Barnhill: A landlord's
view
of
the
Tenants
Union
By RON LANDSMAN of the
Managing Editor choices
Daily News Analysis theirC
1he conflict between the landlords does n
and their agents and the tenants and The
their union is not a bitter fight for throug
the most part, although the civility Inv
occasionally wears a little thin, and Union
there have been occasional clashes be- lordst
tween tenants and landlords. tracts1
Nonetheless the differences between good r
the two are intractable. They lie in but al
differing interests that no amount of gain o
civility or legalisms can reconcile. total r
Someone will lose where it hurts- Her
economically-when the fight is set- galism
tied. And the end is not in sight yet. ed an
Simply, the landlords and their said h
agents, such as Apartments Ltd. Man- tactics
ager Kenneth Barnhill, say they want Union
the present leases - and all future Hec
leases signed under similar circum- would
stanes-strictly enforced. a boyc
The Tenants Union says these leases werea
are invalid because of the collusion buildin
landlords in limiting a student's
s in renting-he either meets
consistent contract demands or
ot live in Ann Arbor.
union has tried to seek remedy
gh legal and quasi-legal means.
withholding rents, the Tenants
wanted not only to force land-
to meet their half of the con-
by either keeping apartments in
repdir or giving rent reductions,
so to force the landlords to bar-
on all terms of leases-including
rent and damage deposits.
e Barnhill asserts the basic le-
i-the contracts have been sign-
d must be honored, he claims. He
he will not give way to illegal
s, which he thinks the Tenants
is guilty, of committing.
does concede, however, that he
give way to legal force, such as
cott. Barnhill said that if there
an effective boycott against one
ng, for example, he would act.
"If they were that strong-god for-
bid-I would go to the landlord and
tell him 'you better lower your rents,'"
said Barnhill.
However, Barnhill is confident that
a boycott could not work in Ann
Arbor. "There are too many people
looking for apartments" for a boycott
to be effective, he said.
Since the Tenants Union cannot
organize all 20,000 students who might
rent apartments or houses, it is forced
to act only when a situation is gelled
-such as after all the tenants have
signed leases and moved in. With a
limited target of 10 to 30 units, the
union has a very good chance of being
effective.
Barnhill said he would deal with all
the tenants in one apartment build-
ing, but within limited areas. "I am
more than happy to deal with tenants,
and deal collectively," he said. But
that dealing would be limited to airing
grievances.
"I will sit down and talk with any-
one on how to give better services, but
it won't effect rents or terms of
leases."
But Barnhill's "concessions" do not
concide with the tenants' demands.
The Tenants Union says its demands
are non-negotiable and that the strike
will not end until the union is recog-
nized as the, bargaining agent for the
tenants, the rents are reduced, and
repairs are made on the apartments.
Barnhill claims the strikers are mis-
directed if they blame him for the
rents. "I do nothing but act as an
agent of the landlords. I don't even
know what per cent profit they make,"
he said.
"I can't lower the rents. Only the
landlords can do that."
On the question of damage deposits,
of which the union is demanding the
elimination, he did say he found giv-
ing interest would be acceptable to the
landlords, but he didn't initiate the
practice because the landlords weren't
doing it when he started managing the
property for them.
However, he said he would be leery
of agreeing to give interest on deposits
now because of the situation. "As long
as we're under pressure, we won't give
one little bit," he said.
The reason-he's been burned once.
"I am convinced that we were pick-
ed as the target by the Student Hous-
ing Association (Apartments Ltd. was
the object of a SHA strike for eight-
month leases) because we were willing
to talk to them, and they thought we
talked out of weakness." He zwon't
make that mistake again, he said.
Although Barnhill did say he would
bargain with the Tenants Union if it
started acting like a union, even he
was unclear on what he meant by that.
"I don't know what they can do," he
said. "They can't offer me anything in
See BARNHILL, Page 3
4
'
:taiht
t
Vol. LXXIX, No. 70-S Ann Arbor, Michigan-Thursday, August 21, 1969 Four Pages
Kenneth Barnhill
SEPT. 9 REFERENDUM:
Rent
strike
County
Dems
blast
law enforcement tax
By MARTIN HIRSCHMAN
The county Democratic party
has urged voters to reject a spe-
cial millage levy for law enforce-
ment.
At its regular monthly meeting
Tuesday, the party's chief policy
committee urged voters "to defeat
the proposed special one mill law
enforcement levy for the principal
reason that no specific plan show-
ing what the money is to be usedI
for has been presented to the pub-
lic."
County Democratic Chairman
Charles Gray said yesterday that
the policy committee also felt
there "didn't seem to be a need
for a levy."
The levy, which would provide
the county with new funds esti-
mated at $1,017,000, goes before
the voters on Sept. 9.
Gray said he does not think the
Migrant wor ers Ma
siriie tomato growers
LANSING (A-Julian Herrera, head of the state migrant workers
organization, has decided to strike against Monroe County tomato
growers, informed sources reported Tuesday.
Those sources indicated that support for a strike is running high
among local laborers and organizers.
