The tenement house census shows a total of 3,364 tenement houses in
the Greater City, and puts in the possession of the department a body
of facts bearing upon the localization of bad housing conditions
throughout Pittsburgh. This was the first logical step to be taken
toward dealing intelligently and efficiently with the situation. To the
accomplishment of this task the main energies of the tenement house
division have been devoted up to the present time. From every source
in every quarter the cry of "hard times" has been insistent and the
authorities up to the present time have deemed it inexpedient to force
drastic plans for improvement. They have endeavored to keep things
clean, and have insisted upon necessary repairs, but orders relating
to structural changes have been held in abeyance pending a revival of
more prosperous financial conditions. The process of eliminating privy
vaults, however, the most threatening sanitary ill, has been vigorously
continued. Thus far 5,723 vaults have been filled up and abandoned
and 9,323 sanitary water closets for the use of 10,471 families
installed in their places. A census of the first twenty wards shows a
total of 5,793 vaults still in use in these wards alone. No figures
are as yet available for the remaining twenty-four wards of the Old
City,--or the fifteen wards on the North Side.
[Illustration: PITTSBURGH: EQUIPMENT FOR HOME LIFE.
Four houses, one behind another, climbing up hillside between streets.
Under the porch to the left were two filthy closets without flushing
apparatus. They were the only provision for five families in the first
two houses.]
[Illustration: CLEARING THE VAULTS OUT OF PITTSBURGH.
Each dot stands for five vaults.
Illustrated by the first twenty wards.
8,567 vaults as found by present health administration.