e. e. cummings Out on His Ass?

October 19, 1961, Vol. VI, No. 52

E. E. Cummings Faces Threat of Eviction

Famed poet E. E. Cummings may face eviction from Patchin Place, his home for the past 25 years, as a result of a complaint against him from his landlord.

Patchin Place, a cluster of small houses grouped around a tree-shaded courtyard, is located just west of Sixth Avenue, facing West 10th Street.

Cummings and his wife, occupants of two-and-one-half floors of one of the Patchin Place houses, were subpoenaed recently when their landlord claimed they had denied him access to their dwelling. Such action provides New York landlords with grounds for eviction. The property owner, Hugh Keenan, previously had been summoned by the city for having inadequate pluming in the building. He claimed he had wanted to inspect the building to install new plumbing.

In Magistrates' Court on Monday, the Cummings told a different story. They claimed Keenan had never notified them of the need to enter their dwelling, and had filed no plans for renovation with the Building Department.

Magistrate Evelyn Richman reserved decision until November 9, giving Keenan time to file such plans.

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