The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1918-03-19
Congress Acts to Loosen
House Owners PrOfiteer-
ing Grip in Washington
So is NOW PRICE
FOR A HALL ROOM
Woman Offers Small Suite and Com
munity Bath for 5000 as "Patri-
otto Duty Real. Estate Brokers Are
Reaping Harvest.

otto Duty Real Estate Brokers Are
Reaping Harvest.
WASHINGTON, March 19.-How
much shall the owner of real estate in
war time capital which has seen its
population increased almost over night |
by $4,000 persons be allowed to raise |
the rent for his house or apartments |
With fewer homes than there are home |
seekers and moving day close at hand,
can the landlord with offers at hand |
for double your rent give you notice
TO come across or else tell you to get |
out.
These questions are agitating the ma
tional capital and have already led to
the passage of tho Johnson bill in the
house, which, though it affects only the
district of Columbia, is the most radi-
cal piece of price fixing legislation ever
essayed by the congress of the United
states. The bill is now before the SEN
ate, which already has under consid-
Grafton bills which would extend the
same general principle all over the
/ United States.
A situation without parallel in this
country led TO the passage of this bill
in the house and with many congress
men themselves the victims of what
they considered extortionate landlords
the constitutional point raised against
q bill that would restrict profits an
owner of real estate can enjoy re-
ceived scant attention.
The. ease of Gen. Black, reported TO
the house, is only one of many which
inspired the Johnson bill The family
of Gen. Black, now in France, received
notice that beginning next month the
rent would be raised from 500 to $3.50
; a month.
The johnson bill provides that all
rentals shall be maximum of 10 per
cent more than was received in the
wear ended September 80, 1916, and
that new property rentals shall not be
more than 10 per cent of the property
valuation. For property where heat
light and elevator service are provided
additional charges equal 10 the actual
cost of the added service may be made
u u Ailsii'A oIctl Nhi'itt pHhtl0 Will Ut
permitted to charge yearly Is per cent
r Of the valuation Of the furnishings.
{ Penalty for infraction of the law i,
set at tax of 100 per cent of all rent
;. ais in excess of those permitted by the
q bill. In other words the government
=, would confiscate all rents paid over the
maximum fixed.
Any person paying excess rents may
: prosecute the person charging suci
a rents and is entitled to recover twice
| the amount illegally collected plu!
court costs and a minimum attorney fet
Iof $50.
e The commissioners of the District o
u Columbia are empowered to make nee
: essary rules and regulations for tn
II enforcement of the law. Many prop
erty owners have moved out of thei
II houses and leased them for $3.50 an,
y 5000 Q month. These houses are value,
D. in some cases at not more than $4,000
N which would mean rental of only So
Il. instead Of the $3.50 which they are nov
al bringing. Consequently property OWL
ers arc in q state of CONSERVATION over
r. the pending legislation, while rent pay
III ers are correspondingly joyful at tn
$ prospect.
M Apartments which Il few months ag
e. were rented for $50 are now 1925, an
Is. the old time $50 aud 500 mont
n suites are now bringing $500 a montl
~ Hall rooms are being rented to waf
ar reSses for So month and few Of tn
bachelor clerks of the city are pavin
20 less than $50 month for rooms. Room
in large enough to care for two men al
II. snapped up eagerly for so week.
tn single room with private bath is pc
tn session which gives any person a soci
re- position quite part from the ninety ar
nd nine who cannot even boast runnir
"a water in the room.
ed Representative kearns (Ohio) TO
we during the debate on the johnson bi
m how he called q telephone number
answer to an advertisement of an apaI
!, meat. A woman answered the tel
~, phone and told him that her home w
- very exclusive, that she and her hu
~ band had never considered renting pa
-. Of il, but considered it a patriotic dut
4, She stated that she had two rooms a.
~ community bath for rent and til
~ the price was 500 a month.
on, So keen has been the real estate bu
~ ness that many brokers are buyi
o~,. property from owners who have Il
ont awakened to the great demand. I