The evening world., 1921-02-05
TAX EXEMPTION TO
AID HOME BUILDING
UP TO ALDERMEN
Vote on Relief Ordinance
Now Seems Certain
. Within Ten Days.
BANKERS MEET DEFEAT.
Are Refused Hearing, But
Some Aldermen Are
Still Stubborn.

Ollll StuDDOTT.
After n session lasting several
hours the General Welfare Commit
tee OF the Board OF Aldermen late
yesterday afternoon unanimously de-
cided to vote out without recon-
mendOtion the ordinance granting tax
exemptions on new dwellings for a ten
year period to help relieve the hous-
ting situation. The new ordinance, the
CO. authors OF which are Manhattan
Borough President Curran and Demo-
cratic Aldermanic Floor Leader Col
Inns, Is amended so that exemptions
are granted at the rate OF $1,000 per
room, not including bath, and on not
more than five rooms per apartment.
Aldermanic President La Guardia,
who spoke in behalf Of savings bank
Presidents, who had privately con-
ferned with him and who are opposed
to tax exemption, was defeated in his
efDOrts TO delay the passage OF the
| ordinance. la Guardia wanted the
bankers granted a public hearing.
Manhattan Borough President Curran
and Floor Leader Collins opposed this
scheme and won their point They
charged that the bankers and those
supporting them in opposition TO the
ordinance hoped to kill 1t through re-
peated delays. Yesterdays action
means that the General Welfare Com
mittee leaves the fate OF the ordi-
nance in the hands of the whole
Board OF Aldermen. II unanimous
consent can be obtained by Collins,
he will have II voted upon next Tues
day. II not, the vote will be taken a
week from next Tuesday.
COPELAND COULD TURN THOU
SANDS INTO STREETS.
Health Commissioner Royal s.
Copeland, who appeared IN behalf Of
tax exemption, and who declares there
are 100000 families herded like cat
tie in this city because of the hous-
ing shortage, was informed that there
are many Aldermen who still profess
to be unconvinced that there Is an
emergency.
II could very dramatically demon
strate that there is an emergency"
said DR.. Copeland, "by forcing into
the streets thousands Of unfortunate
families who are herded together un-
der unsanitary conditions. The Health
Department must wink at these con-
ditions simply because II cannot
drive whole families into the wintry
streets"
Replying to President La Guardia-
who argued for further delay in or
der that the bankers might be given
a hearing and in order that the com
mlttee might obtain information from
New Jersey, where a hve-yeRr tax
exemption law has been IN Inect since
October, 1920 Alderman Collins said:
The banking Institutions are re-
Bponsible TO a great extent Tor the
housing shortage. They were given
several months time while the ordi-
nance was being considered, TO come
here and be heard. Their scheme OF
attempting to block the ordinance at
the last moment will not succeed. All
during the crisis these bankers have
not been willing to give a penny to
help building, except under conditions
that cannot be met by the average
builder. These financial interests are
using the same underground tactics
against the tax exemption ordinance
that they are reSorting 10 in an effort
to strangle the usefulness Of the
Lockwood committee. II we granted
the bankers a hearing we'd have 10
deal with the insurance companlas
later on. We know the banks are
against tax exemption, so why SHOULD
We waste time with them?"
Republican Floor Leader August
Ferrand sided with La Guardia in
favor OF granting the bankers a hear
ing. He didn't explain why the bank
ers had not been heard from during
the past few months. Although op-
posed 10 tho tax exemption ordinance,
| Ferrand has given assurance that he
will vote for II and defend it on the
floor IL the figures he is gathering
! convince him that he has taken u
wrong stand.
''It l should be put out OF my apart
| mont tomorrow" said Alderman Col
Inns, "i'd have to walk the streets of
this city unless a friend or relative
took me in. Every apartment in my
district is taken. This condition pre-
walls everywhere in the city"
Manhattan Borough President Cur
ran replied to Aldermnnic President
Ia Guardia's assertion that tax eX-
emption in New Jersey had not slim
ulnted building He said:
The law became effective there last
October. Any intelligent man ought
to know there is practically no build
ing in winter. Therefore, the law
! haSn Decn given ah NPl,Y' -
prove It's usefulness in New Jersey
The Jersey law does not otter as great
an inducement as the ordinance now
before us. Our ordinance grants ten
wear tax exemption, whereas the pc
riod In New Jersey Is but hye years
"The bankers who conferred In pri-
yate with President La Guardia ana
who now ask us to grant them pub
lie hearing, failed 20 ask for such a
hearing during the many months We
were discussing this ordinance. Bank
, Iers know that the easiest way to kill
, AN ordinance Is TO postpone II 70