Evening journal., 1918-06-05
LABOR Gets AFTER
RENT PR0f|TEERS
Writes TO Washington Pro-
testing Against Whining
ion Housing Conditions
NAME COMMITTEE TO
RECEIVE PROTESTS

The Central Labor Union devote
one hour OF its meeting last night q
discussion on the subject Of pronteer
ing landlords. The following letter wa
sent to the Department Of Labor Blu
reau of Housing, Washington, D. c.:
'.The Central Labor Union OF VII
mngton, Del. and vicinity, represent
ing over $500 workingmen Of the com
munlty and their families, desires &
place for action on your part stu
alton regarding Wilmlngton's housing
condition that needs immediate atten
tion.
Hundreds of the working people o
the city have been In receipt of notices
from their landlords. insisting on th'
tenants vacation Of the rented prem
ises on June 25, 1918 Wilmington Is &
shipbullding and war industrial city
Its working people are all engaged
more or less, In the production Of es-
sentials. Shall the houses we rent and
live 10 be rented and sold over our
heads, meaning that practically we are
dispossessed2
I'VE are under the impression that
your Bureau of Housing wants TO see
the working people In a community
like Wilmington, comfortably housed in
homes which are rented on fair and
equitable basis whereby no extortlon
IS made. There are many cases Of ex-
tortion or pronteering on the port OF
landlords that we can point out conclu-
siyeIy to your department.
The Central Labor Union asks you
to send to Wilmington Immediately, a
staff representative, empowered to
make an investigation. This matter
is one which yitally interests our
community and the government, so we
know you will act promptly on our
request. Kindly have your represen-
tatiye report to our secretary, who
will be prepared TO substantiate any
claims made In this letter, and who will
be prepared TO direct him In the work.
The Housing Committee was instruct
ed to prepare full report on the rent
profteering subject, and present II 10
the Delaware State Council Of Defense
as shortly as possible. The large num-
Der OF private homes not occupied by
the owners and merely kept open by
caretakers, was brought up. and II was
decided to recommend that the hous-
ing problem could be helped by the
Government forcing the owners TO open
up their houses TO house war workers.
A committee comprising George l..
GrifHth, John Bralnard, J. A. oliver, j.
Winfield Scott and Fred w. Stierle, was
named by President William r. Seward
to handle all protests against rent prof.
teerlng. The committee is 10 receive
statements from tenants who have Just
grievances, and an invitation was eX-
tended to the general public TO tender
all such evidence, properly sworn TO
before a notory public, in writing, TO
the Central Labor Union, p o. box 592,
Wilmington.
A letter was received from John g.
Saylor. district superintendent OF the
L. s Employment Service, expressing
appreciation for the testimonial dinner
rendered by the Central Labor Union,
and for the travelling bag presented by
the delegates.
The secretary was instructed TO cor
respond with the secretary Of the Del
aware State Fair Association stating
that contracts had been let by the
Fair Association to employers Of non
union labor.
Under reports OF organizations, the
organization committee reported that
a new Walters Union had been or
sanized with a membership Of l6s
members. The new organization will /
affiliate with the O. L. q. at the next
meeting, as will also the Leather
Workers Union New delegates were
seated from Delmarvis local order Of
Telegraphers. A com
mittee Of three G. L. y. members viii
attend the meeting Of the Brother
hood OF Maintenance Of Way En-
ployes at Red Mems Hall, next sunday
10 secure afflliation OF this new labor
Tie secretary was instructed fol-
owing the report of delegates from the
Telegrsphers Union, to
write letters 20 Senators Salisbury and
Nolcott and Congressman Polk, stating
hat In view Of the fact that the West
.rn Union Telegraph Company refused
o abide by the decision OF the War
labor Board and dismissed from It's
service men who were members OF the
lnion, It Yves labor's viewpoint that the
United States Government should take
over the telegraph companies and run
them under the same plan as the rail-
roads are being managed by the Rail- ,
read Administration.
The secretary was instructed to com ,
munlcate with the State Treasurer, Rd- ,
vocating the establishment OF a branch ,
ONCE at Wilmington, where working J
people and others SO desiring can call ,,
and pay the State income tax.