last night OF the
conference opened Monday night in the Ameri-
ssn Museum OF Natural History by Governor
Hughes.
AZ last nights meeting Or Felix Adler. speak
Ing Moral Standards and Family Life in Tene-
rents' laid the blame for the congestion upon
.onrnercialisrn The poor. he said. had to pay for
the high values they themselves by their numbers
produced. He made scathing rebuke TO his audi
when q laugh greeted description he gave
# one living room in a tenement house He had
sust spoken of citizens being divided into two
classes, conscience and commercial citizens"
= told only last night he said 'ot one
small room in which live five men and two women.
married and the other unmarried. and in
shich there only two beds Laughter was
heard in the hall. and at the top of his voice Dr.
Adler exclaimed: You taught How you laugh
81 such statement? ] should think you would
cry cut with horror at such a revelation, There
must be commercial citizens here Our well-to-do
classes viii have 10 sit down and study life he
said with sarcasm in every accent
DR. Henry N LeipZiger the supervisor Of lectures
Of the Board Of Education, had just spoken the
public schools as social centres When DR.. Adler
rose he said he wished 10 bring his hearers back
from the encouraging picture Dr. Leipziger had
drawn OF the work of the schools the horrible
conditions depicted in the exhibit in another part
Of the museum Public schools do not solve the
problem the horrible problem, Of congested tene
rnents." said Dr. Adler.
DR.. Adler went say that he had been told
that the proportion OF his income which poor
pay for rent far exceeds the proportion
a rich pays He was not at all sanguine that
an enforcement OF the laws would cure the conges-
ton evils After many years OF study of the prob
lsn he had come 10 the conclusion he said, that
even parks and breathing places increase the burden
Of taxation and therefore increased the OF
congestion
The only solution Of the problem which can
see he concluded lis 10 move the factories and
their people with them and take advantage Of the
country Yet undeveloped where land is still rela-
lively cheap I wonder IN my heart whether some
Of those who are pouring out millions in other
directions could have their civic sense aroused
81 TO spend vast sums. for il would take vast
sums 10 win this land for the people before this
in value takes place
Eugene A PhiIbin, president Of the Metropolitan
Parks Association. and chairman OF the meeting,
said when Dr. Adler had finished, that he could
not let him leave the without dissenting from
is expressed belief that there relief in sight.
enforcement Of the laws and aroused public
Conscience he declared could solve the problem in
great measure at least
The former District Attorne- took fling at the
officials OF the city government in speaking of the
efforts Of his association obtain more parks and
Fairgrounds Every man who has attempted to
accomplish anything in this city for the good of
the citizen must show the party in power that IL
NIL be for its good, too" he declared
And the average oficeholder to-day he con-
tnued. has no conception whatever Of the duties
Of his office and his obligations people. Show
Official. though. that the papers will applaud
hin for doing good turn or that he Will prob
ably VIII few votes, and he's immensely inter
ested IN your schemes"
Dr. Leipziger described the change during the
last twenty years in the attitude Of the people
toward the school Now he said. 1T dominates
each neighborhood. especially in the congested
paris of the city, and has become not alone 8
nursery for children. but place Of intelligent
resort for both men and women"
Dr. Z. P L Gould. president Of the CITY and
Suburban Homes Company. told Of the way out"
C The city
At the afternoon session the discussion Was
based particularly upon the home conditions in the
concested districts. This involved naturally q
great deal regarding the immigrants The chair
naan ~ the meeting Robert watchoru the
Commissioner of immigration.
Dr Lee Il Frankel, the first speaker, said that
mere croWding in itself not necessarily iniur-
ous- II ls injurious. however, he said. Ito large
part q the poorer classes Il breaks I'D their home
hfe and sets them adrtft in q kind OF community
with which they are unable to cope" He hoped
mat 1he time would come when special industries
might be developed outside Of cities for large num-
bers OF the Door who are unable live and sup
port their families IN healthy normal condi-
ton II TIE cities
Ihe character and ability Of the Italian inmf-
grant was defended by Miss Amy a Bernerdy, OF
Italians swarm 10 The sluu1s they reach
ths city is that they find demand there for their
labor. And they live there she asserted not
oecause they urcleanly and OF low tastes, but
because they are not welcomed and consequently |
CO nor feel al home anywhere else"
iSlao c Speraaza, an Italian lawyer. declared |
tat congestion OF population and the consequent |
breaking up OF private home life was one OF the |
fundamental causes Of kidaappers and the So |
called Black Handlers
Al The morning session Gaylord s White presI-
oe1i q the Neigh5orhood Workers Association. |
Presided, and addresses were made by Dr.. George |
=" Gole- health officer Of Rochester; Joseph Lee, |
q Boston. We'll known authority slum con- |
cions. and Howard BradsJreet, secretary of the /
metropolitan Parks Association
Asse than one hundred men and women from |
"stors cities OF this and other states in addition
70 large number OF delegations from almost every
settlement and social organization in this city at
tended the meeting