Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-12-04
BLAME COUNCILMEN
FOR FILTH VICTIMS,
IS APPEAL OF BISHOP
The Rt. Rev. Thomas j
Garland Declares Those
Responsible for Tenement
Conditions Should Pay
Penalty.

Protestant Episcopal Diocese of Pennsyl-
vania, was snubbed by Councils Finance
Committee when he pleaded for a chance
to discuss living conditions among the
poor of the tenements, became known to-
day.
The request Of Bishop Garland was made
last summer i'm a written communication.
Later he telephoned. Both requests were
ignored
Bishop Garland today made an impas-
stoned plea in behalf Of persons who live
In the nsanltary tenements and urged an
appropriation by Councils Finance Com
mittee for the new Division Of Housing
and Sanitation.
Two more Select Councilmen today de-
clared they would vote against the Divi-
sion of Housing and Sanitation. This de-
pertinent was created by the Legislature
year ago. The Select Councilmen, VINO
also are members of the Finance Com
niittee, who are against granting appro-
priations are Edward w. Patton, of the
9th Ward and william r.. Finley, OF the
SJth Ward. a real estate assessor and Sec
retary to Senator Edwin II. Ware.
other Councilmen who will vote against
appropriations are Select Councilman
officeholder. Buchholz stated that for
eianers can't be taught the art of cleanli-
ness merely through bath tubs lie SAID
Foreigners would use bath tubs Tor coal
bins. 49,
Select Councilman Flaherty, of the 18TH
Ward. also a dual officeholder.
Common Councilman Morton, OF the zVth
Ward. also a dual officeholder. He is
coroner's physician.
FINANCE COMMITTEE REsPoN-
SIBLE.
"If the new Division of Housing and
Sanitation" said Bishop Garland, lis not
passed we can't blame the Legislature,
the Governor or the municipal admins
tration The fault will lie with the
Finance Committee Of Councils. They
are the body of men who can change the
present social problem in the congested
section of Philadelphia.
For more than year we have been
pleading for Councils to grant the APP
preparations. They have ignored all re-
quests of civic organizations and repre-
sentative men. II the Finance Commit
tee refuses to grant the appropriations
asked the municipality soonor or later
will pay financially for the refusal.
Hospitals, almshouses and other char
table places will become crowded with
women and men who are afflicted with
filthy rooms in the tenements.
II am not judging the tenements from
what / have heard. I have seen the
houses and have been inside many Of
them. They sleep in some rooms on the
floor. Some Of the scenes which / OBJ
served are not At for publication.
The whole thing in a nutshell is that
politicians are selling the birthrights OF
our children for mess of political pot
tage Such conditions. which exist in
Philadelphia in the Goth century, are
disgrace and shame to the fair name Of
this city.
IF our physicians were to inscribe the
real story on every death certificate OF
infants and children who die In the tene-
ments. we would find the majority Of the
deaths were directly due to living con-
dltlons in the tenement dens.
WOULD HOLD CoUNcILMEN.
"Councilmen who today are refusing to
grant the appropriations ought to be held
responsible for every death directly
traced TO filthy conditions. If were on
jury listening to a story of a death Of
man, woman or child dying from filth,
would hold the Councilmen responsible,
and insist they pay damages to the rela-
tives of the deceased.
Select Councilman Patton dictated the
following statement giving his reasons for
being opposed to the new Division Of
Housing and Sanitation:
Il am opposed to the act as It now
stands. I am In favor of a proper hous-
ing and sanitation act and will vote for
one II It presents itself what I believe
to be fair to the property owner and the
tenant.
Until such amended act is passed
must refuse TO vote for any approprla-
tions by Councils to enforce the present
drastic act. 1 will not vote for an ap-
proprlation Tor the new division for the
reasons given above"
Select Councilman Finley said;
II agree that some of the conditions in
this city are frightful. l am not against
sanitary conditions. I think 1t Is the
duty of the city to see that the health
of every child as we'll as groWn-up person
is guarded. There should be a bathtub
for the poor. There should be a courtyard
for the children to romp and play. ! am
for any act that will help the suffering
poor-but the act must also be fair to
the small property owner"
Many houses in this city are owned
by persons who are laboFeFs and work
In mills or factories. Their homes are
heavily mortgaged. Should the present
act be enforced 1t means that they win
have 70 borrow money TO make the re-
quired improvements.
I'VE Couneilmen are not against the
poor. The next Legislature will surely
take up the question OF better housing
conditions. There viii be a modification
OF the present act and everything win
be arranged so that the poor will have
better comforts ana az the same time
property owners OF the poorer class won't
run the chances OF getting into debt to
make different improvements"
WHOLESALE VIOLATIONS
Replying to Select Counellmen Patton
and Finley, Bernard J, Newman. OF the
Fhiladslphia Housing Commission. today
said
There are about ei.ls9 houses ia wards
where the sanitary laws are being VIC
lated. The wards comprise from the "a
70 the 18th. inclusive. ana from the 18Th
10 the 18th and the s8th Ward OF that
number about 5,s25 houses are rented
by property owners. About 10,0Q0 houses
aIa actually occupied by the owners. We
have found that every man who owns his
oWn house keeps It in good order Ana
lives up to the requirements II the new
division THIS Is further proof the msn
Who ags opposed 10 ths act being aa-
fareed are big property oNners."
MERCHANTS WIN PRIZES