The Washington times., 1924-02-12
BILL
IS HIT IN
REPORT
Board of Trade Committee
Submits Data on Vacant
Apartments.

There are 361 vacant apartments
in the District, ranging in rent
from less than $50 a month to
more than 800 a month, accord
ing to q survey Of the housing con-
ditions here as made by a special
committee Of the Washington
Board Of Trade. The information
is Incorporated in a report to the
board Of directors Of the Board of
Trade and it was used as the basis
for action taken today by the
board in opposition to a further
continuance Of the rent commits
sion.
Classification Of Apartments.
The housing situation here does
not justify extension Of the Ball
rent act. the committee reports.
The S51 apartments are classified
as follows: 20 are renting for less
than $50 q month, 22S are renting
for from $50 to SIS q month, "a
are priced at from SIS to 500 q
month, and 30 apartments are re-
ported vacant with no figure given
for their rental.
The total number Of vacant
rooms. the committee declared. was
1,128. This figure Is inclusive OF
kitchen and exclusive Of bath. The
percentage Of vacant rooms per
apartment house is 1911, according
TO the committees findings.
Following the committee report,
the Board Of Trade actively allied
itself with the fight that is being
waged against the continuance Of
the Rent Commission. The special
committee. headed by Edwin c..
Graham, and composed Of William
T. Galliher, Ralph w: Lee, c. Clin'
ton James and William s. Mont
to both the House and Senate Dis.
trict committees that the Board Of
Trade opposed the rent bills now
pending before both committees.
Reasons for Opposition.
The committee found three main
reasons for its opposition to the
Senate bill which would again pro-
long the life of the Rent Commits
sion. These reasons are:
1-"Because 1t creates q perma.
nent commission not required to re-
port to any department Of the Fed
= eral Government.
2-"Because 1t increases the sal.
aries of the members of said commits
sion from $4,000 to $500, and the
salary Of the secretary from $4,000
to $4,000. The judges of the Mu.
nicipal, Police, Juvenile courts sal.
aries are $500 year each. The
salaries Of the Justices of the Su.
preme court of the District of Co.
lumbia are $500. The clerks Of
the Municipal, Juvenile and Police
courts get $500, $4,000 and $4,000
per annum, respectively. with q pos
Gible bonus Of $240."
"By comparison" the report says,
''your committee Is Of the opinion
that the present salaries Of the Rent
Commissioners and the secretary of
said commission should not be in.
creased"
Legal Pitfalls Seen.
/ d 9OCS
tons %, 26, and ~ of said bill, Il
many legal pitfalls that title to real
estate would be in a chaotic state.
A tenant learning the house he IL
occupying is for sale and not wish.
ing to move, could file. complaint
with the Rent Commission and
then file q notice with the clerk
Of the Supreme Court Of the Die.
trict of Columbia that he intends to
hold a lien for the amount the
Commission may determine he is
entitled to. The owner of the build
ing would be helpless to transfer
the title by deed, or mortgage until
the case was heard and determined
before the Rent Commission and, II
appealed, before the Supreme Court
Of the District Of Columbia in gen.
eral term.
There are other objections that
could be urged against this bill,
but your committee does not deem
it necessary to discuss 1t in further
detail"
Against House Bin
The comittee reports adversely on
House Bill % for the following
reasons:
"This bill is re-enactment Of
the original Rent Act, approved
october %, 1919, with amendments.
/. Because It makes the Rent
Commission q permanent commits.
sion, your committee is OF the
opinion that II It is found neccs.
sary to extend the life of said com.
omission It should not be for a. per.
iod greater than one year.
Q. because It not only covers
dwelling houses and apartment