Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-09-21
RENT BOARD ACTS
TO MEET WAVE
OF HIGH CHARGES
Tenants Called to Make
Statements on October I
Raise in Rates.

Members OF the District rent com
mission today launched a campaign of
renewed activity, designed to meet the
wave Of evictions said to have arisen
from the inability Of tenants to pay
increased rents.
Responding to appeals for advice
from members OF tenants whose leases
expire on October /, the general "nov-
ing day" in the calendar OF real estate
men. Capt. James F. Oyster. chairman;
A. Leftwich Sinclair and Mrs. Clara
Sears Taylor, members of the rent
board. have issued a call for all ten
ants who are facing eviction or the
alternative of paying unusually high
rental boosts to lay their troubles be-
fore the rent commission for decision.
Board Sim Functions.
1.-THE District rent commission has
been, and now is functioning accord
ing to the provisions laid down in
the Ball act. 1t will continue to do so
until the United States Supreme Court
determines the constftutionaIity of
the act" declared Capt. oyster today.
1t was pointed out a number of in
Quiries have been received asking If
the commission is still receiving and
determining disputes between land
have gone out the definite reply that
the rent board intends to continue
iunctioning until the Supreme Court
decides that the rent board has no
authority. Confidence that the high
est tribunal will uphold the constitu-
tionality of the Ball rent law is deep
sioners.
With October but short way off.
omcials of the commission are bend
ing their efforts toward disposing of
| scores Of cases arising from the ex-
piratlon Of leases on that date.
Many Calls for Relief.
Secretary D. c. Roper. jr.. and hrs
| stan OF assistants are daily besieged
stan Of assistants are daily besieged
| them bearing notices to. vacate in
! their hands. Men and women of all
! types and walks Of life are repre-
| scented. 1t was pointed out
| Omclals OF the commission announc-"
| ed that every tenant who receives a
l notice to vacate his house or apart.
| ment unless he pays an increased,
| rental. should file a petition with the
| rent commission for decision. No
| forms are necessary, it was stated
| letters citing former rent paid, rent
asked and copies of the eviction no.
| tice. together with description Of
| premises being all that is essential
All such petitions win receive the
4
| ers personally, it was explained.
Hearings will be set. landlords and
| tenants summoned and the premises
| themselves. il necessary. examined.
Fairness is the keynote OF all determi-
lord is justified in charging more rent,
in the mind of the commissioners. he
/ will get the benefit Of the determine
ton. II the tenant is being 'tEouged,"
the decision will state SO.
l Three Determinations.
1 Three determinations were handed
down by the rent board yesterday.
Charles E. Tribby. owner of the De
Soto apartment house. 1900 Massachu-
setts avenue, was granted permission
l to charge q rental of $3.50 for apart
ment /, occupied by Mayo Dudley.
| &C mplainant. Rena S. Smith Of apart
ment 1, the Birmingham apartments.
26l1 Adams Mill road. was informed
| apartment. c. w. Floyd. occupant of
| apartment IS. Sheridan apartment
| house. 1893 22d street. should pay $45
| month instead of the $50 asked of
him by Weaver Bros, the commission
decided.
TomoFr0w's Cases.
The list Of cases set for tomorrow
! Mrs. -. J. Jobert VS.. Mrs. J. E. Mont
gomery, rent, $50 18th street north
west; William J. Lynch VS.. Emma
Cooke, possession, 2226 Decatur place
northwest; A J. Nichols VS.. Weaver
Brothers, rent, apartment 81. 1919 18th
street northwest; Robert e. Herfurth
Tvs. J. r. Wood, possession and rent,
l132S G street southeast; Miss c. Baker
VS.. Harry Sullivan, possession. Jos ,
Florida avenue northeast; Ernest NC
iClafn We. Moore & Hill. Inc. rent,
t1147 Florida avenue northwest; MIS-
Ambrose Hammett VS.. Moore q Hill,
Inc. rent, l445 Florida avenue north
west; Chester Gray vs. Moore & Hill,
Inc, rent, s3S Oakdale street north
west; Mrs. James A. AcDonough We:
Mrs. Mary e. Lyddane. possession and
rent, 1880 Vermont avenue northwest;
W. H. HackIey vs.. Waggaman e
southeast: Minnie Brookes VS.. Shan
non & Luchs, rent, 1A1h Duncan
street northeast; Mrs. A. e. Murphy
VS.. H. E. Lewis. rent. apartment B.
the Dupont. 1929 21st street north
west; Mrs. A. E. Murphy vs. Emma
willis, rent. apartment Q. the Dupont.
|l12a 21st street northwest; Mrs. A. r.
Mufphy VS.. Claude Webb, rent. apart
ment 1. the Dupont. 1873 z1st street