Evening star., 1918-02-07

both classes of property is unfair and
discriminatory.
The cost of all maintenance, supplies
and services are advancing, and, un-
ioubtedly. will advance during the con-
tinuance of the war: yet the bill fixes
irrespective of these increases past,
present and future. rigid limitation on
the income until a year after the war
has come to an end.
Distinction in Property Not Made.
"Fifth-Under the terms of the bill no
distinction is made between residen-
tial and business property The gov
ernment has made contracts with own
erS OF business property, which this
bill would make void
Legislation which makes void con-
tracts and agreements entered into in
good faith and voluntarily before the
passage OF the bill is a vicious exercise
or legislative authority, if it is consti-
tutional. The effect of the bill, if
passed. must he to prevent the renting
or property of this class. whereas the
policy OF the government has been to
promote the releasing of such property
for the use of it's own departments and
that OF its contra actors. who are coming to
the District of Columbia in increasing
numbers. Many of the owners Of such
property. If their leases were automat-
lcally cancelled by this law, might de-
mand their property back not stated
with the return allowed under the bill
and the conditions.
Sixth. There is always a serious and
profound objection to making legisla-
tion retroactive. In relation to this
particular measure, it can be said that
this is unusually true. MANY people in
the District of Columbia who since
September 80. 1915. leased their resi-
Dental property at advances in excess
of those allowed by the bill and with
the assurance of the increased income. and
nave made new arrangements for them
serves and families by agreements and
leases, with the understanding of what
their income would be, would have
their arrangements seriously affected.
although their agreements and leases
poth with their tenant on the one hand
and their landlord on the other, were
made in good faith and would be most
unfair to them
seventh. Section does not plainly
STATE that the landlord as we'll as the
tenant can avoid the lease If made in
excesS OF the stipulated rates even al
.nongh such lease is declared against
public policy and unenforceable. II the
tenant or lessee has the right to avoid
MS lease made since September 80. 1915.
lne landlord should plainly have the
Iords. II compelled to take lower rem
tais, might take back their property.
Eighth. In section 3. page 4, lines is
ano ~. return must be made to the
assessors every month. This feature
is not only vexatiouS. but would cause
large increase in the cost of mainte-
nance OF the assessors office.
Ninth. The rentals for the District
OF Columbia on the basis of 1915 as a
standard as taken in the bill is dis
tinctly unfair. as 1916 rentals were
very low. There were eight to ten
thousand vacant houses during that
year, owing to the attraction Of MANY
OF the population to munition factories
ana to other employment outside Of
I'm many Of the poorer sections Of the
District Of Columbia rents have not been
increased over the 1916 standard, but II
this bill ispassed it might well be- a sue-
gestion and incentive to the owners Of
this class Of property to increase their
rentals over those now In vogue by 10
per cent. ~
Tenth-An extensive campaign il being
made among the residents Of the District
OF Columbia to house new government EN-
ployes. who are coming here to the Dis
trlct In large numbers. With such a law
IN eHect as proposed many residents would
undoubtedly refuse their facilities, as they
would not desire to run the risk Of be-
coming involved with such a law as II
proposed in this bill"