The Washington times., 1917-08-01
Pros and Cons of Rent
Raising
By DAVID LAWRENCE.


Complaints about the raising of rents are again begin
ming be heard and the District Council of Defense has de-
termned to investigate The people who have had their rents
raised who have been notified that increases will be put
into effect shortly have been asked by William H. Baldwin,
chairman of the District Council furnish him with data
to the proposed increases.
Such an inquiry deserves the hearty cooperation of the
people of Washington Because while it is true that at
tempt the part of the property to exort
from those whose work obges them to live in the Capital
merits condemnation also should not be forgotten
that these increases be due to the high cost of materials
COAL and labor What the District Council ought TO do is to
discover whether not unreasonable increases have been
made 1t already trying by moral suasion to check ad
and has received that general increase
in rents is contemplated
The letters received thus far by Mr. Baldwin are few
there has been general increase in rents the District Council
does not know aboutt The duty of the people, therefore,
who feel that they have case for protest is to notify the
District Council Until the facts disclosed to that body
there will be way Of telling whether Washington is
fronted with situation different from that of other Cities
where the increased cost of maintenance has forced property
increase rents As general proposition however
landlords ought not expect to continue the profits of peace
times Every industry Is being urged by the Government
to make similar sacrifices But the other hand there is
also why property should be rented at loss The
District Council of Defense be trusted to deal with this
question equtab but must have the factand the people
alone furnish them.
1t would be opporune also for the estate exchanges
and agents to furnish the District Council with information
at their disposal concerning increased costs One firm which
has already notified its tenants of intention to increase
rents apartments beginning next September explains its
action thus:
eve have postponed definite action in this
matter, hoping that the coal question and others,
which have resulted in greatly increased cost of
maintenance, would be adjusted. The increase
which we are making in rents does not meet the
increase because of coal alone, and after the
rates established the income from the prop
erty will be reduced greatly, owing to the higher
cost of everything that enters into the operation"
The above affects people of limited means who
really unable pay the increase but who fear the high
prices elsewhere if they start the moving process
There committees in the District investigating the
high cost of living Facts and data the cost of coal should
be made available at If it should turn out that the
majority of property parioticGly declining to
advance their rents Notwithstanding the increased cost Of
COAL they will deserve tie hearty thanks of the people Of
Washington There ny to hope that re increase
in rents will be confined minority of Unless the
people withholding information from the District Council
other inference be drawn thus far from the facts
available
Complaints about increase in rents in the District should
be filed with Mr. Baldwin Room 5O4 District Building