New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-12-06
CALLS ON THE RICH
TO GIVE THEIR TIME
Mayor of Boston Declares Their
Money Is Not All They Owe
to the Community.
PREDICTS AN INCOME TAX
National Housing Association
Stirred by Discussion of How
Best to Care for the
Wage Farmers.
fBy Telegraph to The Tribune J

bf 10 iflbuHf.
Philadelphia. Dec. 5.-There was No
dearth OF interesting features at the con-
ton here to-day. but the address that
aroused the delegates most was that oil
Mayor Fitzgerald OF Boston, who dellv-
cred his message straight from the
shoulder.
lie told OF what Boston had done in
the way Of increasing and aiding It's sani-
tary force and was discussing the usual
lnadcquacy Of funds which confronted
most municipalities in their efforts 10
better the conditions OF their citizens,
when he said:
/ think that the time is rapidly APP
preaching when America is going 10 es-
tablish an income tax. Many people VIII
object. OF course. but II is my judgment
that real estate is standing about all II
can In the big cities OF the country.
Large numbers OF people worth In per-
sonal property many millions OF dollars
are contributing practically nothing TO
the couDtrys revenue, and when these
people are taxed proportionately We will
have much larger revenue, and then We
can do those things which We all realize
are necessary to be done.
But IL Is not alone money which the
community has right to demand from
It's prominent citizens We have plenty
OF rich men, men who could WELD the
widest and most important influence, In
Boston. but / believe that IL / should
ask one hundred of these men for fifty
seconds OF their time to be devoted to any
matters which should make for the up
lift OF their fellow citizens o. per cent
OF them would refuse II. With their
money they are far more liberal, but they
seem to consider that their time and per-
sonal thought and labor are something of
which they owe nothing To their fellows.
In Germany and elsewhere on the other
side II is different. Public service is
public honor. and public opinion makes
1t almost compulsory. but not here.
James jenkins. jr.. OF Brooklyn. who
followed Mayor Fitzgerald, tried to say a
word for public spirit among the class
denounced by the Mayor. but the latter
asserted that what he had said was not
intended TO apply to Boston alone, but to
all large cities. and that right in Brook
Ign there were plenty of rich men swear
ing off their taxes"
To this Mr.. Jenkins made no reply, but
confined the rest OF his remarks to the
subject In hand.
What are the best types OF wage earn
ers' houses was the title OF the second
paper OF the session. by John Ihlder, Of
New York City. field secretary OF the
national association. He was decidedly
of tine opinion that this was not the tenc-
ment, which he declared To be "in Itself
unwholesome." On this subject he said:
The tenement is not and cannot be a
! I..f. hn . fs.f, Ito
multiplications bring physical and social
problems that are tremendous burden
to the community. few tenement or
apartment houses fill special needs such
az providing refugees for broken families
and while they are few I'm number. their
evil effects are minimized. The way to
keep their number adequate only for such
special needs is to insist that each one
be ~ wholesome and safe AS 1t Is pos
sble to make IL.
Mr. Ihlder asserted that the argument
Of its lower rent to the families IL shell
tiers had not been proved. and affirmed
his belief that on a fair basis of com
parison. 1.-THE small city house furnishes
larger and better accommodations for
less money
Delegates to the conference made tour
of the city to-day. inspecting the homes
Of working people, and later attended a
round table luncheon. at which housing
conditions were discussed. The talks were
limited to three minutes each. and those
called on u speak reported progress in
housing conditions in their several COM
munties.
4 plea for the appointment Of women
sanitary inspectors was made in a paper
prepared by Mrs johanna Won Wagner.
OF the Los Angeles Housing Commission.