Evening star., 1933-06-16
Utilities Commission Handi-
capped, However, by Fail
ure of Senate to Act.
WIDE POWERS GRANTED
FOR INVESTIGATION
Complaints Will Be Received and
Efforts Made to Bring About
Adjustments.

Though deprived by the House of
needed extra help or extra funds for
the purpose, the Public Utilities Com
mission prepared today to attempt to
comply with the Senate resolution di-
recting it to continue investigation of
rental conditions in Washington during
the recess Of Congress.
The commission found today it had
been granted wide powers by the
nonplussed by the failure of the $2500
proposed appropriation with which to
exercise that authority.
The problem is to find way to con-
duct a comprehensive examination Of
rents in many individual cases and to
seek adjustments where found required
out of justice to either tenants or land
lords, without needed funds or help.
Complaints Will Be Received.
Nevertheless, Maj Gen. Mason M.
Patrick, veteran Army officer, takes
his new orders at face value, and an
nounced today the commission will re-
ceive any and all complaints regarding
and will attempt to have ready at the
convening Of Congress next January
report Of the activities.
Chairman King of the Senate District
Committee expressed the opinion today
that the commission could carry out
the resolution adopted by the Senate,
The Senator pointed out that the
Capper resolution requested the COM
mission to prepare report on the sub
ject for the Senate when 1t returns IN
January. The Senator said he expects
to remain In. Washington for several
weeks, giving attention to local prob
hot hofcro Loo wing he mans
to confer with the Utilities Commission
regarding the possibility of having the
rental and housing information COM
The District Committee chairman also
said that within few days he would
fill the vacancy on the Milk 1nvestlgat-
ing Subcommittee caused by the resig-
nation of Senator Copeland OF New
York from the subcommittee. Senator
Austin, Republican, Of Vermont, Is
chairman Of this subcommittee.
Record to Be Asked.
In the next few days the commission
will request the Senate District Com
rnittee, a subcommittee of which has
conducted rent Investigations in the
past several years, to make available all
the records compiled in its work as
starting point In the commissions ac-
tions.
Also the commission will seek to find
sone means of providing needed extra
help or funds from other District
sources. since the commission now is
engaged Ia numerous rate and valua-
tion cases which have its staff working
at full blast.
II needed clerks cannot be Dor
rowed" from other District agencies, 1t
appeared today, the commission as
last resort may appeal to George ..
wilson. director Of the Board Of Pub
lie Welfare, to assign to this work a
number of unemployed clerks or ac-
countants, or other business-trained
persons, now on the emergency relief
rolls.
By such q means, it was believed,
necessary record-t K ing. testimony,
complaints and letters may be handled
for the commission in the rent lnVesu-
cation.
Holds Legal Powers.
The commission has been advised 1t
has all necessary legal powers to listen
to complaints from tenants, to call on
landlords to attend hearings and TO
submit requested data and to seek TO
bring about fair adjustments IN rent
levels.
It appeared today that the one major
question concerning the commissions S
actions would be power to force any
changes in rent levels or other rental
conditions II a landlord should refuse
to obey commission order. Court
action might result from such develop
ment. The commission did not indicate
today, however, whether it would seek
to compel compliance with any OF It's
rent orders or whether 1t merely would
report to the Senate the effects of any
such orders 1t may issue.
The debate on the matter by Senators
yesterday revealed doubts In the minds
of some as to whether present condi-
tions here constitute an emergency"
which would result in court approval OF
g. iy,