Evening star., 1918-05-28
MAYBARLEASES:
For THE SUMMER
Owners Fear Salisbury Res
; oIutlon Would Prevent Re-
l.r::. gaining of Homes.
VACANT HOUSES PROSPECT

The question has been raised wheth.
er the Salisbury resolution, as It IL
called. will prevent the leasing OF
houses or apartments for the summe,
period. because of the danger that
the owner, not being In the govern
ment employ. cannot regain posses
sion at the expiration Of the lease
period. This point is advanced BY
Charles W. Fairfax, who asserts that
in consequence Of the possibility OF
short-term lessees insisting upon re-
tanning possession for the period OF
the war many owners will refuse to
rent them.
Members Of the Real Estate Brok-
ers' Association sincerely hope that
the tenants win derive the benefit
contemplated by the Salisbury evic-
tion resolution" said Mr.. Fairfax to-
day.
I'VE. however, fear that the future
win demonstrate the lack of wisdom
in passing this legislation, as 1t Is
calculated to react on those for whom
relief is intended.
session Of their homes. apartments or
rooms until the close Of the war. hum
dreds of such furnished accommoda-
tions will be Immediately withdrawn
from the rental market.
j This Il unfortunate. as such guar.
tiers would have served most useIui
purpose until the governments hous-
ing program was further advanced
n fhA fall"
il Accepted View In Senate.
IN the course of the debate in the
Senate yesterday It was generally ac-
/, copied that the effect Of the new law
would be to insure wartime tenancy.
whatever the length Of the lease
!. to q bona hde purchaser, desirous OF
immediate possession for himself. and
; provided the owner, being Of govern
ment employ. did not himself wish
personal or family possession. Sem
ator Reed pointed out that under the
his home for thirty-five days could
, not regain possession for himself, #
not in the government service.
It Is suggested that there Is possibly
. question Of judicial Interpretation
to determine whether the exempting
puIdSSp WuIlS u0 Is III tuC CIApAoy VI
or officially connected with any branch
Of the government" applies both to a
landlord who may desire to- regain
personal possession and to q bona
Ade purchaser for occupation either by
, himself or his wife. children or de-
psndents:" Il would appear from g i. a
reading OF the resolution that II the
bona fide purchaser is connected with
the government he can secure imme-
diate possession for either himself or
for his family in his own absence, but
II he Is not connected with the gov
ernment he may obtain immediate
possession only for his own personal
use.
If it should be held that q property
owner cannot regain possession for
himself after leasing for the summer
period, doubtless many properties
summer occupancy while the govern
ment 10 constructing quarters for the
newly arrived department workers
Will be held out Of the market and
out of use, remaining vacant during
the summer. or occupied by familie.
period. The conceded effect will be
as Mr.. Fairfax. points out, to reduce
the housing accommodations of the
city during about three months.
Senator Pomerene Gives Opinion.
60uAgOE 1O"SI0u0t VINO mas 06l0
particular attention to tho rent-prof-
3teefing legislation, expressed the
opinion today that tho Saulsbury
resolution would not work 90 a. to
prevent the. leasing Of houses and
apartments by residents here not in
the employ OF the government for the
summer monthA Tho statement tc
the effect that under the Salisbury
resolution q person who is not con-
neotsd with the government would
ps unable TO- regain possession of his
house II he leased 1t. and that there
fore many houses and apartmentl
which otherwise would be on the
market for rent for the summer
, months would not be put on the mar.
keS was called to his attention.
have NO doubt that some agreement
ean be made for the rental Of apart
1na&fp and houses for the sumnne,
.9ppathsss said Senator Pomerene.
Senator Pomerene said that he i,ad
itai6oussed with Representative Ber
{ t1ohnson &hs question Of taking I'D the
.3phnaop. ronerene bin at an early date
M johnson replied, he said, that thu
i Hpuss District committee was now con.
kQa6sr1ng the measure and that he thought
that within . few days the committed
Rou6 pe able to agree on something
Hend then have the measure taken ur
N conference.