The Washington herald., 1922-05-22
FATE OF RENT ACT
HANGS IN BALANCE
AT ELEVENTH HOUR
Much Depends on Friends
Of Bill Being on Hand
To Cast Vote.
REP. REED HOPEFUL
Mondell Has Not Had Time
To Give Attention" to
Measure.
REP. REED HOPEFUL

whether the Ball rent act will
be extended today. pass out Of eK-
istence, or merely be reduced to a
state of suspended animation as a
result of flibuster, is a question
asked-by thousands OF househoIders
and properly this morning
Although the rent commissioners
and Representative Stuart F. Reed.
of the District Committee. express
optimism for the ufe of the meas
ure. official Encouragement from
Representative MondeIl. Republican
floor leader, was withheld last
night
MondelI Is NoncommittaI.
Important as ] know this bill
is to the people Of Washington,
there are many other important
bills before the House. and have
not had time to give any attention
to the rent act" and Representa-
tive MondeIl declined to indicate
the color of his ballot"
Il am hopeful for the rent law"
said Representative Reed. There
is a general feeling in favor Of it,
inasmuch as 1t is a bill OF nom
political nature. think il has
many friends. My object today will
be to cut the debate as much as
possible. and ! myself shall set the
example by speaking briefly. in or
der that it may not wear out the
day.
Much depends. OF course, on
whether many of the friends of the
act are in town and on the floor
for the vote
Unpaid Refunds S35.OO0.
II Congress comes to no decision
today, provision has been made in
the original act for suspension Of
the commission until action-either
re-enacting the rent law or ruling
II outs taken. No provision is
made for disposal OF files and rec
ords. Cases docketed and not acted
upon will be passed over entirely.
Refunds in 3e5 cases previously
fixed by the District Rent Commis-
sion, and which have been ignored
by owners and operators Of apart
ments, who have continued TO charge
tenants in excess of rates fixed by
the commission. will aggregate $685.
610.ss. according to a statement made
yesterday by Mrs. Clara Sears Tay-
lor, one OF the rent commissioners.
In addition to the amount charged
in excess OF the prices arranged by
the commissioners, a fine OF 100 per
cent. levied by the law. will bring
a like amount into the Treasury of
the United States. together with pax
ment of attorneys fees Of s1s. s.75o.
which also will go to the Treasury
Rushe~ Last-MInute Work.
It is pointed out by Mrs. Taylor
that in addition to the refunds by
the owners who have violated spe-
cifcations. the commission will have
more than paid its own operating
expenses since its existence. Cha
pin Brown, attorney for the COM
mission, has already brought suit In
many cases for the collection OF these
funds.
Because Of the controversial opin-
ions regarding the passage Of the
Ball rent act, the commission has
been working steadily In an efor,
to bring its work up TO date. The
entire force was at work yesterday
and announcement was made that
cases involving the Rochester apart
ments, 14ss Meridian place northwest
and the Oakland APARTMENT house,
zoos Columbia soad, were heard and
prices fxed by the commission.
Nearly 100 cases have been han
dlsd during the last few days.