The Washington times., 1920-10-07
SEE BALL ACT
. RULING NEAR
Landlords and Tenants Look
for Supreme Court Decision
by January.
ALL PARTIES URGE SPEED
Test Case May Get Preference
on Tribunals Calendar to
End Controversy.

The Supreme Court of the United
States is expected to pass upon the
constitutionality of the Ball rent act
before the end of this year, accord
ing to developments in the rent con-
troversy this week.
TO CLEAR CONFUSION.
There are several efforts on foot to
bring the matter before the highest
tribunal II either one of these sue
coed II is believed that the Supreme
Court will give the case preference
and set IT on the calendar for an
early hearing In view of the present
confusion arising out of the uncer-
tainty OF enforcement of the pro-
visions of the Ball act.
Both tenants and landlords are
anxiously awaiting the disposition OF
the petition now before the Supreme
Court for a writ Of certiorari to the
Court Of Appeals of the District. The
writ was asked for this week in the
Hirsh- Block case and the granting or
refusal Of ii is expected by next Mon
day.
Should the writ be refused another
attempt will be made Immediately TO
get the case before the highest court.
Just what form this will take Is un-
certain, but there are any number or
rent cases now on appeal which cuold
be used as an instrument for an
opinion by the Supreme Court on the
constitutionality of the Ball act.
The chaotic conditions arising over
the present status of the District rent
au,
without doing serious damage to ten
ants as well as property owners, in
the opinion Of all concerned. Be-
cause Of this every effort will be
Mede to get speedy action from the
Sdpreme Court, and there Is every
indication that such action can be
procured before Christmas.
RENT BOARDS NEW CASES.
The Rent Commission this morning
set fair rentals in ten cases. in one
OF which more than 100 per cent re-
duction was ordered, the present
rental Of $3.50 q month being cut
to 1880.
In the case Of Mrs. George T. Elan
against Charles D. Sager. the COM
mission set $3.50 as a fair rental
for Quincy place northeast, the
former rental being $3.50 a month
The commission set $50 as a, fair
rental for apartment 40. the Concord.
New Hampshire and Oregon avenues
northwest In the case Of Hattie Stein
against John Scrivencr and Brother.
The complainant declared that an ef
fort was made to raise her rent "
per cent.
In the case of Mrs. L. w. Sakers
against SwartzeIl, Rheem and Hensey
Company the commission granted an
increase Of from $3.50 to $2O.bO q
month for apartment at 1477 New
ton street northwest The landlord
sought an increase to &27.5O.
The commi ssion decided that the
present rental of $3.50 was a fafr
amount Of $40 F street, in the case
of Mrs. Charles Shaw against J. Leo
Kolb.
In the case of Joseph N. Smith
against J. C. weedon and Company
the commission set $25 as a fair
rental for 1113 South Carolina avenue
southeast A rental of $2S a month
was asked for by the landlord.
The commission set s15 as fair
rental for 10 ID street southeast
in the case of Ignatius West against
John Quinn.
In the case of Lydie Schultz and
others against william S. Quinter,
the commission set the following rem
tails for apartments in the Madeira,
TO7 Twenty-second street northwest
4 Apartment I, occupied by Mrs. M.
Cramer, S32. so, the former rent be-
ing S2S, which was increased to &45;
apartment 8, occupied by Mrs. r. r.
smith, and apartment II, occupied by
NJ. II. Redman, each $40, the former
rent being s2S, which was increased
TO $50; apartment 4, occupied by Miss
Lydia schultz. $40, the former rent
being S31, which was increased to $50.