The Washington times., 1918-10-20
DCK EFFORTS TO
CUT RENT PROFITS

Plans to get legislation to deal with
HHntal profiteering in Washington
were practically blocked in the
Rouse yesterday. afternoon.
On motion of Congressman Lever,
chairman of the House Committee on
Agriculture, the food production bill,
~hich carries the Pomerene rent ad-
tninistratlon amendment as put on by
khe senate, was sent back to confer
fnce. The House refused to sanction
fny rent prOfiteering amendment to
|fANfood production measure.
Anderson Plan Vetoed.
he Anderson plan for dealing with
he rental situation here was voted
pown, as was also a motion by Con-
gressman Randall of California to
foncur in the Pomerene amendment.
Ehe net. result will be that the
Senate will recede from the Pome-
fene rental administration amend
fnent, and the. food production bill
VIII be passed without any amend
fnent relating to the subject of
pTohteering of rents in the National
Capital.
In theory, the way is still open for
the House and Senate in conference to
patch up an agreement as between the
johnson rental profteering bill to tax
extortion and the Pomerene rental ad-
sa4HistratisA- -lsiFi But, in fact, there
is no likelihood of such an agreement
beIng patched UP. The only relief for
tenants seems to be such as they will
Get from the Salisbury resolution and
possible action by the President to
halt prefiteering.
90 Think President VIII Act.
sG&ot few believe the President will
once it is clearly seen that Con-
ress Is not oging to pass measure
gulatfng rents here
SThe housing and rent conditions in
ashington," Congressman Anderson
of Minnesota declared, "are awful. I
think that in many respects they are
horrible"
He declared these conditions dis
DEdited the Capital, and he told Of
Specific cases of extortion. He said
Young lady war worker had given him
aAlist of over 100 places which she
had visited seeking a room. She could
mot find one for less than S45 a
month, and is now living in small
rex bed room and paying that
GO0d Homes sacrificed.
szPointing out that most of the war
workers come here from good homes
atfa sacrifice, Mr.. Anderson asserted
they were asked to live in Washington
|under conditions nearly as bad as
|thpse in the trenches in France.
Three little houses near the Capitol,
". Anderson said. were housing 100
ar workers and bringing their
l7Fner over $4,000 a month, many
Ines what he received in peace days.
Congressman W Walsh asked If such
rofiteering was not closely related to |
Tying aid and comfort to the enemy.
Ar- Anderson replied. it was driving
thousands Of war workers out of
Washington. -
a, Chairman Johnson took the floor
anS. after agreeing with Mr.. Ander-
- that courageous prohteering had |
zen going on for months" criticised |
Some features OF the Anderson amend |
pept as Inadequate.
n 8IOhnsoa Scores Senator'S. -
Mr.. Johnson bitterly scored certain |
Senators. whom. he did not name, for
not dealing with the profiteers, say
Ing they were knowingly aiding the |
He applied the Anderson amend
ment to the Cairo apartment house. |
- ''The worst pEofiteer in Washing |
ton" he said, sis the proprietor of |
the. Cairo apartment house. His |
name is Schneider"
He related an instance of a young |
Syoman war-Worker being shut out |
cf her room there, and said Schneider |
was trying to force tenants out in 1
order that he might rent the rooms |
by the day and make more money.
-siWhen the Randall motion to con-
cur in the Pomerene amendment was |
offered Congressman Blanton Of |
fexas defended the Pomerene amend |
I1eit, and insisted that Congress |
Sdght to hasten the food production |
EET because OF prohibition and the |
provisions therein to encourage |
sSheat farmers.
Cutthroaf Tactics.
.oALr. Randall, in speaking for his
1zetion, said be wanted it passed to
b the "cutthroat tactics Of the |
hdiords of Washington"
- Anderson criticised the attitude
6f Mr. Johnson in refusing to accept
snything not originating with him
Self and said that by his course no
Body has contributed more to the
profiteers than the gentleman from
On the vote, the Randall motion
was lost to 25. The Anderson mo-
ton was beaten 10 to %. The Lever
motion was then. adopted and fur
Afer conference asked. The House
cSnferees are Lever. Lee Gambler,
IYaugen and Mclaughlin.
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TWO NAVY CASUALTIES |