Evening journal., 1920-04-19
Peoples Column
r.YoRs coucnss. Nor RENrERs

rav0Rs C0UCEzsS, NOT RENTERS
70 the Editor Of The Evening Jour
Wilmington, Del,
April i6. 1920.
pxar Sir-Tn last nights Evening
Journal lhere appeared a copy OF a
hin al Dover. introduced by Repre-
sentative Lyons by unanimous CON
ss,t The article starts out, Aimed
4 Prontserins In Rents In Whining
lon, eto-"
IN other words. II appears that
representative Lyons obtained unari-
nous consent OF the House 70 intro
luce his bill because Il appeared In
some way, that that bin was aimed
Al reducing rents in Wilmington, and
reached the execrable creature who is
Known as q rent proflteer."
No proposed legislation could be
more timely OF more needed or more
rishteous han such legislation. Inc
dsy OF the proflteer Is here; his op-
nnrtunity is here In abundant meas
ure, and he Is grasping his oppor-
unity with an unrighteous zeal and
an unreasonable greed that is
sfuazing beyond degree. Therefore,
any effort TO protect his victims and
10 curb bis greed would entitle the
LEGISLATOR making that effort, 10 the
unlimited gratitude OF this com
munty. And II Representative Lyons
we're making such an effort, we
would all stand up and take our hats
of 10 him and give thanks TO him
from full and grateful hearts.
But unfortunately. Representative
Lyons, in his proposed legislation, is
doing no such thing. He Is posing
rs q benefactor OF rent victims-of
The unfortunates who are ground
down by the rent proflteer, but the
only eifect OF his bill would be a
partnership In behalf OF the city with
lhe rent prO0teer No word. no line.
no provision In this bill either curbs,
or seeks 10 curb, rent gougars and
rent groateers. There is no attempt
10 Tue bin anywhere to reach the
pr0fiieer In any way.
As a matter OF faot, the bill win
Increase by about % per cent. the
rent OF practically every business
man and every family in Whining
Ton. The proponents OF the blu know
this 10 be true.
Let me illustrate: Jones owns a
property which Is assessed at 5000
we will say. Under This bill. Jones
is allowed, without additional taxa
tion, 10 charge a rent OF $50 month.
On all proceeds over that he must
pay TO The city % per cent. Sup
rents his properly for $500 a year,
and there are many cases OF this sort
In this city al present. some TO a
lesser degree and some to a greater
degree. That means that he would
collect 500 from his tenant, which
would be .axed under This bill by the
city 10 the extent OF $50, which S5O
goes TO the city. Does Jones take the
$50 oui Of bis own pocket2 Not by
long shol, and Repre- sentative
Lyons knows II. and you know H.
and know n, FOR II he took the
q per cent. out OF his own pocket
he would cease to be a profteer
What does he do3 He says TO him
self, This Is taxation" Ana he says
truly so and Ike all other landlords
In estimating what rent he shall
Naharge. he passes over TO the tenant
Which he has moral and legal righl
10 do. tlie cost Of all taxation. all re-
pairs and maintenance before addinl
such interest on his investment as ht
thinks b. ought to have or can get.
The consequence is that instead ol
the tenants paying the raise OF 500
over the go, he pays on raise o.
$50. but his raise doesn't end here
because OF that $50 raise, si250 4
again taken by the city and there
fore. JOINS. thc landlord. adds Si5 o
so additional. and the unfortunat
tenant. therefore. because OF this bill
must pay an increase OF $40 on hi
rent: Tor and I want 10 make thi
plain nowhere 10 this bill Is there
limiting or an attempt at limiting lh
rent which any landlord may charg,
Under the constitution OF Delaware
the title Of bill introduced into th
Legislature must give some informa
ton as to It's contents. This bill,