New-York tribune., 1920-03-28
New Rent Ian
Puts Off Boost
Until May, 1921
Increase Then Not to Exceed
the Present Rate More
Than $3.50, Is Proposal
of Some Realty Interests
Will Be Urged at Albany
Arbitration Boards Named
by Supreme Court to Say
If Charges Are Proper

"A HeW suggestion fIOT prevention OIL
rent profiteering without the passage
of the bills now before the Legislature
was made yesterday by group of large
real estate owners and members of the
W. Kirkus, of 800 Broadway.
The plan calls for stabilizing rents
on the present basis until May 1, 1921,
and then renewing leases on increased
rentals, which shall not be more than
so per cent above the 1917 rents or 25
per cent above those of 1920. Arbitra-
tion boards, to be appointed by justices
of the Supreme Court, would determine
in each case whether or not the rentals
were fair.
This plan was submitted by Mr..
Kirkus at recent meeting of the board
of governors of the Real Estate Board,
but some opposition developed among
those who felt rents should be higher,
and no official action was taken. The
idea is being pushed, however; the
proposal has been sent to Senator
vigorous effort will be made to have
ii adopted.
Plan Includes Other Measures
"These suggestions" said Mr.. Kirkus,
Include the Black bill, the thought of
the Jesse bill the ideas of Captain Leo
of the Board of Standards and Ap-
peals. and give the tenant a chance to
live. Something drastic will be done
unless real relief is provided, and
fear that equally serious evils will re-
suit from the pending bills if'they be-
come law
This plan would be fair to both
sides and would cause the minimum of
disturbance, either to renters or land
lords or in the real estate market A
good landlord would not have appeals
should have them. If go per cent of the
owners are good 10 per cent is small
proportion to be hurt. Under existing
stress this legislation for two years
would not, in my opinion, seriously tie
up real estate operations.
"Of course. the bill for the exemp-
tion of mortgages from taxation should
be pushed"
Would Prevent Evictions
Under the Kirkus plan, the Black bill
would be amended so that tenants, now
holding verbal leases would be given
written leases at the present rentals
good till May l. 1921. Two months be-
fore that date the landlord must offer
renewal of the lease at not more than
so per cent above the 1917 rent, or 25
per cent above the 1919 rent. If the
tenant refuses, but wishes to keep the
premises, the question Of a fair rental
is to be arbitrated. No tenant can be
evlcted who accepts arbitration.
The arbitration boards are to consist
Of one real estate owner or authorized
agent, one tenant and one builder, and
cue is to be appointed for each Assem-
bly, district by the justice of the Su-
prcme Court elected for the judicial
district which embraces the Assembly
district When an appeal is made the
appellant is to pay Il S5 fee and the
winner is to pay $40. 1t is calculated
that this will more than meet the costs.
1t is provided that the arbitration
award shall in no case 60 above the
percentages named. A tenant who re-
fuses to accept the award can be cvict-
cd--the courts will sustain tenant
who accepts against landlord who
attempts to. go beyond the award.
Tenants in the Bronx turned out
Yesterday when their champion. Miss
Alice kavanaugh was arraigned on
charges of criminal contempt by Mu-
nicipal Court Justice Harry Robtzek
Tor engaging in fisticuffs with Julius
Tobias, an attorney of 5 Beekman
Street, in Robitzek's court last
Wednesday, Miss Kavanaugh, who for
merry was a member of the Mayors
Committee on Rent Profiteering and
also has been connected with the Cath
olic Art Publications Society, was ac-
cused of slapping Tobias when he made
reference to her championship of
the Bronx tenants It was charged
that she was holding out large sums
which they had paid her for their rents
in disputed tenancies.
Miss Kavanaugh obtained a trial sep