Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1941-05-28
House Bill Grants
President Power 10
Control Rents Here
Randolph Offers Measure
After 90-Minute Talk
With Henderson Aides
BY JAMES E. CHM.

President Roosevelt would be given
complete supervision over rents
charged in Washington under provi-
sions of a new rent control bill in
troduced today by Chairman Ran
dolph of the House District Com
mittee.
He dropped the measure in the
House hopper after Commute con-
ference behind closed doors with
representatives of Leon Henderson,
director of the Office of price con-
troll and civilian supply.
Representative Randolph also is
sponsoring another rent control bill.
1t would place authority to govern
rentals here in a commission of
three members appointed by the
President.
Mr.. Randolph announced he had
been advised the Bureau of Labor
Statistics has arranged to start an
immediate survey among 5000 Gov
eminent employees in Washington
to find out the rents they pay
and their housing conditions. This
checkup, he said, is expected to- be
completed within II days.
Subcommittee to Use Data.
Data resulting from the survey,
Representative Randolph said, will
be used by the Special Subcommit-
tee on Defense of the District Com
mittee which he heads, when hear
ings are started on the new rent
control bill The subcommittee
| already has held five hearings on
Mr.. Randolph's original rent-control
bill.
The new bill provides:
whenever the President deter
mines that it is necessary in the
interest of the national defense
and security and in the public in
terest 80 he may by order provide
| that;
THE rent charged for all rental
properties, or any classification of
rental property, shall not be in
| creased and the services in con-
nection Herewith shall not be di-
minished."
The purpose of the new bill as
well as the policy of Congress
during the existing emergency" &C
cording to its preamble, is to pre-
vent undue rent increases, specula-
ton in rental properties, and any
other practices relating to rental
properties in the District OF CO.
lumbia. which may tend to increase
the cost of living and to jeopardize
the national defense"
Conditions Summarized.
In the second section the new
bill declares the national emer-
eency and the national defense pro-
gram have:
81. Aggravated the congested sit
uation with regard to rental prop
critics existing at the seat OF the
Government.
SO. Have led or will lead to prof.
teering and other oppressive prac-
tees by some owners of rental prop
critics.
"3. Have rendered or will render
ineffective the normal operations OF
a free market in rental properties.
a. And are making it increasingly
difficult for persons whose duties or
obligations require them to live or
work at the seat of the Govern
ment to obtain appropriate. business
and living accommodations"
Not a Substitute.
Representative Randolph told
newspa permen the new bill is not
intended as a substitute for his
original measure placing rent con-
troll in a three-member commission.
It was asked to introduce it just
as I was asked to introduce the other
BILL" he declared. Both measures
will be considered by the defense
subcommittee"
The survey of rents and housing
conditions to be made among Fed
eral workers, Mr.. Randolph pointed
out, will be done for the purpose Of
furnishing the subcommittee with a
Gross section" picture of the stu
(See RENTS, Page A-6O