New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-09
Save the Tenement House Law.

pave the tenement ElOuSc Law
In the history Of social legislation in
New York State the Tenement House
Commission Law was landmark 1t was
one Of the best things for which Theo-
dore Roosevelt was responsible in his
whole public career, and by all means his
greatest service 10 his own state. In the
commission which framed the laws sat
some of the ablest and most humane of
the public spirited citizens of this COM
monwealth.
From the day the legislation was enacted
to the present hour each successive session
of the Legislature has seen vicious and de-
termined efforts to break down directly or
by indirection laws that were the bulwark
which had been interposed between the
poor, the weak and the defenceless and
those who were willing to prosper at the
expense of human suffering and make
profit from the unsanitary conditions of
the poor. In the same measure this legis-
lation protected the more fortunate by
contributing to the reduction of disease
resulting from foul conditions in the
sums, but in the crowded city transmitted
from one section TO another.
The assault which is now being made
upon the Tenement House Law at Albany
with every present promise of success, is
one more striking evidence of the complete
disregard at the State Capitol for ele-
mental decency when the question of the
comfort and health of the poorer citizens
of the state is at stake. A legislature
cheerfully prepared to condemn women to
twelve hours Of work daily six days a
week in a canning factory, for which the
wage is 10 cents an hour, could hardly
be expected TO be deeply moved by pro-
tests made b. the Mayor and the officials
Of the New York city administration on
behalf of other women and children hardly
more defenceless.
But once more it is necessary to utter
word of warning to Republican legis-
lators and Republican leaders-in this case
supported by the Democratic contingent
with few exceptions. The punishment for
the programme they have apparently I'M
dertaken is incscapable and not to be too
long delayed Ten years ago another gen
Grafton Of Albany statesmen, another set
Of Republican leaders, fancied that the
chief and noblest aim Of those receiving a
commission from the people was to serve
the public service corporations, and the
state was treated to those scandals which
remain q landmark Of shame in state his
tory.
In that day measures to give away
franchises, TO permit street railway corpo-
rations to refuse transfers, to give per
petual rights without decent protection or
proper remuneration for the public, fairly
choked the calendars in the Legislature
and filled the press with the rumors anC
reports Of scandal, which were thoroughly
proven in the insurance investigation anC
the Aids trial.
The thing that is beng done in Alban!
to-day is a shade meaner, degree more
contemplate, than the old betrayals of pub
lie interest 1t is the health, the condi
tons Of life and work of women and chill
dren, Of men who perform the hardes
tasks in the community, which are affected
by the bills pending or passed at Albany
N OF old it was the pocket of the poor MAJ
y that invited the legislator to eager activ
ity. But such measures as the Gamer!
bill, the tenement house bill, the Health
Department proposal.-these strike not a
the earnings but at the existence Of thos
for whom laws are supposed TO be pro
lection and legislators the champions.
What profit to their party. TO their owl
prestige, the Republican legislators anC
leaders can see in the programme the!
are ruthlesSly driving through the Legis
lature this year The Tribune canno
imagine But it recognizes land thes,
legislators and leaders must also recog
nize) that already there are thousands o.
men in this state who are frankly saying Il
themselves, TO their associates, either tina
the things which Republicans are doing a
Albany in 1915 are not Republican, rep
resent a betrayal, not an expression, o
Republican principles and ideals, or tina
they can see no place for themselves il
the Republican party.