Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-01-08
REALTY MEN ACT
TO CONTROL RENT
ABUSES IN CAPITAL
Hope by Move to Show Exec
utiVe New Law Is Not
Necessary.
BANKERS AND BUSINESS
LEADERS COOPERATING
Committee Named to Bring Better
Relations Between Public and
Property Owners.

Relations Between Public and
Property Owners.
Following suggestion from Presi-
dent Coolidge, representative bankers,
business men, property owners and
others interested met with the ex-
ocutive committee of the Washington
Real Estate Board today to lay plans
for eliminating alleged rental evils
now said to exist in the District, and
which are considered in a large de-
gree responsible for the agitation in
favor of drastic rental legislation for
the District of Columbia
1t was the sense of the meeting that
through cooperation of those repre-
sented at the meeting today any i'm
proper practices on the part of land
lords can be effectively curbed While
no plan of action was adopted at the
meeting today. a committee was ap-
pointed, consisting of officers of the
| Washington Real Estate Board and
the Washington Association of Build
ing Owners and Manag and bank
ers, which will meet this afternoon to
discuss the rent control bill now
pending in Congress. The names of
members of this committee were not
made public.
Believe Law Unnecessary.
The gathering today was unanimous
In its opinion that rental legislation
was unnecessary in the District of
Columbia, and felt that if the normal
economic conditions were not inter-
ferred with conditions would adjust
themselves. Determination was ex-
pressed by those present that they
would use every 4 ssible means to
allay and fear thSt the President
might have that there would be any
improper financing or unjust actions
against tenants. as far as they could
possibly prevent them.
1t was pointed out that in the past
Your years marked progress had been
made against any improper practices
that had formerly existed. and that
while during the past three months
the Rent Commission had been vir-
tualiy imperative, there has been no
evidence of wholesale eviction as pre-
dictd.
Unanimous in their sentiments that
everything should be done toward ad-
Justing conditions, the committee will
take under consideration mea sures
that they feel they can assure the
President they will be able to prosecute
effectively.
Those at Conference
Those who were present at the
meeting today were: John Poole
president of the Federal-American
National Bank: Robert N Harper,
president of the District National
Bank and member of the board Of di-
rectors of the Washington Chamber
, of Commerce; E. J. McQuade, vice
president of the Liberty National
Bank: Arthur Carr. secretary of the
Board of Trade Chester A Snow, jr.,
member of the Washington Associa-
ton of Building Owners and Mana
gers. and local patent attorney;
Thomas E. farrell, president of the
Washington Real Estate Board and
president of the Washington Savings
Bank; James D. McShea, represent
ative of the Washington Association
of Building Owners and Managers,
and member of the realtors executive
board.
While these developments were
going forward today, plans were ma
turing at the Capitol for considera-
ton of the rent legislation.
Longworth Expects Action.
The permanent rent commission bill
will be considered tomorrow at d
joint session of the Senate and House
subcommittee appointed to handle
the measure. The meeting will be
called at 10 o'clock. 1t is not expected
that hearings on the bill will be held
at that time. Senator Ball is chair
man of the Senate subcommittee and
Representative Lampert of the House
subcommittee.
After conference with the
President today, Representative
Nicholas Longworth. House leader.
would be action in the House on the
rent bill at this session.
Many Messages Received.
kilograms have been received from
the real estate boards of New York
City, Boston. Cleveland, Kansas City,
Mo, and various smaller cities stat
ing their opposition to the proposed
bill and declaring that they have in
formed their Representatives and
Senators of their opposition.
Following the arrival yesterday of
several real estate officials of the
Philadelphia board, H. r.. Brigham
of Boston. chairman of the housing
committee of the National Associa-
ton of Real Estate Boards, today ar
rived in Washington to discuss the
situation prior to attending the Ma
tional ASSOCIATE ton of Real Estate
Boards in Dallas next Tuesday.
ne iSS lSIallNe SITUATION IN the
House was gone into with the Presi-
dent by Mr.. Longworth. 1t was indi-
Gated that President Coolidge i'm
pressed Mr.. Longworth with his view
of the urgent need of rent legislation
in the District, particularly for the
protection of Government employees
against the need of increased salaries
in order to provide themselves with
comfortable places to live in.
While the President is understood
to have pointed out how strongly he
feels in regard to the rent bill here, it
was said that Mr.. Longworth was
told that the Chief Executive wanted
hearings on the bill To get the benefit
of the legal minds of Congress on the
matter before it is presented to the
House.
VIII Be Given Action.
This legislation, it was said, will
be one of the important matters to
be given a place in the House bust
ness for prompt action before ad-
Journment on March next. Mr..
Il Lon gworth said, that while he knew
N there would be some opposition on the
floor to rental legislation, he did not
Il know just how great it would be.
Mr.. Longworth said that every eff
& fort would be made, and the House
8members intend to see that District