New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-22
MAYOR ATTACKS
MEN WHO FAVOR
TENEMENT BILL
Accuses Realty Interests OF
Bad Faith Regarding
Ellenbogen Measure.
HINTS AT HEARING
HE WILL VETO II
Commissioner AdamSon and
Others Say Proposed Law
Would Imper:I Workers.

Mayor Mitchell clearly indicated yes
terday at the public hearing on the
Lockwood Ellenbogen bill, supposed 70
provide for the Capitalization OF ou'lo-
inc inspection, that he would veto the
measure. =.
While approving a stricter centfai''
cation Of inspections Of buildings III
course Of construction and for occu-
pancy. the Mayor, as well as George
McAnenv. President Of the Board OF
Aldermen. and Controller PrenderF"s'
both Of whom spoke in opposition 10
the bill. was apparently Of the opin-
ion that the proposed measure "ouIo
not accomplish that object.
The hearing, which was held in the
Board Of Estimate room in the CITY
Hall. drew one Of the largest crowds OF
anv public hearing in recent times. Be
tween twenty and thirty speakers ap-
reared TO argue each side Of the case
The Mayor was particularly keen IN
questioning those who favored the Dill,
He pointed out many technical and
LEGAL objections and accused the real
estate interests Of bad faith IN noV
coming 10 him for conference or the
measure prior TO going 10 the Legs
lature.
Plead for Workers.
The human element in the proper
protection Of health and proper hre
prevention among tenement dwelIeIs
fgured strongly in the pleas OF nose
opposing the bill Miss Lillian d.
Wald. Of the Henry Street Settlement
speaking for the Committee on safety
protested that the bin would render
Il extremely difficult 10 enforce the
regulations for the protection OF NE
workers in factories and loft build
incs. Fire Commissioner Adamson sup
ported this contention, declaring mat
The proposed law would mean ueiay'
confusion, annoyance and oVcr-4Asp pee
ton in such cases.
Though the Fire Commissioner must
see that all buildings are Adequately
protected against ire SAID OoilII'IS-
sioper Adamson, land can close them
and condemn them in case they are
perilous 10 life, he will have under TINS
bin no power to order any physical
change in the building, and when our
inspectors find that a building cannot
be made safe without some structural
change. he can only notify the owner
or the Building Superintendent. mat
will lead TO great delay ana CONFUSION
in getting the necessary change mace;
In other words, instead of central
ling end facilitating the Inspection OF
buildings In regard to the fire hazard,
Commissioner Adamson and other
speakers argued, it would practically
mean a return 20 the almost chaotic
conditions which existed prior TO the
Asch Building fire, when responsibility
was scattered and deccntralized.
Controller Prendergast, Paul ID. era
vath, chairman Of the Tenement House
Commission; Otto T. Barnard, and sew
eral other speakers declared the bill
would ultimately mean the elimination
Of the Tenement House Commission
Mr.. Barnard said;
Hard Fight for Reform.
''For fifteen years New York has
been devoting herself 10 improving con
ditions in our teuements. Not an lncr
of good ground has been obtained with
out fighting the selfish interests 0,
owners and builders Every year rcac
tionary legislation has been proposed
and it has been a constant struggle {,
withstand the persistent efforts Z,
break down tenement house reform
This year the effort Is holder, and tht
Lockwood Ellenbogcn bill now attempt
20 eliminate the Tenement House De
partment entirely
Representatives Of the real estate in
terests were quick 70 deny that Their
was any blow directed against th,
Tenement House Commission i'm tn
bill. They declared that present con
diuons In regard to Inspections wer
intoicrable and an unjust burden upOI
the owners Of property and that tn
proposed law sought relief in tina
direction without taking away an
N Of the safeguards of the tenants.
Robert T.. Simon declared that it wa
"wilful misrepresentation" of the pur
pose Of the bill to say that II attacke
tie Tenement House Department. tn
Mayor did not seem to be deeply i'm
pressed by these arguments.
Mr.. Simon drew the Mayors fir
when he stated that the real estat
men desired 10 cooperate with him j
the matter.
"If that is so why did you not com
70 me for conference before the bi
was drawn, and not wait until IL wa
passed by the LEGISLATURE asked III
Mayor.
Mr.. Simon explained that City Chan
berlain Bruere had been present &
conferences on the bill, as the Mayor
representative.
'Bruere Is not the Mayor" said VI
Mitchell, CURLY. Whatever opinions h
may have expressed on the subjeC
were entirely his own. ] have my ow
opinions on the subject which | Nigh
have expressed, but IF the real cstat
interests of the city saw fit to disre
gard the Mayor il was their pr.vIiog
20 do So"
Labor Against II.
James r. Holland. v.ce-prcsident o
. the State Federation Of Labor. spoke j
opposition 20 the bin. lie declared tha
the laboring men throughout the stat
were solidly against the measure.
+. II. Outcrbridgc presented a reso
luton passed by the Chamber of Com
nerce condcmninE the bill.
Mr.. McAneny pointed out that III
bill would repeal the section Of III
charter giving the power 10 the Boar
Of Estimate 20 regulate the height O
buildings. lie said 10 would cut GU
great deal Of the progress they hs
made toward solving this problem. Tn
Mayor agreed with him.
Borough Presidents Marks Of Man
haitian and Pounds Of Brooklyn, OK
pressing the sentiments Of all the boz
ough presidents, spoke warmly in ia
vor of the bin Mr. Pounds declare
that the attacks upon the boroug
presidents in connection with the biI
had been unwarranted and unjust.
Among those who spoke in opposi
ton 20 the bill were Robert $. BikerC
secretary Of the City Club; DR.. +. Il
l. Gould, Albert de Roodc. Of the Cit
zens Union; John J. Murphy, Tene