The Washington times., 1919-09-11


property, hotel, or apartment and the
lessor, sublessor or occupant thereof,
with respect to the rent payable
therefor or the right to possession
thereof
The term Jurisdiction" means the
exercise of the powers, authority, and
duties conferred upon the commission
by this act.
CommiasIon Created.
The term commission means the
Rent Commission OF the District Of
| Columbia.
Sec. >. That a commission is here
/ by created and established, to be
known as the Rent Commission Of
the District OF Columbia, which shall
be composed OF three commissioners
! experienced in rental and housing
problems, who shall be appointed by
! the President, by and with the advice
and consent of the Senate. No person
who has not been a bona ide resi-
dent Of the District OF Columbia for
at least two years Immediately pre-
/ ceding his appointment shall be ap-
pointed as a commissioner. The terms
/ of all commissioners shall be two
years. except that any person chosen
| to fll a vacancy shall be appointed
/ only for the uneXpired term of the
! commissioner whom he shall succeed.
| The commission shall at the time Of
| its organization and annually there
| after elect a chairman from its own
membership. Any commissioner may
be removed by the President for in
efficiency, neglect Of duty, or mall
] feasance in office.
All the powers and duties OF the
commission may be exercised by q
majority OF its members. A vacancy
in the commission shall not impair
the right OF the remaining commits
sioners to exercise all the powers Of
the commission. The commission
shall have an official seal, which shall
be judiciaIly noticed.
$500 a Year Salary.
Sec. 5, That each commissioner shall
receive a salary Of $1,000 a year, pay
appoint a secretary, who shall re-
eeive a salary of $4,000 a year, pay
able in like manner, and il shall have
authority to employ and fix the com
pensation Of such employees as il may
the proper performance of its duties,
and as may be from time to time ap-
propriated for by Congress.
With the exception Of the secre-
tary, a clerk for each commissioner,
and such special experts as the COM
mission may from time to time find
necessary for the proper performance
of its duties, all employees Of the
commission shall be q part Of the
classified civil service, and shall en-
ter the service under such rules and
regulations as may be prescribed by
the commission and by the Civil
Service Commission.
All of the expenses of the. commits
sion shall be allowed and paid on
the presentation Of itemiEed vouch-
ers therefor approved by the chair
man OF the commission. Until 9TH
erwise provided by law, the COM
mission may rent suitable Offices for
| its use.
Sec. 4. That the assessor Of the
District of Columbia shall serve eX
ofticio as an advisory assistant to
! the commission, but he shall have
none of the powers or duties Of a
commissioner. He shall attend the
meetings and hearings Of the COM
mission. 1t shall be the duty of
such assessor, whenever requested
by the commission, to supply TO the
commission any data and informa-
tion contained In the records Of his
office. He shall receive, for the per-
this Act, a salary Of $4,000 per an
mum, payable monthly, in addition
to such other salary as may be pre-
scribed for his office by law.
Access To All Accounts.
Sec. 5. That for the purpose Of this
act the commission or its duly
authorized agent or agents shall at
all reasonable times have access to,
for the purpose Of examination, and
the right to copy any books accounts,
records, papers, or correspondence
dealing with any controversy which
has been submitted to the commits
sion; 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 such
controversy. Any member Of the
commission may sign subpOenas, ad-
minister oaths, and aftrmstions, ex-
anime witnesses, and receive evidence.
Such attendance Of witnesses and
the production OF such books, ac-
counts, records, papers, and CORE
spondence may be required from any
place in the District OF Columbia at
any designated place OF hearing with
in Frch 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-
tion OF such books, accounts, records
papers, and correspondence. Such
court, in case OF contumacy or refusal
to obey subpoena issued to any per
son. may issue an order recurring
such person to appear before the com
mission, or TO produce books. ac-
counts, records, papers, or correspond
ence' il so ordered, or to give evil
dence touching the matter in uues-
ton; and any failure to obey such
order Of the court may be punished
by such court as a contempt thereof
Section 6-ThAt 1t Is declared that
Cal all apartments and hotels and
Cb) all rental property within the
District OF Columbia are affected
with a public interest, and that ali
rents or charges collected or made
and all terms or conditions jmposed
for the occupancy OF such property
Under lease, suitcase, CT other con-
tract or hiring shall be fair and rea-
sonable. The commission, upon COM
plant setting forth the existence Of