The Washington times., 1919-08-11
President Wilson Wants Model Laws to
Check Washington Pro6teering
By EARL GOODWIN,

1
1t would serve a useful example to the other
communities OF the country well greatly relieve
local distress if the Congress to regulate all such
matters very fully for the District Of Columbia where
Its legislative authority is without limit"
In this little paragraph from great message President
wilson points his finger at the National Capital and tells
congress that Washington has chance Of escape from
proheerng unless Congress takes complete control Of the
situation
Of course, locally we are not so much interested in
having set Of model laws passed for the benefit Of the
nation In having backs relieved Of the burden
Il in relieving Washington Congress can set up an example
the rest of the nation all right But we have been used
as laboratory for political schemes for long that the
mere fact of being called model makes shudder.
The District Committees of the Senate and the House
will frame the proposed profteerng legislation and already
the Senate committee is getting into the facts in the
After the FACTS established what Washington wants
to is good, stiff penalty for actual proheerng and
machinery whereby it be detected and run to earth
Congress should be careful not to lay the blame on the
wrong in the transaction The producers blame the
manufacturers who blame the obbers who pass it to
the wholesalers who hand the whole thing the retailer
who protests to Heaven that he is barely making living g
great are his charges.
But SOMEWHERE there is huge profit being made
Witness the general prosperity Of every large industry
Congress should remember that it must pass wise anti
profteerng laws and not frame any 'fst aids like
the Salisbury resolution.
That there is extorton in some rents apparent and
the Salisbury resolution was adopted merely wartime
measure to prevent navy yard employees and other
ers from leaving Washno at time when they needed
here in the defense of the country But it hastily made
law, and while it has worked well for the tenants 50 far
and has injured many property holders viii be no good
at all at the end Of three months period following the
declaration of peace and the chances that tenants who
have taken advantage Of it up to viii be ruhlessy
handled by any landlord who has grudge.
The REAL solution Of the real estate situation win b
found when the banks loosen and lend enough money for
builders to operate. We are underhoused by many hum
drds of homes and every builder complains that the banks
acting too conservatve When they get the correct
view of the situation banks viii loan enough money there
will be enough houses, and rents viii be at reasonable
figure again
We need here penalties Of nature for the man
who boards food at the expense of the people We need
penalty Of some something that viii hurt-or the man
who throws tenant the street because he win not pay
extoronate rent We need equitable distribution of all
commodities, and above ALL need common sense In this
situation that viii not all amuck at the mention
of the word profeerng Let's get the facts in the case
and then effectively stamp out the WRONGDOING.
ARD A ND SEEN