The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-06-06
RENT PROF|TEER|NG
 SURE ID COME UP
 IN THE LEGISLATURE
Governor Flooded With Re quests to Include Various Subjects In His Call
 to SOlOns
By FRED IT. GORMLEY
 Montgomery Bureau Tho Age. Herald
 22i-2 First National Bank BuiIdinu

montgomery, June 5.-(Special )--An- ti-rent profiteering legislation will be enc of the most important subjects to come before the lawmakers this sum mer if the extra session of the legisla ture is held. Governor Kilby may not include it in his call, but bills covering this subject will be introduced and fought through both houses
 Governor Kilby is being flooded with petitions for the inclusion of this sub Ject in his call in order that only ma- Jorlty of the votes of the two houses Will De necessary. He may not be able 10 comply with these requests, because 1T he does others who have asked for other matters to be entered may feel they have been discriminate ted against He has not made up his mind and will not do so until he has definitely decided that an extra session cannot be avoided
 A vail against the charges for the rent of residences has gone up from many sections of the state. For months the rentals have been climbing, but now reports are reaching the capitol that in addition to the high rates sonic property owners are attempting to force their tenants to sign long leases, fearing
 
 rental rates will drop.
 Conditions are said to be desperate In some sections, especially the Bir- nllngham district, where houses are un- obtalnable al any price. One report of oniy one instance came to Montgom- cry this week. This was that a tenant declined to pay an increased rental and was ordered to vacate. He could not obtain another house and thus could no. yacate. He posted a warning against trespassing and notified the first per- son who came across his leased prop erty for the purpose of evicting him would be shot. Other reports have come that tenants are unable to vacate their landlords property because they can not obtain other houses
 The Birmingham Civic Association and other organizations have been working on an anti-rent profiteering bill for several weeks and if the legis- lature meets during the summer it will be introduced.
 Governor Kilby is receiving no mo- II ents of rest now that he has an nounced that an extra session appears to be inevitable. Every mail brings re- quests for the inclusion of matters in hls call. If he doesn't change his mind the state will be Surprised at the few things that will be placed in the call. The governor wants the special session to end as soon as possible and his pur- pose now is to include in the call only revenue legislation and such matters of great importance which could not be handled at the regular session last year because of lack of time.
 Governor Kilby will propose another law which vii require all state officials to live in or in close proximity to Mont gomery in order that they may look after their duties daily. This law was passed in 1919, but was invalid because the enacting clause was unintentionaHy omitted.
 l. is not believed he will propose leg islation which will take the place of the present revenue law. His call is expected to include suggestions for am endments to the law which will give to the state treasury such revenue as will meet the states needs, but there will be no proposal for a new system of financing the state.
 Several other subjects of legislation which cannot be included in the call would meet the approval of the gover- nor but he will not recognize many of Nem in his proclamation, believing -at the meritorious bills would receive the support of two-thirds of the legis- lators and could become law under the constitution.