New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-09-19
A Moratorium for Soldiers

Real estate interests, mortgage loan
companies and kindred investors of capitai
cannot be expected to greet with pleasure
tie bill drafted by Judge Advocate General
Crowder which in effect would declare
moratorium for those in military service
for the period of the war. Yet 1t Is Cd
vious that some legislation must be enacted
70 protect the men in uniform and their
families from the consequences OF inability
70 fill various civil contracts which SER
vice of the government prevents their NIL
ing A moratorium may not be the best
POSSIBLE way of meeting this need, but 1t
seems to be about the only practicable
method yet suggested.
The soldiers and sailors civil rights bill,
as il is termed. would prevent the sale OF
property of a man in the government ser
vice to satisfy judgment obtained against
him. 1t would prevent the taking of Judg-
ment by default, in justice to the soldier
or sailor who could not make personal de-
fence or arrange for legal representation.
1t would suspend the statute of limita-
tions, so that a debt owed to a soldier
might not be outlawed during his absence.
1t would prevent his family from being
evicted for failure to live up to the terms
of lease or rental agreement; it would
protect him against penalty for default in
payments on mortgages or business con-
tracts; his property might not be sold for
! L; 60 iub
be terminated because of unpaid premiums.
All this is provided for merely because
the officials who drafted and are support
ing the measure recognize that the national
crisis has precipitated innumerable do
nestle financial crises. Men who have vol
unteered or been called to the colors have
been unable, in most cases, to leave their
families provided for as they were before.
The salaries of salaried men have ceased.
Professional men could not bequeath their
earning capacity to their wives. But
leases, rents, taxes, payments on mort
cages are expected to 60 on as before. For
the rich this has been no problem, but for
those in moderate circumstances, or for
wage earners, at the best only able to keep
out of debt in these days Of sky-reaching
prices, it has been cause for apprehension.
The proposed law follows in general out
line a measure enacted in Pennsylvania
couple of years ago, tested in the courts
there and upheld. That eXempts men mus
tered into state or Federal service from
the operation of any civil process dur
ing the time they shall be under orders and
for thirty days thereafter. 1t suspends
the statute of limitations on all claims dur
ing that period. Legislation of this char
acter throws a considerable burden on
landlords. holders of mortgages and direct
" or indirectly on many classes of inves-
tors. That is not necessarily an argument
against it in this day when changes are
being brought about, under wars spur,
which few years ago would have caused
spasms in Wall Street if they had merely
been mentioned. There is a general recog-
milton of the fact that burden bearing can
not be escaped by any class in the commu-
nifty, and particularly that those who 60 to
| the trenches and their families must be
spared other burdens where it is humanity
possible.