HOUSING REFORM — FORD. 743 



}5erhaps also a long period of unemployment before new work is 

 foimd. In extreme examples a state of mind which has been termed 

 "slum disease" is apparent, in which individuals have become chron- 

 ically indifferent or careless because they have found themselves 

 unable to cope effectively with an always depressing environment. 

 The serious effect of this attitude of mind upon industrial output is 

 obvious. 



HOUSING AND SOCIAL WELFARE. 



It is impossible to create a high civilization in a democracy where 

 a large portion of the population must exert its entire life in strug- 

 gling against destructive environmental conditions. The body is 

 the tool of both mind and soul. A healthy body is a first requisite 

 of the largest moral life. An individual can contribute little to the 

 promotion of general well-being until rid of the weakness or pain 

 which ill health causes. The essential prerequisite of efficient democ- 

 racy is a healthful home life, with elimination of all the destructive 

 elements now present in our slums and with the presence of the con- 

 structive elements — sanitation, safety, ventilation, sunlight, space, 

 privacy, and beauty. 



HOUSING LEGISLATION. 



Public action, to render the existing slum less dangerous to physical 

 and moral health, begins in ''health acts," the provision of public 

 water supply, public sewage systems, and the regular collection of 

 refuse. Modern cities or States usually go further and frame health 

 laws, governing the minimum sanitary conditions of existing dwell- 

 ings. In America the inspection under these laws ordinarily falls as 

 an additional task to existing health or police departments. Build- 

 ing codes, enforced by a local department of buildings, generally 

 set minimum standards for the construction of new buildings. There 

 is a definite modern tendency to fuse requirements covering new and 

 old tenement houses in tenement house acts or housing acts passed 

 by State legislatures. Such acts may apply to specified cities, to 

 cities of specified classes, or to an entire State, and may be either 

 compulsory or permissive. The requirements should cover height of 

 new or altered buildings, size of yards, courts, rooms, the lighting 

 of rooms and halls, fireproofing, etc., and should establish standards 

 of sanitation and upkeep which would make it impossible for any 

 person to build or occup}' a tenement which is demonstrably danger- 

 ous to health, safety, or morality. Administration under such acts 

 should be definitely provided for, with ample penalties and ample 

 funds for continuous and careful inspection, and for all office work 

 mvolved under the act. The details of such laws are suggested by 

 the experience of New York City, New Jersey State, Columbus, and 

 by Mr. Lawrence Veiller's recent book "A Model Housing Law." 



