Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-05-16
HOUSING
FIGHT FROM PULP|TS
Churchwomen Interview Dr..
Krusen-Demand Immediate
Action on Law Violations
DIRECTOR TO ASK $4,000

Verbal tits, accompanied by smiles,
were frequent today between DR.. Kru-
sen, director of Health and Charities
and a committee of churchwomen and
others who complained to him of hous-
ing conditions in this city.
Director Krusen was told unless the
city acted promptly on complaints the
general public will be appealed to
through the pulpits.
Several weeks ago one hundred and
fifty members of the Churchwomen' s
Housing Association went to DIR. Kru-
sens City Hall Office. They gave him
a lengthy list of questions based on
alleged insanitary conditions in many
dwellings here.
In reference to DR.. Krusen's request
that smaller number call on him the
next time, only twenty were in the
protesting group today. The delegation
included John Ihlder of the Philadel-
phia Housing Association Mrs. Will
liam B. Abbey, chairman Of the Church :
women's Housing Association: Mrs. j.
A. Crane. Mrs. J. A. Samuel and Mrs.
Marian l.. Cohen Polak. secretary OF
the Big Sisters organization.
$4,000 More to BE Asked
With DR.. Kruscn when the delega
tion arrived were John A. Nogelson,
chief of the bureau of health, and Carle-
ton f. Davis, chief of the water bureau.
Director Krusen told his visitors he
had prepared request to Councils for
an additional SOC. 900 for the abatement
of nuisanccs. The request was not in :
troduced at yesterdays meeting of
Councils.
One question in the long list sub
mitted to the director several weeks ago
was on the 4egal ability of property
owners to collect rent for dwellings
without water or toilet facilities. Doc
tor Krusen said City Solicitor Connolly
had given an opinion that the owners
were legally entitled to the rent.
Mrs. Abbey jumped to her feet when
the director gave this answer.
"Do you mean to say she asked,
that here in Philadelphia houses can
be occupied and persons derive an in =
come from them when they have none
of these basic decencics?'
It Is the Law, Says Krusen
Doctor Krusen answered, THAT is
the law as ! received it from the City
Solicitor
"And that is the status of living in
Philadelphia. rejoincd Mrs. Abbey in
sarcastic tones.
Doctor Krusen explained what was
being done to amelioratc complaints.
"The Big Sisters Mrs. Cohen =
Polak said. 'fcel that if co operation
is to result in any good there must be
absolute honesty on both sides,
Mrs. Cohen Polak referred to the
large number of housing law violations
which, she said, exist but against which
the authorities have not proceeded.
New Work is Necessary
.'New work is necessary, but If moi
followed by improved conditions tht
only result will be nice little graft
for favored contractors and conditions
in tbe homes will be virtually the same
.sYou ask for co operation. Now you
have il: but it must not be one sided
affair. How soon can you proceed
against the property owners who nave
ignored you? How long will you give
them before you publish the names oi
these yiolators of the law!
"Will you continue to treat rich
u,aIefactors as favored persons or will
ron rubbish their names irrespective OF
nos;t;on? These are the things we
want to know, so we can find out if
Won are really working with us or just
nretendiny to fall in with our plans
We've gone too far now to withdraw
and he satisfied with pretty words.
"JJnless conditions are better, now is
The time to appeal to the people at large
through the pulpit.