Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-08-23
New York
Letter

NEW YORK-Povrty Is driv-
ing Harlem back to the rent party"
racket.
Not that rent parties have ever
completely disappeared. But this
summer finds a confusing flood Of
them. And competition is making
them wilder and more riotous than
ever.
The rent party Is an institution
said to be native TO the black belt.
1t beggars description. Its purpose,
as its title indicates, is to raise
money for the landlord. And times
being tough in Harlem, the land
lord is not q favorite character.
Furthermore. Harlem is out
growing the space allotted to IL. The
landlord has a distinct advantage.
He knows that, however poor the
Accommodations offered, his terms will
be accepted. He has few, If any,
improvements to make. Negro fami-
lies, on the average, can take what
they get, or leave. The chances are
they won't leave if they can help
1t. Where is there to 60? They are
not wanted in white neighborhoods.
They have a definite area in which
10 move.
Thus Harlem grows more c0ngest-
ed each month. Large families live
in cramped and dingy quarters.
Sometimes several branches Of a
family share the same rooms or
apartments. Their rent is relatively
steep. Their incomes are likely to be
small, even when pooled.
So it happens that in these days,
when Harlem Is particularly poor,
the rent party flourishes as never
before. To throw" such a party,
all that Is needed Is a large room or
two. a quantity OF gin and white
mule" an old piano, a guitar and
r banjo.
The piano Is generally borrowed
from next door. or temporarily rent
ed at a very small fee. The banjo
or guitar is also borrowed. A young
hostess at a rent party usually can
rattle the keys sing and enter
tain. A boy friend or another men,
Der of the family is called upon to
furnish the string music.
The news Is purveyed through the
various neighborhoOds that a "big
rent bust" will be held on a certain
night. Almost invariably, either Sat
urday or Sunday night Is selected.
The admission ranges from two bits
to half a dollar. according 10 the
"swank" Of the affair. This entities
a guest TO a certain number Of free
drinks and 90 dancing and singing
for the rest OF the night. "a few
dark-skinnel gals arrange to be on
hand for the "stags." Most OF the
black boys bring their girl friends.
AS the night wears on. a small
fee is eXacted for extra drinks. The
booze IS about as low as can be
found anywhere. And potent Even
at a dime or so'a drink, 4 profit Is
| possible.
When all are properly "liquored-
up" the orgy gets under way. Gets
hot as they say on the other side
Of l25th street, The small floors
become crowded with writhing, wig
Cling dancers. going through such
contortions as may be observed oily
IN Harlem. Fights are frequent.
with some girl most frequently tho
cause. Razors and knives flash-and
the razor idea is more than the
creation OF the funny men in min
istrel shows. Filled with bad booze,
men and women become irrespon-
sible. There are hair-pullinF matches
as well as sordid ARRAYS among the
men.
Sometimes the evening passes off
in high hilarity, with no blood spill
cd.
Within recent months Summing
whites have been 'chiseled in" on
rent parties. and mixtures Of whites
and blacks no longer affords a
novelty.
The parties make the cycle" be-
ing held in n house after another
until. in the end, a considerable
number az persons have raised the
price OF the current rent.