Evening star., 1941-07-16
Rent and Price Control
Legislation Facing
Delay in Congress
Lawmakers Favor
Move to Vote Authority
For Daylight Saving
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
Despite disclosure by President
Roosevelt that specific methods of
holding down rents and prices dur
ing the war emergency were under
consideration, congressional leaders
said today it would be many weeks
before legislation on the subject
could even be brought up for debate.
Less coolnesS was evidenced in
congressional quarters, however, to-
ward another administration plan
which would affect directly the lives
of millions of Americans-the re-
quest which Mr.. Roosevelt sent to
Congress yesterday for authority to
order extension of daylight saving
time wherever necessary.
The President backed up the re-
quest with the argument that gen.
eral use of daylight saving would
conserve an estimated 1856 282 900
kilowatt hours of energy annually,
which would help offset developing
shortages of power needed for de-
fenSe production.
PeggIng OF Rents Studled.
Chairman Lea of the House Inter-
state Commerce Committee an
nounced he would introduce bill
carving the desired authority and
hearings would start early next
week. The reaction of many legls-
lators was summed up by Senator
Bone. Democrat, of Washington,
who said that if daylight saving
could accomplish industrial OBJ
jects for national defense there
probably will be no opposition.
The related questions of rent and
price control were brought up at
Mr.. Roosevelts press conference yes
terday, and the Chief Executive re-
ported that pegging of rents in de-
fenSe centers was under study.
Further. he indicated the general
price control legislation would have
to be flexible to permit variations
according to the article and the To-
cality. No general ceiling could be
fixed over all prices, he declared.
He suggested that rent and price
control legislation could be handled
as separate bills to permit speedler
action by Congress.
Price Plans Face Delay.
But with the controversial defense
tax bill awaiting initial floor debate
at the Capitol leaders said weeks
would elapse before price and rent
proposals could be taken TO either
House or Senate floor even if Leon
Henderson. price administrator. and
his staff complete drafting them in
a few days.
When Mr. Henderson first dis
cussed price legislation with House
members several weeks ago much
opposition developed, and he was
asked to redraft Dis tentative plans.
One informed person said today
one reason for the opposition was
that the proposed legislation omitted
any provision for pegging wages. The
President did not commit himself
when asked yesterday whether wage
controls now were in the picture.
He said merely that he was trying
to keep things pretty much in bal
anCe.
Ceiling on Rents Here Cited.
Mr.. Henderson discussed prices
and rents with Mr.. Roosevelt yes
terday and later urged a Senate
committee to approve bill pegging
rents in crowded Washington, the
defense hub of the Nation.
AfterWard he expressed to report
ers his hope that such legislation
would be extended to other defense
CenterS.
The Chief Executive told his press
conference that his talk with Mr..
Henderson was part of a three-cor-
nered conversation underway among
himself, the price-control chief and
congressional leaders.
There has been lot of lobbying
N Washington and elsewhere against
rent control. the President said, but
he recalled that a ceiling on rents
was in effect in this city during the
World War He added that If the
Government was going to curtail
excessive prices on food and clothing
rents likewise should be limited.
One of several proposals under
study. he said was that base period
be determined. say l938-39-4O, with
Congress declaring that rents in
overcrowded areas should not in
crease more than fixed percentage
! L. \, I,e