Evening star., 1925-01-13
Declares They Declined to
Back Plan for Licensing
Board of Own Members.
TERR0RIZING OF TENANTS
CHARGED BY MRS. BROWN
League Secretary Declares People
Fear to Testify After Threats
of Landlords.

THE people of Washington are
being terrorized worse than are the
people of Moscow" was the testimony
of Mrs. Henry c. Brown, secretary of
the Tenants League, before the joint
congressional committee at a hearing
today on the proposed permanent rent
law of the District of Columbia
Mrs. Brown insisted that landlords
threaten their tenants with eviction
if they raise their voice against the
treatment accorded them.
Senator Ball, chairman of the COM
mlttee, for the first time publicly re-
Vealed that the real estate organiza-
ton had declined to cooperate in
framing law to create a real es-
tate board which, he said, would give
the real estate people a chance to
clean house themselves
Senator Balls statement was made
TO the committee during Mrs. Browns
testimony. She had said:
Many of the tenants are afraid to
protest openly against the treatment
accorded them. l get anonymous let
ters and telephone calls telling of
conditions. These people are afraid
their landlords may punish them II
their names come out. Some are be-
ing punished now"
BIanton Demands Names
representative Blanton of Texas.
who is opposed to the pending bill
asked who these landlords were.
Il realize there are crooks among
real estate people" said Mr.. Blanton.
Just as there are in other classes of
people. But some real estate men are
moral, Christian gentlemen"
Senator Ball agreed with Mr.. Blan-
ton that there are many high-cIass
real estate operators in the District.
He then made the charge that the
local real estate organization when
offered a chance to cooperate, pro-
viding for a real estate board, com
posed of real estate people. which
would have the power to license and
to cancel licenses of real estate oper-
ators, had declined.
Says Board Refused.
"'I sent for the secretary of the
real estate organization here after
Congress met" said Senator Ball. Il
suggested that if the organization
wished it, power might be granted
by legislation to a real estate board
which would let them clean house
themselves. The secretary seemed
pleased with the proposition. He
agreed to call a meeting and submit
it. Such a meeting was held, and in
week the secretary sent me back
word that the organization was not
willing to go into such a PROPOSE
tion."
The hearing on the rent bill today
was stormy at times. The day was
set aside for hearing proponents of
the measure. A session will be held
tonight from S o'clock to II in the
caucus room of the Senate Office
Building. when those who favor the
bill will continue to be heard.
Mrs. Cora C. Waudby, who lives
at the Walraff Apartment, was the
first witness put on by the Tenants
League. She told the committee that
she rented an. apartment of three
rooms, kitchenette and bath, and she
had been in the apartment for five
years; that the rent had been raised
from s32.50 at various intervals until
the last raise to $3.50. The agent
she said, was Louis A. Raebach. She
told the committee that she had been
informed by the agent that her rent
was to be increased IS a month and
that she would have to sign a lease
with the following clause: 1T IS
further agreed and understood that
this party of the second part hereby
covenants and agrees it is just and
reasonable and is not excessive or
exhorbitant."
Charges She Was Threatened.
threatened with eviction if she did
not sign the lease. She expressed
the opinion that the landlord wanted
to get rid of her because she had
complained to the Rent Commission.
Representative Blanton cross
questioning the witness asked ques-
tions which seemed to Senators Cope
land and Ball to be covering ground
already gone over. They protested,
Mr.. Blanton said:
II appear to be the only member
this legislation"
This reused the ire of Senator Ball.
What's the use of attending
hearing if you do not do SO with an
open mind" he demanded.
Senator Ball protested being placed
in the position of favoring the rent
bill until he heard all the testimony
Il am fundamentally opposed to this
Legislation" said Representative Blan-
ton, just as Senator Copeland said he
is strongly in favor of it.
Controversy Blows Over.
oGHdtOI Dali Sldl lcu " ule AIdl
members of the committee would be
allowed only five minutes in which to
question witnesses. This brought a
protest from Senator Jones of Wash
ington and Mr.. Blanton. Senator
Jones said that he did not believe
that any member could be limited and
that he did not intend to be limited
himself. Finally the controversy blew
over and the hearing was continued.
Mr. Blanton sought to show that
the wages of labor had doubled q =
values of real estate also sincs the
war.
MY husbands salary has not dou
bled," replied Mrs. Waudby. She said
that he was Government employe
Mrs. Waudby read a letter to the
committee written by another tenant
of the Walraff, Miss Janet NJ. Win
coop, addressed to Chairman Whaley
of the Rent Commission. She said
she had occupied an apartment for the
last five years: that this was the first
time she had delayed paying rent until
the 18th of the month She pointed out
that she was employed in the State, War
and Navy Department and on account
of the inclement weather had been
unable to get the real estate office,
on Ninth street.
She said she had no bank account.
She complained that there was a large
hole in kitchen floor, which the land