Evening star., 1924-05-20
RENT BOARD FACES
NEW BLOW IN CUT
OF APPROPRIATION
D. c. Heads Reported Favor
ing $40, 900 Reduction in
Funds for Coming Year.
COMMISSION TO GO ON
IN SPITE OF INJUNCTION
Will Handle 500 Pending Cases,
But Temporarily Drop Those
Appealed to Court.

Enjoined by the courts from fur
ther functioning in two cases pend
ing before it. the Rent Commission.
1t was learned today. may be dealt
another blow by the District Com
missioners, who are planning to cut
an appropriation of s1o3, 900 requested
work under the extension law to
somewhere between $4,000 and s75.-
O00
The Commissioners conferred at
length today with officials of the
budget bureau and will hold another
meeting this afternoon, at which il
is expected they will decide how much
of the Rent Commissions budget to
approve. 1t is understood the Dis
trict officials take the view that the
extension period is for one year only
and that such requested items Is
those for additional equipment and
personnel may be dispensed with
The Commissioners probably will cut
the commissions allowance to pro-
Fldc slHlPiy LOT Iue SdIdTle5 VI nee
essary clerks and executives.
1. was generally conceded today
that Justice Stafford's action yesteT-
day in temporarily enjoining the com
mission from proceeding in two cases
now before it is virtually a death
blow to that body. provided. of course.
the higher courts do not reverse Jus
tice Stafford's ruling.
VIII Continue Work.
The Rent Commission will continue
to hear and dispose Of the 500 odd
cases waiting on its docket until
prevented by further court orders, or
until it's permanent status is made
clear, it was learned at the commits
sion's offices today, although it was
made plain at the same time that the
commission had not had a meeting
to consider the latest phase in the
rent regulation situation here
Oliver Metzerott one of the com
nissioners gave as his personal opin-
ion today that the body must go right
ahead, regardless of the decision OF
the courts. Congress has pa sSed "A
law extending the life of the com
mission for one year. and the Presi-
dent yesterday reappointed the five
commissioners to carry out this law
The commissioners are sworn to
carry it out, it was emphasized, and
there Is nothing else to do. but
go ahead.
There are about 500 cases now pend
ing, and more are coming in regularly.
it was stated. Each case will be con-
sidered on its merits as heretofore but
should any of the litigants take the case
to the courts and have the commission
enjoined the body will cease on that
case and go ahead with the others In
the meantime the cases under which
the commission is enjoined will find
their way to the United States Supreme
Court.
Stafford Signs Injunction.
President Coolidge yesterday named
the five present commissioners for an
other term. They are Richard S. Whaley,
Mrs. Clara Sears Taylor, William F.
Guide. Oliver Metzerott and Thomas e.
Peeney. a little while before Justice
Stafford signed injunctions restraining
the commission from proceeding in the
Warren and Norment cases
Chaplin Brown. attorney for the Rent
Commission. was surprised today when
he reached the courthouse to learn that
the injunctions had been signed yester-
day by Justice Stafford. Mr.. Brown
declared that he did not expect the
orders to be signed until today. when
ii was his intention to file certain ex-
ceptions to the finding of the court
and to note in cSen court an appeal on
behalf of the Rent Commission to the
District Court of Appeals.
The lawyer stated that he will pro-
ceed with an appeal, but under the
rules of court will now have to serve
a citation on counsel for the plaintiffs
to appear in court on specified day.
when he will then note the formal
appeal.
Even should the Court of Appeals
agree to advance the case for argu-
ment, it is not considered likely, in
view of the crowded condition of the
appellate docket and the approach of
the summer vacation, that the case
could be heard before next October or
November.
The Rent Commission was tempora-
rily enjoined yesterday afternoon by
Justice Stafford of the District Su-
preme Court from proceeding with in
qairieS into the rentals of property
owned by Bates Warren at 1868 Co
lumbia road and of premises on New
Hampshire avenue owned by Harry
Norment and Charles Linkins.
The court decided to restrain the
commission in both cases, although at
a previous hearing it had deferred ac-
tion on the Norment-I,inkins case.
The plaintiff in each case was
quired to give a bond of $500 under the
provisions of the Clayton act in addi-
ton to the usual undertaking of $4,000
required by the court in issuing injunc
tions. This undertaking with a surety
guarantees to make good any loss or
damage sustained by the members of
the commission or the tenant in the
Norment case by reason of the issuance
of the injunctions. The tenants in the
Warren case were not made parties
Based on Supreme Court Ruling.
As he feels about the situation in
view of the decision of the Uniteo
States Supreme Court. Justice Stat
ford declares that he felt compelled
to issue an injunction in these cases
and in every other case of a similar
character that may be presented TO
me-"
The form of injunction signed by the
court in the Warren case reads: '"This,
cause coming to be heard upon, the
bill and exhibits filed herein, and the
rule to show cause issued herein and
the answers of the defendants and eX-
hibits to their answers to the said rule
to show cause, and after consideration
of the said bill, exhibits, affidavits, an
swerS and other evidence offered and
after argument by counsel for the re-
spective parties. both plaintiff and de-
PENDANTS, and the court being of the
opinion that an injunction pendente lite
should be issued herein, as prayed, en-
joining the Rent Commission of the
District of Columbia from further pro-
ceeding with or considering causes 7O37