The Washington times., 1919-12-02
NEW D. c. RENTLAW
STANDS, ,SAYSBALL
Author of Statute Replacing
Salisbury Act Defends Its
Constitutionality.

The decision of the Court of Ap-
peals invalidating the Salisbury act
will have no effect on the Ball Rent
Bill recently enacted by Congress in
he opinion OF leading members of
both branches OF Congress.
Senator'S and congressman were
hooded today with Inquiries relative
to the safety of the Ball measure and
asked to take every measure within
their power TO safeguard the act.
Rumore OF Wholesale sjec. ions
which have been flying In every direc-
ton since the decision of the court
was announced are met with denial
by leading realty dealers of the city.
There is no accession for such hys-
terra 1t was pointed out as 1t is en-
tireiy likely that the decision of the
court will be carried to the United
Supreme Court and that meanwhile
the law VIII continue in force.
Ball Law Unaffected.
The decision of the Court of Ap-
peals declaring the Salisbury act un-
constitutional does not affect tba new
rent law in the District Of Columbia
In any way" Senator Ball of Della
ware, author of the bill directing the
appointment of the rent commission,
declared today.
Senator Ball declared that the law
is protected against subterfuge by
provision stating that If any section
of the law IS declared unconstitu-
tional II shall not affect the remain
der of the law. The Ball rent law
continues the Salisbury resolution
for sixty days after the appointment
| OF the rent commission to take care
, OF the situation until the new law IL
under full operation. That section of
the bill relating to the Salisbury res
olution can be wiped out entirely,
Senator Ball claims, without making
the rent commission null and void.
Foresaw Decision.
"Framers of the rent law foress "
| that there was a possibility Of tho
| section OF the bill relating to The
rentals Of private residences ana
| business houses being declared uu
| constitutional. In that event. il " ~
decided to separate residences In die-
ferent sections of the bill from apart
nent houses and hotels.
"The crux of the decision" said
Senator Ball. holds that the Saul,-
bury resolution is unjust and unfair
to the citizens Of the District The
Constitution declares that the people
of the District shall have the same
rights and privileges as the peoIs
( the State.
That is the only point in my mlnd
| that IL open to attack on the rent
Law. 1t is my opinion that apartment:
houses and hotels are public conven-
fences, and that Congress has q con-
stitutional right to regulate them"
ant
should hold that the rent commission
cannt exercise the pwers yer private
residences II would In no way affect
| the regulation of apartment houses
| and hotels. He expressed the hope
that the President would appoint the
rent commission in the near future.
claiming that there was nothing in
the decision OF the Court of Appeals
from preventing The rent commissiIi
t getting Own wrk Immediately.
Congressman Charles E. Mapes. OF
! the House District Committee, de-
clared today that in his opinion, the
| decision of the Court OF Appeals in
validating the Salisbury act does not
/ mean that the Ball rent law will be
jeopardized
| The Ball rent law Is not predicated
on the salisbury act" he said. '.rhe
decision of the court assumes property
taken under the SALISBURY resolution
without due process of law and does
not apply uniformly to all land and
property owners.
! The Ball rent bill creates a COM
mission of three whose duty is is AK
/ the reasonable return on all rental
property in such manner that II will
! be uniform throughout the District OF
! Columbia"
I
1t In to your best interest to nut