South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-11-29
Tear Down Efficiency.

Tear Down Efficiency.
bad housing. poverty, paUperism,
factories and workshops,
bad neighborhood conditions are
'Ivic conditions that perpetuate in a
prolific manner the very evils we
ire trying 10 eliminate. AS Warner
5ointed out a long time ago-and
I is just as true today--they are
breaking down the physical efficiency
II our people and destroying ideals
If correct home life They cut the
cots of ambition and hope, divide
society in suspicion and warning
classes, put . strain upon the minds
# some which end in insanity. in
hort they make impossible the real
zation Of civic ideals.
When the completely of charity
problems unfOlded itself we discov-
red that there was an essential re-
alton between sickness, disease. i'm
moral living and housing conditions.
he fact that the death rate among
children Of the poor was more than
double that among children of the
Vell-tO-do was traced primarily 20
IMPURE food and bad housing con-
litiOns. Between the dark. dank, I'M
'entilated bedroom and the tuber-
.ular patient there was discovered
/ very important relation. Typhoid
md pneumonia were traced 10 the
il-kept tenements where children
we're forced to eat, sleep and play
amid the foul odors of outdoor
'aults, stagnant pools and refuse
alden Easements.
Some one has noted the fact that
many a boy and girl in America
grows up in an environment where
ne has no more chance of develop
ng a normal conscience than he has
If learning the Chinese language.
IF we allow our congested dis
riots 20 be invested with the prosti-
ute, vagrant, idler. the criminal,
IAN we blame the children who
spend the impressiOnable years of
heir lives in such districts if later
N they admire, emulate and recruit
he ranks of their eXamplars.
"A prominent writer has assured
Is that a large number of our poor
est classes are living under condi-
ions which render self respect,
cleanliness and even decency almost
Legislation Only Remedy.
The housing movement ought TO
be a matter of great concern TO every
,harity organization, private or pub
ic. Bad housing conditions are
sradicated only by means of legis-
alton, the adoption of health ordi-
lances. improved tenement house
,odes. city planning legislation and
state aid in home building and so
We ought TO he interested in these
at least 10 the extent of
;elping them by our approval wher-
ever that is possible We should
not be satisfied with giving first
aid TO the poor when they really
need the aid of a trained nurse or
1 physician.
These public movements such as
he housing campaign follow public
sentiment and until that is aroused
n favor of better housing, the poor
will be huddled together in novels
where the seeds of cOntagiOn and i'm
take root and develop with
alarming alacrity. If we are con-
,erned as we should be with main
aiming the physical and moral eff
iciency of those who come TO US for
lelp. then it is our duty to cooper
ate not only with other philan-
hropic societies but with every out
side agency that can and will help
is.
Isn't it an anomaly to find a news
paper leading a fight for better
housing cOndiuons-an essentially
work-without the aid
Of a single philanthropic associa-
ion. without a helping hand from
any kind Of civic or social welfare
association?
Personally. I believe that two
thousand dollars of the citys fl
1ances or as much of that amount as
s necessary, could be used TO no
better advantage than making such
} housing survey as would inform US
FULLY about the conditions under
which our poorer classes are obliged
10 live If the survey reveals bad
housing conditions then we can
adopt such methods as are necessary
% remedy the conditions and thus
safeguard the health and morals Of
hose in whom we ought 10 have a
cry special interest. If the survey
reveals good housing conditions
hen We have the assurance that
.hese poorer classes and especially
he children are not being subjected
10 conditions that will ultimately
-uin their physical and moral eff
iciency as citizens. Such assurance
certainly is worth the price paid
Tor it."
About $50 members Of the St
vincent de Paul, the Charity guild,
Visiting Nurse association. board OF
,hildren's guardians, Juvenile So
,iety and other organizations heard
he talk Father McGinn spoke al