The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-05-20
TO
IGNORE
COURT
Holds That One Case Does
Not Apply to AII-Under-
wood Is Pessimistic

The District Rent Commission
is virtually powerless.
It probably will continue to
operate, but any and all of It's
decisions can be temporarily set
aside if the landlord of tenant
concerned takes the case to che
District Supreme Court.
Although legally the temporary
injunction issued yesterday by
Justice Wendell P. Stafford. Of
the District Supreme Court. az
fects but two cases, practically
it has bearing on every case
before the commission. The
court order will make the COM
mission virtually imperative until
next fall.
Considering Two Courses.
Two courses of legal action are
under consideration today, but
neither of these plans will relieve
the situation at least until the
autumn.
There appeared a possibility to-
day that real estate men in Wash
ington would ignore the Commits
sion and thus further complicate
the situation.
1t is evident that the landlords
have the upper hand for by merely
6oing through the motions of filing
suit for ar Injunction with the
District Supreme Court they can
temporarily prevent the Commits.
sis.n from operating in their case.
II. l.. Underwood. assistant at
! torney general. who obtained per-
mission to intervene in the case
on behalf Of Attorney General Har.
Ian F. Stone. who sought to pro.
tect the $1,000 Federal employees
here, told the court yesterday that
the restraining order. if issued.
would virtually put the Rent Com
mission out of business. E.e said
today:
1.-THE District Rent Commission
can, of course, contiue to operate.
But until final disposition of the
two cases before the Supreme
Court it can do nothing in any
case Oh importance.
1.-THE decisions of the Commission
can easily be set aside temporarily
by merely seeking an injunction in
Justice Stafford's order, it is only
necessary for the parties concerned
to merely go through the motions
Of asking for an injunction.
Commissions Hands Tied
.sk
the Rent Commission is really in
has tied its hands. Any landlord
or tenant can prevent the Commits.
sion from operating in his or her
case"
Mr.. Underwood was asked whether
he thought it advisable for the Com
mission to continue business.
THAT" he said, lis up to the
Commission itself. The court order
legally affects but two cases. Prac.
tically 1t affects every case. ex-
pect to confer with the Commission
today or tomorrow on future
action"
Mr.. Underwood is now preparing
a report to Attorney General Stone
in which he will set forth the legal
situation. He is expected, to point
out IN this report that two legal
moves can be made. They are:
An appeal from the temporary In.
junction can be taken to the Court
Of Appeals.
Coolidge ReappOlnts Board.
The Rent Commission can accept
the courts temporary order and bide
its time until the case comes UP for
final hearing.
Soon after Justice Stafford made
known his decision yesterday,
President Coolidge sent to the SEN
ate the names of five members Of
the Rent Commission, renominat-
ing them to serve from May %,
next, until May % of next year.
Those nominated were Richard
s. Whaley, William r, GUIDE, Mrs.
Clara Sears Taylor, Oliver Met
zerott and Thomas z. Peeney.