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20 UNFAVOURABLE CONDITIONS.
these narrow and tortuous streets ; and, in point of fact, they
every year make more difficult that radical replanning of the
district which is called for. Moreover, the extrusion of the
working classes, which is increasingly taking place in some parts
of this district gives rise to a fierce competition for the
tenement-houses which remain. This is a serious and increasing
evil. Meanwhile the local authorities own from three to
four acres of land in the centre of this unparalleled London
site, and these acres are occupied by an old Union
House, where aged and infirm people are lodged under miserable
surroundings. 1 again earnestly submit that these
poor people would be infinitely better and happier in the
country, and that upon the site of this old Workhouse, and
its surrounding old houses, a splendid area of model artizan
dwellings, chamber work-shops, and workmen's dining-halls
could be provided upon a basis which would combine a 3 per
cent, dividend with an enlightened philanthropy.
"It would certainly be desirable to provide lodgings, or
chamber-master-workshops, under proper sanitary regulations,
for such workers as are connected with the great shops and
warehouses of St. James's. But the development of new
suburban villages—such as those of the Artizans' Dwellings
Company at Queen's Park, Harrow Boad; and at Noel Park,
Wood G-reen—together with cheap trains and trams, will
provide more health and comfort for the working classes
than any possible block-dwellings upon costly sites in
Central London. In the event of opening up this district
by a new street, a question would arise as to the large site of
the old brewery in Broad Street, Golden Square. It is obvious
that a brewery is out of place in St. James's, in so much as it
defiles the atmosphere, and burdens crowded streets of great
importance with a vast amount of heavy traffic.
"The encumbering of large and valuable areas in the
centre of London by old workhouses, where the aged and
infirm poor are cooped up under miserable surroundings, and by
breweries and other coarse factories, is becoming a question of
large metropolitan importance. These are cases to which an
equitable Parliamentary persuasion should be applied. Moreover,
in breweries and some other factories, the highest quality
of production cannot be obtained except in a pure atmosphere
and in newly-planned aseptic buildings furnished with modern
plant."
In my Beport for the year 1899 (page 11) appears the
following reminder :—
"In the north-eastern quarter of St. James's, the old back
streets, the old brewery, and the old workhouse on its extensive