New Britain herald., 1919-06-04
REDUCING THE RENTS.


 New Britain rentpayers are to assem- ble and take steps, if possible, to al- leviate the high cost of renting in the city gives promise of a thorough in vestigation of the methods of the 1 landlord herea bouts if nothing else. New Britain is, like many other cities, suffering from 8 certain per centage of grasping property owners who are not hesitating to take advan- tage of the scarcity of living quarters and forcing their prices to the highest point. Rents have increased as much as fifty, and in extreme cases, one hundred per cent during the past year or so, although there is at these prices a big demand for apartments. What has become of the Taxpayers association? Several months ago the officials of this organization undertook a campaign to lower the proposed tax rate and were successful. One of the things that were to result from the project was a. scale of rent that was not to be increased and possibly be G1Tn1n1ShSd several ldnOlOrOS were members of the association and were able to show the voters that a reduc- ton in tax rate meant 8 reduction in rent because of the lowered cost of upkeep. Still, since that time, the rents have been steadily climbing. The Herald is not in possession of any figures dealing with that particular subject but would be interested to know whether any of the landlords directly involved have found it neces- sary to raise the rents in their build ings since the campaign. Why does not the Taxpayers association take up the rental proposition at the present time and inquire into the costs of places to live, the reason thereof and the possibility of remedying the mat ter? Our taxes were lowered by the association. Why does it not follow up the steps 1t has taken for economy and look into the rents?
 Meanwhile it is our impression that the Mayor has appointed committee to look into the, problem. Nothing very striking is on record from that committee which, like many others, seems to have retired into innocuous desitude directly after it's appoint ment. It rests on it's laurels evident ly though we would like to be shown what the reason for the laurels is
 The rent question is not an easy one to solve here without the cooperation of every landlord in a manner that will hardly be expected.
 The war distributed in the pockets of the citizenry such money as has never before been in evidence. Now that the war is over the cry is Get that money and the devil take the hindmost." The American public is digging deep for everything. The mer- chant is paying more and charging more. No one seems to be able to re- tain part of what he gets. There is plenty coming in and as much going out. Another big contributing factor to higher rents is the rapid advance in the price of real estate and houses. Many houses are being bought at a great deal more than they are worth in the hope that the future will enhance their value. The tenant is paying the score with interest. He finds that the house he has lived in for years at a decent rental is suddenly sold at a price far above what it was ever deemed worth. Then he finds that he is having ten per cent int tereSt on the investment to the landlord, which raises his rent proportionately.
 However, there are in the city many interruptions individuals getting much more rent for their places than the property is worth because the tenant has nowhere else to go. A most con. servative estimate would place the demand for rents in the city at about 15O at the present time. The Herald had an interesting demonstration O. this several weeks ago. A classified advertisement appeared announcing that a desira ble house would be fol rent for the summer. Before the pa, per had been on the street twenty four hours there were ffty-ive an swers in the box. If the new rent payers form an association and builc at once they will find a ready marke for their wares. It is the best solu ton of the problem.
 WATERBURY'S WELCOME.