New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-11-19

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ment house in which you
live? Do YOU know what your duty as a citi
zen is. not only to your neghbors but to your
self and family?
If Won do not understand these important
things there is a simple method of obtaining
enlightenment. The New York Tenement
House Department and the Tenement House
Committee of the Charity Organization Society
have combined their work and are proceeding
hand in hand 10 gain better living conditions.
As a part of their programme to better tene-
mcnt conditions they are going direct to the
tenants and telling them the things they ought
10 know
There are three women engaged in this edu-
cationa work, and it was with Miss Jessie
McVean. who has had much experience in such
matters and who was appointed by Tenement
House Commissioner John j. Murphy to do
the pioneer work, that made the rounds one
bright, crisp morning this fall.
EDUCATING FLAT JEWELLERS
What Miss McVean does not know about
Tenement House Law and the rules governing
the sanitary conditions of flat houses is hardly
worth talking about. II is not, however, only
TO the crowded districts that education is 60
ing forth. In higher class apartments many
bad conditions have been found and many
well-to-do. comfortably located housewife
might profit by Miss McVean's advice.
But the district we covered on this tour OF
inspection was around Cherry Street
The first thing have to attend to here"
said Miss McVean, "is the condition of the
garbage. This work takes one from cellar
to roof. in and out of apartments"
She led the way to the back of the hall and
there, under the stairs, stood half dozen
large galvanized garbage cans, some Of them
filed TO the brim, covers off, rubbish on the
floor. a cat prowling about and children play
inc in the basement doorway and on the dirty
floors
Such A condition, on the face of it, is dis
case breeder 1t is bad enough to have cans
in cellars ard on the streets, but in these
houses they are placed in the halls. All day
long tenants are bringing their refuse down
from the flats above and carelessly emptying
il into the cans 1t was evident that some
remedy must be found.
I'm these tenements the families may be dealt
with in person. In houses of the better class
where the care of such things is in the JAM
tors hands. it must be he who is talked with.
Therefore. inspectors are trying to impress on
the minds of tenants that 1t is their duty 10
know the condition of the Easements where
such things are kept.
RAILWAYS WHERE DISEASES BREED
Miss McVean began her work in this spot.
III IL CHI ie
badge on her coat always impresses the women
with her authority.
The door at which she knocked was opened
by woman with baby In her arms.
Good morning. l am the inspector. Will
you come into the hall a minute"
In this way she gathered the women from the
flats on the ground floor and led them to the
garbage pals They looked somewhat fright
ened but soon were at ease.
What a pretty baby you have" said Miss
McVean to one of the wonderland it seemed
a strange way to begin giving instruction.
"You don't want that pretty baby to get sick
and die, do you?"
With vigorous shake Of the head the wom-
an held her baby tighter
well if you don't want baby TO get sick,
nor your husband TO get sick and lose work,
you must keep the halls clean and this garbage
covered. Now, see here" continued the in
spector, "when you bring out your garbage
put Il IN the can and be careful not to spill it
on the floor. Then PIT the lid on the can and,
when you see any one throwing garbage on the
floor or leaving the cans open, tell them that it
is wrong to do so, and may cause sickness"
THE WOMEN ARE WILLING TO LEARN
One Of the women stepped to the foot of
the stairs and called up in loud voice. Soon
another woman appeared at the top and they
spoke in Italian for few minutes The woman
upstairs disappeared and returned soon with
two othertenants. They all came down into
the hall and looked questioningly at Miss Nc
Vean. Again the inspector patiently explained
TO them and those who did not understand were
gwen the instructions by one who could trans
late.
I'D like to see il cleaner when ! come back"
said the Inspector, and she left the women talk
ing about the cans.
you can see7 continued Miss McVean,
"these women are only too glad and anxious
TO help. II is simply a matter Of ignorance
and il is not only here that such conditions
exist We are trying to impress families in
Manhattan. whether they live in the slums or
on the Drive. that the apartment house is their
home that they have real responsibility in
seeing that il is rightly kept and that if things
are wrong they may complain first to the
Al a