The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-04-19
BILL
FOE5GA|N
POINT
Special Rule to Hasten Enact
ment Denied-Measure
Up April 20.

Opponents of the plan to ex-
tend the District rent aact today
won a partial victory before the
House, Rules Committee.
The plea that the bill be taken
up next Tuesday under a special
rule was not approved by the
committee. The committee also
failed to limit the time for de-
bate to one hour, as proposed in
q resolution introduced by Con-
gresham James T. Begg Of Ohio,
on behalf Of supporters Of the
bill.
Partial Victory.
The Rules Committee voted to re-.
port special rule to bring up the
Begg substitute to extend the ex.
listing rent act for two years as the
order OF business on the next Dis
trict day, week from Monday.
Congressman Bertrand Smell Of
New York, chairman OF the Rules
COMMITTEES, declared that It was the
opinion Of the committee that ample
time should be allowed for debate
on the resolution. He indicated
that at least two hours will be al.
lowed for debate on the rule to
bring up the rent legislation. Fol.
lowing the vote on the rule addi-
tional debate win be in order on
the Begg substitute.
HNhflA am0nla TINA NnyfIn he ~
lowed for debate" Chairman Smell
stated. there viii be no opportunity
for filibuster and II q favorable
vote Is given on the rule we are
assured that a final vote on the
Begg substitute will be reached the
same day."
Cites Cause for Rule.
Congressman James T. Begg of
Ohio, who IL in charge Of rent legis.
lation on the floor Of the House,
was the only member who appeared
before the committee In support Of
his resolution.
He declared that the only solu-
ton OF the problem was the report
ing OF a special rule.
Whenever the House finds itself
In position where one or two men
can prevent an expression Of opinion
by the entire House 1t is within
the province Of the Rules Commit.
tee to act" he said. THE only
way the House can get a vote and
80 either extend this rent act or
opportunity to vote through a spe-
cial rule.
Considerable interest lies In this
rent 0YtonctoV1 It'll ry1,foh {~ -
vital importance TO a large number
Of people in the District, and the
House certainly should be given
an opportunity to vote. No de.
ctston can be reached If the bill
must come up under the regular
order. The House has only three
District Days remaining before the
rent act expires. am assured
by the parliamentarian of the
House that II will be easy for op-
ponents to tie up the rent bill for
three days or longer, and so per.
NIT the present rent act to expire
through indirection."
Opponents Are Heard.
Four opponents Of rent legisla.
ton appeared before the committee.
They were Congressman Stanley H.
kunz Of Illinois. Charles L. Under.
hill Of Massachusetts,, Henry L.
Jost Of Missouri, and Thomas l..
Blanton Of Texas.
Underhill told the committee. that
he would withdraw all opposition II
the present rent act were to be
extended for q period Of one year
instead Of two, and II the member.
ship OF the Rent Commission were
reduced from five to three.
Congressman Kunz declared that
unnecessary alarm Is being caused
Washington real estate dealers and
apartment owners through the un.
certainty Of Congressional action.
He urged that the rent act be
allowed to expire, that the lNnd.
lords might be put on trial. r.
profiteering then develops. he said.
ne would favor permanent and
drastic rent legislation.
Congressman Jost's opposition was
based on the general principal that
the Government should not seek to
control private endeavor, which he
declared Is a growing evil.
Blanton charged thatA ''The Rent
Commission is being used by a lot
Of real estate crooks in the District
as means Of increasing rent
rather than dorroaa iro ttaT1n -