New-York tribune., 1920-04-14
Rent Increases
Aimed to Beat
Law Overruled
Justices Refuse to Recog-
nize Advances Made in
Anticipation of Passage
of New Bills at ALBANY
Tenants Get Reductions
Compromises Out of Court
Continue to Feature Con-
tests Over Evictions Here

Landlords who boosted rents just
before the new laws went into effect,
with the expectation that they could
get another 25 per cent increase under
the new laws, met defeat yesterday in
ruling by Municipal Court Justice
Leopold Prince that they were entitled
to only rs per cent for the whole
year. This was the outstanding fea-
ture of a day which saw something
like thousand more victories credited
to the tenants. with no reverses.
In most cases the landlords we're
again induced to compromise on the
basis of 25 per cent increase over
last Aprl's rent, in accordance with
this ruling. In other cases cvictions
WIRE granted. but, as has become
usual, with stays giving the tenants
from two to six months to move. Many
landlords continue to draw up their
papers under the old law, and all such
cases are thrown out as soon as they
reach the justices. In some cases new
papers are made out. but increasing
numbers Of landlords are becoming
discouraged and are compromising.
A composite picture Of all the land
lords in New York these days would
be a startling study in expression. 1t
would register" anger, grief, disap-
pointment and despair-all at once.
The landlords are finding such a large
and unexpected assortment of teeth in
the new law that they are at loss
which way to turn. They either have
to reach an agreement with the ten
snts, process that is becoming less
and less attractive every day, o.
go to court. If they go to court they
stand an excellent chance Of coming
out with less than they take in.
Landlords Asked to Show Books
Justice Prince disposed of about 150
cases during the day. settling most of
them en- compromises, with Is per
cent increase as the limit. In many
cases he held that even 25 per cent
was unreasonable. In one case he cut
the increase, which was 25 per cent, to
half that amount. and told the land
books showing that he had been losing
money before any further raise would
be allowed
Justice John R. Davies in the 7th
District Court followed the same rules
as to increases and settled great ma
jorty of cases at a big saving to the
tenants In one case Morris Zeldon,
agent for house at 107 West 125th
Street. had demanded an increase of
creased taxes" The tenants testified
they had an agreement that he would
raise rents no more than was necessary
DO do this, and produced statistics to
show that so cents month would cover
this item. Now they are to pay $3.50
instead of the $40 asked
When Thomas Leonard, 221 East
111th Street argued that the increased
wages of employees justified his raising
ten tenants from s35 to $50 month
the justice told him he was humorist.
Mr.. Leonard was permitted to charge
S43.50. Leonard said he had been
sparring partner Of Tommy Murphy and
other pugilists, but this did not seem
to get him any more rent
In the Westchester court, where JUS
tice William Morris sat, hundreds in
stand in the rain for hours because
the small courtroom could not hold
them. 1t is the auditorium of an old
church. Here too the cases all seemed
to 60 in favor of the tenants.
Threatened with Prosecution
Four landlords were threatene with
prosecution because of alleged mis-
statements in their complaints against
tenants. All had said that the increase
asked was less than 25 per cent, and
in each case the tenants produced
vouchers to show that it was above the
figure Justice Morris said he would
ask the District Attorney to see
whether perjury indictments could not
be found.
The Harlem Board of Commerce is
organizing rent concihation and arbi-
tration committees from among it's
members to assist the courts. Irwin
Kurtz, who is forming the committees,
spent the day on the bench with JUS
tice Davies to study the work needed.
A new form of tenants association
has been started in the Lenox Hill dis
trict, where the tenants of each land
lord meet periodically in the Lenox Hill
Settlement. They unite to carry COM
plants to the city departments of any
violations of the codes by the landlords
and to take up with the Mayors Com
mttee any cases OF profiteerinc. The
association is also acting as board of
Cancellation with landlords and has sue
ceedcd in compromising many cases.