The evening world., 1920-09-20
SCANT AID FROM REALTY.

Heeb ~ Nuaig uhS efNhiib IA 'PN~'a' -
sion called by the Governor to pass laws dealing
with the housing situation.
Nobody in this city needs to be told how impera-
i've IS the need Of housing relief.
The responsibility which rests upon the Legisa-
lure IS one nat recognizes neither political differ
snoss nor party lines.
II Is responsibility for the immediate and future
welfare Of the largest community and most popu-
lous commonwealth in the Nation.
II New York legislators fail to tackle the housing
problem In the spirit Of broad-minded non-pahisan
coopes6on which the nature Of the crisis demands,
ihey should be called to account by the voters Of the
State irrespective Of party.
The duty Of the Legislature becomes the larger
BY reason Of the fact that no constructive help in
meeting the housing situation has been forthcoming
nom quarter which should have been the first to
hh7ish aid.
We mean the powerful real estate interests Of
New York City.
TIE obstructive, reaetionary attitude Of New York
realty interests toward attempts TO relieve the ush-
ing injustice Of rent extortion has been a shame and
a Disgrace.
Al the present moment what is the best that
shot-sighted realty men can see their way to con-
tribute toward the solution Of the housing problsm'
A lynx-eyed lobby at Albany ready to fight every
proposal that tghtsns the law against profteerng
landIords--ready to approve only measures that
provide exemptions and subsidies for builders or
that relax the Tenement House Law as applied TO
the conversion of old buildings
This real estate lobby has but two aims-to keep
restrictions away from landlords and to boost legs-
iation that promises favor.'
Since the beginning Of the present housing crisis
the organized realty interests Of this city have never
once thought Of bringing to bear on the situation a
constructive programme Of their own, starting with
drastic curb on rsnt-gouging for the protection Of
their own good name and future credit.
> On the contrary, their attitude has hardly changed
since the shameless yell for unrestricted rent-booSt-
ing A0d AL the Income we can get" was heard at
meeting Of the United Real Estate Owners Assoca-
ton at the Hotel ASor last March.
Only few are beginning to realize that greed
can -'vsrstsp itself and dig grave into which fair
profits win also tumble.
When Gov Lowden of Illinois was asked to cal
special session Of the Illinois Legislature to dea
with the housing problem he said:
-Ths only thang see now Is that you real
estate men should round up and discipline rent
hogS. II 10 10 Jour interest moro than any
one slSs'a II some correction Of the evil does
not come soon X wall mean that you will
your property impressed AZ a public utility"
In 4 survey of the housing shortage from the
standpoint Of It's effect on the eitys health Health
Commissioner Copeland reminds the legislators a
Albany;
every other country in the world baa been
forced TO admit that housing Ia a public health
problem and has delegated or has instructed
the public health authorities to deal with Il
exactly as any other health duty is per
formed"
More than two years ago when the rent profteer
first began 10 take advantage Of the housing short
age to muict tenants in this city The Evening Worl
reviewed the progress Of public housing programme
in other countries and warned the real estate inter
ests Of New York that If the rsnt-gouging continued
progressive American communities would begin I
doubt in their turn the fitness of private landlord
and private realty spectators to perform all tn
public has right 10 expect in the matter of PROVE
ing homes and fixing rents.
As the New York Legislature meets to-day, hou'
inc Is very near indeed 10 entering hs pubr milf