New-York tribune., 1921-02-16
Aldermen Pass
Tax Exemption
Bill After Fight
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the floor, charged that there were real
estate men in the committee room lob
bying for the ordinance. When Alder
man Rudolph Hannoch, of the Bronx
who had charged that Major La
Guardia offered his amendments
merely to kill the ordinance, happened
to pass near the door of the committee
room, Major La Guardia shouted:
Ihat's right, go in and consult the
real estate men,"
This remark brought Alderman Will
liam 7. Collins, Democratic majority
leader who favored the ordinance. to
his feet.
you have no reason to say that"
he declared. "If there are any real
estate men in that room point them
out and they will be ousted, The only
men in that room are the representa-
tives of banks and insurance com com
panies with whom you hold private
conferences"
Alderman Hannoch rose to uues-
tlon of personal privilege and de-
nounced the Aldermanic President for
his utterance. The Alderman said he
knew of no real estate lobby and had
not gone into the committee room. He
demanded an apology. The Alder
manic President smilingly said that he
meant the gentlemen in that room"
The apology was received with ieers
by the Aldermen.
Chamber Cleared for Vote
The final vote was taken on a closed
call of the house. Everybody, even to
the newspaper men, was ordered from
the floor of the chamber by the Alder
manic President. The reporters took
exception to this ruling, declaring that
tney had the privilege of the floor and
should not be directed to leave on an
important roll call. Several aldermen
objected to the chairs ruling and the
reporters were allowed to remain.
Every alderman was directed to take
his seat and the doors were locked
while the roll was being called.
Borough President Henry Fl. Curran
made strong plea for the passage of
the ordinance, declaring that if any of
the amendments offered were adopted
1T would Kill the ordinance.
, Three great problems now confront
the city," said the Borough President,
Transportation, the schools and the
home: BY passing the ordinance the
board of Aldermen are taking step
IN the right direction to relieve the
worst of these conditions-the housing
situation"
Alderman August Farrand, Republi-
can minority leader, opposed the ordi
nance, he said, because he believed il
was unjust. He said that the man who
owned an old house was at disadvan-
tage to sell it in the market against
man with a new house exempted from
taxation. He declared that his investi-
CATION of the situation showed no pres
ent emergency or crisis.
May Spur Building Activity
Edward A. MacDougall, president of
the greensboro Corporation, builders of
cooperative apartments in Queens, was
enthusiastic when informed last night
that the Board of Aldermen had passed
favorably on the tax exemption for
dwellings. Mr.. MacDougall is a mem
Der OF the Mayors committee on hous-
ing and said that if the measure is sue
cessfully carried through it would have
a stimulating effect on building and be
followed by great construction activity,
as it was of great benefit to the builder
and buyer alike.
Mr.. MacDougall said the measure
allows saving of SIS month for an
apartment of six rooms; $3.50 month
for five rooms and $40 month for four
rooms. Mr.. MacDougall's company is
now planning to erect $2,5O0,000 worth
of cooperative apartments in Queens,
for which the Metropolitan Life Insur-
ance Company has made loan of
$S75O0O.
William M. Greve, of the Realty
Associates, said that the measure was
the first constructive step taken to
bring about housing and if carried into
effect should bring about increased