The New York herald., 1922-06-25
WHEN Is LANDLORD
A REAL PROFITEER?
Building Manager Asks Fair
Play for Much Abused Mem
ber Of Society.
By CHARLES F. MERRITT.

Executive Secretary of the Bwldino
MdnG1ers and Otoners Association.
The fact that the Appellate Division
Of the Supreme Court of the first de-
partment has just rendered a decision
that the fair net return on the valua-
ton Of unencumbered properties under
existing circumstances should be per
cent" indicates that the confusion
caused by the emergency rent laws is
gradually being adjusted. The average
property owner does not seek nor does
he expect an unreasonable return on his
investment. but he Is entitled and should
be given fair consideration when de-
termning what his profit should be.
1t Is strange how soon we forget. Only
q short time ago the tenant when In
control demanccd all kinds of unrea-
sonable repairs, not because he thought
them necessary but often simply to put
the owner to an expense and to obtain
the satisfaction that his whim had been
gratified. Did 1t ever occur to any one
to assist the man who had put his cap
ital In a venture that might mean. in
deed. often did mean. ruin due to the
keen competition and the unreasonable
demands of the tenant,
Much has been said dcrogatory ~ the
speculator. but in fact he Is the most i'm
portant producer Of all the manufac-
turers. and yet he takes the greatest
risk. The business man expects to turn
his capital over several times in year.
while the speculator may not turn his
capital over for several years. When
u T.
important decisions, any one OF which
II wrong would mean disaster. He NUT
first decide on the location. then whether
the building shall contain large apart
ments or small ones. and, finally. the
arrangement of these apartments. He
often Is stalking his entire capital on his
Judgment.
Landlords W. Merchants.
| The merchant that demands the lish-
est prices that the conditions will war
rant Is a good business man, but the
landlord who In past years has received
little or no profit on his investment and
now seeks to make up for former iossea
is a profiteer. The physician that chooses
to charge his unfortunate victim a
fabulous amount for his services is
successful man and stands high In the
{
one Is In need of professional advice and
has no time to quibble over expense. but
must act at once. II the physician takes
advantage OF these circumstances he is
within his rights. 1t is true that many
physicians treat the poor without charge.
but the man Of moderate income must
pay or see his loved ones taken from
him. Is this profiteering? No. this Is 70
be expected. because some think that un-
less the professional man demands high
prices he Is not considered OF high
standing. I have no prejudice against
the physician. but the point am trying
to make is that everyone considers the
other man profiteer while he himself
Is asking for his product as much as he
can get.
Let US be reasonab BILE when we decide
what is a fair rental. Consider the sub
ject from all angles. Do not make a
decision with a prejudiced mind. deter
mined by the desire to live in an q art
ment perhaps better than you can afford
and expect the landlord to support you
I have heard tenants say that they in
tend to fight whatever rent was asked.
rot because they honestly considered it
| unfair but 80 that they could reduce
their own expenses. Is this fair?
Doesn't Brook ProfiteerinE.
Tho Building Managers and Owners
Association Of New York has never coun-
tenancod unreasonable rents. all during
this period OF rent controversy. 1t has
constantly maintained that the owner
was entitled to justice only and not to
be upheld II asking unreasonable rents,
and that alone has prompted ell its ac-
tions. The members are not banded to-
gcther against the tenant. There iA.
however, an unfortunate condition that
has developed in this city. a sort OF class
hatred. tenant against landlord, q condi-
ton brought about largely by unneces-
sary political interference, soap boy
orators and by those that see in a strife
of this kind an opportunity 60 advance
their selfish ends. This should lever
exist In a country such as ours.
The landlord is In an honorable bust.
ness cndeavcring to obtain fair re-
turn. adm. like all other honorable enter
prises, he should be given just hearing.
and this decision recently rendered is
step In the right direction, because it
shows that In the minds OF those best
able TO decide there Is a desire to do
justice, and the sooner the tenants real
lie that all landlords are not robbers. but
that large proportion are business men
OF integrity. the sooner will they close
their ears to the noise Of the demaRogue.
profiteer in my opinion Is one who
takes undue advatnaEe OF existinI Cir
cumstances and compels his victims TO
pay exorbitant prices.
Let him that is without sin cast the
first stone"
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