New-York tribune., 1919-04-16
Senator Abeles Would Put
Restrictions OH Actions
to Evict Tenants; Other
Gives Sixty Days Stay
Aldermen to Probe Evil
Spectators Chiefly TO Be
Blamed for Complaints,
Says President Moran

Henry e.. Schackno, OF New ork. lho
Ahclcs bill provides that where a land
lord seeks TO evict n tenant who re
fuses to pay Increased rcnt he must
show that he has provided the tenant
sufficient heat during tho winter
months and that he has not increased
the rent more than will give him
return Of 10 per cent on the assessed
valuation OF his property.
Senator Abeles said he believes this
bill will help solve the problem of rent
profteering and put an end to the
resort to dispossess proceedings by
profteers. He already has before the
Senate resolution to investigate rent
conditions throughout the state, and
another bill permitting mayors of
cities to appoint anti-rent profteering
committees
The Schackno bill provides that
where a tenant is evicted from house
having three or more families stay
may be granted for sixty days instead
OF only five, as at present
The Board of Aldermen yesterday
added its power to the forces now war
ring on rent profteers. A resolution
was adopted ordering the General Well
fare Committee to investigate the ex-
cessive increase in rentals and en-
powering 1t to subpoena all necessary
witnesses, papers and books.
A,~o1 ,4 SnacuJoforc
The resolution, it was explained,
though not specifically mentioning tax
alton, really is intended to stop spec
ulation by threatening higher taxes to
those owners who lease their proper
ties to speculators who demand exor-
bitant rents Members Of the commit
tee contend the speculator is mainly
responsible for the present critical
situation, and the present measure will
do much to curb him.
The resolution, introduced by Alder
men Edward Y. Gilmore and Clifford
S. Bostwick, reads:
Whereas, there exists In the City
OF New York to-day critical condition
caused by the increase in rentals Of
apartments and dwellings to an exorbi-
tant and unreasonable amount; and
Whereas, this condition is caused in
q great many instances by owners OF
apartment houses leasing their entire
buildings to unscrupulous rent prof.
teers, who are increasing the rentals
beyond a reasonable amount and have
,~%@ u ~
through lease to obtain profits with
out effort by taking unfair advantage
OF lack Of suitable Accommodations to
meet the demand for housing facilities
in the City Of New York, caused by a
restriction upon building material dur
ing the war and by the present high
prices of building materials.
Therefore, be Is resolved, that the
Committee of General Welfare be and
II hereby is instructed to cooperate to
the fullest extent, with the committee
recently appointed by the Mayor to in
vestigate the unreasonable increases in
rentals throughout the city, and that
the said Committee of General Welfare
be and 1t is hereby empowered to in
vestlgate all matters relating to in
creases in rentals in apartments and
dwellings, in the City OF New York, and
TO investigate the practice Of landlords
entering into agreements with lessees.
whereby rents are increased beyond a
reasonable amount, and that the com
,,nlttee snai! have power TO hold public
hearings when necessary, and to com
pel' by sub9na signed by the chairman
OF the committee. the attendance OF
witnesses and the production Of books.
papers and records relevant or perti-
hent 10 the investigation hereby auth
orized" NN'''
IL Is expected the committee. Of
which Alderman William T. Collins ia
rman, will hold its first public
meeting shortly in the alderrnanic
chambers
Moral Effect Emphasized
ffesident Moran Of the board de-
c4ared that if the owner learns that
an increase in his taxes is threatened
ne will hesitate to lease HIS building
% greedy speculator. eve are not
gong 70 bother the moderate rent
iaissr, he aaid. "Thc tenants realize
mat they have to pay little more
'"'ng 10 the general rise. 1t is tho
zeal pronteer we are after and we
2elieye we have found the way tc
deal with him"
AZ the same time the Mayors Com
R'f'ee On aent Proftcerng sent a
circular letter to all Municipal Court
Iudzes IN New York, requesting then
s'o IN the fight againgt the profteerinQ
'andlordg. The letter asks that al
eases indicating rent eztortion com.
lns before the judges be brought tc
me attention Of The committee, which
- headed by Nathan Hjrsch.
This committee Will begin activities
fo-norrow. a STAFF Will then be read.
~ its hesdquarters, room 1920 Mu-
/ Ncipal building, 10 receive data and
complaints.
Inc housing committee Of the State
iseconstruction Commission, another Of
Ihe azsncies WORKING on the rent
pfoolem, yesterday issued an appeal
,,rr volunteers 10 assist them in q
muse IN house eanvass.
an cntyrowth Of the situation il af
tteeE.nz the storage warehouses. The
nsans oa several of the largest house.
e.stsd yesterday that their places we're
stDcked 70 The doors through the in.
aniiity of their clients 10 find apart-
| mentg "p>"' '
Inc moving industry, they also sug.
gsst, has reached the iowest level in Il,
histDry. Vans are stopped on tbe h,
streets " passsrsby, who Inquire where
rfIE IN 4t4s< L