The Washington times., 1919-03-22
BY BILL PRICE.


when Capt. Julius Peyser was ut
the head Of the health and housing
division OF the War Department dur
ing the war, and this city was stirred
from end TO end by attempts cf
profiteerinE landlords to turn out of
their homes, for high profits, thou
sands Of Government and other work
era, this officer maintained something
like stability IN the BONES market
by appealing the cases of 5000 ten
ants to the municipal court Of the
District, which held that under the
SaulsSury law the status quo as 10
rents must not be disturbed.
Among this large number OF wor-
ried people were more than 1000
women whose husband, fathers, or
sons were either abroad with the Uni
ted States army or in its service in
this country.
DID Coed Work.
Al any rate Julius Peyser did SPLEEN
did work for distressed people 10
Washington, and in dong so he made
strong enemies who will hate him for
q lifetime.
Being human, he made some mis-
takes; he Inadvertently helped people
who were as mean as mean landlords
can be; he did Il through sympathy,
though. and discovered his mistakes
afterward In the great majority OF
cases he gave real help to people in
genuine distress and helpless IL they
had been turned out Of the homes
they were IN. Gratitude to Peyser is
Widespread, more than balancing the
hatred felt for him by certain gentle
men who could not put over profiteer-
ting games OF the worst kind.
The upset condition Of the tenant
landlord situation in Washington
through the conflicting decisions OF
justices Mccoy and Could as 70 the
e0nstitutionality Of the Salisbury law
again @ causing discontent and Eo-Ty.
5uetiee Could had hardly rendered his
SECESSION that the law Is unconstitu-
notices Of vacation unless big in
creases OF rents were paid. In every
possible manner they began to apply
hhe screws.
Many ADDesIs Received.
One large apartment house owner
within two days after the Gould de-
eision rendered bills for future rent
payments which included increases
for rooms and apartments ranging
from 20 to 100 per cent. Washington
people who are renters were positively
disturbed over the outlook. The
Times had appeals from all directions
and this writer was seen by many
people.
Captain Peyser. in his suite Of Of
ficeS In the Wilkins building, fore
saw q reign Of rent terror in wash
ington IL the courts should now hold
the law unconstitutional
whats going to be done to pro-
tect thousands Of helpless people
against unfair treatment by land
Iords?' I asked Captain Peyser. MANY
of them are poor, and have no knowl-
edge OF their rights. Why can't you
help these people when they are abb
solutely in the right, and are being
imposed upon? What do you say to
thatT''
'T'n do It," snapped Captain Pey-
ser in q minute. II suppose IL will
make me many more enemies, but 1
90 not give a rap. / am out OF the
service now and a free man. So far
as I can help will not stand for
Injustice upon anybody unable to en-
ploy attorneys"
It is admitted by Captain Peyser|
that there are tenants in Washing
ton who attempt to escape payment
CT fair rents; who have no decent
consideration Of another mans prop
erty; who ought to pay reasonably
increased rents and act fairly in other
WHyG
Will Get Free HeIp.
No such persons need go TO Captain
I7eyser. but 1 give assurance that
very poor man, helpless or unpro-
jected woman who is frightened over
.srohteering rent notices from unfair
landlords. will get help free of charge,
md Il will be valuable help, too
HmnGNln pnUnaR lrnnrryc he hfgfnrxy
AZ the landlords OF Washington. He
knows that they are not all scoun-
drels by any means. He knows
thousands of them that are square
md honest and who are renting their
properties today far below what they
Ehould be rented for. But he also
knows well the profiteerinE. gouging
class without . pint OF red blood in
sheir bodies and not q featherweight
OF kindly feeling for humanity In gen
cral These are the people that Cap
cain Peyser will sit up with night
and day.
Assistant Secretary Keppel, OF the
War Department has written Captain
Peyser q most complimentary letter
on his administration Of office dur
ing the war, declaring that he had
been of ''inestimabIe value to the
Government and it's employees" and
had played an important part in the
war despite his activities were con-
3ined At home"
The Court Of Appeals will soon pass
upon the constitutionaIity of the
. Sudbury act. and Captain Peyser has
been asked to submit a brief on this
Uofnt He e. more familiar with the
law and the various points involved
Than any other man. He has not the
slightest doubt that the law is con-