The Washington times., 1918-10-17
WOULD LOWER RENT
HERE TO 1916BASIS
tcontinued from First Page.)


rent, whether by the day. week,
month or year, at which II was thus
last let before that date, plus Is per
cent Of such rent; or
tc) II such real estate was not
rented on or prior to September 80,
1916, or IL It has been converted from
dwelling, apartment, hotel or resi-
dence uses to business uses since that
date, or IL 1t was rented prior to that
date upon a term lease OF not less
than ten years which expired since
the 10th day Of September, 1916, then
IL may be rented for an amount which
will allow per cent net on a valua-
ton equal to the assessed valuation
OF such property for taxation plus so
per cent thereof Said rents above
prescribed shall be the standard
rents for said several classes Of prop
erty and prima facfe shall be reason
able rents therefor. In any case
where elevator or other service fur
nished prior to September 16, 1916, is
omitted subsequent to that date re-
ductions proportiOnate to the value
of such service shall be made.
In fixing rents OF real estate under
subsection (c) of this section. there
shall be taken into account the taxes
and assessments thereon, the cost OF
reasonable repairs and maintenance
actually incurred, and of insurance,
and of light, heat, water, and eleva-
tor and other service where furnished,
as well as proper allowance for
depreciation.
In the case OF hotels or apartment
houses or OF rooms or apartments in
hotels or apartment houses which
we're not rented to tenants or to
guests on or before September 80,
1916, the rents shall be fixed by the
rent administrator at the same prices,
as nearly as may be, as were charged
in hotels or apartment houses of
similar character, location, and hav-
ing similar accommodations on the
18th day Of September, 1916. plus 10
per cent OF such rent Apartment
houses which have been or may be
converted into single rooms or suites,
furnished by or for the owner or
lessee, and rented for transient occu-
patton, shall be classed as hotels and
shall be subject to all the ordinances.
rules, regulations. and laws OF the
District Of Columbia relating to ho-
tells.
When real estate is rented furnish
ed. the rent administrator shall au-
thorize a fair and reasonable rental
for the furniture in addition to the
rental for the real estate, which rem
tai shall not exceed a rate OF 80 per
cent of the value of the furniture per
annum and shall be subject to the
approval OF the rent administrator.
Rents in excess of the ra'es herein
authorized are hereby declared to be
against public policy and void, and II
accrued or paid after the passage OF
this act such excess may be recovered
by the lessee his assigns, or legal rep
resentatives II action shall be begun
therefor within six months after the
expiration OF his tenure.
The proposed penalty clause reads:
"Sec. II. That any person SUBJ
ject to the provisions OF this act, or
whenever such person is a corpora
tion, any director or officer thereof,
or any receiver. trustee, lessee. agent,
or person acting for or employed by
such corporation. who shall wilfully
receive rents on real estate In excess
OF those permitted by the terms OF
this act, or who shall wilfully. by
any sale or transfer or by any act
or subterfuge. evade or. attempt tc
evade or aid and abet in evadins,
the provisions OF the act. shall be
punished by q fine not exceeding
81. 900 or Imprisonment not exceed
ing one year, or both