Evening star., 1933-01-04
CITIZENS TO STUDY
REALTY SITUATION
Brinkman and Rush Address
Columbia Heights Group on
Rents Investigation.

After hearing oscar H. Brinkman
investigator for the Senate Rent In.
vestigating Subcommittee, discuss the
rent situation here, the Columbia
Heights Citizens Association last night
declined to adopt at this time a pro-
posed resolution irldorsing the findings
OF Brinkman and censoring the rea
estate men.
The association instead confined its
action to thanking Brinkman and the
Senate District Committee for their
"interest" and referred the other reso-
luton to committee for study.
Brinkman'S talk, in which he dis
cussed what he described as inequities
and tnjustices in the local rent situa-
ton, precipitated lively discussion
among the members of the association,
both in support of and in opposition
70 existing conditions in the realty field.
Charles j. Rush, executive secretary of
the Washington Real Estate Board.
was guest Of the association and
spoke briefly.
Assails Alley Dwellings,.
Brinkman asserted he believed Con
gress should appropriate no more money
for fine parks and fine buildings until
suitable, Hvable quarters have been pro-
vided in place of the city's alley dwell
nngs." Quoting figures Of Lieut.. Col.
U; 5. Grant, Sd, that the death rate in
alley habitations is eight times that
OF street dwellings. Brinkman cited this
condition as "deplorable."
1T is a situation in which every citi-
zen should interest himself" he de-
clared: These breeding places of vice
and disease must be cleared up
Brlnknlan recited some of the devel-
opments which grew out of the rent
hearings, including his statement to the
Senate Subcommittee that the wash
ington Real Estate Board had sought to
influence Municipal Court judges not to
stay evictions.
I'm city of 125,ooo families" the
speaker asserted, there were 40 .000
eviction suits fled in Municipal Court
last year."
Fzvors Redemption Law.
Advocating greater protection for the
nome purchaser, Brinkman said he was
In favor of a redemption law in the
District, which would provide a period
In which an owner whose mortgage
had been foreclosed to redeem his
property. The plan, similar to the re-
demption law on tax delinquent prop
erty. Is now in effect In 40 States,
Brinkman said
Rush said he appreciated the fair
ness with which the association was
treating the matter, and said he hoped
the civic group would take the time
and trouble to investigate the biased
charges aimed at the real estate men
OF the Capital. He invited all interested
owners OF renting property to attend
the mass meeting of brokers and land
lords to be held at the United States
Chamber of Commerce Friday night.
Talks on the issue were also made
by A. E. Westrater, E. H. Russell, Alton
B. Carly, Albert E. Stephan, Mrs. w. I.
Swanton and others.
Capper and Blaine Praised.
Resolutions adopted during the busi-
ness session included one praising Sen
ators Capper OF Kansas and Blaine of
as well as Peoples Counsel
Richmond B. Keech and Assistant Cor
poration Counsel William A. Roberts
for their efforts IN connection with the
street railway merger.
The association also took action IA
voring ire naming of public square in
honor of Maj. LEnfant, planner of the
Capital; supporting DR.. Frank w. Bal
Ou AOL AlLo ACkuouA w Pc1ulAt UOAlIlS dL
Mckinley High School; urging annual
publication of a complete table of re-
,eipts and expenditures Of the District |
If Columbia and favoring removal from |
Meridian Hill Park of the statue "Se-
,enity," which the association felt was |
'unsightly"
The group also voted to send dele
yate to the forthcoming conference here |
IN the cause and cure of war. Mrs. |
Hopkins Worrell, president Of |
he association, presided at the meet |
ng, which was held in the assembly |
lall of the Fourth Presbyterian |
Church, Thirteenth and Fairmont
treets.