Evening star., 1941-10-19
Continued From Page A-2oD

action for double the value of the
services refused in violation OF the
applicable minimum service stand
ard or for $50, whichever is greater
in either case. plus reasonable at
torney'S fees and costs as determined
by the court. Any suit or action
under this subsection may be
brought in the Municipal Court of
the District Of Columbia regardless
of the amount involved and the
Municipal Court is hereby given
exclusive Jurisdiction 20 hear and
determine all such cases.
(b) Any person who Wlllfully
violates any provision of this act
or any regulation, order or re-
quirement hereunder. and any per-
son who Willfully makes any state
ment or entry false in any material
respect in any document or report
required TO be kept or filed there
under, and any person who willfully
participates in any fictitious sale or
other device or arrangement with
intent 10 eVade this act or any reg
ulation, order or requirement there
under, shall be prosecuted therefor
by the United States attorney for
the District of Columbia, and shall
upon conviction be fined not more
than $1,000 or imprisoned for not
more than one year, or both.
Housing Is Defined.
(c) No person shall be held liable
for damages or penalties in any
court on any grounds for or in re-
sDect of anything done or omitted
to be done in good faith pursuant
to any provision of this act or any
regulation, order, or requirement
hereunder, notwithstanding that
subsequently such provision, regula-
ton, order or requirement may be
modified, reSCinded, or determined
to be invalid. The administrator
may intervene in any suit or action
wherein a party relies for ground OF
relief or defense upon this act or
any regulation, order or require
ment hereunder. No costs shall be
assessed against the administrator
in any proceedings had or taken in
accordance with this act.
Id Whenever in the judgment Of
the administrator any person has
engaged or is about to engage in
any acts or practices which con-
stiute or will constitute violation
Of this act, or any regulation, order,
or requirement hereunder. he may
make application to the United
States District Court for the Dis
trict of Columbia for an order en-
forcing compliance with this act
or such regulation, order, or re-
uuirement. and upon proper show
ing a permanent or temporary in
junction, restraining order, or other
order, shall be granted without bond.
Section II. Deflnitions-as used
In this act:
(a) The term housing accom-
modations" means any building.
structure or part thereof, or land
appurtenant thereto, or any other
real or personal property rented or
offered for rent for living or dwell
ing purposes in the District of
Columbia Qncluding, but without
limitation, houses, apartments,
hotels, rooming or boarding house
accommodations, and other prop
critics used for living or dwelling
purposes together with all services
supplied in connection with the use
or occupancy of such property.
(b) The term service" includes
the furnishing Of light, heat, hot
and cold water, telephone, elevator
service, furnishings, furniture, win
dow shades, screens, awnings, and
storage, kitchen, bath and laundry
facilities and privileges, maid serv-
ice. janitor service, the removal of
refuse, and the making Of all re-
pairs suited to the housing accom-
modations or necessitated by ordi-
nary wear and tear, and any other
privilege or facility connected with
the use or occupancy Of housing
accommodations.
Rent" Is Explained.
(c) The term rent" means the
consideration, including any bonus,
benefit or gratuity, demanded or re-
Ceived per day, week, month, year
or other period of time as the case
may be, for the use or occupancy of
housing accommodations Or the
transfer of a lease for such accom-
mOdations.
Cd The term maximum rent
ceiling" means the maximum rent
which may be demanded or re-
ceived for the use or occupancy of
housing accommodations or the
transfer Of a lease for such accom-
modations.
(e) The term minimum service
standard" means the minimum serv-
ice which may be supplied in con-
nection with the renting or leasing
Of housing accommodations.
f) The term tenant" includes a
subtenant, lessee, sublessee or other
person entitled to the use or occu-
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