New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-12-05
TWO MILLIONS SAVED
FROM INDECENT HOUSING
War on Fire and Disease Traps
of Working Glasses To BE
Incessant, Say Experts.
DANCE HALLS CONDEMNED
I'VE Are Living Too Fast" De-
clares Father Curran at
Philadelphia Convention.
Home Life Neglected.
[By Telegraph to The Tribune. ]

BY Telc graph TO The Tribune
Philadelphia, Dec. 4--The second an
nual conference of the National Housing
Association began a three days session
in this city to-day. President Robert w.
de Forest, in his opening address, out
lined the plans OF the association. ana
said that it was the intention to educate
the public TO the needs Of the community
rather than to force improvements upon
them until they were ready to PROVIDE
for the welfare Of those for whom they
were responsible.
Some Of the most eminent authorities
in the country on housing were In at
tendance. Men whose names are idenu-
fed with the improvement OF social con-
ditions everywhere were prominent. Pub
lie health and government experts
writer's and authorities from all over the
United States and men and women who
are familiar with the practical side OF
the problem were there to take part In
vance the movement has made.
Education Plan Favored.
PresiOent de crest sdio.
1t is the educational forces rather than
drastic measures that we must stanu
for. The public must be made 10 see the
economic and sanitary advantages OF
better housing, not merely be forced
into observing certain rules sustained
by laws. The educational advantage OF
this conference Will, | predict, nave
great beneficial effect upon philadelphia
as we'll as on the whole country. by the
NH oiy IN diccuggt0ng
Jacob Riis gave expression to the same
thought, saying:
We now house decently 100000 per-
sons where formerly they were Indecent
ly housed. This has been brought about
In twelve years OF effort.
This conference is one OF the most I'M
portant In the interest Of better munich
pal conditions that has been held for q
long time. Its aims are educational. and
the object sought Is TO make people
realize that from an economic as well
as a health viewpoint working men ana
women should live and their children
be raised under the best sanitary condi-
tons. II is not the intention to invoke the
law to usurp anybody's personal rights.
but It Is intended. whenever possible, 70
cause LEGISLATION to be enacted that Will
and disease trap.
Fast Living Denounced.
The Rev. Father Curran. OF wilkes
Barre. a noted sociologist as we'll as the
most prominent Catholic clergyman in the
state, took the position that the saloon
and the dance hall were far worse phases
OF the life OF the anthracite miner than
was the home in which he lives. Father
Currans said: -r...-.--s-.
Industrial conditions have been respon-
sible TO a great extent for the many
cases OF tuberculosis which prevail 80
extensively among the working classes
Of ell kinds In these regions.
We are living In q very fast age-too
fast. indeed, IL not entirely killing. In
the daytime IL Is work, In the evening II
Is Measure Reason should dominate
every phase OF human life. otherwise hu-
mainly IL bound to suffer
IL cannot be denied that We are llNins
In an age in which the home life Is neg
lected The bad examples OF fathers or
families have been only 100 faithfully
followed by the children. father ess
home. while the father is In the saloon
or at the club makes a childless home,
where the children are in the street or
in unguarded places Of amusement To
these social conditions the failure or the
health Of the child should be more IRE
ouently attributed than to any unsanitary
COnulUOUs may P'''"'' 80 $50
Community Plan Urged.
DR.. Carol Aronovici. OF New York. di-
rector Of the National Bureau OF Munich
pal and Social Service, advocated the
community plan above all others In deal
ing with the problem. lie pointed out
that the psychological element had more
to do with the recognition OF a principle
that would esta blish a balance between
cost and revenue to the land owner than
ANYTHING else concerned.
Establish this balance" Dr. Aronovici
said. "snd you have solved the problem
OF giving the public commodious houses
at reasonable rentals
Among the other New York experts who
spoke we're A. Dawson Hall. associate
editor OF THE Coal Age; John NJ. Glenn,
director OF the Russell Sage Foundation;
Frederic c. Howe, OF the Peoples lnsti-
tute: Lee X. Frankel, who told how to
finance & small house. and Grosvenor At
terbury. who spoke on Garden cities.
Following an inspection OF Philadelphia
housing conditions in which favorable ana
unfayorable comment was aroused, the
delegate, made short reports OF their
wears work at a round table luncheon.
presided over by Robert W. de Forest, OF
u