Evening star., 1909-09-11
REFORMS TO BE URGED IN
LANDLO ORD AND TENANT LAWS
Real Estate Agents Launch Campaign to Secure
Changes in Statutes During the
Ensuing Autumn Season.

generally adopted in the government de-
partments for replying to the claims or
real estate agents and merchants against
department clerks. The replies always
convey the information that the time OF,
the head of the department concerned 10
SO engaged with matters of large de-
partmental concern that the claims can
not be given attention. Even when judg-.
ment Is obtained the execution of the writ
is negatived by the inability to secure
compliance with its requirements.
Il venture to say that not one out or
forty of the householders of Washington
Is sufficiently endowed with this worlds
goods to make him amenable under exist
ing laws to the full amount of any of his
contractual obligations. however honestly
and properly these obligations may have
been assumed and howsoever worthy and
just their purpose. This practice. If carried
to its logical conclusion, without remedial
legislation or regulation. will serve to
make the ownership of real estate: which
now constitutes the bulwark OF all ma
terial wealth, Improbable investment
at any rate in the District OF Columbia.
"Our landlord and tenant laws. as en-
bodied in the District code, are indeed
more than generously considerate OF the
tenants interests. for ii requires almost
month to secure possession of a house
even after the tenant has shown by his
persistent delinquency and non-compli-
ance with his agreement that he cannot
be profitably continued in occupancy or
the property. Add to this the fact that
a month or even two months may expire
before the landlord becomes convinced
that the tenant does not mean to tote
fair with him, and 1t is obvious the en-
tire profit of a years ownership of a
house or other tenement may be dissi-
pated.
Time Ripe for Reform.
Il think the time is ripe when the gov
ernment should by statute or department.
al regulation compel the payment Of
house rent honestly incurred. This con-
sideration applies with equal force to
many other lines of business, and the
government should, in my Judgment. re-
fuse to continue longer its attitude as a
harborer Of men and women who have
neither the intention nor the desire to
act squarely and fairly in matters OF
business affecting their daily life.
1T should be stated in justice TO the
District government that while the pay
ment of rent and other obligations is not
compelled by law, the District Commis-
sioners have as matter of policy acted
most wisely in insisting on the compli-
ance on the part Of employees under their
jurisdiction with undertakings for the
payment of house rent for medical serv-
ices. etc.
Another baneful tendency which Is
on the increase among certain ufserupu~
lous persons in Washington is. the facility
utter disregard of their obligations there
under. This practice has assumed such
proportions that, If not effectually check
ed at a not distant date, leases will be
regarded as binding only the owner and
not the lessee. The absolute indifference
with which such engagements are often
assumed is remarkable. and the. most as
founding phase of the subject is the
class of people who indulge in such prac-
tices. people who are otherwise upright
and moral in their relations with So
cety. but who have as little regard for
the interests and claims of the landlord
as a certain element in every community
has for the rights of the public service
corporation when especial pleasure is
had in beating the car company out OF
a nickel
II sincerely hope that the Board of
Trade and Chamber of Commerce VIII
take early steps toward amelforating the
conditions here referred to, which affect
SO materially and vitality the business in
terests of Washington