Daniel W. Sturt, chairman of 'the State Agricultural Labor
Commission, said the commission had visited the area and had found
it "very tense-there was a lot of talk about a strike."
The migrant workers union reportedly is preparing law suits to
support strike activity, and will begin organizing migrant laborers
in Texas this coming winter, in expectatiort of a protracted strike.
The union hopes to enjoy an advantage over a similar strike of
grape-pickers against California grape growers, who have undercut
union efforts by hiring low-wage Mexican laborers.
About 50 Monroe County tomato growers met Tuesday night in
a closed session to discuss the crop situation and the predicted strike.
Although four reporters were barred frog the meeting, sources
indicated the farmers formulated no specific plans for dealing with
a strike, deciding that they would "cross that bridge when they come
to it."
The farmers reportedly expressed disagreement with produce
processors in Ohio and other parts of the Midwest because of a drop
in the price paid for tomatoes this year.
One farmer indicated that the rate this year was $35.50 per ton-
down from $37.25 last year.
While growers met in their closed seccion Tuesday night to dis-
cuss the upcoming strike. Sturt announced his commission had
unanimously recommended that the state enter into a cost-sharing
partnership with growers to build or remodel farm labor housing.
The plan would pay half the cost of new buildings or repairs
where those costs were no less than $1,000 and no more than $7,000.
Another measure suggested by the commission is a "tightening
up" of migrant housing inspection by the State Department of Public
Health.
Both housing proposals, along with the finding of Governor
William Milliken's Task Force on Migrant Labor will be the source
of a specific legislative program to be submitted in January, Milliken
said yesterday.
levy will be approved. "They
haven't given sufficient informa-
tion to the public, so I think they'll
vote it down," he said. "The same
thing has happened with school
millage and bond issues."
The County Board of Supervis-
ors approved the levy on July 22,
claiming the funds are needed to
maintain "a high level of law en-
forcement and administration of
justice."
Although the supervisors did not
delineate proposed expenditures,
they cited the creation of three
new district courts, increased work
loads in all branches of law en-
forcement and the "rising costs of
maintaining, equipping and staff-
ing the sheriff's office" as signs
of additional financial need.
Gray said that even if the sup-
ervisors did itemize their planned
expenditures, it was unlikely that
the levy would receive Democratic
approval. He said this would de-
pend upon the specific uses of the
funds planned by the supervisors.
As the Sept. 9 referendum is
worded, the supervisors would be
given full discretionary powers in
allocating the additional funds.
Tuesday's action by the County
Democratic Committee followed a
brief report by Supervisor William
Winters, who told the policy unit
that there have been no indica-
tions of any plan for use of the
new revenue. Winters was among
those supervisors who voted
against approval of the law en-
forcement levy.
Board Chairman Bent Nielsen
recently indicated that supervisor's
Law Enforcement and Criminal
Justice Committee would develop
programs in the near future for
expenditure of the new funds.
"We won't be able to spell it
out to the penny," Nielsen said.
"But we certainly can tell the peo-
ple where the money would be
going."
Nielsen said some of the money
may be used to upgrade the
County Jail, to create more ex-
tensive rehabilitation and crime
prevention programs, and to es-
tablish central data processing and
communication for all county
police.
I
t
t
lei
PC
lic
hi
ti
ga
St
or
Sh
fa
tu
th
m
Bi
conspiracy
!case to ope n
By N. R. COHODAS
Preliminary proceedings in the conspiracy suit filed
against rent striking tenants by seven Ann Arbor landlords
will begin at 4 p.m. today in Circuit Judge William Ager's
court.
At the same time proceedings will begin on the counter-
suit filed by the Tenants Union which charges that the land-
lords have violated leases and antitrust laws.
Today's activity will be largely procedural-deciding
whether or not there will be a jury trial, how long it will be
and exchanging lists of witnesses.
Tenants Union lawyer Ronald Reosti said yesterday the
Tenants Union may refuse to hand over a complete list of
witnesses unless the plaintiffs
-the landlords-agree to an-
swer several questions pre-
GOODBYE
U d
4 pae Dyne eenSe, h al is going on vacation
adby the defense.ThDiy
-Associated Press Reosti claimed the landlords' and will resume publication
ARMORED CARS patrol Wenceslas Square in Prague yesterday to clear the area on the eve of the suit is a "broad complaint" with Sept. 4.
first anniversary of the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia. few specific names or dates to
substantiate the charges. He said
to prepare a case for that sort ofoia
CzechlockPraguecomplaint
Although the landlords initially
had refused to acknowledge the m eks Cor i
existence of the question, William
Barense, attorney for the plain- NEW YORK W - Andrew W.
affs, finally formally refuseds they Cordier, a veteran diplomat and
were improper. educator, yesterday was named
PRAGUE ,) - Czechoslovaks onstrators stopped to hurl paving at the police. Others tried to pile Neither attorney would say president of Columbia University.
rricaded Prague streets and stones, rocks and debris at the building materials across narrow what the questions are. He had been acting president for
oned riot police last night on police vehicles. Krakovska Street as a barricade In both the landlord's suit and almost a year
e first anniversary of the Soviet- Eyewitnesses said the police against the water cannons. the Tenants Union counter suit,:
d invasion of their country. The fired submachine guns over their An hour after the first gas and the plaintiffs are asking extensive Cordier, 68, was named to the
lice fired submachine guns heads for about two minutes. water attack, the crowds return- damages. post by the university trustees.
