The Washington herald., 1921-06-17
COMMITTEE VOTES
TO ADD 7 MONTHS
TORRENT ACT'SLIFE
Garages and Businesses
Exempted Under the
Amendment.

An amendment prolongtng the
life OF, the rent law seven months
from October % next was agreed
upon Wednesday by the Senate Dis
trict Committee.
Garages and other business con-
Germs VIII be exempted from its
provisions and an attorney Will be
employed. his salary to be decided
following another conference or
members of the committee.
Senator L. Heisler Ball. chairman
Of the committee, had contemplated
asking Congress to extend the law
two years on the ground that the
emergency under which the Rent
Commission was created during the
war had not passed and that ex-
orbitant rents are still being
charged.
Real estate brokers and landlords
protested that rates are not ex-
orbitant: that the public could solve
the problem, and that the law was
creating unrest and falling short Of
justice. Some of them held 1t
should be repealed. Members OF
the Senate committee were not all
agreed that the law should be con-
tinued after October 20. but the
lief that the period Of nearly year
in which it would be in force VIII
bring adjustments.
II was pointed out that spring IL
the moving time for many; that the
government forces will be greatly
reduced by next May and that thou
sands of washingtonians will be
leaving the city for the summer.
thus enabling tenants and owners
TO get their bearings following the
long wrangle that resulted from
wartime conditions
Senator King. of Utah. who has
been outspoken in his objection to
the law as a transgTession of pri-
waite affairs and was against any
extension. agreed to the amend
ment to prolong the law seven
months. but gave no indication that
he would vote for 1t.
Action Next Week.
Eight members of the committee
Of sixteen were present. Senator
Eall being in charge. The report is
to be made to the Senate as soon
as the amendment is drawn. 1t may
he ready tomorrow. The Senate
will act on the bill when it is
reached on the calendar, probably
within the coming week.
Scores of suggestions were re-
ceived in the pile of letters and petit
tions which the committee found be-
fore il yesterday. Many tenants were
among those demanding a continual
ton of the law. some declaring the
public is a prey for a system OF rent
profiteering that has no bounds ex-
cept what may be placed by the
rent commission in behalf of those
courageous enough to complain.
Some of the tenants letters declared
there were thousands of vacant
rooms, apartments and houses, and
expressed the belief that il rents
were reduced the landlords as well
as the tenants would profit
Complaint also was made against
the practice Of placing apartments
and houses on the sale market and
refusing to rent them. thus shutting
people out who needed shelter.
Owners complained of their in
ability to get possession when leases
expired: of the refusal of tenants to
pay Necessary increases and of the
constant costs for material and labor
The problem of building houses and
obtaining fair returns on invest
menrs was also advanced. while
others declared building has been
largely held up because of the in
reference with tn, normal trend of
prices by the rent commission and
by the dissatisfaction among tenants.
Suggestions for changes in the law
covered a wide range OF proposals
Of exemptions and notifications
favoring both renters and owners.
Owners of business property pointed
out numerous disturbing elements in
the laws application to places es-
tablished and long continuing un-
der leases. Senators were asked to
consider the impairment of business
which uncertainties of rent caused.
and efforts were made to convince
them that very little had been ac-
compllshed by the commission in ad-
1usting the comparatively few dis
putes arising between business firms
and the owners of business prop
erty.
The question whether the amend
nent Immediately changes the law
In respect to business property and
becomes effective from October %,
is expected to occupy considerable
attention when the amendment comes
before the Senate. 1t is probable
that night will be made against
any extension of the law, despite
the Recommendation of the commit
tee. and there is some Indication
that objection will be made to the
sempromise in favor of the shorter
period instead of the 2-year period.