Evening star., 1933-03-11


Some of these measures, Sh
gestion that attended the declini
automatically killed as the session
poSals vitality affecting virtually e
What might be considered the more
Important Of this legislation was sum-
married in the voluminous report OF
the Senate Rent Investigating Subcom-
mittee, headed by Senator Capper
lRepublican) of Kansas. which was
submitted to the Senate District Com
mittee Just before the Seventy
Congress adjourned
The report of the subcommittee under
Senator Capper, who was then chair
man of the Senate District Committee,
was concurred in by Senator King
Democrat of Utah, who has since been
named Capper's successor at the helm
Of this important committee For this
Season. those interested in the bills be-
lieve they will have influential backing
IN the new Congress.
Two Affect Real Estate.
Two bills which passed the Senate,
but failed to be enacted into law are
among measures which the rent inves-
tigating group felt would go long way
toward correcting defects in the local
housing situation. They are a bill to
regulate foreclosure of mortgages and
deeds of trust in the District, and a
measure requiring the licensing of real
estate brokers and statesmen. and Gre
pting a real estate commission in the
city
The first of these bills would require
khat decree must issue from the Dis
trict Supreme Court in foreclosure
proceeding before any sale of real es-
tate TO satisfy mortgage or deed of
trust. The bill also provides a reason
tble period of redemption which does
not now obtain in the District.
The proposed licensing law contains
provisions which would outlaw So
called existing frauds in connection
with real estate sales and executions
OF mortgages and deeds of trust. 1t
would provide for the licensing OF
brokers and statesmen through a real
estate commission appointed by the
District Commissioners. with power to
deny and revoke licenses in cases of
improper practices
Among measures which Senator Cap
per's subcommittee felt should be ia
vcrably recommended by the District
Committee were the Copeland bill for
creation of a housing board and au-
ti,orizing the Incorporation of limited
dividend housing corporations in the
District. and the King bill amending
the District code with respect to usury.
Other Bills Recommended.
In addition to these bills, the sub
committee recommended the considera-
ticn of various other forms Of legisla-
tim. and it is believed some action
ray be taken along the lines suggested
di-ing the present Congress.
Among other things, proposals ad-
vanced included consideration of legis-
lation designed to limit evictions OF
tenants when conditions are such as
to merit the intervention of the Gov
errment in their behalf: provision
for a moratorium not exceeding two
years on the foreclosure Of mortgages
and deeds of trust on homes, and the
vesting of the District Commissioners
with authority to take action to pro-
tect tenants in cases of extreme
emergency.
The drastic recommendations OF the
Capper group included a call for a
special investigation by the Attorney
General of the United States into the
charge that real estate transactions in
The District had been stif1ed. Rigid
enforcement Of existing laws affecting
public health, comfort, and safety IN
connection with rented property, and
enactment of a law requiring the fur
v1lSlllIS Oh ledI Ill IcIlICo llNAllS Quo1
ters in the District-a move long ad-
Yocated by the District health officer
hlso we're asked
In order that the Congress, Wash
angton's governing body might keep
Informed on such matters. the report
elso urged that the District Comm1S-
kioners be required to furnish the Sen
hte with annual reports affecting
Rentals and values Of apartment houses.
Hhese proposals, however. never took
1he form of bills introduced, although
1t is highly likely that they may 90 so
tn the near future.
Alley Dwellings Measure.
A measure which has long been ad-
kocated by leading civic and trade
groups Of the community bill to
abolish alley dwellings in the Capital
met with approval of the Senate Dis
3rict Committee at the last meeting
Of that group in the old session. Due
to a lack of funds to meet the appro-
priation necessary to carry out the
provisions OF the act it was not
pressed, however.
The bill. contemplating the replat-
ting and development of squares con-
tairing inhabited alleys, is one which
Is advocated more in the interest OF
public health, comfort. morals, safety
and welfare, than for any other reason.
1t would eliminate what has lcng been
regarded as a disgraceful situation.
Another bill still waiting to be en-
acted into law is the proposed act TO
provide for recording of deeds of trust
and mortgages secured on real estate
in the District. and also for their re-
leasing. This measure passed the Sen
ate. but failed to be acted on in the
House.
AT least four noteworthy measures
affecting Washington real estate were
passed by the last session OF Congress.
They included the law permitting
quarterly payment Of taxes and assess
ments on family dwelling houses IN
the District upon application to the
collector of taxes; the act authorizing