er the heads of an angry crowd. Some store windows were brok- ed and by dusk there were two The landlords who claim the ul- The appointment was recom-
The hostilities erupted after - en by thrown rocks. Hours before, more major tear gas attacks in timate goal of the rent strike is mended by the University Senate,
e riot squads used tear gas and the Czechoslovak army command the square and in the side streets. an attack on the concept of pri- a student - faculty - administra-
gh-pressure water cannons three announced it "is standing firmly Police swung truncheons at the vate property, are seeking $10,000 tion body set up this year.
mes to disperse large crowds bh'd the leadership of e party returning crowds and fired in- in personal damages and $300,000 Tod set uti r.
beidelaemshiofthpay The Senate resolution requesting
tthered in historic Wenceslas and the state," and was prepared capacitating gas into their faces. in exemplary damages a n d re- Cordier's appointment as presi-
Iuare for a silent, passive dem- to quell disturbances if the gov- Dense clouds of tear gas drifted covery of all unpaid rent.
stration marking the "Day of enent of Communist r through the square and surround- The Tenants Union is asking dent called hias made Columbia
As night fell, about 500 young Chief Gustav Husak called for In a show of force, five truck- Ager set the date for prelii- young again.
zchs barricadedmNaro treet, Czechoslovakia's defense minis- loads of Czechoslovak army troo ps nary proceedings after ruling Ju- HesucmejdrDtarghson-Dirk
Zeh barPriaed arni three, Cecolvaighdfne i- stood by at one end of the square ly 19 on several motions from a major target of the seven-week
Lres. and Yungmannova Street, and about 25 more truckloads both sides. Ager denied a motion rebellion at Columbia in the
res.on anduityYungmnnsredvariStreet68
sar Wenceslas Square, with build-' nation's security can be assured were seen behind the museum. by the landlords to halt the rent spring of 1968.
g materials, tractors, an over- by our army only together wi Film crews with powerful lens- strike and also denied their mo- At the time of his 1968 appoint-
ned truck and garbage cans. Pcthesphecarmllsy the ov arsy.es photographed the crowds from tion f o r summary judgment ment, Cordier agreed to serve for
med tck anrd garag crans. Pact, especially the Soviet army. roofs, apparently for use by the against the tenants which have one year, until a successor was
rough the barricades, scattering It was a grim warning that the authorities, found them guilty of t h e con- found. At least one educator of-
ost of the crowd with tear gas. Warsaw Pact armies which poured In Washington, U.S. officials spiracy and granted the injunc- fered the post has turned down
ut several times the fleeing dem- into Czechoslovakia one year ago said they had information from Lion.itle job, however.
could come again if the disorders See CZECHS, Page 3 -
in Wenceslas Square spread tom S__
OSTERHELD RECOMMENDATION
Revitalizing the
Union
food
By LAURIE HARRIS
A fight to turn the Michigan Union's
food services from a $100,000 deficit to an
approximate $17,000 profit is presently be-
ing waged.
The battle is the result of an extensive
study that was undertaken last winter by
Douglas C. Osterheld, assistant vice presi-
dent at the University of Wisconsin. The
Union board of directors had requested
Osterheld to make an analysis of the Un-
ions organization.
Osterheld's report stated that in t h e
"ac +a n in r1a rl.m..-a hrmc sanr 1.VP1
services that have been offered are all part
of the effort to overhaul the Union's food
services.
The main dining room will no longer
serve sit-down meals, explained West. He
said a buffet service will be set up with
"hopefully enough variety to s u i t the
needs of diners." West added the dining
room will be open for lunches only since
there is not enough demand for breakfast
and dinners.
West explained people would be seated
in the dining room as quickly as possible
nnd nghawAr + n +hehnffet table when their
for that reason, the MUG is cutting back
on its old style of serving several hot dishes
and vegetables.
There is a demand, West said, for light
sandwiches, soft drinks, and coffee. "This
is the demand we hope to meet," he said.
The hours of the MUG have been altered
to meet the flow of people through the ar-
ea, according to West. During the school
year the MUG will be open from 7 a.m. to
7 p.m. on weekdays; from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
on Saturdays; and from noon to 8 p.m. on
Sundays.
West said in the off hours the vending
other parts of the country.
It was the second successive day
police used force in the city's
main gathering place. It came
amid rumors that Moscow might
use any anti-Soviet demonstration
to force a new shakeup in the
Czechoslovak leadership.
Ignoring warnings from Husak.
underground groups had called for
observance of a passive "national
day of shame" to mark the Ag.
20-21, 1968, invasion.
About 5,000 persons gathered in
the square to stare at the Na-
tional Museum and St. Wenceslas
Statue, both symbols of protest
against the occupation by an esti-
mated 70,000 to 80,000 Russian
troops.
Armored riot squad cars and
water cannon trucks rolled into
the square and took ;positions in
AW .