The New York herald., 1922-02-14
Senator Cites Saving of Third
of Billion, but Is Heard
in Silence.
HALF A MILLION IN FINES
Chairman Also Declares Anx-
iety of Tens of Thousands
Has Been Allayed.
specidi DispotcJs 70 TIKI Nrw York HERALD.
New York Herald Bur~au.

Special Dsspotct 10 THr Nsw YosK HERALD.
New York Herald bureau.
Albany. Feb. II.
The Lockwood committee estimates
that its activities have saved some
thing like one-third of a billion dollars
to rent payers and the government of
New York. This is In addition to up
roofing of criminal combinations to
limit production and fix prices. all di-
rected by master minds. and indicting
696 corporations and individuals.
Citing these facts in justification
for its continued existence, Senator
Lockwood told the Legislature to-
night in report regarding the work
of his committee that its accomplish
ments in dollars could not be COM
pared with the satisfaction which
came from relieving the mental dis
tress Of tens of thousands who were
saved from eviction by the rent laws.
The report was received in silence by
the Senate and Assembly. There is so
far no assurance that the committee Is
tc be continued. The powerful corpora
ton interests here fighting the COM
mttee, and reported TO be willing TO
spend large sums to suppress IL, ars
growing more confident and assertive.
Unless greater pressure is brought to
bear on the Legislature by the public
the committee will be allowed to expire
a. quietly as possible.
Put Saving Mt s2so,ooo. 900.
Real estate experts, who opposed the
rent laws prepared by the committee.
estimate that the laws saved tenants OF
New York from excessive rentals n
minimum OF s2s0.OOO, 900.
The. committee exposed the notorious
court house contract and on one lime
stone contract which was cancelled
saved the city an overcharge of
$500. 000
The committee has collected IN fines
s502 $50 The State architect informed
tire committee that in 1920 its exposure
saved the State $4,000 on one contract
job.
New York had figured on the con-
struction of new schools to cost E5.-
00c 900 and as a result of the exposures
of the committee. showing price fixing
In contracts, the same contracts with
two additional schools provided were
let for $52.0oo000. The city OF Buffalo
saved s2,0Oo,o0o on school contracts. bids
for which were rejected following the
committees exposure.
Describes Work in Detail.
The committee has spent s152. 900 and
has $4,000 remaining IN unpaid bills
The largest sums are for salaries, OF in
vestfgators S38,519: for stenocrapnic
work. s32.355; for counsel fees, S32,O14
The report continues
In weighing the work of tho hous-
Ing committee one must have IN mind
the magnitude of the undertaking and
the fact that the criminal combinations
TO limit production and fix. raise aud
control the prices OF every commodity
entering into home construction were
deep rooted, far reaching, State and ma
tionwide. They were directed by mas
ter minds and at all times advised by
most astute counsel Their control cx-
tended to thousands of men, firms and
corporations and invalvcd hundreds OF
millions OF dollars. ,ey claimed 10 be
within tho letter Of the law, but .he
committee has exposed tho falsity OF
their claims and demonstrated their
gross violation of both the letter and
spirit of the law. To undertake this job
required courage on the part OF the COM
mittee and great ability and an cnor-
-
Continued on Page seven.