Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-10-02
BILL TOPREVENT
RENT TPROF|TEER|NG
REACHES SENATE
New Provisions Strengthen
Rights of Tenants in Con-
ferees' View.

The anti-profiteering bill. contain
ing the Ball amendment to prevent
rent profiteering in the District Of
Columbia, was submitted to the Sen
ate today by Senator Gronna Of North
Dakota
AS redrafted by the conferees the
Ball amendment has been changed in
practically every paragraph. though
1t retains the original plan for the
appointment Of a rent commission to
administer rents in the District.
It is expected that the Senate and
House will concur in the report
Tenant Has Right Of Appeal.
Senator Gronna explained today
that after the rent commission has
been appointed any tenant who be-
lfeves that his rent is excessive has
the right Of appeal to the commission.
whether he has signed a lease or not.
or the rent commission itself may
initiate proceedings whore It believes
the rents are excessive.
The Salisbury resolution. BY which
tsEantSf N waShIpktcf have. been
~ u
during the wAf. without increaSes in
rents. Is repeated sixty days after the
commission has been appointed, How
ever, provision is made in the bill
against the eviction Of tenants who
took advantage ofstte salisbury reso-
luton.
Selection Of Commission.
The members of the rent commits
sion are to be appointed by tie Presi-
No restriction is placed upon their
selection. except that they shall not
be directly or indirectly Connected
with the real estate business or the
business Of renting property. There
ers must be residents OF the Distrfcf
Of Columbia
The Ball amendment is to expire at
tie end of three years.
co7ass Tns amendment; end MT, which. II It be-
food control act; has been designated
as. Title II-District of Columbia
Rents" The text follows:
Text Of Bill.
Section 101. When used in this title
unless the context indicates other.
wise
The term rental property" means
any land or building or part thereof
in the District of Columbia rented or
hired and the service agreed or re-
Quired by law or by determination of
the commission to be furnished in
connection Herewith; but does not
include a hotel or apartment.
The term person" includes an in
dividual. partnership. association, or
corporation.
The term "hotel" or apartment"
means any hotel or apartment or
part thereof, in the District of Colum.
bia. rented or hired and the land and
appurtenant thereto, and
the service agreed or required by
mission to be furnished in connection
Herewith.
The term Owner includes a lessor
or sublessor. or other person entitled
to receive rent or charges for the use
or occupancy of any rental property,
hotel or, apartment, or any interest
therein, or his agent.
The term tenant" includes a sub
tenant, lessee. .sublessee or other per-
son. not the owner. entitled to the
use or occupancy of any rental prop
erty, hotel or apartment.
The term "service" includes the fur
rishing Of tight. heat. water, tele-
phone or elevator service. furniture,
window shades, screens,
awnings, storage. kitchen, bath and
la, adry facilities and privileges, maid
service janitor service, removal Of
refuse. making all repairs suited to
the type Of building or necessitated
by ordinary wear and tear, and any
other privilege or service connected
with the use or occupancy of any
rental property. apartment or hotel.
Refers to Rent Commission.
The term Commission means the
rent commission of the District Of
Columbia
Section 1o2. A commission is hereby
created and established, to be known
as the rent commission Of the Dis
trtct Of Columbia, which shall be
comnosed of three commissioners.
none OF whom shall be directly or in
directly engaged in, or in any man
ner interested in or connected with.
the real estate or renting business in
the District Of Columbia. The COM
,,,i.sioners shall be appointed by the
president by and with the advice and
consent OF the Senate. The term 81
sech commissioner shall be three
vesrs except that any person,-chosen
"a All a vacancy shall be aDpointed
onlv for the unexpired term OF the
arcr,issioner whom he succaeds. The
conomission shall at the time Of its or
s.nization and annually thereafter
esnct =. chairman from its own mann.
harship. The commission may lnaka
sneh regulations az may be necessa ~
to carry this title into effect.
All powers and duties of the com.
!, ,fssion may be exercised by 4 ma ior.
ifv of its members. A vacancy IN the
.S,r ~ iaeion shall not impair fha :, III