The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-02-20
The Johnson Rent Bill
By EARL GOODWIN.
Inc Proper Attitude for An Concerned Is One of Compromise Let
Us Cure the RentPiraey Evil By Rational Methods.

Rather than turn the debate on the Johnson antrent
prohteerng bill into smuggling contest between Congress
men, editors real estate and citizens associations it
would be wiser for all concerned about the table and
work out PRACTICAL plan to wipe out the rent buc-
cancers upon coasts.
In the outset allow to say that this column is the
original proponent of policy of controlling rents Before
Ben johnson drafted his BILL protested that certain black
legs grinding the faces of the poor the of
house rents and rents, and remember calling Billy
Sunday to scourge of the roomrent pirates from the
city. He read the editorial and dashed the evil with
considerable vgor That before the johnson bill was
introduced recount these facts aay any euspcon
any real estate interest has in tow.
Now to Congressman Johnson whom have known for
years. would suggest that his bill is too complex to be-
law; that he certainly does fay the exOrtoners in
measure but that in taxing the landlord 100 per cent of
the rent over and above the limit set ne simply puts this
money into the District of Columbia treasury and makes the
District government the proteer instead of the landlord
If the johnson bill is enacted probably all those extra
sized rents would be turned in taxes to the District OF Co
umba but the gouged tenant would receive not cent in
return. Moreover the penalty tax goes lien against
the property that the of the house is to be
ished for the piracy of his tenants In that event the bill
takes the money away from the who didn't get and
returns it-not to the who suffered the extoron but to
the District of Columbia.
think it due to the house of the city say that
believe the most conspicuous examples OF extOrOn
tenants who have ubet their premises at unheardOf rates
stop that practice and many apartment house own
have already found and to stop in their
properties But in the of owners who do not know
TFT TGsF S N The a 0WER A% not on The TEN
ANT is injustice and believe will be stricken from
the bill
To the Real Estate Brokers' Association would advise
its members strive earnestly to make it clear that they
realize there huge jump in the rent prices, IN the
hotel prices and in CERTAIN SECTIONS in the house and
apartment rent prices. Let Congress feel they realize the
existence of the evil would advise them to continue to
strive earnestly cooperate with Congress in bringing to
statute books the PROPER to correct the evil
Real know there evil here and most of them
want to correct it. 1t sad thing to Washington stg
matized generally city of pirates when such not the
And it is sad thing to see inscriptions owners
doubling their prices just because they can get it.
Therefore, 1 hope the proper compromise will be
reached between Ben Johnson complex remedy and the
real estate suggestion that rental administrator be
appointed with board of appeals to act umpire What
we should have believe is simple temporary statute fix
ing limit of house with machinery established
for QUICK decisions in the matter That will help Wash
ngton help the real estate agents. and the thousands
of clerks who have come here to live IN wartime
And, of course Congress should quit qulbblnS over
what committee should handle the and appropriate
money for the needed office buildings and temporary homes
for clerks THAT is the old supply and demand remedy
which will put end to much of the irritation and over
crowding.
HEARD AND SEEN
Listening to RICHARD remember because re l
r hnIh