Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-05-15
HOUSE Considering
SALISBURY PLAN
Chairman Johnson Scores D. c.
Profiteers and Opponents
of the Bill.
REsENTs SENATE STAND

-
eviction Of tenants until more perma-
nent anti-rent- -profiteering legislation
can be passed was called up for
consideration in the House today. when
the District committee was allowed one
legislative day for consideration OF
District bills. For nearly an hour
Chairman johnson paid his respects to
the profiteers in the District. to the
real estate men and others who have
opposed his anti-rent proateering bill
and other measures which he has IA
thered.
He spoke resentfully Of the way In
which the Senate has practically disre-
garded his anti-rent- -profiteering bill.
Chairman Johnson also read to the
House an antagonistic letter which he
had received and which lie called an ''in-
famous dirty thing" saying that 'hun-
dreds almost as villainous" had been re-
ceiteo Dy nun. He called the attention
ago Information was given at the office
Of the Speaker that an attempt was
threatened against his (Mr. Johnson'a g
ife). He said that such attacks were
being made upon him because he Is stand
ing up against this crowd Of thieves
action worse than kaiserism."
Reports Opposition.
Mr.. johnson said that 1t had come
to his knowledge that subcommittee
of three representing real estate in
terests in Washington was appointed
Friday and Saturday to find candidate
said that he had an affidavit that the
editor of The Star had tried to get q
Christian preacher in his district tt
urge somebody to defeat Mr.. johnson
for reelection.
Mr.. johnson said, when questioned by
the Salisbury resolution contains more
good than harm. and he Is inclined te
the opinion that the passage Of this
resolution will not impair the opera
passed final action. He said the Sauls.
bury resolution will help some people
but 1t will not help enough Of them.
Particular emphasis was laid on the
fact that his bill. which had passed the
House by majority Of 121. has beer
ignored and repudiated elsewhere
meaning by the Senate. He referred te
the prof1teers as "gluttons." taking the
means which should go to the supper,
Of the boys in France, and asserted the
stopping Of such profiteering is pa.
triotic work.
ClCe8 lO8LauCeSs
As instances Of prohteering which
have come officially to the govern
ment's attention, interfering with wal
work. he mentioned the case of thu
Washington Market Company and tn.
Munsey building. where, he said. he I.
reliably informed a rental of So pei
square foot is to be exacted. Chairman
Johnson mentioned also cases where
official representatives of the allies ars
IN NJ
moneys which have been lent to them
by the United States. He said that the
government is paying outrageous
rentals.
Mr.. johnson expressed belief that
thee is sinister purpose behind this
resolution to choke off more stringent
legislation: He said that notice had
been practically served on the House
that there will be long-drawn-out
contest before any real rent profit =
ing legislation can be enacted.
In discussing the extent OF profitcer .ng
in the District. Mr.. johnson said he did
not believe that jury Of twelve men
could be drawn to try profiteering case
without getting one or all of them
profiteers
AS an example CT how the profiteering
in housing facilities is affecting the war
work of the government. Mr.. Johnson
quoted from statistics furnished MIN by
Capt. julius I. Peyser. which were an
nounced in detail in The Sunday Star,
showing that 761 persons are leaving each
week because they are unable to get ac-
commodations here