New-York tribune., 1920-08-27
Eapital Blamed
By Labor for
House Shortage
|. F. of L. Says Banks Fail
ure to Advance Loans and
Railroads Inability TO
Haul Supplies Are Causes
Mfers Ten Remedies
blk Z. S. Steel Co. Investiga-
i ton: No Soviet Recogni-
4 ton: Convention Closes

&c
L. Of Labor came 10 close here
l.say with the submission of a com
I~hersive report on the status, causes
L. remedial measures planned TOR the
IL Of the critical housing situation
Ar.iculsrly as it exists in New York
Fly
| The report, based on survey by
/ committee headed by Peter ]. Brady,
L, New York, sets forth that while
s,-einally due to the mobilization by
L. government Of all materials and
l,bOr fer war purposes, the present
lsndition has been largely brought
IsOu. by the inability of the railroads
/ move building supplies and the
l,lure of banking institutions to ad-
asnce the funds necessary fer apart
kent building.
i Far the relief Of the condition the
3suort outlined ten recommendations
l,,ich included the exemption from
jys6eral. state and city taxation Of
a,or.rase loans on dwelling operations,
r. amendment to the state constitu-
a-or permitting the use Of state funds
d. loans 10 builders and further
a-endment q present rent laws to
acrb gouging landlords.
H0upose L. : Recognition of Soviets
The delegates az heir closing ses-
,j,an criticized tie United States Steel
a-orvoration, which they asked the gov
a.omen, 70 dissolve, and approved the
3vpor- OF the Interchurch World Move
H-en- on the recent steel strike. They
9v:used 10 sanction the recognition o.
g. Russian Soviet government by the
%-jted States a. this time, although
g. suggested -ha- the American gov
&-unen, help % bring about cessa-
A,r OF hostilitieS between Russia and
@.ser countries and thus give the
Ssople Of the former nation an oppor-
S-nitv 70 decide under peaceful condi-
s-ons waat form u government they
s.ssire.
Tie convention also criticized what
SAev termed Mayor Hylan's pet police
HAND. asserting that It was costing the
g,v $4,000 year and played jazz
,-sinlv for the entertainment of the
lYsvcr's friends.
| The election Of officers resulted in
A.. one change. John Sullivan was
aosen as ice-president, replacing
iharles C. Shea resigned. The next
I.nvea-ion VIII be held IN Rochester.
4 The housing report follows;
/ The pre~eu. shortage OF housing IS
H. originally 20 the necessity Of the
3.~7f7-aen. in placing all our resources
-r1 -ae prosecution OF the war. It
.I. ,..i-
a. u tae failure of capital to appre-
a.1-s us respons ibilities and duties to
4 people and The failure of the rail-
a.lds 10 coge with the situation IL
s-lrlr-- freight and building supply
a-a.er.a.s and more than anything else
J. unfair and un-American attitude
81 .3rgt employers and corporations in
z ie.r failure 20 employ necessary heir
q. wages which would support the
sa'rkers az. their families in decency
Sd ccmtar.
/ Other causes are banks. trust COM
I2-.es and ether Institutions withdraw
AS loans on building development
finds which tney formerly used for
5aIs urpcse and which builders and
prospective owners Of homes under
aFooa TO be = custom so long estab-
ssaed as 20 be always available for
Few enterprises
Banks Contributory Cause
Banks and other investors. by de-
handing eXoroitant premiums and fees
SoT loans, have contributed much TO
sa.s dls-ressful situation.
IL Is d peculiar contrast of our
sFople and government that we can
5'alse unlimited amounts in money and
1 men for defense and protection in war,
saut are apparently unable 10 care ade-
lonaiely for ourselves in times Of peace.
,taoor must be on the alert and watch
lll that the laws for the health and
protection Of the people are not tamp-
sled with in any way in the demand
FOR legislative relief. New laws should
i . grated so as 20 encourage housing
aAd building IN every possible way and
constructed n such way that every
A'srest affected would know definitely
24si what their rights and limitations
AZ present in New York City alone
s,omes are needed for more than 5OO,-
Ill., people, requiring the construction
H. more than 100000 apartments. Con-
i aNons are as bad or much worse in
s''her sections of the state. Many
SNople are under The impression thar
distinctions should be placed upon the
! 'Ss OF building material and labor in
sartain activities and DEVELOPMENTS.
MS IS bad because any effort to re-
3NncS one viii eventually retard the
..ner. however. plan may be worke d
ggs-t that should afford ample protec-
aon to all involved.
WOULD Would Exempt Loans From Taxes
4ae committee therefore recon
s'1ends the following:
l.. Inc exemption of bonds Of the
sate land bank and the exemption for
united period Of mortgage loans on
saxation. ''''0' e''e l 4
2 We favor an amendment 70 the
sAse constitution which Will permit the
se OF state and other public funds by
IA commissions in the erection OF
-omes TO be sold to the workers on
asy payments.
O. We favor amendments TO the
|MeseAt laws which Will protect the
%aants in every possible way from ra-
'2cious landlords.
SEQ on the rental income Of the
|Hoperty and fair valuation of the
~ tAe reproduction cost, legal over
'sa "a. charges and fair depreciation.
h. o. warn our members 10 be on
.oe .o alert so that reduction in state
is not passed on to those
Sast able to bear il in the form Of in
saSeq income taxes or taxes on the
.sceSsities of life. The defciencv
80 80 come from profits, large
In INES, lnhefitances and land 70 such
b beAyent that It will be unproft bic
noia land without putting it TO use,
h. taxes 10 be levied in such u man
|.sr as not TO discourage industries or.
'Sam ~ erciaI enterprises.
/ p. No lanAlnrd LII