New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-11
JURISTS' EVICTION
REFORM DEFEATED
Judge Hartman Voted
Down on Proposal That
Mayor Pick Committee.

Judge Gustave Hartman. who urged
to deal with the subject of eviction,
was forced to abandon his idea at a
meeting in the Hotel Aston yesterday
afternoon In the first place, the
Mayor discouraged him, and then
Cyrus L. Sulzberger, president of the
United Hebrew Charities, said his plan
was 'ill-judged, ill-advised and mis-
chievous."
Rabbi ]. L. Magnes intimated the
judge was meddling with the East Side
when it didn't want to be meddled
with. and TO cap it all the meeting
Judge Hartman called voted down his
project. The judge spoke constantly
throughout the meeting. At one time
he explained:
"I'm a Judge, but I'm not bug.
But the poor, seeking aid, hound me
at my house and hound me in court"
He opened the session by saying
that last year there were SO 900 evic-
tion processes and $50 actual evic-
tions. and that as the machinery of
the charitable organizations might be
cumbersome" he wanted a committee
that could afford immediate relief
while the Mayors unemployment COM
mittee was studying the question.
The Mayor stopped looking out Of
the window at the roof of the New
York Theatre and got up to say that he
thought subcommittee from the
main committee, headed by Judge
Gary, would be best.
ITO create an additional committee
would complicate the situation. Il
would be difficult to get a stronger
committee than the one now in exist
ence, the personnel of which is such
that it can be easily organized into
strong ub-committees. OF course.
there will be a committee on eviction.
and 1t can do the work which Judge
Hartman has reference to-" said the
Mayor, who added that the charitable
organizations up to now had been able
TO deal with all cases referred to
them.
The attack by Mr.. Sulzberger came
rather late in the meeting. but was
made with considerable feeling. lie
said:
THE day after the conference at the
Ansonia a well known professional
beggar came 10 us and asked for
money. We told him. of course. he
could not have it. We'll, I'll get evicted
and go to Judge Hartman's committee
ne said. That was speedy demon
stratlon of what | said to Won that
afternoon-that you were putting a
premium on fraud and Offering an in
ducement TO landlords TO evict their
tenants
"Ihere1l be enough money, if YOU
don't increase poverty cases bv the
thousands by your ill-judged, ill-ad-
vlsed and mischievous methods" said
Mr.. Sulzberger, shaking his hand al
Judge Hartman. "You are driving ali
| sympathy out of the landlord and ere.
ating desire in the poor man for free
rent"
81 have been subjected to a pretty
venomous attack" the chairman replied
81 don't know why I'm praised on some
sides and reviled on others. But the
blessings of Heaven are poured out
on me. And if have succeeded in
goading the charitable organizations
to act ] have done something"
vote on the Mayors idea was de.
manded by Rabbi Magnes, who said hc
! considered 1t the sense of the meeting
In speaking to his motion he said:
Judge Hartman does not know why
] w - pa on some SIDES and re.
viled on others. I'll tell him. He re.
ceives the same criticism that gen.
Grafton of well-meaning reformers anc
uplifters and politicians have, in con.
nection with the East so-called-
OF this city. The East Side-always in
capital letters and quotes. but refer
ring to the poorer Jews. and made III,
stamping ground of all who wish 10 ok
PERTINENT
"The East Side will take care Of il
self, and Is taking care of itself. as ar
integral part of the community. II /,
no laboratory for strangers; il is ;
place where honest men and women ar,
trying 20 bring up families"
Mayor Mitchell got up to 20. bu
Judge Hartman pleaded with him I,
remain, and Mayor Mitchell and Henri,
Bruere, the City Chamberlain. tbei
stood by the window, while the judg,
said:
Il live on the East Side. DR.. Magne
does not. | took up the matter as al
American-not as a jew"
After that the meeting dwindled dow
to a few persons, and with eleven il
the room, besides the reporters. Judg,
Hartman proposed that the Mayor
idea be accepted. There were two vote
AGAINST IL