Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1919-08-29
TENANTS WILL
Give FACTS AT.
PROBE OF RENTS
Occupants Of Apartment
Houses to Hear Explana-
tions Why Their Rents
Were Raised.

ha will be 80 the city nah TO
listen to the explanations of land
lords why they have raised their rent
rates from Is to 40 per cent for the
ensuing year.
These tenants also will hold them
selves in readiness to tell the story
from the standpoint of the oecu-
pants, should the city councils plan
contemplate hearing both sides Of
the question which has plunged the
entire city into a state OF unrest Dor
dcring on evaporation.
Tenants to Have Say.
"We will be there fully prepared"
said an occupant of the Majestic
apartments, Sherman avenue and
North Eighteenth street. 1T makes
no difference what attitude the coun-
Gil strikes, we will have something
to say which will be vitality to the
point"
All efforts to obtain explanations
from the real estate men and prop
erty owners so far have been fruit
less, it was pointed out. Landlords
simply have arbitrarily raised their
rent rates and let it 60 at that.
"They have made no attempt to
justify their actions" declared a
man, whose rent has been increased
As per cent. 1--WE have asked the
owner OF the property to show
cause for this unusual advance. Our
request has been ignored. We were
told that if we did not like it, we
could move out"
Charge Secret Agreement.
Tenants are charging that there
is a secret agreement between the
real estate men and apartment house
owners of Omaha to boost their
rates simultaneously so that the &C.
ycupants of rented buildings and flats
here will be unable to find relief
from the oppressive rates by NOV
ing. 1--WE are invited to move" de-
clared one man, "but the members
of this combine know full we'll that
!. is impossible for us to move into
i place on which fair rental has
been placed"
There has been considerable spec
ulation as to whether or not the
members of the city council will di-
rect their efforts, when they resume
their investigation, with a purpose of
ascertaining if a combine or con-
spiracy exist between those who
control the for rent properties of
the city.
City Council Responsible.
Az the single meeting held to
probe the rent situation a weeksago,
It is charged that certain members
Of the council showed a disposition
to favor the property owners.
Should it xa~velop as result of the
Souncilnianic investigation that
such a combine does exist, then it
S believed the duty of relieving the
situation will devolve upon the coun-
Ill. Members of the council have
aot indicated what action they
would take in the event it is found
4 combine has been formed in
Omaha for profiteering purposes at
the expense of tenants who have
been rendered helpless through the
designs of real estate owners and
agents.
II the council do not manifest
better faith at their future sessions
than they displayed at their single
session held a week ago, it has been
agreed among the tenants who have
organized that they will have moth
ing further to do with the matter
SO far as the city officials are con-
cerned. They declare they will take
their cause direct to the district
court.
Insist on Definite Stand.
Real estate men and also tenants
it is said, will insist on the city
council taking definite stand. The
commissioners will be asked at least
to make a statement regarding their
investigation. They will not be per-
mitted to simply drop the matter
without committing themselves as
to what the probe developed,' said
one of the leaders in the revolt at
the Angelus apartments, Twenty
fifth avenue and Farnam street.
Even if the city commissioners
fail to make recommendations !;
even if they are unwilling to take
the matter up with the proper court,
it is our purpose to put them on
record, if it is necessary to call on
the councilmen separately and in
sist upon the publication of their
opinions"
Only One Session Held.
The fact that only one session
has, been held by the council to in
vestigate the rent situation is taken
as indicative OF the fact the probe
has not been actuated by the best
motive, it was said.
"For weeks now a city-wide ap-
peal has being going up by thou
sands OF victims of this real estate
combinat ion," declared an occupant
of the Drake Court apartments" The
only response which has come from
the city hall was the announcement
of Mayor Smith that the council
would 60 to the bottom of the mat
ter. We have been watching and
waiting. The council held a single
meeting. They did not make any
Roadway. Mayor Smith seems to
have formed the idea that he was
solving the high cost of living prob
lem with his municipal stores. Dean
1 Ringers grief is known to all. He
is a busy man. The other members
OF the council have found plenty Of
time in which to talk, but they have
done, nothing. II their efforts are
not marked by more speed ir the
future than they have been id the
past, the investigation at the city
hall still will be in progress weeks
after the matter has been disposed
Of in the district court"
Some More Raises.
Notice has been served on the