New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-08-25
WHATFRESHAIR MEANS
To appreciate 1t One Must See the
Homes of Some Fund Children.

To appreciate fully what Tribune Fresh Air
outing means TO city children II is necessary
to visit their homes and observe the conditions
prevalent there. The average home Of the families
of the italian quarter in Mott Mulberry and Hes
ter streets and vicinity consists of two three
small rooms which serve 10 accommodate many
as twelve men. and children. Stringent
building laws have made IL imperative that ventia-
ton and light be considered in constructing the
new tenements. that general rule each room
has window IN II. But rarely do these windows
open TO the sun; rather upon another tenement
which Is only few feet away. and can almost be
touched by leaning out of the window. What little
light could enter by these windows is obscured by
the dingy window panes. and the result is that
the rooms are gloomy and dark.
The visitors TO these homes will ascend a narrow
night or stairs. and at each floor will face four
doors which into the flats leading off IN all
directions through tho building On entering one
of the homes. which uniform throughout the
tenements in the matter OF arrangement of rooms,
the outside door leads into the kitchen II IS
small. dingy room, filed I'm every corner with de-
bris of all kinds; hrewOod that the children have
gathered from building which has been
built in the neighborhoOd. boxes and crates which
will be broken up when occasion demands. coal. IL
the family afford II. and thousand and one
other things. A thin. famshed looking cat gem
orally Will be found stretched at full length on the
floor, a dog will be snatchirg a few moments
OF broken sleep.
After vending his way through this ROOM care
fully seeking 10 avoid the numerous obstacles
which confront him. the visitor will go into the
bedroom. This room, too presents the same
gested appearance, with wearing apparel Of the
whole family scattered IN all directions. The bed
usually backs up against the window; II not, all
ventilation is blocked by clothes which hung
up In 1t out of the way. There Is double bed
which takes up nearly all the space in the
During the day 1t presents an extraordinary APP
pearance. as the top is about five feet from the
floor. But those who are acquainted with the life
LroOvr- tboyt Fo,,r
have been piled another and the bed
made up over them. At night these mattresses are
strewn about the floor in the kitchen living
room. and serve beds for three four children.
The third room is the living of the family.
For the we'll to do. this is light room. it has
two windows which look out upon the street IL the
Nat Is in the front and upon the courtyard If the
fiat Is In the rear. Here for the first time the Wis
itor will be able TO look around and make out what
the various objects which to clog up every
part of the ROOM Previously he has had a vague
sense of confusion and disorder which the dim half
light In the other rooms prevented being closely
observed This living room. 20 be sure. is larger
than any of the others and II accommodates the
whole family during the day. In will be
found folding bed OF one form or another which
has been covered with shawl and makes a seat
for tho younger children In another corner Is the
inevitable sewing machine. where the mothers and
little daughters of the family day after day YEARLY
the trousers which have been brought home
from the sweatshops. Tables and chairs fill up the
rest of the room.
The walls of every tenement are Invariably paint
ed disegreeable blue green color and the wood
work is generally stained a cherry red. There
pictures OF better times IN Italy covering the walls
perhaps of the father in his younger DAYS IN
the full uniform OF a gendarme of Italy, d family
group in gilt frame posters. calendars. pictures
of the Presidential candidates. and various odds
and ends of decoration which have been picked up
here and there.
As rule the family will have several domestic
corner OF the living room is given a dove
cote A berry crate has been fitted up a cage
and two doves find roOst there If the visitor is
particularly favored he will be shown an addition
TO the dove family which born few days ago;
two squads resting comfortably in a cigar box will
be proudly exhibited by the, seven year-old owner.
In this particular home there not only doves.
but other animals and birds.
All last winter the family kept pet hen. which
strayed at will in the kitchen. The hen has since
died but one of the boys found rooster TO replace
IL. The rooster this summer enjoys a daily sun
bath when the weather is fair in strawberry crate
the fire escape There IS also a kitten that
wanders around with piaintive cry looking for a
square meal There is also full grown and a
mOngreI dog.
Such is the home of nine children who are taken
in different parties and sent the country for two
weeks by the Tribune Fresh Air Fund. The pure
fresh air and clean rooms To live in are something
unknown 10 them except at the Fresh Air Home.