Evening star., 1942-03-07
Tenant Trouble
Rent Control Office Has Answers
By Margaref NoweH

y p1 uF A
With all the discussion about a
place to live In Washington, an
important topic Of conversation
all over town in the last few
months, it is good to know that
the Office set up to sort out all
the difficulties Is we'll on its way
to successful operation. A COM
bination of judges sanctum and
three ring circus" located in the
Force School at l740 MasSachu-
sets avenue, the Office of the
Administrator of Rent Control
listens sympathetically to the
woes of both tenant and landlord.
1t explains the law with the pa
tience of Job" to the uninitiated,
and tries to settle the differences
of complainants whose tempers
have reached the point of raging
lions without the use of ringmas-
ter's whip. This to the tune Of
300 telephone calls and rs settled
eases in an average day.
Mr.. Robert F. Cogswell, admin
istrator of rent control, has a
kindly voice, a pleasant smile and
q thorough knowledge of Wash
ington. In fact, he can tell you
whether or not you are efficiently
housed at a reasonable rate In
almost any section of town you
mention after about three ques-
tions on size of room, number Of
tenants and services rendered.
His able assistant and trouble
shooter" Mr.. Charles Stofberg,
hears each case as 1t comes in.
settles it himself If possible or
routes it through the proper
channels to'the administrator, so
that a hearing and decision is OBJ
tained quickly.
The Rent Act and the orders
which have explained its various
provisions cover just about every
emergency which may arise.
Based on good common sense and
a Just and fair arrangement for
both parties, there Is no reason
why it should not work to the ad-
vantage Of each. The main Off
ficulties arise from ignorance OF
the law rather than malicious
and as soon as there is
complete understanding of what
the tenant and landlord may ex-
pect of each other. both legally
and morally, many Of the difficult
ties are ironed out.
The Rent Control Office can
not take time over the telephone
to listen to involved tales Of
wrong doing, so there is a rea-
sonable and workable procedure
all mapped out. If you feel that
you have a case which needs ad-
iusting you may 60 to the Office
and fill out statement which
gives the whole story in the
briefest possible form. If 1t is
necessary at this point, you are
If not, the case is
investigated and then you are
called for an interview. No
complaints are con-
sidered. primarily to avoid vast
ing time over the mad today.
tomorrow" type OF
thing.
A typical case at II o'clock on
. bright and shining morning.
with the Rent Control Office
hitting on all SIX" might be
this one: Mr.. Stofberg, with a
pleasant smile, greets two young
Government girls" from New
England. They have fire in their
,ye. Mad as hops they in
sist that their landlady is put
ing them out that day (Tues-
1ay), and they have no place to
20 until Saturday; that she will
let them stay only If they pay
1er ten dollars, and they refuse
% pay more than their usual
ate and demand the right to
'tay until Saturday. From that
hey launch into a TRADE which
brings to light the fact that the
Iandlady has a Groom apart
nent In which she lives with her
,wn family and takes six other
yirb at the rate OF $40 each a
month. bringing In sl20. She
probably pays about $65 month
-ent for the apartment. Living
& lSssss -. 3