The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-12-28
One New York Tenement
Owner Notified to Obey
City Health Law.

New York, Dea 28.-The rent strik-
ers turned a new and unexpected wea-
pom on the landlords today when they
came down on DIR. ]. Wasserman, Jesse
and landlord Of the tenement at IS
Stanton street. with an order from the
board Of health requiring him TO make
extensive repairs to his plumbing and
comply with the health regulations.
The house is the starting point OF the
rent strike and its example Will be
used TO guide other tenants in con-
Quoting their opposition to landlords
all over the east side. The landlords
now fear an outburst of board of
health orders at the instance of the
striking tenants
DIT. Wassermann is a dentist living
at Rivington and Allen streets. Short
" after he was notified by the board
of health this morning, he was visited
by a deputation of his tenants.
He showed disposition to compro-
mise If they would agree to raise
the cost of the repairs to the house
he stipulated he would lower the rents
to the figures they had set.
Compromise is Refused.
But this did not suit the tenants.
The committee filed out. wagging their
heads. saying. NO. no."
| Soon a report spread over the east
side that the first landlord had Of
fered TO settle. 1t was received by the
excited men and women with cries Of
| triumph as a sign of the tenants win
ming.
The organizers of the strike said this
morning that they at last were begin
ming to get the big movement in hand.
They had been working day and even
ing as missionaries. trying to band the
tenements in each house in unanimous
compact to refuse to pay rent.
Their organization is inadequate to
handle the work. While they had been
awaiting the organization of over a
thousand tenants in more than 200
houses, they have so far completely
organized only eleven houses with Ala
families of tenants, a slight fraction
of the entire number.
These eleven houses, however are
all unanimous Every tenant in each
one has agreed to stand by his fellows
and take evfcted tenants in for shelter,
stand for eviction himself if needful,
and pay no rent until the landlord
| agrees to the strikers terms.
Tenants Stand Together.
written demands on the landlords. As
yet only two arrests have been re-
ported.
| Besides DR.. Wassermann, the landlord
at PIC Cherry street. gave his reply.
He agreed it is reported, to lower his
rents in case other landlords should
do the same The tenants say they
will stay on strike until they get a
more definite assurance.
Eviction Starts Strike.
1t was from 167 Allen street that the
first eviction took place today. when
the family of Hyman BETTER. who is
out of work and behind in his rent
since Dec. IS. was put out. The evic-
ton brought about the strike in this
building, a least.
| The tenants were startled by the
sight of the women and children on
the sidewalk, and decided they would
join the strike. They made a common
agreement. and took the homeless fam
lily in among theg. presented demands
on the landlords for lowering the
rents and the return of the Belt
Iers to their fiat at a lower rental
which they would be better able to
pay.
Already there has been rush on
the part of landlords to evict tenants
at present in arrears. Five families
at IS and 70 Stanton street, the orig
inal starting place of the strike, were
served with notices, although the
month had still several days to so
They are likely to be thrown out bag
and baggage.
The general refusal to pay rent will
n is believed clint thp MunicinaI Court
with rent cases after Jan. l.