The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-10-31
Parent Versus Landlord:
Other Odd Paragraphs

Y see that there is considerable agi-
ion over the growing antipathy on
part of landlords TO admit tenants
II children into their houses" said
apartment house manager recently
the writer. II have often wondered II
,d parents ever think how much they
smselves are to blame for this situa-
n. The average owner does not ex-
de children because he lacks all
man qualities. In my many years OF
perience as an agent have found the
ners of the houses L managed quite as
man as the average tenant, and most
them were heads OF large families,
o showed their tenants every con-
eration. but who received only abuse
return.
II tenants had disciplined their chill
IN when they wantonly destroyed the
operty OF others there would be little
no feeling against admitting children
% apartment houses. Please under
md that ! am the father of three
ildren and have myself been con-
,nted with the difficulty of housing
children In the past and hold no
iat for that contemplate type of
ner who would keep children out of
house merely because he dislikes
en- and wants to encourage race sui
e. But I have seen the destruction
used by children and have also ex-
ienced the utter disregard, contempt
d spitefulness shown the owner OF a
use by the parents of these young
ndals, and I know that there Is more
an a little justification for the stand
zen by the average landlord in this
liter.
"Just let me cite q recent experience
an owner. A widow who owns several
ams houses In Brooklyn which she
cps In excellent condition called on
Of her tenants, for whom she had
contly made q number Of Improve
Fnts. including painting and papering.
% work had been completed only three
peks. and the owner was calling 10
that II had been done properly.
was shocked to find tho outside of
house besmirchcd. pieces cut from
wooden railing and stoop. wall paper
{ and marked and other evidence OF
anton destruction
Added Calumny TO Destruction.
"The landlord called tho attention oil
Q tenant to the condition of the prop.
ty. which she had just repaired al
nsidcrable expense. but was informed
at she (the owner) would have tc
Rtch sthe children herself II she did no,
ant her property defaced. The owner
turned a few days later and found
II greater destruction Hoping e
eek the vandalism. she said to the
nant: ~.r
I'm afraid will have TO ask you &c
owe II you will not try to keep your
ildren from dcfacing my property.
he tenant promptly replied: Try to put
G out; the courts won't allow you
"The owner left, feeling that II wa,
bpeless TO try TO reason with this ten
be. She did not want to ask FOR dis.
bssess, realizing that the family would
put to great hardship in the pres.
Il housing crisis. The tenant. how
err. carried her spitefulness still fur.
or. She went to her neighbors and
famed the character OF the owner. but
is proved her undoing. Among ths
lghbors were other tenants OF thi,
Hner, all of whom respected her. They
peated the SANDER. and the landlady
hally took the spiteful tenant to court
tier hearing the testimony. the JUG,
verely censured the tenant and said
would disposscs her " the owner de.
red It, The latter merely asked, how
Ter, that the tenant be compelled &c
ase her calumnies and keep the prop
ty In a reasonable condition of repair
he Judge warned the tenant that he
puld Issue dispossess II she failed &c
@ up TO these conditions, and the mat.
ended there.
II believe this 20 be an extreme case
tenant abuse, but Il at least shows
hi the owner Isn't entirely 70 blame
the condition that r. now receiving
much publicity In tho public press"
wn Your own Room" Movement
own your own room" is the newest
kJect In boys and girls clubs. Con-
ticut and iowa have many organiza-
his of this type and other States are
10 be rapidly, taking up the idea.
members In an "own your own
m" club buy and make over their
rooms 10 suit the individual tnstc.
result OF this experiment. II IS
med, is that the room owner usually
os a<greater interest In the whole
he. condition that has always been
~ the average renter Of q room