Evening star., 1942-03-07
Rent Control
Area Measure
Passes House
Substitute Rushed
To Virginia Senote
To Nip U. S. Action
By . staff Correspondent of The Star.


RICHMOND, March 7.-Seeking
to head OF possible Federal control
of rents in Virginia, the House of
Delegates yesterday suspended its
rules to pass the Fenwtck bill au-
thorizing the Governor to proclaim
an emergency TO establish rent-con-
troll areas and appoint local emer-
gency rent boards.
Reported as a substitute for the
original bill, the measure was unani-
mously passed and sent to the Sen
ate after the patron, Delegate
Charles r. Fenwick of Arlington,
obtained the consent Of the House
to add as co-patrons the names Of
the subcommittee which redrafted
the Legislation. The subcommittee
consisted Of Delegates Maurice D..
Rosenberg Of Alexandria, William
Mel. Ferguson of Newport News and
James N. Garrett Of Portsmouth.
The Federal Government can
now take over any area Of the State
and establish rent control and fix
ceilings on rents, unless the State
intervenes within so days." Mr.. Fen
wick told the House. Shortly before
the deadline for the introduction of
general legislation 1 learned the
Federal Government planned to
come into Virginia and establish
rent control area near Hampton
Roads. There was some doubt in
my mind whether the defense legis-
lation we have already passed would
be sufficient to cover the situation.
so, with the Governors consent
hastily prepared legislation at the
last minute.
Agitated for Nearby Area.
Agitation for rent control has been
in progress in the Alexandria -Arl-
ington- Fairfax area for neare two
years. Under the old civilian de-
fense setup under former Gov.
Price, the Civilian Defense Councils
could appoint rent-control commit
tees, but such groups only had pub
lie opinion to back up their find
ings.
Legislation passed at the present
session gives the civilian defense
organization legal backing and some
believed that rent-control agencies
with legal authority could be estab-
ished The proposed act makes
control by the State certainty, II
enacted.
Delegate John B. Spiers of Rad
ford amended the bill on the House
floor yesterday providing for its ex-
piration on March 4, 1914, thereby
giving the next regular session OF
the General Assembly a chance to
re-enact the law If the emergency
persists.
Gives Power to Governor.
The Governor would be author
lied to declare an existing emer-
gency in any area where he finds an
acute housing shortage and where
unfair, unreasonable, oppressive
rents or rental agreements are being
exacted." He may amend, revoke or
order a gradual relaxation Of rent
regulations in any area.
The Governor would, after declar-
ing an emergency In any area, ap-
point a local board Of five members
and designate a chairman, all OF
whom would be residents of the area
over which they have jurisdiction.
Not less than two board members
would be owners and taxpayers on
real property, familiar with real
property management and mainte-
nance. No member should sit in any
case In which he or his family is
interested.
If five members proved inadequate
the Governor could appoint addi-
tional members to serve under the
same chairman but to exert control
over other divisions OF the rent
control area.
Rules of evidence prevailing in
courts of law would not be binding
and written conclusions of law or
findings Of fact would be made to
the Governor.
Each board would have the power
to use the services of Federal, State
or local agencies and of the volun-
tary and uncompensated services of
private persons or groups" Power
also would be granted to compel by
subpoena the attendance of wit
nesses and the production of peril
nent evidence relating to any matter
under investigation and to sue and
be sued with respect to such matters.
Would Fix Rent Date.
The local boards could determine
a normal rent date" based on the
latest date at which rental condi-
tions Of the area, or of the class of
dwellings to be regulated, had not
yet been affected by the national
defense program.
The normal rent" would be de-
termined by the amount paid on the
normal rent date plus any additional
amount allowed by the board for in
creased maintenance or operating
costs and general rise in taxes.
The board would be required to
determine the fair and reasonable
rent to be paid upon petition of
either the landlord or tenant. after
notice to the other party and after
hearing has been held. The normal
rent determined would be prima
facie the fair and reasonable rent
and the burden Of proof would be
upon the party seeking to establish
a different rent rate.
No landlord or tenant would be
entitled to q determination of q fair
and reasonable rent If any lease,
suitcase, assignment or voluntary
transfer was made on or before the
normal rent dates, but the board
could determine the fair and reason
able rent upon the expiration Of
such agreement or lease.
At the time of the emergency
proclamation, no landlord In the
affected areas could increase rent
until after the board had determined
a higher fair and reasonable rate.
Provides Reimbursement.
In the event the tenant pays more
than Is determined as the fair and
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