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expended much labour, of a most irksome and unpleasant kind, in investigating
and bringing to light many instances of overcrowding and indecent
occupation.
It appears from the notes furnished to me by the Inspectors, that one
cause of the overcrowding in this District is from the large immigration of
foreigners, principally from Poland, who arrive here in a state bordering on
destitution, and are received by their fellow-countrymen, who are not in a
much better pecuniary condition; but who, nevertheless, allow them to
occupy a portion of their only room, in which their own family resides, until
the new comers can obtain work.
The rents of the houses in many of the poor neighbourhoods, particularly
those bordering on the city, are much increased, owing to such houses
being in great demaud. Many of them are in the possession of foreigners
who, in order to pay the advanced rent which is demanded, are compelled to
crowd into each room as many as it will hold. A curious fact has been
brought to light by the visits of the Inspectors, viz.: that the English
and Irish, who formerly occupied these houses, have either been compelled
to remove, or have left of their own accord in consequence of the advance
of rent, although the accommodation is not improved. The result is, that
they go a short distance from London and avail themselves of the early
and cheap workmen's trains, or the tram cars. It further appears that the
people of different nations do not harmoniously amalgamate; for we find
that the English Jews, who are very numerous in this District, live
together in certaiu localities, while the foreigners live together iu other
parts ; the Irish are located by themselves, and so are the English.
It might be inferred from what has been just stated that the high rent
which is demanded for lodgings in poor neighbourhoods is the cause of
overcrowding; it may be so to some extent; but in my opinion the price
for which rooms are now let has not so much to do in causing overcrowding
as many people may imagine; for, if rooms could be obtained for one
shilling, or even for a less sum per week, the practice of sub-letting rooms
would not be diminished; the desire of living not only rent free, but the
obtaining of a further profit by sub-letting a portion of the room, would
still prevail.
The question may be properly asked—how is this state of things to be
remedied? Every person, whatever his condition of life, and wherever his
residence, is deeply interested in this inquiry; and it is in vain to assert
that the question of overcrowding among the poor in narrow and confined