New Britain herald., 1919-07-16
Equalizing Supply and De- mand Only Solution to High Cost of Rents, Coun- cil Committee Decides.
ASSESSORS ASKING
 FOR TWO MORE MEN

A received by the common council at it's regular monthly meeting this evening, when the special committee which has had under its consideration the scarcity of rents and the high cost of rents makes a statement of cOndi-' tions as found and recommends that the real solution of the problem is a readjustment of real estate condi- tions whereby the supply and demand will be more equaIized. Another item that is bound to cause some discus sion will be a resolution presented by the board of assessors asking for two additional field clerks to assist in the work of revaluing the property in the city.
 When the council originally voted to have the city reasessed, it was agreed that an expert should be hired at a salary of $4,000 and that he should have two assistants at $1,500 each. It now appears that the as sessOrs do not think that two assist ants will be sufficient and they desire to engage two more at the same fig Ure, giving MT. Linder, the expert, a working staff of four men at a com- bined yearly salary of $6,000.
 Supply and Demand.
 The report of the rent Investigating committee will show that the question of the high cost of rents is not one that can be regulated or aided by any committee work, but can be solved only by the economic law of supply and demand. The only real solution to this question is, the committee will report, a real building movement in the city. The members of the commit tee are convinced, from their investi- gations that there should be no fight Waged to reduce the cost of rents be- cause unless a man who builds a house can be assured of sufficient revenue to provide him a fair rate of interest on his investment he will not build.
 The committee has listened to a number of private complaints about the high cost of rents, but has held no public hearings because of the pe- culiar, and somewhat private, nature of these objections. With the assist ance of the police department card index with about 10000 tabulated ac- counts of as many tenementS in the city has been obtained and these will prove valuable in future work. The committee will recommend that this file be turned over to the building inspector who shall, in his judgment, permit them to be opened to anyone who can show an interest for the well fare of the city. It is understood however, that these files are not to be open simply to satisfy idle curi- osity.
 Building Boom Needed.
 Furthermore, the committee will suggest that the press, the chamber of commerce, the city goVernent and other important factors in the com munity development wage an inces- sant campaign of publicity in favor of a building boom here. The banks, manufacturers, real estate dealers and others with capital will be partic- ularly urged to investigate this form of investment and aid in carrying on a systematic building campaign. In addition, the committee will advise that all buildings be encouraged and that popular opinion be obtained to support the move and if necessary public meetings be held to overcome certain minor objections that might be raised to particular enterprises.
 Tn conclusion, the committee will state that in it's opinion the reduction
  complished by any committee work, | but is something that must come 1 about by a building movement where l hv the supply of rents obtainable will | be more in keeping with the demand | for the same Then, and then only, | will the price of rents drop to more 1 reasonable figures. The committee l will not recommend the cOstinuance l of it's existing body, but will suggest l that the matter be left to public en- 1 terprise and civic development.
 Will Oppose Garage.
 Inst what action will be reCOm- 1nended in reference to the proposed ] garage on West Main street, which is being strenuously opposed by Mayor Quigley and the New Britain institute, depends upon what the council does in reference to proposed ordinance to restrict the building of such busi- ness houses in residential sections.
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