"THE BATTLE WITH THE SLUM"

Mr. Jacob A. Riis of New York, delivered an effective lecture in the Living Room of the Union last night on "The Battle with the Slum." He outlined the work which has been undertaken through the energy of a few citizens, and illustrated with excellent stereopticon views some of the important changes that have been brought about in the excessive crowding of population, the most important factor in the slum problem of New York, and in concluding he urged college men to aid in this work for the social betterment of the city masses.

The population of New York, he said, is increasing so rapidly, and the value of property is accordingly becoming so high, that the poor are obliged to pay about one-third of their yearly incomes in rent. Usually, in the more crowded sections, there is about one family to a room, no matter whether the family is of three or ten members. This congestion of population has led to a death-rate four times as high as when families lived in flats of four or five rooms each.

The greatest progress which has been made in New York to offset this condition has been in the destruction of dark alleys, where poor tenements containing rooms in which no light or air had access, were prevalent. In the investigations made by a committee for the purpose, 360,000 rooms were found which did not have any external openings for light or air. Now the laws forbid the erection of any structure in which there shall be a single room which does not have an external opening. Mr. Riis showed many interesting views of the poorer quarters of New York under the old and the bettered condition, with the remarkable differences they exhibited, to illustrate the progress which has been effected by these laws.

The second great evil that the investigating committee found in the slums was the environment in which the children were raised, which it described as containing all the influences that tend toward unrighteousness and corruption. Much of the best work that has been done in New York to offset this environment has been accomplished by means of new school-houses, recreation centres, and open playgrounds. In the last few years $80,000,000 has been spent by the School Committee of New York in this work.

One of the most important features of social work has been the establishment of classes and boys' clubs, as well as manual-training and cooking classes. These classes teach the children reliance and give them a chance to assert their own individuality, and to express their own ideas, the lack of which is a strong factor in their moral degradation. If the children can be educated by means of beautiful schools and open parks, half the battle will be won.

In concluding, Mr. Riis urged that college men should aid in this movement to uplift the masses in our large cities. It should be an essential part of the creed of all people, he said, that we are our 'brothers' keepers and are responsible for their lives and deeds, especially when we are cognizant of their need for help.