New-York tribune., 1920-04-09
Tenants Defeat Landlords
in Every Decision by
Municipal Justices; Too
Drastic Rule Opposed
Warming g Against
Hating Builders
La Cuardia Sees Hope
for City Project; Bill
Ready for Legislature

Another long string OF landlords
scalps hung at the belts Of New York
tenants last night after day in which
about 1000 cases were decided without
single summary eviction order being
granted by a Municipal Court Justice
The biggest single triumph was an
order permitting forty-three tenants in
East New York to retain their homes
for year at the present rentals. In
other cases stays running from Il
month to three months were granted,
the landlords pleas were thrown out
Of court, rentals were fixed far below
demands. or compromises were effected
all being greater or lesser victories
for the tenants. A few cases were
postponed for more detailed evidence.
Justice Harry Robitzek, in the I'd
District of the Bronx, continued his
drastic use Of the full powers granted
by the new laws, deciding about 90
per cent Of the $40 cases before him
In favor Of the tenants and postponing
the others. In his room was one Of
the stormest scenes ever witnessed
in q New York court, but to-day's
hearings are expected to break even
that record. Other justices, however,
did not seem inclined to go to such
lengths as he, and Aaron j. Levy, presi-
dent of the Board of Justices, issued a
warning against decisions so drastic
as to deter prospective builders of new
apartments.
Following the decision OF Acting
Corporation Counsel Nicholson that
the state constitution bars city
bA H.
yesterday by F. H. La Guardia, Presi-
dent of the Board of Aldermen, to have
the matter tested. He has prepared a
bill, granting the powers desired to the
city, which he hopes to have passed.
He believes it will be constitutional
Mayor Hylan announced after hear
ing in the morning that he would sign
the two bills recently passed which ex-
tend from twenty to thirty days the
time required to oust tenants under
monthly leases. These bills are not
part Of the emergency program, but
make the eviction provisions a part Of
the permanent law. They now go TO
the Governor.
Warnings were issued by Chairman
Arthur J. w. Hilley and Counsel Leo
Kenneth Mayer, of the Mayors Com
mittee, against two practices OF land
lords which attempt to take advantage
of tenants under the new laws. The
first is the very general effort to en-
force 25 per cent increases, under the
plea that the law sanctions them. The
second is a widespread distribution Of
notices ending tenancies at future
date, without offer of renewal which is
believed to be an attempt to evade the
provisions requiring that rent increases
must be reasonable. After such no.
tees have been sent it will be possible
to assert, it is said, that since a new
tenancy has begun the rent charged is
not an "increasc,' no matter how high
it may be- Tenants confronted with
either of these propositions are advised
to consult the committee.
The forty-three East New York ten
ants who gained victory are saved
from Sc to $40 month each. Sixteen
we're from 230 Blake Avenue. Nanny
Sidman, their landlord, wanted q $6 in
crease. Justice Jacob S. Strah sug-
gested compromise on 50, and Sidman
tried to withdraw the cases. The jus
tice then announced that he would give
the tenants $40 each for court costs,
and Sdman agreed to let the present
Continued next paee>