The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-10-03
BY JOHN l.. PARISH,
Secretary the Advisory Council Of Real
Estate Interests.

Secretary the Advisory Council OF Real
Estate Interests.
What did the Legislature OF the great
State Of New York, in extraordinary ses-
sion at Albany week before last. do TO
relieve the tension of the housing strin-
gency?
That was the purpose for which the
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. and Assemblymen
were called by the Governor in special
session to consider and determine upon
measures to relieve the housing situa-
ton.
And now everybody concerned Is ask
ing. What did they do? 1t is known that
twenty-one bills were passed, OF which
number twenty have at this writing
been signed by the Governor. and so
added to the body of statutory law,
where most Of them may retain their
places. while some-and they the more
radical-are fairly certain to be found
lacking in constitutional foundation.
OF these twenty new laws nine are
designed to put teeth" into the so-called
rent laws one makes II a misdemeanor
for a landlord to "wilfully or intention
ally fall to furnish such water. heat,
light. power, elevator service, telephone
service or other service or facility as is
agreed or implied in the lease, and only
two can, by even the most liberal inter
probation be construed as helpful toward
new construction.
These are Senate bill No. 3. consti-
tuting chapter $40 Of the laws. and SEN
ate bill 2-19 constituting chapter s4s
Of the new laws OF the State OF New
York of 1920. The former makes the
bonds Of the Land Bank of the state OF
New York illegal and valid investments
for the sinking and trust funds of the
Nf M
CORPORATION or political subdivision there
Of"
The other confers upon 1.-THE legisla-
tive body of a county or OF city. pro-
vided Il has the approval of the Board
Of Estimate and Apportionment. :
permission to determine that until jan
uary /, 1892, new buildings therein,
banned for dwelling purposes exclusive
~. except hotels. shall be exempt from
taxation for local purposes" except as
sessments for local improvements. so
long as the same shall be used eXclu-
sively for dwelling purposes including
tenements of four stories or more with
ground floor stores" provided construc-
ton was completed since April l, or
begun before April /, 1922. and COM
tieted within two years.
To Revive Moribund Land Hank
The former of these acts Is intended
to put a semblance OF life into the mort
bund state Land Bank. which provides
n means OF discount for cooperative
savings and loan associations
The state OF health OF this institution
was so anemic that TRANSMISSION OF blood
seemed to be indicated. and the new law
permits the State or any municipal cor
roration or political subdivision thereof
TO supply the blood from its sinking OF
trust funds. How much new construc-
ton will ensue from operation OK this
act remains to be seen: but IL VIII be
Of the class OF housing only which the
building and loan associations have
served TO promote and will supply not
one single tenement 10 the city's needs.
From the act permitting the exemp-
ton of new housings from local taxa
ton until 1882 IL is possible tibet here
and there n builder may be found who
will be stimulated into action, II the act
shall ever be made operative. As TO
that the prospect f. dubious. President
-urran OF Manhattan asked the Board |
,f Estimate and Apportionment 20 take |
he subject up at its meeting on Thurs |
iay; this was done and the matter |
referred 10 the Corporation Counsel to |
consider and report what proceedings |
would De necessary 10 HldNc lie Ia
affective In this city.
But according 70 the terms of the act !
ne initiative lies with the Board OF |
Aldermen and it's first session since the |
hummer vacation will be held next Tues |
Law, when the act will come before !
4. IL that body should take Il I'D |
promptly and decide upon n broad and |
iberal Interpretation II will then become |
he business OF the Board OF Estimate !
md Apportionment TO review such ac-
ion and TO approve or disapprove the |
anne.
Assuming that everything goes !
moothly and both these boards do all |
hat they can TO extend to the builders |
he provisions OF the act. IL will still In |
III likelihood have 20 run the gauntlet !
II the courts. On or hand inspection |
many lawyers have expressed the opin- |
on that the act will not stand the con- |
titutional test Until the ais-La> legis- |
~ 30 C5e5- ,skes ac.ion IN 1use sct, Now- |
yer, no way will be open 20 obtain /
ne judicial construction OF the con- !
titutionallty Of the same. without which /
{ is hardly likely TO have any effect /
whatever upon new housing construc- |
ion. This, OF course. Is only an in |
lvldual forecast of the probable course
his act will take before II can become
perative, IL ever.
II the forecast shall prove 20 be cor
cot n follows that much time must