Tenement House In The Early 1900's

In the early 1900’s many of those who immigrated to America experienced unfair wages and working/ living conditions. Tenement houses were crowded, dark, loud, hot, foul smelling, unhealthy, and there was no fresh air (Riis, 1999). The people living under these conditions, typically didn’t have a choice because it was the only thing within their budget. Workers within the meat-packing industry worked in unsafe and unhealthy conditions. Those who had a job at the Shirtwaist Factory also worked under unsafe conditions and received very low pay. After living and working under such awful conditions for quite some time, many writers addressed the problems in their work in hopes of making a change. These writers are also known as muckrakers. Many
There is a possibility that the harsh conditions in tenements were not only caused by crowding, but also from poor use of the tenement and construction. In 1900, arose the New york State Tenement House Commission who created a separate Tenement House Department for the City of New York which would later help pass the Act of 1901. Jacob Riis and Lillian Wald were two City reformers that showed concern for the wellbeing of the non wealthy immigrants. The terrible health conditions within tenement houses was brought to the public’s attention after The Tenement House Committee investigated the premises. In 1901 the Tenement House Law was put in place. As new tenement houses got built they had to accommodate specific sizes and had to have a certain amount of light and ventilation. After all these changes, Edith Elmer Wood stated that tenement houses no longer had, “‘accumulations of filth,’ ‘no dilapidation or extreme disrepair,’ no privy faults and few old hall sinks”. Because City reformers expressed their concerns and complaints, life in tenement buildings became much safer, comfortable, and there were many
In 1909 the International Ladies Garment Workers Union led a strike demanding more realistic hours and higher pay. On March 25, a fire began to rage within the factory. The fire lasted 18 minutes, killing a total of 145 people. Unfortunately, many of these deaths could have been avoided. For example, the fire hose within the factory was rotted and rusting, there was only one working elevator that broke down and only held 12 people at a time, doors leading to an exit were locked; many young girls jumped to their deaths in hopes of escaping the fire. On April 5, the workers union marched to protest the conditions that had influenced the fire. Following the tragedy, the Sullivan Hoey Fire Prevention Law and the New York Democratic set became a reform party. Both were very important and helped from similar events occurring in the future. Now, there are many regulations and standards that must be followed, known as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Those who went on strike along with the Triangle Shirtwaist Company Fire both led to safer conditions for workers (Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire,