Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-10-31
Sins Of Our Fair Rents Legislation.

10 the Editor OF The Star.
Permit me to cali your attention to
some Of the evils in the recent joint
resolution Of Congress, passed as q
supposed war measure" to prevent
-profteering" in house renting and
housing in the District Of Columbia,
and of similar evils that exist in the
proposed Senate bill for the same or
(which was enacted into law by the
said "joint resolution" They are very
unjust acts, and wholly unnecessary
for any right purpose. To illustrate
the case, would state that some five
to seven years ago it was a notorious
fact that in the District of Columbia
there were from 1,400 to ], 800 vacant
structures, mostly moderate dwelling
houses and Observation-Disclosures of
values from $2,5o0 to. say from s1o,-
Of a value Of about $500 "a similar
condition had existed before, and to
some degree since). Such houses,
apartments and structures had been
vacant or remained vacant for
dreds OF them for a year or sew
eral years Taxes. depreciation and
expensive repairs had to be met and
above all. the interest every six t6)
months on the rapidly maturing obli-
ooSAS1tS "AiCIt tnoy very IreOuentiF
carried to the extent OF one-third to
one-half their full value at per cent
interest. These houses and structures
were the sole source Of the living in
comes of their owners-of thousands
OF them IN this District, consequently
sort OF relief, were Obliged to accept
almost any terms of rentals, and the
results were that rentals were made
very generally at a large reduction
rom from a former or fair Investment
thirds of fair rental or if1vestme emit
value. From this dtress las is nsi1al
IN such cases) the OWNERS generally
have been unable. until recently. to
OBTAIN a fair rent or in any degree
are restrained by an unjust law from,
obtaining fair rents or revenue from
their property. They have no use or
control Of their alleged property. but
It's responsibilities, and pefils. The
tenants are the virtual owners. war
having been declared against the for.
mer owners.
. Section 8 On page u, in lines from
Z to ID. inclusive, Of the biIi tire
same ianguase being in the Joint
stsfamaofs the fonowins words and
the lease having expired. that the
premises are reasonably required by
2 landlord for the occupation, either
himself or his wife, children or
dependents while In the employ Of
branch of the government, or has
been disposed OF to bona fide puf.
chaser for his own occupancy" etc.
Also, from section 2. subsection A, It
is not clear that premises that had
been rented (and occupied) on or be-
fair rental, for any cause, may be
raised to the PROPOSED per cent net
fair valuation provided in the bill
in other cases. II this is not clearly
the intention to produce faif rents
1t should be made SO.
In 30 far as I now recall the pro.
visions Of the law ana bill, the lines
Above quoted from section einsti.
tute lis greatest .evn and injustice,
and wen tllustrate the celebrated
chapter % Herbert Spencer .reproba.
iatoIs. mat this very lsrx. I num-
Der or class OF house owners, who
have for years been Obliged to let
their houses and apartments at very
low rental. often less than two-thirds
Of normal OF aaar value e surely are
Ordinarily It IL very difncult, II not
impossible. to duly or Justly raise
an unjustly low. rent once. II IL re-
duced. AS stated or implied above, q
very large Iam Hssss Of this class q
from 5000 to $40, 300 viii often carry
from $500 to $4,000, or even 5000,
with interest q 8 per eenA t1yable
eemi-annually, ana maturing - often
Then. II permitted to - ss1swed.
1sreo costs 81 tnv6tsea - 66fhihis-
Bions, fneu9Aneos etc
Il 8 -feaAWkl- H. Aot pef4hsses4, then,
e pessibiA . ntw sasan nnay bS.Wsde--