New-York tribune., 1918-07-17
Socialist Measure Finally
Put Through by Board
of Aldermen
Rent Action Deferred
Message Sent to Pershing
Congratulating Him on
u. S. Achievements

On fourth attempt the Board of
Aldermen yesterday passed resolution
snproying the appropriation Of $780,
oOo by the Board of Estimate and Ap-
nortionment for the purchase of food
and fuel by the Commissioner of Public
Markets Of the tiftyfve votes needed
n PASS the resolution the Democratic
majority could previously muster only
dfty-four. Yesterday the vote stood
fftv-seven to twelve.
The Republican members opposed the
resolution, on which the Socialist dele
cstion of seven voted with the Demo-
Gratis.
After the board had passed the res
oution message from the Mayor was
read, in which he requested the board
to pass a resolution naming on a
Mayors board on food and fuel the
Commissioner of Health, the Commits
sioner of Public Markets, Corporation
Counsel, Chamberlain, Deputy Con-
troller and the president of the
Board Of Aldermen. Alderman Moran
offered the resolution, which was car
ried. The commission thus chosen will
assume the duties heretofore exercised
by the Commissioner of Markets.
The second Socialist measure to be
passed since the seven aldermen took
Office last January was voted yesterday
at the last session of the board until
fall, when Alderman Braunstein intro
duced resolution petitioning Congress
to enact legislation to prevent protiteer-
ing in rents.
Text Of Resolution
The resolution adopted was as fol-
lows:
Whereas, A large proportion of
landlords in the City of New York
have increased the rent charge upon
the tenants of their properties in eX-
cess of any just and reasonable
amount; and,
"W hereas, In time of great ma
tional crisis it is of special impor-
tance to protect the masses of the
people from every burden which is
without the warrant of actual neces-
sity: aud,
"Whereas, Profteering in rent is
not confined to any single city or
locality, but has become general
throughout the country; therefore,
be it
Resolved, by the Board of Alder
men of the City of New York:
"l) That the said board hereby
petitions the Congress of the United
states speedily to enact legislation
which will etfectually prohibit prof
iteering in rent; and,
"l2, That a copy Of this resolution
be transmitted to the President of
the United States, the president OF
me Senate and the Speaker of the
House OF Representatives"
Fare Increases Opposed
Another Socialist motion introduced
by Alderman Nladeck, calling upon the
board to go on record as opposing any
sanction by city or state authorities of
1are increases on the Brooklyn Rapid
Transit lines, was defeated The reso-
luton was referred to the Committee
on General Welfare, although Alder
man Lee moved that the committee
consider it Immediately.
Alderman Vladeck characterized the
move of the B. r. T. as "the most scan
dalous attempt at war protiteering vet
made by any public corporation Of the
greater city"
In statement given out by the So
cIallst members OF the board they de-
.toic eHdC tue QeHdNu OF tno IS. II. i :,
II granted, would mean an additional
gross revenue of at least $4,000 900 a
year over the present gross revenue of
%5ouoQ,0U0 and an annual tax of more
man $50 on each Brooklyn family.
- according to statement issued by
;. Williams, president of the B. r.
H., says the statement, dated June
1o' 1918, the revenue of the company
Tor the fiscal year ended June so, 1918,
VIII VII decrease only to the amount of
SeZ5,O0o in comparison with the reve-
nue. Tor 1917, which means that, even
VITA increased cost of labor and ma
'erlals, the system will still enjoy a
net profit of around s6,5Oo,000 on n
capitalization of $50, ,0oO,O 900. an actual
return of more than 8 per cent"
Message 10 Pershing
The board voted unanimously to
cable to General Pershing the follow
ing resolution, introduced by Frank l..
bowling:
Resolved, That the Board OF Alder
men of the City OF New York warmly
c'ongratulates General Pershing and
,ne army under his command upon the
s'ghai success just achieved by the
american troops on the battlefelds of
France.
We are proud of the splendid show
ing OF the New York boys
= May this victory be the harbinger
u e a speedy and victorious termination
ol W the conflict now being waged for
freedom and