The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-08-17
RENT CASES TO GO
TO y. 5. ATTORNEY
Relatives Of Men in Service
Charge Excessive Raises
by Landlords.
AGENTS PROTECT OWNERS
Refuse to Reveal Whereabouts
Of Two Sought, Despite
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The Mayors Committee on Rent Prof
iteering win turn over to the United
States Attorney tomorrow a number OF
cases Of alleged rent pronteering which
come under the provisions Of the SOL
diers' and sailors| civil relief act.
This will be done as result of con-
ferences held last week between Nathan
Hirsch, chairman of the committee. ana
representatives of the Department of
Justice. Walter s. Kennedy, Assistant
Corporation Counsel. has the data on q
number Of cases Of excessive rent rails
ing charged by service men and will
present II TO the Federal Grand Jury.
The cases to be investigated are
Lieut. Arthur L. Vamedoe, a tenant of
2612 Broadway. Manhattan, which Is
Under control of one, Jesse Sharp of
Sharp Co.. real estate agents, with
offices at Broadway and Ninety-ninth
street. Sharp & Co. appeared before the
committee, and while only agents of the
premises, refused to divulge the where
abouts of Mr.. Oppenburg of the orion
Holding Company, whom they admitted
to be one of the officers of the company,
also to furnish the address Of Mary
Mccullough, the principal stockholder
In the said company. although they had
promised to do 30 at a hearing held in
the Municipal Building.
b. Wollman. residing at 1912 Avenue
J. Brooklyn. filed a complaint against
Harry Wollman Of 1912 Avenue ].
Brooklyn, claiming a violation of the
Federal act. The tenants son was in
the army at the time the rent was raised
and later was killed in France. The
landlord In this case proposes a settle
ment.
Mrs. Meissner. s34 Fifty-frst street.
Brooklyn. presented a grievance against
her landlord, James W. Kenny. who
raised her rent So while she was depen-
dent upon two brothers In service in the
United States army. Another brother,
member of the 27th Division, has lust
returned from overseas, but he is un-
able to obtain work. This case is pend
ing settlement
H. E. Purcell, attached to the United
States navy, complained against Celia
Horowitz, II West Twenty-third
street. Manhattan. because of an .n-
crease of $11 on his apartment at
21S Bradhurst avenue, The Bronx. It is
proposed to settle this case on the basis
funding the excess amount collected SO
far
Anna O'Rourke attached to the Can
teei Service OF the army, accuses Jacob
Gremat, the treasurer of the Common
wealth Estate, Inc, lessee of Joseph
Schenck. whose activities are under
close scrutiny by the County Presecu-
tor. The premises involved are 5000
Broadway. The matter is still pending.
Mrs. Lennon. a twidow, $40 Eas
163d street. The Bronx. pleaded a vio-
lation of the Federal act in that Will
lam II. Wiefelmap Of the A. w. w. Co,
Inc. 273 East 19Sth street. The Bronx,
had raised her rent 81 Notwithstanding
the fact that tho widow-is dependent
upon two sons now in the navy. This
matter also is pending. NN3fs
NJ. A Lee. 2502 Eighth avenue, Man
haitian. attached to the War Depart
ment. and claiming privilege under the
FEDERAL act, also complained of threat
ened distress and dispossess from his
apartment while in the Government
service. Mr.. Lee has wife and two
children. This matter is being investi-
gated.
Nehring Brothers, Inc, ST. Nicholas
avenue and 174th street, of which Fred
erick Nehring is president. Paul Nehring
Vice president. and Charles Nehring
secretary and treasurer, are accused of
violation of the Federal act by William
NJ. Trainor. father of four children. re-
siding at SEQ West 174th street
His rent had been raised $3.50 white in
military sevice. and his wife had been
served with a dispossess notice on which
she was obliged to go to court. This
matter is pending.
A total OF 763 cases were settled by
the Rent Prohteering Committee last
week in each OF which concessions were
made by the landlords either in reduc-
ing the amount of the increase or grant
ing yearly leases in place Of the unsat-
isfactory month to month arrangement.