Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-06-20
COUNCILS TO ACT
ON PROFITEERING
Committee Hears Com
plants of More Than 100
Tenants
MAY SUMMON OWNERS
Women Tell of Jump of $o
or More Month
Rent

Further action to curb alleged rent
profiteering is expected to he taken at
this afternoons meeting of Councils
when the special committee inyestigat-
ing rent increases returns its report !
More than a hundred complaints OF
residents in all sections of the city were
made to the committee at a special
meeting held last night. Members OF
the committee expressed the opinion that
In some cases drastic action should be
taken against the owners because or
clear-cut proof of profiteering. During
the meeting women testified to having
sons and members of their family In
the service and told of frequent rent
raises by landlords.
Common Councilman w T. Colburn,
chairman of the committee. announced
that owners of houses will be subpenaed
and asked to show cause why rents We're
increased. Details are expected to he
worked out at Councils meeting today.
with Councils taking a hand in the
fight against the alleged profiteers, there
are four elements now making an effort
to protect tenants-the Emergency Fleet
Corporation, United States District At
torney's office, the Philadelphia County
fuel administration and Councils.
Efforts to Stop PronteerinE
District Attorney Kane is investigat-
ing complaints, where families who
have members in the service are af-
fected. Similarly, congressional action
is awaited on bill prepared by Ad-
miral Bowles assistant general man.
ager of the feet corporation. which aims
to stife rent increases. Administrator
Lewis will not permit coal to go into
cellars of houses from which tenants
hay hon IN
realty dealers. THESE and Councils
action are expected to effectively prevent
all further profiteering.
Several striking cases brought de-
nunciation from member of Councils
committee. Mrs. Sophie Noyeck, 23S
North Stafford street, told of having her
rent increased from $40 to s24 despite
her meager earnings and sick child.
Mrs. Joseph Levick, 263S South Mildred
street. was forced TO pay s2a, as against
normal rental Of s17. Mrs. c. Bere-
son, 701 Mexican street, was jumped from
$50 to S35. with a 'pay-or-move' edict.
Mrs. Robert Boyd. 1926 Brewster ave-
nue., who was accompanied by her son,
who works at Hog Island. said that she
had two children in the army. Il was
paying $40 a month a year ago. Now
they have raised that to Sl4. received
notice today that I'll have 10 pay SIT
shortly" she said. She further added
that there isn't even gas or other con-
veniences in the house.
Members of the committee said that
this was a real case of profteering,
when she told them that the owner
wants $500 for the house
Mrs. Thomas Neary. 26s0 South
Tenth street, who spoke for residents of
that block. said rents were increased
from s16 to sci. Mrs. Beckie Grossman,
722 Mexican street. testified to a jump
from SIS to $23.
r. t. Scherer, of 10 North SiXty-first
street. who representeu group Of pro-
testing tenants from that block, will be
compelled to pay s34 after July !, he
said. He has been paying s27 a month
Walter Seall, of 342 North Robinson
street, who represented eighteen Of his
neighbors. said that year ago shs
monthly rent was sl1; now II is SIS,
and on Monday evening he received n
notice that he'll have to pay $22.
Three persons who testified that their
rents were boosted in the last year from
$50 to $40 a month, are George Huber.
who lives in the house at 445 Skunk
street; Charles Zarrel, 425 Skunk street.
and Mrs. Emma Summers, who lives at
1873 Skunk street.