Evening star., 1949-05-07

wasnGngtons kaIrS In taet things RAD .-s-
proved IN Rl.s day. When tae Old Rrrwery
IN New Yosgs Five Points area w&s puaaed
down II 1850. coaSn aags et human bears
~ere found between walls
In 1890 R4< nrss oook- How Ire Other
Hail Lives" was published This Description
Of life IN the olo-lAw tenemeatS had = terri
&C impact CT New Yorks conscience The
book wAs the nrSt event IN . train that III
el2dec appointment O. committee reports,
passages O! legislation, Anc cleanup O! Tire
worst conditions that Was followed by otasg
American cities
Beast Of Dishonest idlenexs"
Riis could write Listen 10 this from his
description O. Mulberry Bend tensmena
"IncesSant raids cannot keep down the
crowds that make them their home In the
scores Of back alleys, Of stable lanes and
hidden oywayS Of which the rent collector
alone can keep track they share such Shel-
ter as the ramShaekie structures AFFORD with
every kind Of abominat.on rtied from the
dumps and ash barrels nf the city. Here, toe
stunning the light. skuiks The unciean beast
OF dishonest idieness The Bend Is the
home Of the tramp as well as the raSpleker
RilS kept right on as a police reporter al
though he vas oecomtne one OF the eeSi
known writers in the country, Magazine edi-
tors were bidding for his pieces, He ground
out book after book in his battle,
Lincoln Stefyens tells about eneountertnS
Rtis when he was sent TO cover police tor
the New York Post at the time the Rev DR.
Parkhurst Was making the sermons from the
pulpit OF his Madison Square church that
led 10 the Lexow Investigation, Riis VAS
covering police for the New York Sun.
According 10 Stetiens Riis made more
noise than any OF the reporters cooped in
the little Offices across from the police head
quarters building. He Was always below
ing Max" for his copy boy. Max Fischel
Those were the days before telephones were
in general Use and every reporter had boy
to rush his copy 10 his newspaper, Riis vas
always exposing n police brutality when he
witnessed IT, His loud laugh bothered the
police They wondered what he would come
out with In the Sun next.
Genesis Of an Appropriation.
The Lexow investigation led TO the cleo
ton of Mayor william Strong and the APP
pointment Of Theodore Roosevelt as head Of
the police commissioners, Riis worshlpped
the ground Roosevelt walked on and Was
one of those who were sure the young COM
missioner was a presidential possibility.
Roosevelt had great respect for Riis and
when he became President he sent for Riis
to inspect Washington's slums. Riis' report
led to the formation OF q Presidents hous-
ing committee headed by Or. George NJ.
Kober, a physician. and Gen. George Stern
berg. a retired Army ofacer, Many low
rental houses occupied in Washington today
were built at that time.
Riis went on an inspection trip OF the
alleys south OF the Capitol. something like
the one the other day. He was asked 10
testify about 1t before a senatorial commit
tee considering a housing appropriation.
Riis told OF visiting one room occupied by
persons apparently suffering from venereal
and tubercular diseases He said 1t was
raining without and laundry was drying
within. On the lines. he said. he noticed a
number OF towels marked Senate Barber
Shop"
The appropriation was passed.