The Washington times., 1922-05-22
BALL RENT
ACT WILL
DIE TO-DAY
Desperate Effort to Be Made to
Pass Extension Before
NightfalI.

The Ball rent act must pass
today or the District Rent Com
mission will automatically dis
solve at midnight.
Indications early today were
that the measure would make
rapid. progress when it reaches
the floor of the House this after
noon. House Leader Mondell said
this morning he would use his
influence to. have debate limited
to as short a time as possible.
Passage Forecast.
The passage Of the bill by O'Clock
this Afternoon Is forecast by several
members of the House District Com.
mittee. The measure will 60 to the
Senate for concurrence in an add.
tional amendment and Is expected to
be in the hands Of President Hard.
ing some time tonight. He will sign
the measure Immediately after IT
reaches the White House.
Opposition to the bill will make a
vigorous fight this afternoon. Many
attempts to delay passage Of the
measure are expected to be made, but
District Committee members are con-
fident they can successfully guide
the measure through the House.
The Rent Commission was open as
usual this morning. but no hearings
were heard. Members of the Com
v,ofaoian aront al 0f uaof af,du-
ing the many cases which have
piled up. Several determinations
will be handed down today.
Congressman Stuart F. Reed, OF
the District Committee. who will lead
the fight for the passage of the
measure, said this morning he be-
lieved the bill would go through.
Expect Opposition.
There viii be opposition, loads Of
it," said Congressman Reed, 'ibut I
believe there is sufficient favor in
the House to pass the bill.
II expect we will have quite a
fight on our hands.
This measure Is one OF the most
important and most needed pieces Of
legislation ever enacted In the
District"
Congressman Frank c. Mills,
paugh, Of Missouri, will probably be
in charge of the forces opposed to
the bill. He will be supported by
several members, of the District com.
mittee and others from the House
membership.
The rent bill will come up about
Q o'clock this afternoon, following
consideration of a rivers and harbor
measure. The rest of the day will
be devoted to the rent DILL.
II is possible no vote will he reach
ed tonight, and the measure may
have to go over to q later day. In
this event, II is understood House
leaders are opposed to granting ad-
ditional time this week to the bill.
Floor Leader Frank w. Mondell,
who called at the White House this
morning, denied reports that he had
discussed with the President the
matter of expediting rent legisla
ton. Mondell made 1t clear that,
while he was personally opposed to
regulating the rent situation in Wash
ington, he will not object to fullest
consideration Of the bill when IL Is on
the floor this afternoon.
He intimated that II Congressman
Reed Of West Virginia, who is in
charge Of the measure, and other
members of the House District Com.
mittee agree to avoid waste OF time
he would not interpose any objec.
tions.
The bill, as redrafted by the
House committee, with numerous
amendments to the Senate bill, was
expected to precipitate a ?ght on
the &oor against certain language
in the bill tending to any legal
ramificaios.
Congressman Reed dclared. how
ever, the bill would be passed, as
Senator l.. Hesiler Ball, had ar
ranged to expedite favorable action
by the Senate confrees.
Washington landlords will pay the
expenses Of the District Rent Com
mission during It's entire existence,
through lawyers fees and refunds
on Illegally high rentals, Commits
Continued on Page Z. Column 81