Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-10-20


On the gath Of January ! introduced
bill to curb it. That bill has gone
along until the members Of 2 body
at the other end Of the Capitol, IN
seeking to delay really beneficial
legislation upon the subject. now
same subject. They are sayiag, s TO
by and do nothing while we try II
with another set OF conferees.
Nobody knows but what they Will
have another set. Or half q dozen
is disposed Of. and am quite sure
it would be to the liking Of certain
gentlemen, particularly on q commit
tee having jurisdictioA u the matter
at the other end Of the Capitol. not
to have any really beneficial legtsia,,
ton. These men are intelligent ana
they know that the measure which ch
this situation. Knowing that fact,
they persist upon the passage Of their
legislation, when as men OF intelll.
gence they know that it will not
bring relief to a single sufferer In
the District Of columbia; They icy
ly, for they are men Of sumclent
ability to know, and they do
know-that their measure will not
bring relief. They know that when
they adopt the plan set out In the
Pomerene bill. providing that the
they then have left open to the blue
sky, unrestricted and unhampered in
every way, the right of the prohteer
to impose upon the tenant in the way
of overhead charges that which ne
cannot take more directly: The prop pc
landlord shall have per cent net,
when these gentlemen Of ability know
that within Hi hour EACH and every
landlord who desires to profteer can
go down here to the proper recording
officer in the District building and
piece of property, or more II he owns
several, from individual ownership
into corporate ownership.
Charges Extortion.
'"Then he eau elect himself presi-
dent Of that corporation, his wife sec
rotary Of it, another member of his
family manager, and then out OF what
they have extortionately taken from
the tenant they can pay each and
every member Of that family great,
big salary. There is no restriction
whatever upon overhead charges. and
then they take for themselves per
cent net, in addition to the salaries
which they allow to themselves, so
that they can extort God knows what. ?"
Mr.. johnson, in conclusion, said:
II do not want to close my remarks
entirely without repeating that it is
a conclusion from which nobody can
escape that a few men having the
proper jurisdiction Of the rent bill In
another body know just as plainly as
they can see the sun at MONDAY that
operating in behalf of the profiteer."
Asks for Amendment.
When Mr.. Johnson concluded, Rep
resentative' Randall moved to concur
in the Pomerene amendment.
II make this motion" said Mr.. Ran
dali, because I want to put an end
to the cutthroat tactics of the rent
profiteers. 1t would take a micro
scope to tell the difference between
the Johnson bill and the Pomerene
bill in the final effect. 1 do not be-
lieve that the Senate is composed of
rent profiteers.'
Mr.. Johnson replied that it was evil
dent the friends Of wartime prohibit
ton were insisting upon the House
agreeing to the Pomerene amendmen MT
so there would be no further delay
in the prohibition measure.
TO Aid Prohibition.
urged that the Pomerene amendment
be adopted. SO as to permit the pro-
hibition measure to become a law.
Mr.. Anderson closed the debate. u
am interested in this" he said, "mere-
ly as practical legislative PROPOSE
ton. If any legislation is to come
it must come on this bill. Mr.. John
son finds fault with everything that
is brought here to cure the situation
that has arisen. Nobody has contribut.
ed more to the benefit Of the rent
profiteers than has Mr.. johnson by
his insistence that nothing shall be
passed except his own bill, and he
knows that cannot pass"