The Washington times., 1922-04-03

partment Of Labor.
BY act Of Congress the Ball rent
control act went in effect at the Ma
tional Capital October %, 1919; 1t ex-
pired October %, 1921, and was ex-
tended to May 22, 1922. 1t is now
proposed by Congress to extend same
for two more years and In addition
to places of abode to include office
buildings, and business properties.
The National Association OF Real
estate boards and the realtors OF
Washington, representing to large
degree the tenant, the homeOWner'
and the landlord, at pubic nearing
before committees of the Senate and
the House, protested this Legislation,
and. as EXPERTS explained to the re-
spective committees or Congress
what would happen under rent con-
troll laws. Their prediction has come
true although at the time some per-
sons scoffed at the possibility OF the
law reacting to the injury OF the
public.
Looking back two and one-ha1
years we find that there have been
more marble halls, mirrored BATH
rooms and gilded elevators erected
in Washington than ever before In
the history of the city, but there
has not been one single apartment
house erected for the man of mod
crate means. There has not been one
single home erected for the purpose
of being rented to the man Of fmall
income.
We have witnessed the sight OF
the Washington Rent Commission So
Letting the tenants of a million-dol-
lar apartment house with a view to
reducing their rent, but who Is SO,
liciting the laborer, the 81 200, ii 800
or $1,000 clerk? Who has helped,
or attempted to help, this body or
men? Certainly the Ball act has not
helped them because the results show
that for two and one-half years there
has been nothing produced for ther
shelter. And shelter is what houses
people, not laws.
Due to the fact that the law did
not interfere with their production,
we have in Washington today num-
bers of moderately priced houses be-
ing built TO be sold as homes, but
who can point to one house being
built for the purpose Of being rented!
1t was only a short time ago when
hundreds of such homes were being
built and sold to investors for rental
purposes. The tenant was happy
under these conditions, and the in
vestor was satisfied. But what in
weston today is coming to the rescue
of the man of small means?
Congress seems now to be very
much concerned about the alley
dwellers OF the Capital City, and II
g seriously suggested that bonds be
! issued for the erection of homes for
these persons. II it were not for un.
wise legislation the alley situation OF
Washington would have been solved
| long ago. but if the rent law con
tinues the taxpayers of the country
will not only have to look after the
alley dwellers OF Washington but aft
cr their employers as well. II the
Ball act was designed to reduce the
American tenant to the level OF the
| Eurapean tenant. IL is fast accom-.
plishing its purpose.
| The law has never overcome ore
economic fact; Washington, as well
as other rent controlled cities. has
! 900 places in which to live and 100
families TO occupy them. This condi.
I tion will grow worse. all the laws of
the land to the contrary notwith-
standing, until production has fur
nished 1,001 places of abode for 1000
families. Who is to produce these
places of abode? The taxpayers OF
tho country or private capital?