New-York tribune., 1920-09-20
Smith to Urge
Home Building @
With CityFurnds
Governor Will Ask Legis-
lature Tonight to Pass
Drastic Measures to Slim.
ulate New Construction
Approves City Bus Lines
Also Would Give Right to
Suspend Phone Rates and
Erect Soldiers Hospifal
From. O StoG Correepundsnt

ALBANY, Sept. 19-Governor Smith
will recommend in his special message
to the Legislature tomorrow night the
passage of measures to permit cities to
engage tn the construction of dwellings
that housing shortage threatened
the health Of the community.
Another proposal which it is said he
VIII advocate is the creation Of a state
housing commission with local boards
TO Investigate housing and suggest a
remedy for evils.
The Lockwood Housing Committee,
which has been in session here for
three days, has drafted complete set
OF measures aimed at remedying con-
ditions throughout the state, especially
in New York City.
Several drastic amendments To the
so-cal!ed anti-rent profteering bills
passed at the last session have bee,
prepared. One shifts from the tena.
to the landlord the burden Of proc
when dispossess is asked for, an,
Will permit the court to refuse to IS
sue ,dtspossess If in its judgme,
none should be granted. Where tn
tenant has refused to pay an increas
in rent, the landlord, in asking for
dispossess, must Ale statement show
ing his investment in the premise,
and his income.
Another confers on cities the right +,
exempt all new dwellings from taxation
for ten years
Would Not Tax Mortgages
Another measure will except all in
comes from mortgages on DWELLINGS,
new and old-from the state income
tax, and will memorabilia Congress to
&c likewise, with respect to the Federal
income tax
Originally it was intended that only
mortgages up to $4,000 should be in
cluded in this measure, but it was
decided that as the total income from
mortgages in the state is but $4,000 900
that exemption of all would mean q
comparatively small loss in taxes.
The Lockwood committee also has
drafted bill repeating the law Of
1918, which permits savings banks to
invest in bankers acceptances. and an
other compelling savings banks to in
vest at least 80 per cent of their de-
posts in mortgages.
Ihere is a we'll organized group Of
landlords and savings banks represen-
tatives here to lobby against most of
the proposed legislation.
Senator Lockwood said tonight that
there might be some changes made in
the committees program when all the
members arrive.
Says Program VIII Stand
"But there will be no changes made
IN the program which will in any way
destroy. what the legislators want to
accomplish: to stimulate building and
to prevent profiteering," he added.
"The latter can be done only by
strengthening the present rent laws
passed last spring. Building can only
be stimulated by making the market
attractive to investors and by making
the savings of the people of the state
available for mortgages"
Other measures which Governor
Smith will endeavor to have adopted |
by the Legislature include bill to per- /
NIT cities to own, operate and main
tain bus lines, together with the !.
amendment which such an act would
make necessary in the home rule act
OF 1913; 'he amendment of the Public !
Service Commission act to enable the |
commission to suspend increased tele-
phone rates pending hearing to de-
termine the necessity of the increase
and an act approprating funds for a !
hospital on Long Island for soldiers
suffering from insanity
1t has been found at least 225 SOL
diers in this state, not under treatment
at any hospital, are insane as the re-
suit of gassng. Under proper treat
ment, it is said, such on afliction gen.
orally can be removed.
The entire program will be intro
duced in all likelihood tomorrow night
A hearing will be held on the measure
on Thursday, and unless Speaker
Sweets ambition ito expcl the Social
lists prclongs the extra session it is
believed that the Legislature will ad-
journ by the end Of the week or, at the
very latest, the middle of next week. !