The Washington times., 1918-05-13
CITIZENS WILL
BEGLADWHEN
EAWPROV|DES
RENTCONTROL
BY BILL PRICE.

When this landlord-tenant situation in
Washington Is finally settled by act Of
Congress loyal Washingtonians will be
delighted. They want # all over. and
over as quickly as possible. They are
tired to death Of the knocking OF the
town. Many said today they know that
there are aggravated cases OF profiteer-
ing, but it is going on elsewhere, and yet
Washington. because it Is the capital Of
the nation, is receiving undesirable pub
hcity: often unfair publicity. II II were
any other city OF the same size, not in
the limelight Of the world, local happen
ings would 60 Unnoticed. except in the
immediate community itself.
Necessity Recognized.
There is this ray Of satisfaction to it
all, It was pointed out today: Washing
ton citizens. recognizing that a capital
case OF surgery was necessary. have
practically acquiesced in the necessity
for the operation. They understand that
where injustices have heretofore been
done 10 tenants, unfairness may be
shifted to landlords. but the tendency
will st least be toward cutting on aEita-
ton and unrest that has been wide
spread through the city.
But for the ConEested conditions
brought about through the great in
flow OF thousands OF newcomers, the
house and rent proflteerinE game
would not have reached the point
that demanded that steps be taken TO
prevent people being thrown upon the
streets without another house to go
TO. Square thinking will not uphold
this sort Of game. II there were
plenty Of houses that people could
rent the sentiment would be different.
The owner OF a house, under ordinary
conditions, should be allowed to do
with It as he pleases so long as he
does not commit fragrant injustice to
the tenants. It's one thing 10 profiteer
financially, but it's altogether an
other to dump families upon the
streets with no shelter in sight. HUI
manity has rights above the dollar.
SO good WashinEtOnians have
Joined in the effort to end IT all with
the fsirest legislation possible. And |
the end is in sight.
Patriotism Versus ProfIteerinE.
While Congressman have lambasted ]
this city in speeches intended for eff
feet in their particular districts, the |
fact was made clear today in the Of |
flee of 2. L Potter, OF the health and
ment, that patriotism has prevailed /
over profiteering IN the great ma
tority OF cases reported to that di-
vision. Three out OF every four peo-
pie who owned or rented houses, and /
had sought to force sales or collect /
higher rents desisted when Uncle
Sans necessities in Washington were
put before them. The desire to help |
the Government keep its employees /
here. to aid in making them content
ed, has pTedominated. All that was
necessary was to point out that the
Governments activities might be ham
pered by the disturbances caused by
evictions and rent hosting OF an eX-
tortionate nature. People Of this city,
which has broken the cOuntry's rec
ord for Liberty bond purchases, have
known how to waive their claims and
put the Governments first.
A painful fact IN connection with
rent profiteering has been that OF a
regular army officer Of high grade |
who is interested in two apartment
houses in this city. He gave orders
to his real estate agent TO require
tenants to yield their rights in leases
not expiring until September so and
make new leases at once with an in
creased rental OF 80 per cent He re-
scented the interference Of Capt
Julius Peyser U. :. r., and wanted
TO know where Captain Peyser came
by authority TO interfere and read
him lectures. Captain Pcyser. his
subordinate in rank. suggested that
he take the matter up with the War