The Washington herald., 1921-06-05
COMMITTEE ENDS !,
HEARINGS ON RENT
BILL AMENDMENT
Landlords Will Submit
Changes Desired in
Ball Act.

Hesrings were concluded by Tn.
senate District committee Friday
on the amendment OF Senator Ball.
Of Delaware, proposing to continue
the life Of the dent commission for
two years from October 20. when
the law expires
The rent commission and several
OF those representing the landlord
interests. will submit suggestions
Tor amendments to the law as sub
stitutes to that of Senator Ball.
These views will be turned over 10
the committee next week In time
Tor consideration at its regular
meeting on Wednesday.
Fridays principal witness was
Mrs. Clara Sears Taylor a member
OF the rent commission. who de-
ciared that she had made a per-
sonsl Investigation of renterJ'
complaints and found conditions de-
piorable and rates abnormal In
specific cases. Denying the asser-
tions of landlords that tenants had
been saved only a few hundred dol
lars an all the life OF the commits
shS oaiu tlOVsO1o hho OttAa
saved to fenters from February IS,
1920. TO May "a. 1891. She said la
the same period increases in reLt
to the amount of s73.5so had been
allowed.
Wants Control by Owners.
David Bowen recommended that
the Ball rent act be amended SO as
to allow owners to obtain property
when the leases expire. This would
make it possible to get rid of unde-
sirable tenants he said
Mrs. Maud +. Hopkins, Of 1415
Harvard street, owner of two apart
ments and other rental property,
opposed extension of the act, saying
that 1t deprived the owner Of con-
troll of property
Charles c. Lancaster told the
committee that property owners Of
Washington are not rent hogs.
pointing to the fact that hundreds
OF people took war workers into
their homes when the city was
crowded. The proftetring evil has
been confined largely to subletting.
he declared, original tenants op-
tanning extortionate rates. He said
the Ball rent act and the aulsbury
resolution made it possible for ten
ants to continue tina; practice Sen
ator Ball pointed to the fact that
the Ball rent act forbids the sub
letting OF apartments at a higher
rate than the original tenant pays
unless the commission says SO. Ian
caster urged the committee to allow
the commission to pass out and give
the people a chance &c adjust their
own troubles. He suggested amend
ing the law to make il a penal Of
tense for landlords TO violate their
contracts.
Act stiI Needed says Sinclair.
Bates Warren told the committee
the owners could deal with the sub
letting evil II permitted to do SO
]. S. NJ Bowie told of an instance
where tenant obtained $500 a
month by suhIetting a sl55 apart
ment. Changed conditions here
make il impossible for such extor-
tions to be longer prscticed. he said
Chairman Sinclair, of the r.nt
commission. charged that James Il
Karrick had been carrying on 4
campaign among business men and
landlords of Washington against
the rent act and read a letter which
he said Ksrrick had sent out urgir 8
appeal to congress and to the Presi-
dent to prevent extension OF tbs
act. He also read a reply to this
letter bearing the signature OF
Henry B. Davis. a builder, saying
the rent act was still needed to pro-
tect tenants. Sinclair said that II
he rent act is not continued there
is hardly tenant who has ap-
peoled to the commission who would
not be elected either for spite or
because the landlord would demand
higher rates.