Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-03-28
TENANTS FIGHT
RENT GOUGING
Organized Endorsement of
Walker Bill at Public
Hearing Today
LANDLORDS TO TELL SIDE
Legislative Committee to Hear
Arguments for Law Allow
ing Court Action

Organized representation from at
least two sections of the city and indi-
viduals from various other neighbor-
hoods are expected to be present in
City Hall this afternoon to go on record
in favor of the Walker bill, designed
to put an end to rent profiteering.
A legislative subcommittee will sit in
Room 469. at o'clock, and conduct
) public hearing to determine sentiment
toward the bill. The members of the
committee are Representatives Benja-
min M, Colder, William ]. Brady, Byron
Miller and James Walker, author of the
bill.
Both tenants and owners or agents of
properties where the rent has been ad-
vanced so noticeably that friction has
developed between the tenants and prop
erty owners will be present to place their
side Of the case before the committee.
The South and West Philadelphia
branches Of the Tenants Protective
League met last night, and both will be
represented at the hearing. Both or
ganizations decided to send representa-
tives to Harrisburg in behalf of the bill.
West Philadelphia Branch Organized
The West Philadelphia branch was
organized at the meeting at the home
or s. r McDermott, 5317 Malcolm
street The residents of the $500 block
on both Malcolm and Hatfield streets
were present to voice their grievances.
The Malcolm street tenants say they
nave received n fiat notice from agents
to vacate April 1. The Hatfield street
tenants are complaining against an in
crease in rent that marks n jump of
30 in the last six months. Brown and
Leonard, of Fifty-second street near
MARKET act as agents for the houses.
Downtown tenants, met at Ninth and
jackson streets and also decided to have
representatives present at the meeting
Labor delegates will attend to petition
that the committee headed by Benja-
min M. Colder report favorably on tn.
bill.
The tenants downtown, after refusing
to pay an increase in rent, were ordered
to move, but now are counseling de-
faDce of this latest order They have
decided to make 1t $50 expensive for
the agent that he won't dare put us
out one Of the speakers at last nights
meeting said.
Provides Appeal in Courts
The bill which was introduced in the
House by Mr.. Walker Of PHILADELPHIA.
directs that when any lands or tene-
ments are leased to any person or Der
sons for fixed term, or at will or
sufferance. the rent to be paid by the
lessee shall be fully agreed upon at
the time the lease Is made. If at any
time thereafter the landlord shall de-
sire to regain possession of properties
on account of nonpayment Of rent,
winch the tenant refuses to pay alleg-
ing an enormous increase, or if the
landlord, at the end of the term, noti-
hes the tenant to vacate, and the pur-
pose of such notice is not to regain
possession but to increase the rent, 1t
shall be lawful for all tenants to apply
to the Court of Common Pleas by pc
! tition. Such petition, under the bill,
would operate as an immediate stay of
any pending proceeding for the ousting
or dispossession of the tenant 1t is
provided further that the court shall
grant hearing on such petition within
thirty days of its presentation, and if
1t is found that tine facts are well
founded an issue shall be awarded to
determine the truth. The jury in such
cases shall find from the evidence what
is fair rental, and the finding entered
as judgment.
In cases arising under a claim or
demand for nonpayment of rent If the
landlord files q renunciation of that
portion of his claim in excess of the
original contract further proceedings
would be Immediately halted by the
bill.