Evening star., 1941-10-20
BY JAMES f. CHINN.

The House District Committee
today unanimously approved bill
designed 70 fix and control rentals
here after ironing out FIVE major
points that had been in Disagree
ment.
Two of the points agreed on would
peg rentals as Of January /. l941,
and continue the rent-Control legls-
lation in effect until December /,
l945. Another provides that the
rent-Control administrator be ap-
pointed by the Commissioners
rather than the President.
Chairman Randolph announced
the bill would be rushed 10 the
House floor and that he would make
an effort TO have it called up for
consideration later in the week.
However. # the House fails to act
on 1t this week he said It would be
principal measure considered next
Monday, a regular District day IN
the House.
The committee agreed to retain
in the bill provision, one which
had been in disagreement, giving the
rent administrator authority TO re-
quire licenses Of hotels or roomlrg
houses accommodating two or more
persons. A provision was ellml-
mated. however. that would require
complicated reports from landlords
and rental agents.
ID. c. Heads Make Appointment.
Action Of the COmmltte was pre-
ceded by a prolonged discussion over
the provision who should appoint
the rent administrator. Real estate
interests had requested that the
appointment be made by the Com
missioners. But the Office Of Price
Administration, which had spon-
scored one Of the three original rent
control bills considered by the COM
mlttee urged that the President
make the appointment.
Representative Baldwin, Repub-
liCan of New York, and Hebert,
Democrat Of Louisiana, argued that
the Commissioners should be per-
mitted to make the appointment 10
give the District al least an element
Of home rule
I feel strongly that the Com
miSsionerS should make the appoint
ment, declared Mr.. Baldwin.
Il can find no heads or tails to
the District government because of
the inroads Of the Federal Govern
ment." said Mr.. Hebert. The Com
missioners should run the District
government. I am definitely op-
posed TO directions toward any more
bureaucracy
Freezing Date Is Compromise.
Agreement to freeze rentals as OF
January l, l94l. also was agreed on
as a compromise after a lengthy
discussion, During il Representative
Russell. Democrat. Of Texas offered
an amendment to fix the date as
October l, 1910. after Commissioner
Mason had informed the committee
that most of the leases in the Dis
triCt were made as of that date
Later Mr.. Russell withdrew the
amendment. and the date of Janu-
airy l this year was accepted.
Fixing the date as OF September
I, l94l, Nj. Russell argued, would
be beneficial 10 landlords who
raised rents since last February
when the first rent control bill was
introduced by Chairman Randolph.
1T was in February that We be-
gan to get hoWls about rent in
rrpaSeS" no declared
Karl Borders Of O. P. NJ. and
Chairman Randolph both expressed
belief the threat of rent control leg
islation had kept some landlords
from raising rents.
Il take the opposite view" de-
clared Representative Schultz, Dem
ocrat, Of Indiana. Il am under the
impression that when rent control
was threatened, some owners figured
they had better get their increase
without delay"
1945 Is Termination Date.
The date of termination of rent
control was discussed briefly ard
December l, 1915. agreed on. Real
estate interests had urged that a
definite date be set, while o. P. NJ.
said they would rather have
(See RENTS, Page A-5J