Evening star., 1924-11-16
NEWEV|CT|ONLA
GOAL OF TENANTS
Clifton Terrace Committee
Urges Ban on Unfair Action
by Landlords.

W -IttNlSi GhI
Declaring that IL was the desire OF
the Clifton Terrace tenants commit
tee or II to have the public under
stand that the rental raises asked in
that building was 100 per cent more
than the apex OF 1920 prices, Chair
man y. J. Doherty of the committee
issued a statement following d meet
ing of the body last night suggesting
the amendment of the eviction laws
SO that eVictions could not be carried
out in cases where they were mani
testify unfair or unreasonable.
Mr.. Doherty also deplored that un-
der the eviction laws the officers of
the United States Government could
become the agents of the unfair land
lord. The argument that the housing
emergency does not now exist is taken
by Mr.. Doherty as a reason why there
should be no further rent increases.
He also refers to the rent increa ses
as the possibility for another excuse
70 raise the valuation of the building,
Sales and ResaIes Scored.
The statement issued is as follows:
The tenants committee. at its
session tonight. was desirous that
the public should understand that
the rentals now proposed are prac-
ticaily 100 per cent over those pre-
vailing at the apex of high prices IN
1920.
Clifton Terrace was sold by Harry
Wardman in 1920 and two increases
have been made since then and have
been submitted 20 without protest.
A third has been resisted by the
II.
sary, because II no remedy exists as
TO this increase there would be no
remedy in other places in Washing
ton to which they might move.
In behalf Of the owners Mr.. Low
in recent statement says the in
crease would not exceed 10 per cent
OF the present rental. This would
justify. if accomplished, another in
crease in the value 70 the building,
based on the earning power, one Of
the indications Of the marketable
value OF rentable real estate. An
other new owner coming in on this
basis, and there has been a remark
able succession OF owners in this
building recently. by another increase,
could add still further to the rentals
and values.
Turn Argument on Shortage.
The argument that the housing
emergency has passed is logically an
argument that there is no economic
justification now eXistdnt for rental
increases. If war influences are over
and a large number of vacant apart
ments exist, in other words no emery
ency exists because normal conditions
are restored, there is no economic
justification for a general rental in
crease 100 per cent over normal.
I'VE insist that a government hav-
ing a procedure for the eviction OF
tenants for the non-paynent OF rent
Is not powerless to legislata TO pre-
vent the unfair and unreasonable eN-
ercise of such drastic powers of in
! terfeUence in the homes of the people
The laws that provide for the ev!c-
tions may be so amended that there
may be mandatory prohibition Of
| evictions by the hands of United
States marshals where it has not
been affirmatively established that
the rentals established were just
reasonable and equitable under eco
nonlic and general welfare condi.
| tions.
Though the courts may deny II
| the legislative powers the right Il
act on rentals as such, there is ne
doubt whatever that the Legislature
may prOnlDlL Ine courts 10 SAeI ClSt
| jurisdiction in eviction cases where
they are manifestly unfair under rea.
sonable standards Of enlightened
| public opinion.
Would Restrain Selfish.
Congress may prevent United
States officers from being the active
instruments Of injustice and eXtor-
ton; states may similarly so act
| There have been too many instances
where the law has been the instru-
ment for the will of the callous. the
| hard and unjust upon the victims ot
circumstances. A law which may put
| a widow out of her homo and place
her few sticks of furniture upon the
street is not powerless to prevent
such occurrences where tho elements
Of the case show that to exercise this
strong arm Of the Government would
be unreasonable, unjust and in
| equitable.
by legislation applied to limita'
| tion Of the exercise Of the judicial
power to this extent there may be q
method of indirectly controlling op-
pressive measures by the small class
OF landowners inclined TO harsh OF
! coarser practices"