Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-10-28

T. K
the new division.
January 15-Mayor Blankenburg sent
message to Councils asking for an approprie-
tion to carry forward the work under the
new housing law.
February A mysterious taxpayers suit
Is begun to enjoin the payment of salaries
under the new housing law for the ascribed
reason that no appropriations had been made
by Councils for that purpose; also prohibiting
the use Of the funds provided for the old
three divisions for that purpose.
February 5-An ordinance to appropriate
funds in accordance with the law is read in
Common Councils and referred to the Finance
Committee.
February 27-John c. Moliter, the appointed
head OF the new division of housing and sani
tation brought court proceeding to man
damus Councils to provide for his salary and
the salary of the force under him.
February 27-District Attorney Rotan In
asked to permit the use of the Common
wealths name in the mandamus proceedings
against Councils.
March 5-Common Council reported an
ordinance to create division Of housing
and sanitation by transferring the appropria-
tion made for the three former divisions, de-
signaling the inspectors by their former
titles, but not providing for the 100 inspec-
tors required by the law.
March 1s-The Mayor forwarded to Coun-
ellis a message pointing out the attempted
evasion of the law in the proposed ordinance,
and submitting an amendment TO it.
April 2-The Finance Committee reported
to Councils without recommendation
amended form OF the ordinance creating the
division. A letter was presented to Councils
from the College Of Physicians requesting
action
April 16-Twenty-f1ve civic betterment or
ganzations ask Councils to take action on
the housing law; the Mayor asked that the
ordinance be amended, and thereupon Coun-
ellis recommitted the ordinance TO the Finance
Committee.
May Finance Committee reported bill
to abolish the three old divisions and create
the new one provided for by law.
May 22-The Supreme Court handed down
an opinion that until Councils appropriated
the money to finance the enforcement of the
law it was not operative
June 1.-THE Mayor again asked Councils
to appropriate the money; ordinance was
given second reading and referred to the
Finance Committee.
June 25-Councils adjourned without ap-
propriating the moneys or creating the new
division al required by legislative act OF July
%, 1913.
July 16-Distrct Attorney Rotan consented
to allow the use OF the name OF the Common
wealth in the institution OF mandamus pro-
ceedings for salary.
See with what ardor the Councilmen look
after the welfare of the renting occupants Of
the two story houses! See how they seize
the opportunity Of working for the tenants
In the crowded sections of the city! They
represent the people, do these Councilmen.
Tonight, they will be telling 1t, unblushingly
telling 1t. Oh! they are immense, our Coun-
cilmen-if they were only out in Chicago, or
st. Louis or somewhere else, we could well
laugh at their supreme assurance
Each epoch is summed up in phrase-the
cry from the people in this, the age OF the
greatest density of population, is: GIVE us
more light, more air and better living con-
ditions." We have no copyright on the
housing question" It is the same in Eng
land, in Germany and in France, or was be-
fore the present mad slaughter OF men began.
Miss Octavia Hilrs great fight in London TO
bring beauty into the homes OF the poor, to
preserve open breathing spaces and enforce
sanitary reform found early imitators in all
large cities where bad housing conditions
existed.
European conditions have been found to
reproduce themselves in American cities. par
ticuIarly among the Hebrews from Russia.
II is unfortunate that our centres OF popI-
lation have so little to teach the aliens in
the way Of reform. There have been no
serious attempts made in the United States
TO deal with insanitary areas as they have
bae xuitb in ar m
the creation Of new ones by regulation and
planning OF extensions as in Germany. Even
when we do get started in the right dlrec-
tion-as in the case OF the new housing law
in Phlladelphia-there Is always politics.
business politics, blocking the way
Why interfere In the conduct OF private
Because many of the future in
mates OF blind asylums tubercular hospitals
and prisons are made from childhood spent
amid defective living conditions. Darkness.
impure air. dampness. dirt and dilapidation
are public enemies, They can be avoided
with proper drainage, adequate refuse re-
moVaI, habitable dwellings and a reasonably
good water supply.
Poor people live in poor houses often for
the good reason they cannot AFFORD to move
out They are caught on the treadWheel of
life Home begins and ends in the suffoca-
tion OF circumstances II was TO give such
victims an outlet to fresh air. sunlight and
plenty OF pure water that the housing law
was fought for and won in the Legislature.
The contractor overlords who are opposed
70 Mayor Blankenburg are not willing to
have the law made effective because it viii
endanger some OF their appointees, and
give his administration power to make some
additional eppointments. They are sure The