The Washington times., 1922-04-27
GERMANYRENT BOARD
TOOFF|CER. UNDERF|RE.
RED ARMY At HEARING
Attorney for Meridian Apart
ments Assails Fitness of
Present Body.

Organized opposition which
threatened to delay the Ball rent
bill loomed today when the House
District Committee began hear
ings on the measure.
Charges by landlord spokes,nen'
that the District Rent Commits
sion is utterly unfit" and is
practicing favoritism with SEN
ators, Congressman, judges, and
millionaires ''in order to secure
the perpetuity of their Jobs" was
made before the committee.
Many Opponents Attend.
Previous indication that the rent
bill would go through the com.
mittee a-sailing were not so hope
full. The committee room was half
filled with opponents to the meas
ure.
William L. Humphreys, former
member of Congress and attorney
for Kennedy Bros, owner Of the
Meridian Mansion, was the princi-
pal witness at todays hearings.
The present rent commission is
utterly unfit for its job" he began.
''1n the fixing of rents, gross IA
voritism is shown In many in
stances. and especially 10 tenants
OF prominence and political influ-
ence.
When o Senator occupies an
apartment Identical with less prom.
inent tenants, gross discrimination
was shown the Senator in several
Instances Humphreys was refer
ri hA n ~
rent commission in revising rents
in the Meridian Mansionl
And Other Adjectives.
IL leave 1t to the committee. TO find
the reason for such glaring discrimi-
nation in favor of influence, wealth,
power and luxury, and against the
poor and humble, and necessities, in
fragrant violation OF the spirit and
intent of the rent laws. To say that
Il is carelessness or inCompetency il
TO attribute to the commission
warped and twisted mentality. To
say il is favoritism is still more
reDrehensible. But view il as YOU
will however reluctant you may feel,
to reach such a conclusion. you are
forced to the opinion that IT is "fawri-
ing and favoritism, the bending OF
greatness. the desire to court in.
fluence in order to secure the per-
petuity of their jobs, that control the
Rent Commission in the fixing of the
schedule.
apparently the greatness OF the
tenants and not the value or desir-
ability Of he apartment was the
controlling factor.
"The action of the Rent Commits
sion in reference to Meridian Man
sion is unjustifiable, stupid, discrimi-
mating, reprehensible. and fawnlng.
and shows that they are utterly un.
fitted to fill the office they hold, and
that they should he peremptorily re.
moved by the President"
Attorney Humphreys pointed out
that the rent of Senators Gooding,
Thomas, Henderson, Culbertson,
Jones. and several members of Con
gress and of the courts were reduced
while the rents of clerks and others
of small means were increased.
When the committee met this
morning an attempt was made to
prevent consideration of the Ball
measure. Congressman Sproul of
Illinois moved for adjournment be.
cause OF lack of a quorum. He later
withdrew his motion and the hearing
began.
Congressman Millspaugh of Miss
ouri is leading the fight against
the bill, Congressman Volk, Sproul
and Gilbert are said to be opposed
to the bill while three or four
other members are considered doubt.
full
Opposition Grows.
1t was admitted this morning that
the opposing forces are growing
ST tronger. In any event q bttter
figb, xriIi ha waUad in tho cot,.