Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-12-15

spirited resident of Brooklyn, while working
out plans for an improved type of tenement
house, was attracted by the reported sue
cess of the outside staircase buildingS'
erected in London in 1863 for working people.
The plans were obtained and, after altera-
tions to suit the climate and other conditions
here, were adopted by him, and he con-
structed the six-story home tenements''
opened in Brooklyn in 1877. The 40 apart
ments were fully let the first week, and their
success was such as to command an immedi-
ate and unexpected interest through the
State and country, visitors coming from far
and near. This modest experiment was
largely responsible for the agitation through
out New York which led to the adoption Of
the tenement house act of 1879.
The venture of. Mr.. White turned out so
well financially that couple of years later
additional land and buildings were procured,
and soon more than 40 new model apart
ments were thrown open to the workingmen.
Subsequently a still larger tract was secured,
and in 1890 the Riverside Buildings' were
completed, with $50 apartments. Altogether,
the White buildings accommodate about 1000
individuals.
FireproOf and Airy
The features distinguishing these struc-
freproof stalrcases sunk in the front or rear
of the buildings. open to the air and extend
ing in a semicircular tower from the cellar
to the roof; (2) entire absence of any interior
communication from floor to floor by stair
ways or shafts, and (S) buildings only two
rooms deep, so that each has abundant sun
shine and air
The City and Suburban Homes Company
haa ,ts a,
tions in New York city, and they are valued
at more than sS,OOO0OO. This company pays an
annual dividend Of AZ per cent. and has
large surplus, Doctor Gould, who is presi-
dent OF the company, stated recently that the
company's actual losses ON account of unpaid
rentals were less than 1s-100 per cent, and the
experience Of this company proves that good
housing not only pays financially, but pays
in the health and happiness Of the tenants
and occupants OF the houses.
Toronto, Canada, after a campaign OF In
vestlgation and education, secured an el-
abling act which permits the municipal au-
thorities to loan funds to the Toronto Hous-
ing Company, which about two years ago
began the erection OF large group OF dwell
inss of the cottage or two-family type These
apartments rent for S12 and sis upward Tor
three rooms and bath. The company fur
cost OF these services Is included In the rent.
The latest report OF the Health Depart
ment OF Cincinnati, o., states that as 4 result
or it's work in 1918, 5000 privy vaults were
condemned and filled In, which vas an In
crease OF so per cent. over 1912 and 100 per
cent over 1911. An ordinance was enacted
giving the Health Department power to va
cate any structure or part thereof occupied
by human beings II It Is in an unclean or IN
sanitary condition. This power Is being used
with results that are being reported as sS-
tremely good.
Another Object Lesson
As an experiment and an object lesson. Mr..
j. s. sehmidlapp erected 4s houses, each con-
tanning two apartments and each apartment
having bath ana porch. The rentals aver
age sl2 to s14 per month for four rooms ana
bath. ana the venture Is 80 sueosssful that 4
company Is being planned with = capital q
100000 to carry out the work on a large
scale.
We might continue to cite example after
example where communities are facing ths
truth Of the housing situation ana making
earnest enorts to meet the need The moys-
naent has become national Ia lis scope.
Phiiadelphia has as a result Of the good
work of the Philadelphia Housing coHinis-
sion housing code or Law which L consld-
cred one Of the best ever enacted. But Phila-
deiphia needs more than a Law; Il needs
broad-minded public spirited, Intelligent
statermanship on the part of those IA author
~, VINO viii see that funds are provided ana
the Division Of Sanitation established q tbef
me reat work can be pushed. ana ~,
Philadelphia win become eCity Of Hopsss
noE only for the wealthy, the fairly Wen.to-
ao the man who earns 5000 per year. but fss
sps aay iaeofer and nnskiIled mschanic wbs
earn tle oF lass per week