The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-05-19
VTGILANTES AFTER
RENT PROFITEERS
Threaten to Show Up Shady
Past Records of Those
They Find Guilty.
EVEN MENTION HANGING
Less Radical Workers in Same
Cause Plan to Build
Houses.

THE vigilantes'' have been formed
ito put the fear OF God into the prof
iteering landlord A typed message
to this effect was received last night at
THE SUN Office
Thus far the ''vigilantes" have inves-
tigated six cases. two OF which were
dismissed because II was shown that
the landlord had not raised the rent be-
yond fair return on his money.
Judgment in the third case was
against a landlord who had boosted
rents unfairly three times in the last
six months.
Investigation showed a false return
in his income tax" the "vigilantes's"
official report reads. This will be
handed to the Federal authorities. There
are several violations of fire laws on
his property, also n violation Of health
This also will be reported to proper
authorities, and we will soon see wheth-
er the city really means to cooperate
with us"
Three complaints were adjusted be-
tween landlord and tenant to mutual
satisfaction.
zone OF the landlords was a little
balky at first" the report says. but
an intimation that a little OF his past
history would be revealed, and his wife
tipped Off to some Of his little failings
brought him quickly into line"
The Tyranny of Foreixners.
This procedure is not ethical, we
know" the Vigilantes' secretary notes.
but we believe that the end justified the
means, and that In certain cases the
people have the right to go to any ex-
treme to get Justice. As the Ku Klux
Khan in the COS broke the tyranny of the
negro and the carpetbagger over the
Southerner. so the vigilantes win try to
break the tyranny OF those foreigners
who do not own house but only rent
the rents with purpose Of gougins the
honest American worker and business
man.
we propose shortly to advertise these
men. show them up openly in the press
and on the billboards. stating only facts
that can be proved. but giving details
pitilessly OF their past and present, and
hold them up to the scorn they deserve
OF the community. II the press won't
help us for fear OF libel suits we will
print our own paper. weekly or monthly,
and circulate II broadcast, 30 that pros
pective renters are aware Of whose
clutches they fall IN.
III all this fails with some Of the
worst of these profiteers. then there are
other means to bring them to time.
The Vigilantes will take no action
except in real cases OF profteering.
There are thousands OF good landlords in
the city. and we will also do all we can
TO help them, but the meanest Of all
pronteers the ones that rent the rents
for all that is in II. had better beware
a ma a al.
the law as It stands. but II any OF us are
caught. we will take our medicine with
out a squeal
"A whipping or hanging is too good
for some Of these porfiteers"
Plans of Housing Committee.
The housing committee OF the State
Reconstruction Commission will meet
Wednesday in Albany at the Chamber
OF Commerce TO take up the housing sit
uation up State as disclosed by pre-
liminary questions which the committee
sent TO every city and town up State.
Thomas Adams, the Canadian housing
expert, who is in charge OF the Govern
ment housing plan in Ottawa, has been
invited to address the conference
Aoram i. Elkus. chairman of the Re-
construction Commission, speaking last
night concerning the project providing
for subscriptions OF $4,000. 900 by citi-
zens with which to build homes for at
least $500 families, said:
The present plan of the Reconstruc-
ton Commission has not been put for
ward as a permanent solution of the
housing problem either of the city or
the State. On the face of II, as our
report to the Governor states, II is an
emergency step to meet the present
crisis In the city. OF New York in the
hope that It will begin a normal, active
era OF building to supply our acute need
and better standard OF housing.
Our studies OF the situation are much
more fundamental. We have made a
study or all the Government systems of
loans for huosing both here and abroad
and later on will put forth the results
of our Investigations"
me housing reconstruction CORPORA
ton. which is to be capitalized at IS
100000. may be organized to-day TO
carry out the purposes OF the plan.
Chairman Hirsch of the Mayors Com
mittee on Rent ProfteerIng. will have
a conference with builders and contrac-