The sun., 1919-05-14
THREAT OF MURDER
AGAINST LANDLORD
Brownsville Tenants, Angered
by Raise of 81 a Month,
Promise Reprisal.
HOUSING EXPERTS DIFFER
Magistrates Lcnient and Of
ficial Committees Try to
Settle Rent Disputes.

3 Outside OF alleged threats OF murder
directed against a landlord by his indig-
rant tenants because of an increase OF
VI month in their rentals, and unreas-
enable impatience by flying squadron
OF newspaper photographers who are
being held In leash under orders to
hasten to the first church or synagogue
where the first evicted tenants are really
taken for shelter. Nathan Hirsch, chair
man OF the Mayors Committee on Rent
Prohteering. said that the housing sit
uation as far as 1t concerns Brownsville
wash pretty nearly in hand yester-
day
In many instances there. and in other
succeeded in effectlng settlements be-
tween rent takers and rent payers. Mag
fstrates. too, dealt leniently with re-
calcitrant tenants who were taken be-
fore them. generally extending the time
Tor dispossess to the last possible hour
The immediate solution of the whole
problem" so Mr., Hirsch said. sis media
tfon and Cancellation. The final solu-
more houses. In order to build them we
need State or Federal aid"
But Mrs Henry Moscowitz, secretary
Of the Governors Reconstruction Com
mission. felt otherwise concerning the
later proposition.
I'VE do not believe that State or NUM-
cipal aid can help the present acute sit
uation," she said. 1T would take toe
much time. After investigation we may
favor a plan of municipal housing for
the poor. and we are already working
ON one which would be permanent and
extend over term of years"
Landlord Says He Loses Money.
The suggestion of sudden death. herein
ABOVE noted, reached the Mayors COM
mittee in the form of an affidavit from
Philip Rubin of GIT Watkins avenue
brownsville, who swore that the tenants
IN his houses at SIS and GIT Watkins
avenue had threatened his life because
he had asked them to pay 81 more a
month on each apartment Rubin COM
planned that his receipts for the last
year had amounted 10 only $1,75O,
whereas his expenditures for the same
length OF time had been s2,043. He
tackled the extra dollar on each rent
Dill merely to try to break even, he said
The committee has invited the tenants
TO meet Mr.. Rubin at It's offices, where
an effort will be made to adjust matters
The New York City Community Coun-
ellis of National Defence are to COOP
crate with the Mayors committee in the
housing problem. It was announced yes
terday. At an marlborough conference
Of delegates from the councils held last
night In the Aldermanic chamber at City
Han resolution was passed that a
committee be appointed to put the or
ganized neighborhoods in touch with Mr.
Hirschs organization.
Each local council Is to appoint a
committee Of five on rent prohteering
Cases may be reported to these COM
nittees and they will collect evidence
and report to Mr.. Hlrschs headquarters
ln~ six instances in Brooklyn yesterday
Capt. Charles 4. Goldsmith of the
Mayors committee effected settlements
OF rent strikes. Thirty-four families
were on strike at 534 and $40 Powell
street owned by Mamie Sidman; twenty
three others refused TO pay rent in a
house owned by Selma Basin at Ss1
Htnsdale street, and there were equally
grave difficulties in house at 2O44 Ber-
gen street, owned by Herman Fairness
where twenty-five families were in
volved. The landlords were permitted
to raise their rents from 81 to 50. ac-
cordlng to location.