New-York tribune., 1920-09-30
Only 1000 Vans Avail.
able for l5O,OOO Loads
as 5000 Families Pre-
pare to Move Tomorrow
Rent Ruling Bars
Many New Tenants
Hilly Tells Old Occupants
to Sit Tight; Copeland
Fears Cholera Outbreak

New York's annual moving day, to-
morrow, will be attended by unprece-
dented confusion, van owners predict
They said that $4,000 families with
100000 loads of furniture will ATTEMPT
to move, while only 1000 vans will be
available for the purpose. The situa-
tlon will be complicated further by
conflicts between tenants and land
lords regarding their respective rights
under the new rent laws.
Tenants who refused to sign leases
giving increased rents beginning Oc-
tober l have been advised by Arthur
j. W. Hilly, chairman Of the Mayors
Committee on Rent Profiteering, to sit
tight pending an adjustment of the
reasonableness of their rent by the
courts. Mean time, according to van
owners, thousands of families have
packed up preparatory to moving into
apartments for which they have signed
leases, but out of which, on the advice
of Mr.. Hilly, the old tenants refuse to
move.
Those who have given up apart
ments in anticipation of new homes
consequently are described as being
in quandary, since they have no
place to move to, but must vacate to
make room for succeeding tenants.
Confusion to Reign 6n City
Instead of a virtual abolition of
moving day, as Mr.. Hilly a few days
ago announced the new rent laws
would effect, van owners assert that
New York is likely to witness scenes
suggestive Of confusion at mining
camp in the old gold-rushing days,
with furniture piled high on the side
walks and streets and loaded vans, like
pralrle schooners, wandering in search
of suitable "stakes"
10 prevent as much as possible of
the confusion Charles Morris, president
OF the Van Owners Association, said
the drivers Of the 1900 vans controlled
by members of his organization have
been instructed not to move furniture
until they first ascertain whether the
apartment to which the furniture is to
be taken is vacant. But 800 or more
independent van drivers will not be so
directed, ne said, and limousines, ex-
press trucks, push carts and other
available vehicles are to be pressed
into service to help in the moving.
Mr. Morris announced that homeless
families would not be able to find relief
IN storing furniture, because all stor-
age houses from Twcnty-third Street
to !20th Street are crowded.
Mr.. Morris declared that the avail
able vans would be able to handle only
5000 loads day. At this rate, he said
it would take twenty-four days to
transport the 100000 loads Of families
who plan to move.
The organized van owners have
agreed on rate ranging from $40 to
$lz an hour for one van and four men
put 1t was learned yesterday that
hundreds of vehicle owners in New
Jersey and Long Island have contract
ed to come into New York and move
families at rates as high as $40 and
$25 an hour. The van drivers and
helpers have been on a strike for more
than month. Hence, moving prelim-
mary to October l has been handi-
capped, Mr.. Morris said.
Rent Laws Bring Relief
Mr.. Hilly said yesterday that the
NailSeiiallOH ny LHe new reno laws OF
about 125,00O eviction notices which
would have been effective Tomorrow
undoubtedly would lessen the confu-
sion. The families who were threatene ID
with eviction are among those who
MIR: Hilly says now have a right to "sit
tight and continue to occupy their
apartments without leases, whether
leases have been signed by other per-
sons or not.
Other developments in the housing
situation yesterday we're:
Attorney General Palmer tclegraphed
to Representative Isaac Siegel that Dis
trict Attorney Francis Caffey has been
instructed to investigate charges that
building material dealers were prof
iteering, which Mr.. Siegel said was
"endangering the health and lives of
thousands of families" by discouraging
new building. State Attorney General
Charles d. Newton also said he was
conducting an investigation into an al
legged building material combination.
Frank Mann, Commissioner of Tene-
mcnts, at the request of Mayor Hylan.
called a meeting of prominent builders,
real estate dealers and building ma
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