New-York tribune., 1907-12-18
LIMITING FOR TENANTS.
ysNY METHODS DECRIED
oraers of Office Buildings May
Seek TO Improve Conditions.

,os, s de Seiding said last night at the wes,
-. branch Of the Young Mems Christian As
..o,;ou in 57th ST, between Eighth and Ninth
y. in an address about The Management of
u,toun Buildings" that many landlords were
DD.-,sssed at the methods of large numbers OF
~I..oseers for tenants for the newer buildings
% rrere thinking of having the leases affect
80 .bs;r buildings so worded that tenants could
=. nnoye cut until the expiration of their
..es "The search for tenants for the vast
-.her of buildings that are being erected and
n, he ready for occupancy next year has be-
'.,s 60 keen that certain canvassers have re-
s-s5 TO tactics unknown in realty circles some
-.o-s ago" said the speaker ''In some cases
/ =, canrassers have got corporations which had
,.,sss from the plans space in buildings TO be
| .ned next year the year following to decide
v oc.urv space in the buildings for which thew
..rehf tenants They succeeded in doing this
sr guaranteeing that they would see that the
.r,s of the first lease was paid. Briefly they
assumed the first contract and had the corpora
.ors enter into contract with the owners they
-spresenfed
The liability assumed by one canvasser or one
.r;ing agent amounts 10 between $4,000 and
reaeao year Landlords. al least those who
have had such experiences. look upon this as
,nthing more nor less than breach OF con-
.-sct for corporations IN such transactions have
se-eed 10 occupy certain space In their build
,ues and when those buildings are ready for
aecupancy the corpora tons viii be found in
sng,heT structure and the offices which they
ssd leased In the first place will be vacant.
Moreover. landlords who have had such expert
ssces think they are entitled TO damages from
eeporations who have done the things COM
pained Of on the ground that vacancies Of this
md damage building There has been good
ssi OF correspondence between landlords
agents and canvassers recently and the men
snd companies who invest in Office buildings
ere likely 10 take proper measures to protect
TER vast interests an the near future"
For some weeks many owners Of large down.
.cxn buildings occupied or soon to be opened
have vehemently complained about these amaz-
hs methods Of various canvassers to get tenants
sr buildings owned by persons for whom they
cork The first public announcement however
% this deplorable state Of affairs in the renting
trsiness Of the real estate market was that
made by Mr.. de Selding last night
Mt de Selding is the agent of the Singer
Building and many other large downtown Office
fructures. He was at one time president of
he Rea Estate Board Of Brokers
Continuing. he said: Certain renting condi-
nat at time when there is a stringency OF
money there is a greater rivalry for tenants
Tarious canvassers have also visited hundreds
. firms or corporations which have been in
1ae building for some wears and told the heads
4 those concerns that they could get as much
pace and more conveniences in new buildings
han in their old quarters. Naturally. the per-
zssiveness of the canvassers resulted in some
Inns giving I'D their old places and the re-
aiming tenants have had long talks with the /
amer NJ the representatives Of the owner of !
heir building about having their rents reduced |
'ow the canvassers. whose tactics In this re- |
peci not fair. had or have nothing better |
offer to firms or corporations they sought |
tenants
Il is difficult task to get an efficient man
sr or agent for q building. There ere manv
splications for such places but most OF the /
rphcants not qualified for the work I |
nee asked Warren Cruikshank TO let me know |
hen ne knew Of good capable applicant for i
ork as manager CT the renting department of |
real estate office. He said that If he met such /
person looking for employment he would not |
NE know. but wosid hire that person him /,
eh
The age of luxury has Invaded the downtown !
Zee buildings. The tenants demand more con- |
sniences. more improvements than ever be- /
re About FIVE years ago Uttered water was /
dded the luxuries OF tenants Some years /
60 the business man. while he, gave considera- /
k attention to the plans Of mis- home, paid /
Tie attention to whether or not his Office was |
'tractive. had plenty Of light and air and many |
cnyeniences. He now wants the is>-s modern
hce he can get and if his wants are not looked ;
fer he will move out Some OF the latter day !
INJURIES Of modern office life are the cleaning OF /
ais and clothes. and Il viii probably not be ]
ong before tenants demand that their shoes be |
hined"