The Washington herald., 1920-01-25
FIRST HEARING
ON RENTS FEB. 2
Public Session Will Be Held
From 10 a. m. to
4p. m.
5000 CASES PENDING
Commission Gives Rules of
Procedure Quarters at
900 Penn. Ave. NV.
5000 CASES PENDING

Temporary headquarters for the
Rent Commission of the District
II Columbia have been established
n the building at s00-2 Pennsyl-
rania avenue northwest. and the
commission is now ready to re-
,eive complaints from tenants and
landlords. according to an an
iouncement made last night by
capt. James F. Oyster. chairman of
he commission. Daniel c. Roper.
r., the secretary of the commits
don. assisted by a small ONCE
sorce. will be on the job tomorrow
morning.
The first public session of the
District Rent Commission. to hear
vidence and oral arguments in
.ases of alleged exorbitant rent
:harges and other landlord-tenant
disputes. will be held Monday, Feb
;uary 2. beginning at 10 a m.
Permanent headquarters will be
obtained by the first part of next
week and occupancy will be-
gin Immediately. The exact loca-
ion has not as yet been determined.
Is several places are under consid-
ration. The hearings will be held
n the new location.
Capt. Oyster also announced the
following rules for carrying on its
work as provided in the Ball rent
aw:
The commission will meet pub
icly on Monday. Tuesday and We'd
Iesday of each week and sit from
% a. IN. to D. m. other sessions
nay be called if the commission
ices Mt.
The secretary's office will be open
very day. except Saturdays, Sun
lays and legal holidays. from 9
On Saturday at Il noon.
Any person. corporation, partner
ship. company or association desir-
ng to complain to the commission
1nder the provisions of the act TO
proved October %. 1918. may file a
complaint with the commission. in
person or by attorney.
Cases will be heard before the COM
mission in the order in which the
complaint is received.
Complaints.
Complaints must be by petition set
ing forth briefly the facts complained
4. The name of the complainant
must be stated in fuil and the address
Il the petitioner. The name and ad-
lress of his. or her. attorney. il any.
must appear upon the petition. The
'etition need not be verified. The
complainant must furnish to the sec
'etary of the commission as many
opies of the petition as there may be
arties complained against, to be
ierved personally by the commission.
IT by registered mail. upon each COM
Iainant.
Two or more compla inants may Join
n one complaint against one or more
defendants, if the complaint involves
substantially the same allegations.
mbject, or state of facts.
Answers.
A defendant must answer within ten
lays of the service of a copy of the
complaint. but the commission may
horten or extend the time for an
wering in its discretion.
The original answer must be filed
With the secretary of the commis-
ZION. and a copy thereof. at the
anne time. served by the defendant.
personally or by registered mail,
Ipon the complainant. who must
'orthwith notify the secretary of
is receipt.
Answers should be so drawn as
ully and completely to advise the
complainant and the commission
# the nature of the defense. and
ihould admit, or deny. specifically
md in detail each material allega-