Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-09-11
vided by law. the commission ma,
rent suitable offices for it's use.
Section Four.


rent suitable offices for it's use.
Section Four.
Sec. 4. That the assessor of the
! District of Columbia shall serve ex
officio as an advisory assistant to the
commission, but he shall have none of
the powers or duties of commissioner.
He shall attend the meetings and hear
, ings OF the commission. 1t shall be the
| duty of such assessor, whenever re-
Quested by the commission, to supply to
/ the commission any data and informa-
ton contained in the records of his
! office. He shall receive, for the per-
formance of the duties required by this
act. a salary of $1,000 per annum, pay
able monthly, in addition to such other
salary as may be prescribed for his office
by law.
Section Five.
''Sec. s. That for the purpose of this
act the commission or Its duly authoriz-
times have access to, for the purpose of
examination, and the right to copy any
books, accounts, records, papers or cor
respondence dealing with any contro-
versy which has been submitted to the
commission; and the commission shall
have power to require by subpoena and
the attendance and testimony of wit
nesses and the production of all such
books, accounts. records, papers and
correspondence relating to any matter
under investigation. Any member of
the commission may sign subpoe.sas, ad-
minister oaths and affirmations, examine
witnesses and receive evidence.
Such attendance of witnesses and
the production of such books, ac-
counts, records, papers and CORE
place in the District of Columbia at
any designated place of hearing with
in such District. In case of disobedi-
ence to a subpoena the commission
may invoke the aid of the Court of
Appeals of the District of Columbia
in requiring the attendance and tes-
timony OF witnesses and the produc-
ton of such books, accounts, records,
papers and correspondence. Such
court, in case of contumacy or refusal
to obey a subpoena issued to any per-
son. may issue an order requiring
such person to appear before the COM
mission, or to produce books, ac-
counts records. papers or correspond
ence, If so ordered, or to give evidence
touching the matter in question; and
any failure to obey such order OF the
court may be punished by such court
as contempt thereof.
Section Six.
Sec. s. That it Is declared that (a)
all apartments and hotels and CD all
rental property within the District
Of Columbia are affected with a public
interest, and that all rents or charges
collected or made and all terms or
conditions imposed for the occupancy
Of such property under lease, sub
lease or other contract or hiring
shall be fair and reasonable. The
commission, upon complaint setting
forth the existence of a controversy
with respect to any such apartment
or hotel or rental property, shall de-
termine whether the rent or charge
therefor is excessive or whether the
terms and conditions Of lease or hir-
ing are fair and reasonable; and If
the commission shall determine that
such rent or charge is excessive or
that such terms and conditions are
unfair or unreasonable, it shall deter
mine and fix a fair and reasonable
rent or charge therefor, which will
permit the owner or lessor to obtain
fair return upon the true value of
his property, or shall determine and
fix such fair and reasonable terms
and conditions The commission shall
also, on complaint setting forth a
controversy respecting the right to
possession of any hotel accommoda-
ton, apartment, or rental property,
determine the issue involved.
Section Seven.
Sec Z. That the commission shall
promptly hear and determine the is