Evening star., 1932-07-10
VETERANS URGED
TO RETURN HOME
Senator Capper in Radio Plea
ReneWs Denunciation of
High Rents in City.

Complimenting the bonus marchers
on the spirit Of patriotism and good
order" they have displayed while in
washington, Chairman Capper of the
Senate District Committee appealed to
them last night to take advantage OF
the opportunity they now have to OBJ
tain transportation and subsistence to
their homes through the Veterans Ad-
ministration.
Senator Capper made the plea in
radio speech from Station WMAL, In
which he also renewed his discussion
of the rent situation here, which Is to
be investigated by a Senate subcom-
mittee, the personnel Of which viii be
announced early this week.
The new law regulating the sale OF
firearms here, signed by President Hoo
yer yesterday, was described by the
Senator as one of the most important
pieces of District legislation passed by
Congress in several years.
Discussing rents, Capper said a large
number of tenants have Informed him
within the last two weeks that they
have been offered rent reductions OF
$3.50 and So a month If they will sign
leases for Is months.
Reduction Held insufficient.
Describing this as a small amount,
the Senator commented as follows:
1.-THE employe whose salary has been
cut from SIS to $40 a month or more
cannot afford the luxury Of such re-
duction, especially when 1t is tied up
with an extra-term lease. I would like
to find cut why these reductions are
i,ist about uniform and apply all over
the city, Is It a move to establish
new uniform level Of rentals?"
After quoting from some OF the let
ters he has received, the District Com
mittee chairman continued:
THE apartments on which these re-
ductions have been offered are largely
in the $50 and $55 class. The rent cuts
which have been offered are entirely
out of line with the cuts which Gov
ernment employees and others have suf-
fered in their salaries. At the very
most the rent reductions proposed
amount to no more than 5 per cent.
1T will take good deal more than
that to bring Washington rents down
to a reasonable. level. feel pretty safe
in saying that the District Committee
does not intend to be swerved from its
purpose Of inquiring thoroughly into
the rent situation by such gestures ON
the part Of real estate men,"
In urging the World War veterans
encamped here to return home under
the arrangement that has been made
for their transportation, Capper said
1t is certain Congress will give no
further consideration to bonus legisla-
- l-a. VIZ ftzR
came here, he said, have made splen-
did impression on the people Of Wash
ington and ON Congress.
Nothing More to Do.
But they should know now" he con-
tinued. that they can do nothing
further at this session Of Congress.
Their presence here, in group number
ing many thousands, makes it virtually
impossible for any one agency properly
to feed and house them ! know these
veterans have no desire to cause any
discomfort or disquiet to the people OF
this city. I am afraid that these re-
suits would be unavoidable II the bonus
army stayed in Washington during the
time Congress is not In session"
Capper said no fair-ninded person
would consider the departure Of the vet
Grams at this time as retreat"
In praising the new firearms law, the
Senator pointed out that 1t does not
prevent responsible citizens from own
ing revolvers but gives the authorities
time in which to check up on prospec-
tive purchasers and to regulate dealers
in firearms. He said he did not expect
this law to solve at once all the tragic
problems arising from possession of fire.
arms, but predicted it would be much
more effective than the regulations that
have existed in the past.
In his discussion of rents, the Sena-
tor declared Landlords should realize
that the boom days are over"
They must take their hard times
with the rest of the people" he added.
IF there ever was time to shake the
water out of apartment house values IN
Washington, it is now. I know it is not
a painless process. But it is absolutely
necessary If we are to get back to proper
and normal values in Washington real
estate"