The New York herald., 1922-03-08
UNYERMYER TO QUIT
If Bills ARE KILLED
Would Join Lockwood in
Exposing Lobby, Says
Report.
STARTS FIGHT TO-DAY
viii Appeal to Miller for
Support of Housing
Legislation.
NEW SCHEMES IN DANGER
Only Extension of Rent Laws
Sure to Pass; Strong Oppo-
sition to 10 Z. G. Bill.

Whether The Lockwood committee is
to continue its work with Samuel Tn
termyer as chief counsel will be de-
term,ned by what the Legislature does
with the housing bills which have been
recommended by the committee.
That fact was learned yesterday
from an authoritative source after the
report from Albany that all the Lock
wood housing bills. with the exception
OF those amending and extending the
defeat. 1t was said that if the bills
were killed Mr.. Untermyer, together
with Senator Charles c. Lockwood and
several members Of the committee
would resign on the ground that it
would oe a waste OF time and money
TO continue work.
Moreover. it was said that Mr.. Inter
myei and Senator Lockwood in ex-
planning their action in resigning. would
expose what is termed in some quarters
one OF the most powerful and insidious
iobbies ever at work in legislation in
this State.
Leaves to Lead Fight.
Nfr. Untermyer left for Albany yester-
day afternoon prepared to lead the fight
in support of the legislation before the
Cities Committee to-day. The hearing
viii begin at 2 o'clock this afternoon.
Mr.. Untermyer said he expected a bitter
fight. The bills have been drawn along
lines recommended by Mr.. Untermyer
as the result of the exhaustive investi-
cation into housing and insurance condi-
tions in this city. He declined 10 say
anything yesterday about the report
that he would urge that the life of the
Lockwood committee be ended If its
bills Were not passed.
IN an attempt to save the bills from
destruction. Mr.. Untermyer probably
VIII see Gov. Nathan L. Miller to-day OF
Tomorrow. 1t was said that the Gov
ernor's support would be required for
the adoption of the legislation.
One or the bills to which powerful op-
position has arisen is that which would
permit life insurance companies to in
vest UP to 10 per cent. of their assets in
apartment houses which would have a
monthly rent OF not more than 50 q
room. The Metropolitan Life Insurance
company Is ready to spend $4,000, 900
for this purpose. and il is believed that
other companies also would spend large
sums. though 1t is far from obligatory.
Senator Lockwood believes that the
housing shortage virtually would be
ended by this bill alone, and that fear
OF the resultant decrease in rents has
aligned the landlords strongly against
the bill.
A $500, 100000 Saving.
Mr.. Untermyer said yesterday that he
considered the State Trade Commission
bill as one of the most important of the
whole program. This bill is modelled
after the law creating the Federal Trade
Commission. but IL is more drastic and
grants wider and more explicit powers.
II Is understood that Mr.. Unterfnyer
IS prepared to demonstrate to the COM
rnlttee this afternoon that savings of
from $500. 900. 900 to S4e0, 900, 900 a year
to the people OF the country will result
from the payment Of reduced premiums
for fire. casualty, surety and indemnity
Insurance IL the Lockwood bills are
adopted. II II his contention that in
furance rates are 25 per cent. too high
and he Is expected TO give figures In
support of the bill which provides for
State supervision OF rates
Mr.. Untermyer will make n plea for
support OF the Downing bill providing
for a State monopoly of workmens COM
pensation Insurance. He contends that
through the adoption OF this measure
the State Will have upward of s5o.0o0,-
Gh0