The post-war housing shortage -- Between a rock and a hard place -- A weighty decision -- The great rent strikes -- The mayor's committee on rent profiteering -- Enter the state legislature -- The April laws -- The September laws -- The battle in the state courts -- The fight in the federal courts -- A question of coverage -- A reasonable rent -- The four exceptions -- Landlords and tenants in New York and Albany -- The extension of rent control -- The expiration of rent control -- Epilogue.