Evening star., 1942-10-06
Weston Weighs
Taking Eviction
Threat 10 Court
OPA Moy Intervene
In Colonial Village
'Overerowding' Cose

OCCldl ulS Iic ID IlOI 3D. tlSIl6Q 70
let the threatened eviction of his
family from Colonial Village stand,
Robert G. Weston, District ac-
countant, today revealed he is con-
sidering taking the matter to court.
The management of the Arling-
ton housing development had
threatened to evict Mr.. Weston, his
wife and three children because the
family exceeded by one the stipu-
lated maximum for a two-bedroom
apartment after Mrs. Weston had
given birth to a third child, Andrea,
who will be one month old tomor-
row. They moved one of their chill
dren yesterday to the home Of
grandparents.
The situation was seen as calling
for a Government Interpretation of
rules controlling the number of per-
sons who may occupy one bedroom,
in order to furnish a guide in the
national housing picture.
The management,s action, it was
learned, is in conflict with the in
depreciation placed on Mr.. Westons
tenancy agreement by the National
Rent Control Office.
Won't Let Matter Rest.
II am considering taking the mat
ter to court eventually" said Mr..
Weston this morning, pending new
developments in the case. I am not
satisfied to let the matter rest as
it is"
Commenting on this phase of the
controversy Langdon West, Arling-
ton n-Alexandria area rent attorney,
said:
Il would represent OPA in any
eviction case which came before any
court in this defense rental area.
However, we are not counsel for ten
ants. Insofar as Mr.. Weston's case
would coincide with the OPA case,
OPA would be representing Mr..
Weston"
The threatened eviction of Mr..
Weston and his family by the Colo
nial Village management elected an
opinion from Paul Porter, deputy
OPA administrator in charge of rem
tails, that lease arrangement such
as that offered Mr. Weston. subject
of course to local law, presents a
condition of doubtful public policy"
Against Public Interest.
I'm time of war in defense rental
areas" he continued, I'VE think
such arrangements are clearly con-
trary to the public interest"
The administrator said he had
made no final determination as to
the rent control Offices power to
act, but he felt certain the Office
would have the power to prevent in
clusion of the clause in lease if it
did not exist before the maximum
rent date, which in the case of the
local area is January /, 1941.
In an opinion concerning the Wes-
ton case sent the land attorney, Mr..
Porter said it seemed clear there had
been no violation of the obligation
before the expected child was born.
THE house rules provide" he
pOlllCCu Out. llldl IllS ldIlUlOIQ WILL
not permit an apartment to be oc-
cupied by family where there are
more than two occupants to full
sized bedroom. Possibly this could
be construed as an obligation on the
part of the tenant not to have more
than two occupants to bedroom.
Birth Held No Violation.
However, subsequent language in
the above quoted house rule indi-
Gates that the birth of a child
would not be a violation of this
obligation even though thereafter
there will be three persons in one
of the bedrooms. At most, this
language indicates that the land
lord would not renew the tenants
lease at its expiration where third
child had been born. This does not
constitute an obligation of the
tenant"
Mr.. Weston, as temporary solu-
ton to the problem, has sent his
eldest child, -year-old Robert.
jr.. to live with his grandparents
here.