The Washington times., 1919-08-29
DC. REALTORS
SCOUT DEAOF
COMBINEHERE.
TORAISE RENT

A diagnosis Of the rent situation
= Washington by prominent real
estate men and members of the SEN
Ste District subcommittee, which is
endeavoring to legislate rents down
ward, resulted yesterday afternoon
IA general agreement as to the ne
tessity Of a reasonable advance in
rents this fall over pre-war rentals.
Some. of the estimates were as
nigh as 25 per cent, but the pre-
Saillng sentiment appeared to favor
IN Increase Of Is per cent over the
llre-War rental, if a reasonable re-
Vum on investments is to be guaran-
teed.
Realtors Against High Rents.
Washington real estate men, and
Tot Congress. were the frst to raise
voice against the rent profteer
through the Real Estate Brokers' As
fOclation, Charles S. Shreve, secretary
- the association, maintained. Their
,1feseat policy, as from the first, is
dead set against It," AR. Shreve de-
dared.
The, tenant isn't the only person
-sho has q right TO claim grievances
against the high cost of living, real
rstate men testified. Owners of apart
,aent houses. many Of them unable TO
sealize more than per cent return
from their property, they protested.
Lave a right to file a bill OF complaint
themselves.
II was generally conceded that the
average apartment house shows be-
tween and s per cent return on the
investment now, while an increased
rent is the only solution for those
Loming below that mark.
Fair Play For LandIOrGs.
There Is 10 intention on the part OF
fhe committee to refuse the landlord
legitimate proht The committee is
strongly in favor Of handing out a
isquare deal to the real estate owners.
specially for the purpose CT encour-
s-ging building operations in Wash
1ngton-
The one ny in the ointment Is the
;tverage lease notice" that property
owners have been sending their
tenants. Although these notices are
carefully worded, and are perfectly
legal, the committee unhesitatingly
brands them as absolute threats
against tenants who have taken ad-
vantage Of the Salisbury law to
cvade Increased rents.
While most Of the real estate men
Hsolaimed any intention OF dis
Eliminating against those who have
saken advantage OF their legal rights,
some OF them have stated very plainly
that these "undesirabIe1 tenants will
se compelled to vacate when the law
expires. The committee agreed with
che property owners that the sub
leasing evil here not only is the worst
side 20 the rent situation, but Is the
hardest to curb. whatever iegisla-
aion the committee may recommend,
81 10 certain 70 contain q clause di-
rected against sub-leasing.
Ne HIgh-Reat Ring.
Charles S. ShreYe, secretary Of The
Real Estate BrokerS Association told
ne committee he knew nothing of
eombin&donB Of real estate men 70 In
Euence q rising scale Of rents.
Mr. Shreve characterized the Pom
creme bin OF last year as admirable"
u provided about per cent net
Prodts based upon actual valuation. |
a1n June. 1917, before anybody got
rEfteF the rent question" said Mr. |
ShreVe, @the Brothers Association met |
and appointed John L Weaver chair /
man Of q committee TO take steps 1
against pFo1teering. Ever since that |
time. the association has been dead /
yet against it That is the attitude Of |
me association toward profteering." |
Frank II. Duehay, owner Of the /
Portsmouth and Rochambeau apart /
nentE was the next witness. He in
formed the committee he did not /
an increase in his rents /
for the coming year. Il didn't get the /
Former increase that asked" he said, !