New-York tribune., 1920-03-27
(,oyernor for
state Aid to.
Build Homes
..ns Asked for Workers
10 Encourage Constrac-
don; Urges Drastic Laws
. End Profteering
10000 Apartments
Needed in This City

U9UVV
Needed in This City
Ilocal Boards to Help
in Providing g Habi-
/ tations Recommended
4 ALBANY, March 26.-The use of
4,te funds to encourage through
,ans the building of adequate work
smen's homes and the creation of
,msing commissions throughout the
tate to bring about greater eff
asucy and economy through wise
facing of these loans was urged
r.n the Legislature to-day in a spe-
al message by Governor Smith.
These measures are asked in addi-
ION to the pending housing legisla-
ION against rent profiteers, who are
1eorously denounced. The Governor
NsrIares that the real causes of the
tusing crisis are deep and of long
4eanding, and that only a construc-
Give policy for the future can give
I nal relief.
The Governors request to the Leg
fkIature took the form of urging the
,iOption of recommendations made in
Ahe report of the Housing Committee
G the State Reconstruction Commits
lcn This report, presented after
rsre than a years careful study, not
ay urges the legislation outlined, but
aves startling figures as to the imme-
SGste needs in New York and the ap-
mlling conditions they are causing
snOng the poorer classes Of the city,
ESPECIALLY on the East Side.
It declares that supplying tene-
asnts is not and may never again be
ID profitable investment for private
apital and that direct encouragement
nom the state is required. 1t urges
Remission of taxes and other measures,
ID addition to the state loans, as part
d the effort to relieve evils which are
}aared to be of many years standing.
Recommendations by Smith
specifically, the recommendations of
aa majority of the committee, which
as Governor urges the Legislature to
dopt, are as follows:
Enactment Of laws providing for
be appointment of local housing
wards in communities having a pop
lhtion of more than 10000, the
Members to serve without pay, and
M the appointment of central
ssA housing agency for coordinat-
ing local effort. The function of the
saral and local boards shall be:
Aiding each locality in meeting the
Immediate need for sufficient homes;
eallection and distribution of infor-
nation relating to housing and com
nunity planning; assisting in the
Neparation of housing laws, zoning
sfdinances of statewide regulatory
a restrictive housing and building
Maes; studying means of lowering
he cost of housing through better
, Manning and construction of homes,
iu through their proper location,
Il nd Development of a means of using
aate credits to apply to housing at
b aW rates of interest without loss to
n lie state
n Enactment of constitutional
nendment permitting extension OF
Este credit on large scale and at
low rates to aid in the construction
anoderate- priced homes. This does
lot mean that the state itself is to
sad or own homes or offer sub
aay tor construction, but that it
mall be enabled to loan money on it's
siedit to limited dividend corpora
IONS or to individuals or to organi-
aaons OF individuals to build houses
such standards as to light and air
tne state or community may de-
sfmlne to be desirable, the rentals
such houses to be controlled and
ae loans to be secured by adequate
aortgages.
Exemption of the bonds of the
.se land bank from state and Fed
sa taxation.
sassage of an enabling act permit
,as s cities to acquire and hold or let
s.!olhlng vacant lands and, if neces-
"'' 70 carry on housing.
Speed Needed for Relief
s,.. urge upon you to consider this
,s'. ,s. carefully" the Governor wrote,
ssa ,sa 70 enact into law its recommends
d., ,s' as as speedily as possible, to the end
wiz, Nj, we may have not only temporary
sssn.. ar. out constructive policy for the
wv. .s.e. We have been proceeding for
Iss Ssn On an ostrich policy with relation
.ISasihg. ,Sa We have hidden our faces
s,,as: me sand and refused to look the
LsaNh Lasioh IN the face, and now it Las
~ r's,ae sn such that it is forcing itself
,sd W. .attention in no uncertain terms,
aIs rear great suffering if we do not
EL hais h.ne oweller in another mans house
hss s'piess when it comes to profteer-
sss sald @ the Governor in his mes
& ass Nothlng is more certain in life
rsu,a rent day, and when it comes
auaioss we must pay. Profiteering
tlo.as t,clsaas are unpatriotic. They are
ss,hslhg the same spirit of greed and
usss uss"aess that has been an underlying
Se S,o o. the difficulties through which
la,.s 'e r, oeen passing in the last five
NJ, they are a, class which desires
Ian ase ~ money illegitimately, rather
Aasls.; Aals. renewing last years housing
~ asaSs;ioh' wS;on' the Governor says of the
,aon.sss.csh was intended to permit the
sTh'pctlon sTha of old-law tenements:
.su,a amendment to the tenement
IL e-sNs .aw which was expected to bring
Ne e'ea'est relief failed in it's pur-
aan 90 % records show that not more
ade, OK ;a operations were undertaken
ssuIas sIs Dill, it had been predicted,