The People of the State of New York Ex Rel. Durham Realty Corporation, Appellant v. Edward B. La Fetra, a Justice…

Summary

The Court affirmed the lower court's denial of a writ of mandamus, holding that the September 1920 housing statutes—including the suspension of summary eviction proceedings and the temporary reasonableness standard for rent—are constitutional. The statutes do not violate due process, equal protection, or the contract clause, and the legislature may validly exercise its police power in an emergency. The decision rests on the view that the statutes serve a legitimate public welfare purpose and do not impair landlords' essential property rights.