New-York tribune., 1921-02-26
New Homes lin
City Exempted
From Taxation
Estimate Board Passe
Ordinance and Mayor
Signs II After Hearing
Lasting T hree. Hours
Goes i'm Effect at Once
La Cuardia and Van Name
Vote Against Measure;
Amendments Defeated

The Board of Estimate yesterday ap-
proved the ordinance passed by the
Board of Aldermen two weeks ago ex-
empting new homes and apartments
from taxation up to $4,000 for a period
of ten years. The Mayor has signed it,
making it effective at once.
The ordinance provides for an ex-
emption of $4,000 for two-family
houses and $1,000 a room for new
apartments up to $4,000. New build
ings for dwelling purposes, TO come
within the ordinance, must have been
constructed or construction begun be-
tween April ], 1920, and April /, 1929.
The hearing on the ordinance lasted
three hours. 1t was finally adopted by
vote of II to 4. F. II. La Guarda,
President of the Board of Aldermen,
and Borough President Calvin D. Van
Name of Richmon voted in the mega
tive. 1t required just twelve votes to
pass it upon first consideration.
Major La Guardia offered the same
amendment he offered in the Board of
Aldermen, to the effect that the ex-
emption should be void should a land
lord ask an excessive rent. The amend
voting. An amendment offered by
Frank X. Sullivan, acting Borough
President Of Queens, to limit the
period Of exemption to five years was
also defeated
When Major La Guardia offered his
amendment Deputy Comptroller Henry
Smith, representing Com ptroller Craig,
declared that the adoption of the
amendment would destroy the ordi-
nance. He said that the only power
the Board of Estimate had was to ap-
prove or reject the ordinance as
passed by the Board Of Aldermen. hav-
ing no power to amend
The citizens who appeared at the
nearing IN favor of the ordinance OFT
numbered those who opposed it. The
argument of those who favored the
ordinance was that its passage would
increase bull1ing, and builders present
SAID that they would soon begin the
construction of houses if the ordinance
was adopted. 1t also was said that the
ordnance would lead insurance COM
panles and savings banks to loan more
money for building purposes, as the
builders could then show that with the
exemption of taxes for ten years they,
could make their operation pay.
Bowling Opposes Measure
Robert Z. Bowling. of the Real
Estate Board, made the princinal az
gument against the ordinance. He said
that while it would be of financial ad-
vantage to him ne was against if on
principle. He declared it would work
to the advantage of many persons who
owned land, who would increase tho
price of their land to the builders. He
SAID he did not think the exemption
would increase the value Of vacant
land. O'l''
Borough President Curran rave Mr.
lowing figures that showed that from
1910 to 1915, when building was going
on, land values increased $3.50 900 900
and from 1915 to 1920, when there wa
Pr ppirdi.ctically no building, land values
dld m not increase. Mr.. Dowlng said
.ha1 the 10000 exemption would not
increase building except in the outIy
ing districts of the CITY
Dr. Copeland Pleased
DR.. Royal s. Copeland, Health Com
missioner, who was an ardent sunnortor
or the tax exemption ordinances. do
clared that its adoption by the hoard
or Estimate was the most encourapinc
and progressive step at the present
time toward the building Of new homes
MS was the most pressing health
pplop,em IN tn,s' community" said Dr..
Hopeland' I'VE need new houses for
LVV;Uoo families. | feel confident that
building will resume at once r. tbc
hcalth department should enforce thc
health laws under present conditions
thousands of families would be dis
possessed. The department had to toll.
crate conditions which are a menace to
public health simply because there
were no other houses into which these
families could move"