The evening world., 1920-04-27
SOVIETS PLANNING
BRONXRENTS STRIKE,
ASSERTS ROBITZEK
Justice Gets Evidence of Or
ganization and Will Refer
Cases to Prosecutor.

Justice Robitzek, in the Bronx,
stated from the bench to-day that
he had concrete evidence Of the ex-
istence OF an organization which is
forming soviets among dhe tenants of
apartment houses in the Bronx. He
said that these organizers were agi-
tating the tenants to strike, telling
them that the time was coming when
they would have no rents at all to
pay. This, he said, was creating a
serious situation and that he intended
to lay his information before the Dis
trict Attorney and that those who
caHhe before him charged with such
agitation might expect short shrift.,
Three hundred cases of landlord
against tenant were on Justice Rob-
itzek'S calendar. In 30 per cent. OF
the cases Justice Robitzek adjusted
rents on the basis of 20 or 25 per
cent. increase above the rent paid a
year ago. In each case he obtained
for the tenant possession of his apart
ment for the coming year without the
The other 10 per cent. Of cases
were those in which the landlords
demanded possession of the apart
ments without giving the tenants
the alternative Of an increased rent
al. In holdover. proceedings under
the new laws the Court is empow-
cred to grant a tenant a stay for
thirteen months at what the Court
| decides to be fair rent. Justice
RobitZek granted number of ten
ants the right to remain in their
apartments until August and some
until October at the rent they are
now paying.
One of the cases adjudicated was
that Of Harry tSilverstein, owner OF
an apartment house at No. 81 Fox
Street. On April 20, last, the land
lord appeared in the court against
twenty-five of his tenants in non-
payment proceedings. When these
tenants appeared most of them had
children with them and for some rea-
son Snverstein withdrew his pro-
| ceedings. AS soon as Justice Robit-
eek learned of this withdrawal he
fined the landlord IS in each case, as
the law empowered him to do as
costs for having dragged the tenants
| to court.
SLverstein appeared with an attor-
ney and asked that the cases be re-
opened 'and the fines remitted. He
explained that all he meant was to
ask for an adjournment of the ac-
tions until he could get counsel. jus
tice Robitzek adjusted the rents of
the tenants at a rate just below the
25 per cent. increase.
Justice BOyce, in Brooklyn, also is
sued a warning to those who seek to
spread discord among the tenants OF
his community. He counseIled placing
faith in the new laws and to rely on
the Judge to protect their interests
pledgfng that each case would be con-
sidered individually, with a view OF
! doing justice to Landlord and tenant
In making public the statement by
Justice Boyce to-day Mr.. Applebaum
associate counsel to the Mayors
Committee on Rent Profiteering, said
THE Justices of this city are deter
mined that the protection granted bS
law to the tenants shall not be turned
into a sword against fair landlords
Mass action is abhorred by the
| = tn ho
, detriment of the tenants. A tenant
/ VINO joins such strikes may find him.
( self evicted within a short time. 4
f tenant who arbides by the law in q
e peaceful manner will find himselt
benefited and amply protected"
On complaint of Michael Mad.
g daloni, MRS. Lena Bortugno, a tenan
y farmer renting three acres OF lanC
/ at Eastchester Road and Given place
4 the Bronx, told Justice RObitzek tina
Maddaloni, a neighbor, had seen tn,
4 improvements she had brought abou
:. and had leased the land over he
g head for SIS a month. She is paying
n $40. She admitted that she had no
paid the April rent, as charged il
o the complaint, because she did no
=, know to whom she owed it. Justio
Robitzek told her to pay the none
to the court.
Justice Davies in Harlem settle
the greater part OF 250 rent cases b
J. amicable agreement.
Justice Davies said he saw no sign
-, of aren't strike in Harlem as it VIZ
Il apparent that the landlords and ten
ants are beginning 10 understand tn
new rent laws. will insure justice
both parties. He also said landlord
Ie are less inclined to bring tenants int
% court, preferTdng to settle direct
- with them. Some landlords, he sal
= are lalSoring under the iInpressiC
,e they can charge enough rental no
AZ u make up for what they lost durir
~ the dull season. This, he said, is
ia mistake All agreements made
l. the Mayors Committee before Apl
IN / are void, he said,
re |
=. DOCTORS STRIKE IN ITALY