New-York tribune., 1922-10-07

she was bouncing milk bottle down
the stairs from her second story apart.
ment for her small daughter to set out
on the front stoop. The banging of
the bottle on the reporters kneecap
served as an informal introduction.
When ! first moved into this apart
ment," she said, "I was given hot
water every day. Later, however. the
landlord cut the supply down to three
days week, although there was no
such provision in my lease.
About two weeks ago ! went before
Magistrate Folwell and asked for
summons for Mr.. Swartz. The magis-
trate said:
"Weil, don't know whether / can
issue that
"He then referred me to the As
sistant District Attorney there, who
in turn told me to see the complaint
CLERKS about the matter I did so, and
was informed by them that the Fuel
Commission had issued an order that
the landlords must save their coal and
that therefore no summons could be
OBTAINED. said that my landlord had
plenty OF coal in the cellar, but they
told me that made no difference.
MY landlord showed he knew he
was wrong. because when ne heard I'd
pianned TO go to court, he gave me
Tour days hot water week instead
Of three"
Court Is Visited
The next step in the inquiry was
a visit by the reporter. to the Bridge
Plaza Court
Court had just adjourned and Yhe
magistrate had departed, but the two
complaint clerks, one heavy-set, red
laced individual, and the other of
slight build and graced with auburn
halr and mustache to match. were
still on the job
What" asked the thin clerk, ais
your trouble?"
Il want summons for my landlord. "
replied the reporter. For several
weeks he's refused to supply any hot
water for my apartment, although nv
lease calls for it and there's plenty Of
coal in the basement. And I've got a
sick kid in the house"
Cant help you" snapped the thin
clerk, almost cheerfully. Magistrate
Folwell and some of the other Brook
\ lyn magistrates have issued ruling
that, because of notification of the
Fuel Commission directing the saving
OF coal, they cannot issue summonses in
such cases, even though the landlord
may have coal on hand"
when did Magistrate Folwell re-
ceive such a notification ?" the re-
porter asked.
The thin clerk gently rubbed the
left tip of his mustache with the point
of his pencil a moment, ana then cast
a glance at his questioner.
"You look at least intelligent enough
to read the newspapers" he answered
finally. Get some back copies and
you'll find all about it."
Here the stout clerk, who apparently
had been awaiting his cue, came into
the game
"It's all that damned Governor Mil
ler's fault" he shouted explosively.
Him and his Fuel Commission. That
order was issued because of his stand
in with the landlords. Well, if the
people was fools enough to vote for
him they got what was coming to
them"
"a Minor Matter
Silence ensued, the reporter con-
tinuing to stand at the bar. Event
ually this proved annoying to the
thin clerk, who suddenly ceased his
mustache tickling in order to fuss
ostentatously with sheaf of docu-
ments before him.
decision, ais after all a comparatively
minor matter. Dealing with crime is
the big thing here and we are worked
from morning. till night on the i'm
portant things"
"Yes," grumbled the stout clerk. "It's
got so I can't even sneak out at noon
for q drink"