The Washington herald., 1908-01-03

New York. Jan. 2.-More than 2,400 East
Side tenement dwelling families have re-
fused 10 pay their full rent for January.
Take what we offer or nothing" was
their ultimatum to-day when the collec-
tors. refused to accept so TO 80 per cent Of
the January rent.
The collectors in most cases chose the
latter alternative, and as a result the
landlords will at once institute thousands
of dispossess proceedings TO gain their
end
Besides the 400 families already affect
ed. it was said to-day at the headquar-
ters Of the Tenants Union, at 313 Grand
street, that 5000 more were in line and
would fight the landlord on these lines
when the monthly payment was de-
manded.
DO Not Refuse to Pay.
There will be no fat refusal TO pay. but
they win refuse to pay more than 50 per
cent of the amounts demanded.
More than 5000 more families have sign
ed protest blanks, but they live in houses
that are not fully organized The re-
mainder of the families in these partly
organized houses, however, are expected
10 Join the movement when the rent col
lectors appear
League Urges Resistance.
The executive committee of the Anti
High Rent League issued long state
ment 10 tenants in which it said:
The conflict with the landlords to-day,
the first rent day since the organization
of the strike. is only the beginning. The
struggle viii be continued until rents are
reduced in every tenement of the east
side. Lawyers Lave volunteered TO act
for the tenants In the courts.
As fast as families are dispossessed
they viii be temporarily taken in by
other families not yet put out. But we
do not anticipate that very many win be
dispOssessed when the landlords see our
determination and the perfection Of our
organization.
The whole east side cannot be dispOs-
sessed. Besides, the expense and the loss
for the landlords viii be too great and
they viii be forced TO give in early in
the battle We have already organized
already secured reductions for $50 tenants
EACn ~ omen Ala strikers.
a smartly dressed young woman wear
ing expensive furs went to the Grand
street headquarters and watched the
work with interest. After a while she
introduced herself to Mr.. Caplan. stating
that she was heartily in sympathy with
the rent strike movement and wished it
success.
When she left. Mr. Caplan would not
reveal her identity. but saiu she was a
wealthy woman who believed in socialist
principles.
Il do not represent Rose Pastor Stokes
or any one else" she said. Il dislike
notoTiety and would not think Of giving
my name or speaking at meetings, but
1 would give the movement financial aid"
Refuse to Aid City MarshaIs.
City marshals viii be thwarted in at
tempts to dispossess tenants by a sym
pathetic strike by the United Transfers.
Abraham Kustin and Joseph Schwartz,
representing the east side local Of the
union, called at 313 Grand street and de-
clared that the members had decided not
10 help the landlords. Their announce
ment was enthusiastically received, and
the two LETT, saying they would persuade
others To side with the strikers.
Annie Levy, owner Of IS Montgomery
street, it was thought by her tenants.
would yield promptly TO their demands.
but instead she went to the Madison
street court to-day and sWOTe out war
rants against three tenants.
we are on strike" they said
"AH right, she replied. I'll strike,
too. Wen see who can strike hardest"