The New York herald., 1922-10-04
Cut Off Gas and Water as Pro-
test Against Rates Gov
ernment Fixes.
REFUSE TENANTS PAY
Threaten Sterner Measures,
Including Stoppage of
Trolley System.

special Cable 10 THE New YORK HERALD.
Copinioht. 1899. by THE New YORK HERALD.
VIENNA, Oct 3.-Vienna's historic
gayety was still tonight as the result
of one of the most unusual strikes on
record. Commencing at nightfan land
lords throughout the city shut their
front doors, turned out the lights in
Railways. cut off the water and gas
supplies and declared that they would
henceforth refuse to accept rent until
the Government allows an increase In
rents comparing favorably with pre-war
values.
The initial demands are that rents be
fixed at one-eighth of the pre-war
rentals in gold, which would mean an
increase of 1000 per cent, figured in
Austrian paper crowns at their present
value.
Everywhere 1t is believed that the
situation will lead to disorders and
probably to a repetition of the scenes
of a year ago in Italy when the Italian
tenants ousted the landlords and ran
apartment houses on cooperative basis
turning the rents over TO the city
authorities until the landlords came to
their senses.
Vienna landlords started movement
early last week by organizing commit
tees all over the city and announcing
their intention to the public. At the
same timbe the Government was asked
to issue an order permitting radical IN
creases, which the tenants consider un-
Justified even during the present dearth
of foodstuffs and the prevailing high
prices. -. a..
headouarters of the landlords which the
police at first professed to ignore, out
this morning when it was realized that
the landlords were in earnest thus
bringing on a new danger TO threaten
the city's peace, the authorities declared
that any interference with civic routine
would result in heavy fines and jail SEN
tences. But the official warnings failed
of the desired effect and the landlords
continued their preparations to make the
strike effective.
The tenants Immediately rushed about.
filling all sorts of vessels with drinking
water and buying up stocks of candles.
The excitement in apartment houses was
as intense and excited as IL the city
were about to undergo a lengthy siege.
While the owners for the time being
will make nc attempt to oust tenants,
they declare they will daily make their
burden heavier until the Government
heeds the appeal of the landlords. As
a next step they are threatening to re-
move electric fixtures and telephones,
despite the retort from public utility off,
cials that they will be held financially
responsible for all losses incurred and
that the police will be asked to prevent
by force any interruption in individual
contracts.
The final measure in the program of
the landlords includes the removal of
street railway wires which in many
streets are supported by wires attached
to buildings instead Of poles.
Newspapers generally. while sympa-
thizing with the financial difficulties OF
the landlords. unanimously disapprove
this new effort to force the hand OF the
Government, and express hope that a
compromise may be reached in a few
days.
VIENNA. Oct. ASSOCIATED Press) -
The railway men have taken a hand in
the strike and threaten to strike IL the
landlords persist. The Socialists have
opened information bureaus, where
tenants may be advised as to their lega.
rights and the method OF procedure in
all circumstances. In many of the
apartments the tenants have organized
for protection and have appointed act
ing janitors to guard the water, electric
and gas connections.