The New York herald., 1921-10-02
FAIR SKIES Tighten
moving DAY WOES
Little Hardship or Confu-
sion Is Reported in Va
rious Boroughs.
VANS MEET DEMAND
Last Hour Compromises
With Landlords Relieve
the Situation.
MANY FLOCK TO HOTELS
Untermyer Seeks Cooperation
Between Court and Hous-
ing Body.
VANS MEET DEMAND
MANY FLOCK TO HOTELS

Propitious weather favored the ten
ant who for one reason or another was
forced yesterday to participate in the
moving day parade. The fact un-
doubtedly accounted for lessening OF
confusion on all sides and contributed
to more or less orderly passing OF
what has come to be known as "bogy
day" to the apartment dweller of New
York.
While the leading van and storage
companies of the five boroughs re-
ported brisk business they claimed to
be meeting the demand with a mini
mum Of inconvenience to their patrons.
In Manhattan and Brooklyn the situa-
ton was relieved by an unusually
large number of cancellations, re-
ceived late Friday night or early yes
terday from apartment dwellers who
reported eleventh hour compromises
with their landlords.
Nevertheless the principal hotels were
unusually full last night. and most of
them like the Commodore, McAlpin.
Astor. Pennsylvania and Biltmore, had
long waiting lists of applicants for
suites Of anywhere from two to six
ooms. These applications came from
families that for one reason or another
were unable to get into their new quar-
ters. Another factor that entered into
the situation was a more pronounced
r>r,ra a~fo nv, Iaty q Af a
effect Of New York realty owners
terminating apartment leases all over
the city on the same day. The large
moving van companies agreed that at
last the apartment dwellers had shown
a disposition to take time by the fore
lock and move a day or more in ad-
vance of 'bogey day.
William II. Strang, head OF a large
moving van company in Brooklyn, said:
"Our rush began last Monday and 1t
continued every day since"
Reports Fewer Movings.
The Audubon Storage and Warehouse
Company of Washington Heights re-
ported that while yesterday had been
buster than any previous day of the last
week the total number Of families
moved from one apartment TO another
or to storage warehouses was consid-
erably less than on moving day of last
year. Similar reports came from The
Bronx. M
Chief Justice Aaron j. Levy of the
Municipal Court assigned five of his
colleagues to sit next week in the Sew
enth District Municipal Court to hear
the rapidly growing list of rent cases
pending in Manhattan. Special arrange
ments will be made also for hearing
90 he ar
The Bronx.
Until some further ruling Is obtained,
it appeared that the recent finding by the
Appellate Term of the Supreme Court in
Brooklyn that a return of 10 per cent.
upon the total value of the property Is
fair Is likely to be accepted by the Mu-
nicipal Court Justices as authority for
adjudication of landlord and tenant dis
putes. Chief Justice Levy, however, has
issued a statement advising ali tenants,
in the case Of an ad verse decisiVn By d
Municipal Court. to file notice Of ap-
peal, which will at cnce act as a stay Of
dispossess proceedings and prevent the
imposition of exoIbitant rents pending
a decision on test case oy higher
court.
In letter to CAief Justice Levy. Sam
uel Untermyer counsel to the Lockwood
legislative committee on housing. urged
cooperation between the committee and
the Municipal Court toward final de-
cision on the question of wnat consti-
tutes fair return.
Letter From Untermyer.
In his letter Mr.. Untermyer says:
1--WE are endeavoring to select one or
more test cases to be submitted on an
agreed statement of facts to the Appel
f,1.. - n
Departments for the purpose of reach
ing a determination on the questions as
to what Is a reasonable rent and what
items of expense are properly allow
able against gross rentals.
"A few days ago the landlord of the
premises whose rights were involved in
the case of Hirsch vs.. Weiner. decided
by the Appellate Term. served on his
tenants notices of increases in rentals
of from 10 to % per cent. based on the
decision Of the Appellate Term in his
favor. It occurred to us that this ac-
ton on his part. IL insisted upon. would
offer the best available opportunity at
the moment for raising all these ques-
tons. as we have all the facts before
us with respect to this particular prop
erty.
"The counsel for the landlard ex-
pressed his willingness to join us In a
test case. but from published accounts
of interviews with him and from other
action on his part, I judge there has been
n change of hear. on the part of the
landlord in that particular case. and that
he Ia not likely 20 insist upon these
rental increases.
IN that event we will have TO look
elsewhere for an arrangement Of this
kind, and we are in communication with
the representative OF the Real Estate
Board of Brokers with n view toward
endeavoring to select appropriate cases.
If this can be arranged. there ought to
be no difficulty in getting decision
from the Appellate Division within thirty
days, and from the Court of Appeals. II
necessary. within another thirty days"