Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 61, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 March 1917 — HOUSING REFORMS TALKED LONG AGO [ARTICLE]

HOUSING REFORMS TALKED LONG AGO

... I HERBERT SPENCER AND THOMAS HUXLEY DEBATED QUESTION IN ENGLAND Protection of Tenants is Dependant on Health Housing is a new thought which is being woven into our twentiethcentury government along with many other ideas which are called into being* through a new realization of community needs, writes John Malitor, chief of the bureau of housing, Pennsylvania department of health, in the Philadelphia Ledger. Many towns are still without hous--hrg-TBgniHiluiiM. Mid where they have been thought of they have been considered part of the work of building Inspection under the public safety department and not the health department—the old theory Of safety being the protection of life from physical violence, while the new theory is not only this protection, but- also the protection of life from violation of an insidious nature. , In the famous argument between Herbert Spencer and Thomas Huxley, at the time England was trying through parliamentary procedure to do something to correct insanitary conditions on private property, Spencer objected that “such legislation would amount to a social tax for the good of society, directly for the comfort and security of the rich.” Huxley replied: “If my neighbor chooses to have his Jrrins in such a state as to create a poisonous atmosphere which I breathe at risk, he restricts my freedom to live just almuch as if be went about with a pistol threatening my life.” A health department cannot properly do the work of protecting the health of the people without control of the housing problem. In order, therefore, effectively to prevent the development of housing evils the health department should have charge of building . inspection and the approval of plana and should see that they conform to good housing and health laws. Suggestion for state uniform law" for housing regulations‘to be incorporated with ordinances establishing local boards of health: All buildings occupied for living purposes must comply with these housing regulations, and all new buildings must have their plans submitted to the board of health for its approval and must be made to conform to these regulations before the work is started. The board of health shall employ A trained inspector, who Is also under the direction of the state authorities. Multiple dwellings should, if possible, be prohibited, but where unavoidable they must provide separate entrances, porchest hallfe toilets, bathrooms and yards for each family. No building shall occupy more than 65 per cent. of the lot. cellar should be used tor living or sleeping purposes. Basements, when more than 50 per cent out of .tlje- groundj - may- -be -used—for hltehen and laundry purposes only. Dark, windowlees rooms should not be permitted. Every living and sleeping room must have at least 700 cubic feet of air space and with window space area of at least eighteen square feet, with sash arranged to easily open top and bottom, providing tor cross ventilation by the placing of windows in opposite walls or the use of transome over doors. No ceiling should be less tijan eight feet clear, except in attic rooms, where not more than one-half of the ceiling area shall be reduced, the room providing not less than 700 cubic feet of air space. All halls and stairways must be well lighted and ventilated by natural means. . All bathrooms and toilets must be lighted and ventilated by natural means. Houses should not be permitted on alleys less than twenty-five feet in width, nor unless a definite ordinance is passed converting the alley into a street, with grading, paving and construction of sewer provided tor. Houses must not be built on rear lots. AH houses built without cellars must have the first floor built at least two feet above tiie ground, and on sloping ground the loweaUpqint: must be twelve inches above the ground. The f>space under houses must provide opening for ventilation which must be screened to keep out Animals and insects. Stores, shops, etc., without cellars must have floors of hard, dampproof material laid upon the 4 solid ground. There shall be no keeping of live animals, poultry or flte in any store or part of the house. Where such articles are kept on sale they must have been previously killed, cleaned und kept in proper ice boxes provided with glass covers. The only way they, can be' kept alive on the premises would be in properly, .constructed pens er coops in the yard, eta, deer of the house, with proper arrangements made for the killing ad disposal of an eotaufls and waste M a saniinsr arnnMn