South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-07-13
TENANTS LOOK FOR
HIGH RENT RELIEF
Controller Swygart and Will
lam Happ Give Views of
Local Situation.

- / do not think laws such as those
suggested by the tenants would help
solve the housing problem" said
William Happ. real estate dealer.
Monday. speaking OF the petition
which is being circulated asking for
legislation 20 compel owners to rent
vacant property.
Rather they would prove 10 be
detriment in the long run. Under
the constitution you cannot force a
man 10 build a house. nor can you
force him 70 rent it If he builds H.
And the more restrictions placed by
law upon the renting of houses the
less likely Will property owners be
10 rent those houses which they
have"
Express Doubt.
Both Mr.. Happ and City Comp
troller Swygart, acting mayor on the
absence OF Mayor Carson, expressed
doubt OF the power either of the city
council to pass laws compelling the
rental of property.
Doubts City's Authority.
There is no doubt Of the seri-
BUSINESS of the situation" declared
Mr.. Swygart and I believe there
is no denying the fact that owners
OF houses are refusing 10 rent them
in order that they may sell property
at an increased valuation. l doubt
very much if the city has the author
ity or the facilities 10 handle the
problem, and l doubt also II even
state machinery can cope with IL.
Il do not believe that a city ordin-
ance requiring owners Of houses to
he 80
were taken 10 court"
Those circulating the petitions met
with mediocre success Sunday. Many
tenants were enthusiastic in their
support Of the movement. but hest
tated TO sign the petitions for fear
they would be thrown out OF their
homes should their landlords learn
of their action.
Realtor Gives Views.
'It is true that there are many
vacant houses in South Bend but
very few for rent" said William
Happ. real estate dealer, when ques-
toned Monday. 1T is not true, how
ever. that this condition exists be-
cause the owners wish TO force the
sale of their property. IL is merely
question of business. Rental prop
erty is not profitable, and the atti-
tude Of tenants generally makes it
dangerous to rent because il is so
difficult 10 give Lossession in case the
property is sold. II a house is sold.
and promise Of POSSESSION is made
IN accord with an existing lease, the
seller is liable TO damages because
the tenant will refuse to move when
the lease expires, and the owner
cannot get possession.
Its merely a question of good
business. Rental property today
makes a return of about four per-
cent Figures compiled by the ma
tional real estate board Lrove this"
Mr.. Happ then produced a table pre-
pared by the national organization
which indicated that the increase in
housing costs from 1919 TO 1920
amounted TO 80 percent, while for
| the same period the average in
crease OF all necessities-food. cloth
ing. fuel furniture, and housing
amounted 10 81 percent.
Blames Tenants.
The tenants are TO blame" de-
clared the real estate man. They
spend their money for motor cars
furs, jewelry, and things like that,
instead of buying homes. You can
make good money renting garages"
he said. Rental Of garages pays
about Il percent net return on the
investment. and there isn't any diff
ficulty in the courts or anywhere
else People have automobiles. but
don't own real estate. They have to
rent garages for that reason, and
they pay big rentals without a word.
Anyway. laws such as those pass
ed in New York state are not con-
stitutiOnal, SO il doesn't make any
difference The Ball act, very SINH
/ lar 10 these, was declared unconsti-
tutional not long ago in the District
| OF Columbia. And even if the laws do
stand. YOU can't force man 10 rent
his property. and if you restrict his
| + possession or the rental he may ask,
he simply won't rent. and then the
! tenants are worse off than they were
before
Easier Terms.
But the people haven't the money
with which 10 buy homes" suggest
ed the reporter. They must have
somewhere to live. What can you do
about that?"
Frankly. | don't know. It's a diff
hcult question. admit. Laws favor
ing money invested in real estate
| exempting returns from the income
tax. and that sort OF thing-will
probably make il possible TO give
easier terms But that won't solve
- xxrh