The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-05-09

estate. We succeeded this year in re-
ducing the tax rate In all boroughs at
least four points. This IL n direct sub
stsntial benefit to every owner Of real
estate In this city. 1t is probable that a
large majority appreciate this, but few
are taking advantage OF present condi-
lions to extort unheard OF sums from
tenants who they may believe TO be In
their power.
'"rhe committee is working slowly and
carefully. Conferences have been held
with Judges and Representatives OF the
bar. and have no doubt measures will
be proposed TO the next Legislature
which will prevent recurrence OF this
condition. 1 sympathize with the land
lords but we shall insist that tho land
owner have some sympathy for his ten
ant"
Fifty-six tenants OF the apartment
houses at 2l01-2109 Harrison avenue.
The Bronx, sent petitions yesterday to
Mayor Hylan and Gov. Smith asking re-
lief from the alleged proflteering demands
OF the Rudlnsky Realty Corporation.
which owns the building. Jennie Ru-
dinsky of II Convent avenue. 10 the
president. The petitions say they have
been notified that rents will be advanced
from 80 to SO la per cent. October 1, and
that they must sign leases for two years.
Secret Passages Under street.
Fire secret underground passages lead
Ing from one street to another In 1--WE
East Side blocks have been discovered
by Miss Nellie G. White, assistant head
director OF the Hamilton House Settle
ment. according to report she made
yesterday to the Governors Reconstruc-
ton Commission. Her report covers in
detail thickly congested italian block
which UP to eighteen years ago was pop
ulated entirely by Irish. Ten years ago,
Miss White says. It was impossible to
walk there after dark ut was cleaned
up five years ago and is much safer now.
she says.
Miss White reports that a landlord
was Obliged to install arc electric lights
In n dark alley between two Of hls build
lng5 because. after a man had been muir
dered there six weeks ago his tenants
all insisted that they would move II he
did not.
The Reconstruction Commission, in its
survey OF living conditions in twenty-five
typical city blocks, first obtains a short
history OF the neighborhood. The City
History Club has been asked to under
take this work Tho nationality of ali
inhabitants IL learned. together with the
proportion of English spoken. Studies
are made Of the type OF work engaged in
by the jewellers. the kind OF industries In
the neighborhood. the condition Of the
streets in regard to congestion, cleanli.
ness. paving and the location of stables
Playground facilities and community
work are also carefully noted.
An intensive study OF each block IL
then made including the nationality OF
each family, sanitation. plumbing. state
of repair, storing OF rubbish in cellars
fire escapes. lights in Railways. condition
of toilets and number of garbage cans
A survey of stores, churches, family fac.
tories. milk stations and other buildings
is also made.
The housing committee OF the commits
sion IL seeking TO learn what degree OF
relief can b. obtained from present con.
dtions through speculative builders OF
| lenders. insurance companies. uNited
dividend corporations building and loar
associations, a fuller use OF existing
buildings such as the turning OF old sin
gle family dwellings into multi-famll,
houses and through lowering or stabiliz
ing the price OF building materials
III these agencies fail to respond suf
| hciently in supplying additional housing
how will We take care OF the increase ir
| population" the committee asks in q
statement given out yesterday.