The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-17
WALL AROUND CITY
URGED IN PLAN TO
MAKEIT RATPROOF'
Copeland Wants Each of )
Boroughs Protected by
5 Foot Structure.
FEARS BUBONIC PERIL
Estimated Cost of so to 100
Millions Offset by
Damage Saving.
REALTY BOARD OBJECTS
Calls Proposals as Outlined at
Hearing Too Severe-Plague
at Texas Ports.
FEARS BUBONIC PERIL
REALTY BOARD OBJECTS

An ordinance amending the building
code to make New York a ratless and
ratproof city by the erection of a
veritable wall of concrete around each
of the five boroughs, extending back
500 feet from the waterfront, has been
PROPOSED by DR.. Royal S. Copeland,
Health Commissioner, and a hearing
on the proposition was held yesterday
by the Board of Standards and APP
peals. DR.. Copeland declared that the
necessity for such a safeguard, which
would cost at the most conservative
estirnale. between $50, O00, 900 and $780,
00a,00G, lies in the worldwide spread of
bubonic plague, which is carried by in
fected rats, and the grave probability
OF its appearance in New York. as it
aires ~ has appeared in a virulent
form in several other American cities.
Or. Copeland's ordinance would re-
uuire that every existing building
within 500 feet of the waterfront must
have it's foundation walls at height
of at least FIVE above the grade level,
and it's area and retaining walls and
the surface of it's lowest floor and out
side areas constructed of concrete,
stone or similar hard and impervious
material travelled to a smooth surface.
Means an Enclosed City.
1t is also provided that the concrete
or masonry shall be covered with wire
netting of not more than one-half inch
MESH as must also the doors ana
windows. Buildings of frame construc-
ton must have the space between the
studs filled with brick laid in cement
mortar and must be screened. These
regulations would not apply to build
tngs recently constructed, as they are
tlready rat proof, but 1t Is believed that
srobabiy SO per cent OF the structures
Within the designated areas would have
10 be so remodeed at an estimated cost
Ok about $3.50 for each twenty feet OF
frontage.
- this ordinance is adopted and It's
,ns carried out New York will he
enclosed within a solid wall
nry and concrete as there VIII
aces where the wall of the vari-
dations will not Join. But this
<,-->>ia ~ - eti>~-
thorities declare, would mean
nd of the rat menace so far as
city is concerned and would
the danger not only of bubonic
II of all other epidemic dis
.icf are carried by infected rats.
,dld lessen at once and elirui-
altogeIl within a few years the
4 property damage done by rats. This
amagn is estimated by Federal statisti-
clans d about $40. 100000 year for this
! city alone while DR.. Victor G. Heisler OF
the Rockefeller Institute estimated the
damage at S35,000.000 year for New
York. and 5000. 900. goo for the entire
coustry. DR.. Heisler also points out the
significant fact that one pair of rats will
produce in three years 359. 709.402 rats.
There are now believed to be about
5000 600 or more rats in New York.
Opposition to the plan.
There was some protest at the hearing
yesterday against the proposed ordi-
nance, principally from the Real Estate
Board and the Building Managers AS
ISOLATION. Representatives OF the Real
Estate Board declared that they could
not approve the project in its present
FORM but did not say that it would op-
pose modified proposal to protect the
city from rats. The Building Managers
Association through its representative
declared that the provisions Of the ordi-
nance are too severe and that they
would work a hardship on property
owners Dr. Copeland declared tnat no
matter what the initial cost, the great
protection gained would more than Off
set the expense.
Dr. Copelands alarm over the proba-
bllity of the appearance OF bubonic
plague in New York was increased by
n recent visit to Europe. where he found
there was more of the plague along
the Mediterranean coast than there had
been in many years and that those coun-
tries are without money or scientific
means TO check It's ravages. This. Of
course. increases the possibility of II
being brought 70 America by rats aboard
ships.
The disease Is already making It's APP
pearance IN the country. There have
been no cases reported as yet In New
York. but there have been several In
Galveston. Houston. Pensacola and
Beaumont. In three months thirty cases
Of the plague have developed In Calves
ton and twenty-five in Beaumont