The Washington times., 1919-10-21
The Problems of Washington
The Housing Situation,
Cause and Cure
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recognize odays talk about the unconstutonaty Of the
rent commission law as all bosh
Whenever for any reason, becomes impossible diff
cult for people get something which they have to have
sustain e then they going to their to
get for them and if their Government doesn't do it,
they III get new Government
In Washington this Unconstitutional talk is espec
ally absurd because of the plain fatfooted constitutional
mandate laid Congress to the District of Columbia
Whatever constitutional rights of contract anything ese
may have in other places Washington they always
have been and always will be secondary to the direct cons
tutiona authority and duty of Congress to control and
ate this District. -
incidentally here's good thing to remember. You
down correct in hundred out of every
hundred:
WHENEVER YOU HEAR ANYBODY OBJECT TO
9ALAW ON THE GROUND THAT 1T is UNCONSTITU
TIONAL YOU CAN BE CERTAIN THAT THAT is NOT
THE REASON FOR HIS OBJECTION.
The creation of the rent commission is good long
step toward the solution of vital phase of the housing
problem: High rents The commission has light job
ahead of it. Its duties demand personnel consisting of
lnen of integrity, fairness, and industry.
ln passing, I'd like to go record with the sugges
on that it would be fine idea to have the
commission. The wife mother-the home maker-fees
the pinch of high rents thar any other member of the
family, and it would be distinct advantage to the
munty for her to be represented by who
has personal knowledge of her problems)
It to that the greatest danger facing the
community in the administration of the rent law this
fact which the rent commission will have to deal with:
THE NATURAL DESIRE OF THE LANDLORD TO
BASE HIS PERCENTAGE OF PROFIT ON THE
ABNORMAL WAR VALUE OF HIS LAND AND BUILD
INGS.
Because of curtament of building and increase in pop
uaton values Washington have gone sky high since the
war. owned apartment house before the war,
worth let say, $200000 He claimed the right land
generally conceded it proper to return of 10 per
cent or $4,000.
War prices along His land increases enormously
His building built today would cost twice what it cost
him. His property is worth today let us say 100000
He still claims the right to return of 10 per cent
which would be $4,000, instead of $4,000
In order to get that return he raises rents and CLAIMS
THE RAISE is JUSTIFIED BECAUSE OF WAR PRICES
OF EVERYTHING!
The rent commission will have lot of cases substan
TALLY similar to that in which the owner will attempt to
capitalize for his benefit the increase in the value of his
property caused by abnormal conditions during period
which the has not put additional dollar in the
property.
The Public Utilities Commission has Just refused to
allow the utility corporations to add those values to their
properties.
The District assessor in his annual report saws the
values of land and improvements have added
to the assessments of property Washington because it is
abnormal and would therefore be the property
owner to make him pay taxes on it.
And though he does try to turn about and collect
rent for it, be certain that he would raise crv
that could be heard top of the Monument if he was
asked to pay taxes on it!
But the rent commission will deal only with existing
property while the great need of the community is more
places IN which to live. 1t will therefore remedy only one
OF TIE big housing problems What the remedy for the
jother'
10 back again to the constitutional mandate on Con
- - - YYYRV