Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-03-05
Hampton, Phoebus and Old Point
TRiNiry's TENEMENrs.
Allegations OF Wretched Conditions
Are Shown to Be Untrue.

| Are SHOWN 10 BE Onhue'
The public has heard 2 great dea
during the last few year concerning
the alleged wretched condition OF the
tenement houses owned by Trinity
Church, New York. I'm the dlscusslofl
II the subject we have had much de-
nunciation and holding up OF hands III
molly horror. but few facts. AS re-
suit people have formed hazy opih-
ion that Trinity is far from being an
deal landlord, renting a large nnmper
of insantary dwellings in the worst
part of the metropolis TO poor famil-
les at exorbitant rates. Magazine
muckrakers have charged that Trin-
ity, when appealed TO, simply re-
fused TO maintain its property in de-
cent repair. The late Richard wat
.on Glider. who surely should not De
included In the class Of persons men
tened, once wrote a screening poem
In which he asserted that TRINITY was
recreant TO it's trust. There can be
10 doubt as TO the impression wh'ch
has gene abroad, with little attempts
10 correct 1t on the part OF the churcn
affected.
Now, for the first time. we have
before us the facts upon when 10
base a comprehensive and intelligent
idea regarding Trinity's success as
landlord They are contained In re-
port. the result Of an investigation
made for the tenement house commit
tee of the New York Charity Organi-
yation Society, by Il. w. Dinwlddle,
former Official inspector In both New
York and Philadelphia and an ac-
knCwledged authority on the subject OF
housing. In general the sensational
charges of neglect are not sustained.
The investigation covered 234 houses,
comprising $40 apartments, and IN
Guided all the buildings owned by
Trinity and used for dwelling pur-
Loses. Two-thirds OF these houses
were found to be in good condition
and about 4 per cent in decidedly bad
condition. The remainder contained
defects demanding immediate remedy,
although the dwellings were no worse
than, others in, the neighborhood. AS
TO the rentals. they. were found to be
invariably low for Manhattan. The
tenants were practically unanimous
in declaring their satisfaction with
the rental charged. No evidences OF
gambling or immortality were foend In
any of the houses. nor are any occu-
MED by saloons, as has been asserted.
While the report affords little CON-
fort for the muckrakers, 1t by no
means gives Trinity clean bill OF
health. 1t Is evident that Trinitys
tenements shine by comparison with
some others, but should the church
be satisfied with this doubtful
achievement? We look to the church
for light and leading. and when 1t
goes into the real estate business 1t
should be prepared to set an ex-
ample to the rest Of us. Trinity, with
its enormous holdings in the heart
of the metropolis, has a golden Gp-
Lortunity to erect tenements which
shall serve as models of sanitation.
and convenience. She should
not be content with merely doing as
well fer her tenants as the average
enterprise. But this re-
port. on the whole, will be useful
since 1t brings a condition which was
supposed to be much worse than il is
rto the light of day. Now that Trim
.ty has been rehabilitated. to some ex
cent. in the coed opinion of the pub
lie. she should be promptly make all
the improvements which have been
Indicated as necessary. and practice
what she prachs.-Pittsburg Gazette
Times.