New-York tribune., 1920-11-05
Realty Board
Begins Suits to
Test Rent Laws
Attack on Constiiutionalitv
of Statutes Is Launched
by Ex- Judge Ingraham
in Supreme Court Here
I've Dispossess Cases Up
ilie~~ssl Enactment OF Bills
Charged; v. b. Guthrie,
fer State, Defends Acts

Tie tst Two cases brought hy
real .s.4., interests 20 test the consti-
..t.s~a'..y Of the new rent laws were
tecu~ fr ,.e Supreme Court yesterday
l.r~c -r.ce Leonard 4. Giegerich.
qt.v. - presented by George L. In
sssaaa. farner presiding justice Of
.hs ..te Division Of the Supreme
caur.. rao has been retained by the
Res' r-,..s Board to present specially
selected c. 20 attack the validity Of
tie rcH lass from every possible angle.
Although tile two cases presented
5.>er-ay are similar in respect 10
some @, te previous actions in the
Supreme E3srt they attracted consid-
craa.t a.t-ntion because Of the organ
ICED effort behind them. Among the
cours rr .ot were Julius Henry Co.
ban. A.e1.eayr G. McNUlty, William Il.
Guthrie. Russell T. Jarbox, Assistant
Corpers,ia7 Counsel, and Robert ?.
Bc~r D.rey ATTORNEY General.
3'r. ins Fam launched Il vigorous
a'ac'. On ,ae new laws. declaring thov
rot oH r .atHa tne state and Federal
caHf.. rs put that they We're en-
eta e7 Nucc. .sJicatloual manner.
Tine srter actions are directed against
.Ies- iEarl 3. La F~tra. OF tine Citv
Csur' '' arc brought for peremptory
rris at mandamus to compol Justice
ia c,ra 10 issue disp0ssess orders
against olga J. " ell, q tenant 81 4qO
4
d terat' at l~g West Scventicth Street.
Charges Illegal Enactment
IN his aeires TO the court Mr. In
frah - t.r ncE i1ws violate tho
Tolr eentl Amendment to the United
States Consultation because they take
av4f l..a the landlords their proDertv
wi,t- Tie dle process Of The Law. He
declares they violated the state con-
tteea v taxing awaF the common
XXX .at - bring actions for the re-
cefe1 seir property lie charged
tae ses aeon enacted unconst3tu-
,.ona r .eeasse the bin had not been
on tro of .ecnbors Of the Assem-
is-at.va days prior to its
:? aaa 10 emergency message
rtou ot the Legislature 10
THE 1ro7ose1 act was sent to the Legs
laiure either tce Governor or The
l.e.tetae. Governor.
Daf.a- argument Mr.. lagrafam
sf these lar's We're held CON
s'itt'.nre would be the cutts'rg
Fel i9. l-lal regulatory logs. .-
ian- He g1esti- ned whether real
efY a. be- he'd az separate and
er .rcH personal property and
"-etaer the owner OF house is
i't-- Atf 9ri subject to tAe necessi-
Tres lc t-e owner o. q watch
an g bonds may not
&c sA.i r4-e su5l lect.
heyieN Lavs of Aenturios
Nl- Cohen and Nh Guthrie. appear
iis sel5+~-ive housing COM
Nil-ee. pat ln .g0rous defense Of the
ii" e-.~ refleWe4 rent LEGISLATION for
1ae .at .ntes Centuries. The latter en-
co.a'er.ng A'r. lngraham 8 arguments
POINTED oSt .~t court decisions have
pee- recorded establishing the right of
Il Ia.-t9.-t employee to commandeer the
watch o. aa enger il an emergency
a'-a '.' iitH. staees nave avs regu-
t.. --e SIZE OK We. .snt o. q loaf Of
Ar Guthrie said tie cases were .he
ae- .n nroftaat that ever came before
the court, all added: Il cannot uic-
lure the disorder. the misery. the
1liaa.- ieat VIE result If the court de-
c.aes aEa'nst tie constltutionalitv Of
tbs laN Tie property right does not
e.te t.e owner TIE eight to do with
ms p.e1 I'll that ne chooses, nor
70 t- .H' .ninaje in tho choice Of
mos whom he shall rent. The Trim
Ks Church tenement cases have shown
'aa' llo. .rtV right may be ever
esee oa-l eith regard for the hea!th.
safety and general good Of the COM
muritr.
The State must have powers Of regu-
..'. n in matters affecting ,he public
eood, and !. viii lie cause for pro
found cor sterrat!cn if the rent laws
are no1 upheld by the courts of the
state"