Evening star., 1941-04-20

Chicago, Bali more, New Orleans
and Portland, Greg, showed in
creases of one to two per cent. At
the same time rent raises not justi-
fed by new improvements were be-
ing given 81 of every 100 tenants in
Camden, N. j.; 80 of every 100 in
Bridgeport and Stratford, Conn; 20
of every 100 in Elizabeth, N. j.; 36 of
every 100 in New Albany. Ind: 81
of every 100 in Paterson, N. j.; Al of
every 100 in South Bend, Ind; 80 of
every 100 whites and As of every 100
Negroes in Chester, Pa.
Somewhat lesser rent rises we're
shown for Akron, Barberton and
Cuyahoga Falls. Ohio; Hartford,
Conn; Corpus Christi, Tex; Rock
Island, ILL.,; Houston, Louisville, Ma
con, Ga; New Haven, youngstown.
But they all showed increases.
Those were some of the problems
they found; just a few.
Bills for States to Use.
With these facts in mind, they sat
down and wrote a bill by which the
various States could clamp down
on rising rents. Here were rents
out of all proportion to the value
OF properties in all corners of the
country. Protests were piling in.
The Federal Government had no
specific powers over local rents. 1t
was a problem for the State legisla-
lures.
The bill drafted was turned over
to Frank Bane's agency to put be-
fore the State legislatures. Mr..
Bane until recently was connected
with the Council of State Govern
ments but now is with the McNutt
organization which is designed to
foster State cooperation with Fed
eral projects for defense.
A bill to establish a rent COM
mission in Washington has been in
troduced in Congress by Chair
man Randolph of the House Dis
trict Committee. The special de-
Tense subcommittee of the District
Committee now is holding it's Sec
ond hearing on the measure. The
bill would establish a commission
to fix and control rents here.
The bill drafted by Miss Elliott's
division would create emergency rent
commissions in the States which
would investigate conditions. declare
emergencies, establish regional
emergency rent boards and deter
mine fair and reasonable rent.
How Bill Would Work.
1t is thought that the enactment
OF such legislalation to establish
rent commissions may succeed in
preventing emergency rent increases
and make unnecessary actual rent
control.
The bill is designed to provide
a procedure which would protect
tenants in defense areas from ex-
oroltant rents. prevent disruptive
rent increases and. at the same time,
assure fair and reasonable rent to
landlords.
The bill would set up a State
emergency rent commission of five
members to be appointed by the
Governor, one of whom he shall
designate as chairman. This COM
mission would have the power to
declare an emergency in any region,
determine the normal rent" and
specify the classes of dwellings to
be regulated.
Administration would be through
regional boards, consisting of five
local members, except where q board
is to function in divisions, appointed
by the Governor. The board would
determine "fair and reasonable
rent" the services and facilities
which must be furnished in par
ticular cases. Notice. hearing and
a right of appeal to State commits
sion and courts are assured to in
terested parties.
Restrictions on Landlords.
Landlords of regulated dwellings
would be prohibited from increasing
rent or decreasing services or fa-
cilities after extension of the regu-
lations without first obtaining the
boards authorization. Either land
lord or tenant may petition for de-
termination Of fair and reasonable
rent" or the board may act on its
own initiative.
The normal rent'-that prevail
ing on the normal rent date" plus
any percentage thereof allowed by
the commission to cover increased
costs of operation and maintenance
is prima facie the fair and
reasonable rent"
Under the bill the landlord would
not be able to evict the tenant 80
long as the latter pays the rent
prescribed by the board and other
wise performs the conditions of his
tenancy unless possession is required
for personal occupancy by the land
lord or his vendee. for purposes of
remodeling or rebuilding.
For violations, landlords would be
liable for double the excess of rent
collected and would be subjected to
fine for any actions designed to
evade the act.