New-York tribune., 1922-02-16
Upstate Cities
Demand Aid of
Housing g Probe
Legislators Get Numerous
Letters Urging Scope Of
Lockwood Committee Re
Enlarged to Extend Relief
Rent Co"ging Widespread
City Club of New York
Praises Investigation in
Plea for Continuance
From a staff Corrcrponden

From a staff Corrccp cpoadent
ALBANY, Feb 15.-Up- state cite.
which have been denied the benefits Of
'ne Lockwood Housing Committee. are
making drive on their representatives
IN the Legislature to have the rcsolu-
ton extending the life of the commit
tee amended to have the Investigation
include all the first and second class
cities Of the state
housing conditions in upstate cities
according to the representatives from
these localities, are almost as acute as
IN New York City. while the rent. in
the large industrial ccnters have
climbed to extortionate heights
Upstate legislators who are familiar
with conditions here in Albany. where
it is almost impossible 10 s;t down
with q rent payer without bearing him
bemoan the TACT that the anti-rcnt nrof-
lteering laws were not extended to
cities of The second class, say that this
city IS typ'ca Of the result of the greed
OF the upstate profitcering landlords.
Numerous instances arc cited wh.r.
the rent of apartments has been more
IMAM doubled and the tenants forced 10
DO most OF the ianitor service
Scope of Inquiry Limited
In the original resolution crcating
the Lockwood committee all the cities
OF the state were included in the nro-
posed Investigation. But the Dowerfu,
group which has been fighting TO d.
stroy the committee since it startod
succeeded in having tho invcstigat;on
confined to New York City and Bufralo'
Ihe same combines of building sun
ply men and building trades which
were exposed in New York CITY ri
whose door large share Of the blame
LOT the housing shortage was laid. ex
ISL IN many upstate cities,
lhesc cities, having read tho financial
report Of the Lockwood committoo
showing the s2S0,OOO,0 900 saved tenants
IN ne" York City as tho result Of tho
anti-rent proftecring laws. AS wcl1 'ns as
othcr millions saved by the exposure Of
crooked combines of contractors. which
LED TO the rejection of their bids on
Pupllc works, now arc demanding that:
the investigation of the committee ho
made statewide. ~
me resolution extending the life OF
the Lockwood committee for anotbcr
year, which was introduced in tho Son
ate on Monday night. was ofrcrcd in
the Assembly to-day by the vice chair
man mar or the committee. Asscmblvman
thomas McWhinncy, Of Nassau Countv
Inc TACT that the resolution went in
ov unanimous consenta single OBJ
Ject1on would have delayed its intro
uuc'loh IN the lower house until next
Monday-was an eloquent reminder Of
the complete ght-about-facc IN tho
part Of certain leaders of the Lcrisla-
turc who week ago declared the Lock
"ooo committee was on the rocks.
Asscmblyman McWhinncy attempted
to speak OH the resolution. but was
ruled out of order by Speaker Machold.
Legislative Leaders to Confer
There will be conference Of 1eois.
lativc leaders on Monday night after
adjournment at which the fate Of the
Lockwood committee will be definitely
decided. If the leaders say the word
the Senate Finance Committee and the
Assembly Ways and Means Committee
Wall report out the resolutions intro
duced by Chairman Lockwood and Vice
CHAIRMAN McWhinney, and the Leeisla
ture will grant the extension without
delay.
If there is another change of heart
on the part of certain leaders here it
will mean fight on the floors of both
houses, as Senator Lockwood has pub
llcly announced that if the resolutions
are not reported next week motions to
discharge the committees from further
consideration of the proposals will be
made in Senate and Assembly.
Letters are arriving from prominent
citizens and civic organizations urging
the Legislators to support the Lock
wood committees request for an ex-
tension of life. Typical Of these letters
is one from the City Club, of New
York, which WAS sent to the leaders of
both houses to-day. 1t reads:
"The City Club of New York wishes
to 60 on record as favorng continue
ton Of the Joint Legislative Commit
tee on Housing. of which Senator
Charles c. Lockwood is chairman.
"Thc Lockwood committee has done
thorough and conscientious work and
has won to a marked degree the re-
spect and confidence Of the community.
Owe have little doubt that the Legs-
laturc will see the wisdom OF contnu-
ing this valuable committee so long rs
the emergency housing legislation re-
mains in effect. The City Club be-
lieves that any contrary policy would
be a grave mistake"