Evening star., 1935-04-26
ELLENBOGEN BILLS
APPROVED BY 500
Meeting at Labor Depart
ment Condemns High
Rates Here.

dorse the Ellenbogen bills for a rent
commission and permanent housing
authority, and then dispersed with
the determination to press their de-
eision upon the current Congress.
And while this sentiment in favcs
Of control of rents for present housing
facilities in the District was gaining
momentum, other lines of attack upon
the housing situation were indicated.
First of these was the introduction
yesterday by Representative Moritz,
Democrat of Pennsylvania. Of a bill
to encourage private building enter
prise in the District by eXempting
from the real estate tax for 10 years
all new houses. apartments and store
buildings which might be constructed
within five years after passage of the
measure.
Plans Similar Proposal.
Coincident with this action. Repre-
sentative Ellenbogen. Democrat. of
Pennsylvania, speaking at the meeting
last night, announced his intention of
submitting similar proposal to the
House within a few days. His bill,
he said. would grant exemption for
five years.
At the same time, both Senator
Capper. Republican, of Kansas. and
Representative Ellenbogen declared
themselves firmly in favor of govern
ment construction of loW-cost housing
in the District and promised to fight
for this development in Congress.
Prospects of all these proposals dur
ing the present session of Congress
hang pretty much in the balance
pending the scheduled Joint meeting
of House and Senate District Com
mittees next Tuesday morning to re-
view the whole situation. If the COM
mittees look with favor upon any of
the suggestions thus far submitted
joint hearings probably will be held
thus expediting consideration OF the
bills on the floor
The meeting last night, attended
mostly by government employees, was
marked by condemnation of local
landlords and property owners. A few
of the latter. sitting to see what would
happen. raised no voice of protest as
they heard themselves dubbed prof.
teers, chiselers. vested interests" and
nations.
Housing Crisis Serious.
The sharpest attacks came from the
congressional guests, Senator Capper
and Representative Ellenbogen. The
former, asserting that this city has
never had sufficient number of
decent homes to house the major
part Of its people" said that present
circumstances constitute "a housing
crisis perhaps unequalled in the his
tory of the city"
As a solution. he proposed a three
point long time program together
with emergency action 80 correct pres
ent iniusticeS. His suggestions follow
First. I am convinced that the
housing field in the District of Co
lumbia. Private capital has refused
to meet the needs of the public. the
Government certainly should.
Second, the report of the Public
Utilities Commission on its rent and
housing survey showed that there is
no adequate regulation of housing
from q sanitary standpoint. This is
not because the departments of the
District are lax in enforcement 1t is
because the laws and regulations that
relate to housing are scattered over a
large number Of departmental codes.
In number Of instances the mini
mum standards are entirely too low.
Because of these low standards land
lords are able to collect rent on
houses, apartments and rooms that
are not fit for human occupancy. We
need badly q codificatlon of housing
laws and regulations that will fix re-
sponsibility for administration, estab-
hsh reasonable standards and provide
for proper inspectional work.
Control of Relations.
Third, there is ample evidence of
the need for controlling contractural
relations between landlords and ten
ants. Every variety of unfairness is
now practiced in the District at the
expense Of the tenant. Promised re-
pairs are not made. Deposits of rent
are conf1Scated on the most flimsy
pretexts. Notes of eviction are served
as a means of intimidation. I favor a
permanent commission with power to
protect the renter.
Besides these ideas, We must effect
q plan for early and immediate ac-
ton, which will protect the public of
Washington until permanent laws can
be enacted
I'm conclusion, let me urge you not
TO be swerved from a course of action
by requests for investigation of the
rent situation. 1t has been thoroughly
investigated. and the results are public
property. Ask Congress for action;
am confident you will get it
promptly"
An equally vigorous condemnation
Of existing conditions was expressed
by Representative Ellenbogen. Term
ing present rental conditions "op-
pressive and intolerable," the speaker
pictured the rent profiteers demand
ing exorbitant toll before they will
permit the newcomer to occupy living
quarters in apartment. house or hotel"
=, He proposed: First. temporary
legislation during the duration of the
emergency and until the housing
shortage has disappeared and rents
have become stabilized on a fair basis
gency legislation. It establishes a
rent commission in the District, to
have power to incresae or decrease
rents after full consideration of the
fair value of the property. of its char
acter and condition and of the char
acter of service, if any. furnished in
connection Herewith. The commits
sion shall allow the owner a fair re-
turn upon his investment.
If this bill fails of passage, the city
Of Washington will experience. after
the adjournment of this session of
Congress. an increase of the present
level Of rents to fantastic heights.
Need Of New Homes.
Second. Washington needs the
building of new homes, the building
of low-cost housing available to Gov
ernment employees. Modern low-cost
housing can be constructed only with
the aid and assistance of the Federal
cnyarpment and of local housing