The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1922-02-16
Business Men and the
Ball Rent Act
By BILL PRICE.

oy DILL fklCE
When business of Washington, through the
Merchants and Manufacturers Association, ask Con-
gress to include business property in the Ball rent act
if it is extended beyond May 90 next there is sign
canoe which should have forceful meaning to all
Washington and bring every element of the commu
nifty into compact understanding and organization
to wipe out methods which cannot be otherwise than
dangerously prejudcia to business and all other in
terests.
These business state that there continue to be
abnormal and uncalled for increases in business
property rents, the effects of which will be hurtful
to business and to the buying public
During the years that this newspaper has fought
rent pirateering almost singlehanded the average
business man, although often the victim of greed
himself, has felt that supply and demand should
govern these matters. He has been able, until re-
Gently, to pass part of the increased rentals to the
buying public. He could not do otherwise Now he
realizes that it is longer fair that the burdens
should be imposed the buyer. He is ready to
fight.
This newspaper has foreseen for years that specu-
lative pirateering would become so scandalous that
even advocates of the underlying principle of sup
ply and demand would join in calling a halt
Business properties should long ago have been
included under the Ball rent act When gouging and
robbery was halted by the decision of the Supreme
Court to the constutionaty of the Ball act
the home renter breathed easier but landlord sharks
turned their attention to business properties using
the methods employed to raise to the limit the
rents on houses, apartments etc.
Hundreds of owners of business properties have
been fair, thousands of owners of home
properties during the initiation of rents The unfair
Ones though, have given thought to the righteous
ness of reasonable returns upon their properties.
1t has not been a question of 'What rent is fairi'
but "How much can geti" The same wild specula-
ton has entered into business properties greedy
landlord raised the rent to the limit he thought the
tenant could stand, then put the property on the
market for sale the basis of the rent he was
gougng out of the tenant The purchaser would
speculative possibilities ahead and at the first
opportunity he would increase the rent and offer
the property for sale holding out alluring pictures
to another prospective purchaser of how easy it
would be to again increase the rent
= Wall Street speculation is downright honorable
compared to the meteoric real estate speculations
of recent years. in which the renting public has been
victimzed to the extent of millions of dollars.
There isn't man who loves this city and wants
to see it prosper who would do anything to inter
fere with construction of new buildings for sale or
rent the basis of fair returns to the investor or
builder He wouldn't critcise landlord for taking
profit purchase, but when piece of property
changes hands half dozen times on the basis of the
BLOOD MONEY that may be wrung out of tenants,
it is not surprising that Congress more determined
than ever to extend the Ball act
The viewpoint of many people the rent ques-
ton is often reached in accordance with their in
terests. The fundamental question with every un-
prejudiced Washingtonian should be- "What is best
for the community a whole7' The protection and
welbeng of the majority is paramount to all other
considerations.
When the Ball rent act is extended it will doubt
less be amended. In addition to including business
properties as subject to the jurisdiction of the Com
mission, the bill should give strong encourage
ment to legitimate builders to go ahead with build
ing projects which not intended to be dumped
into the speculative whirlpool And feel conf
dent too, that the coming spring and summer will
see great revival of new construction in this city
by builders who have vision enough to big de-
mand for new properties for sale rental at figures
assuring satisfactory returns. Washington's alert