Evening star., 1946-12-11
Tenants Lose
Rent Hearing
Plea for Data
Park Central Service
Justifies Cut, Not
Boost, They Contend

SouiiScl ioI tenauIS opposing a
requested rent increase at the Park
Central Apartments tried without
success today to obtain independent
financial records on higher operating
costs and capital improvements
claimed by the owners.
District Rent Control Board
Examiner Ernest Williams denied
this motion and another one which
asked that the public hearing, now
IN its third day, be continued to
allow the tenants to file a petition
for decrease in rents at the apart
ment building at 1900 F. street NV.
Edward r. Haigler, counsel for a
majority of the tenants, said testi-
mony by the Is witnesses thus far
justified cut rather than an in
crease in rent because of inadequate
service and maintenance.
With several score witnesses ask
ing to be heard, Examiner Williams
indicated that a session probably
will be held tonight at board head
quarters, 1740 Massachusetts, ave-
nue. NV. Despite objections by
Mr.. Haigler, he ruled that the hear
ings must end today. The tenants
can submit written statements and
file rent decrease petition later if
they wish, Mr.. Williams said.
Cogswell Studying Letter.
Meanwhile, District Rent Control
Administrator Robert F. Cogswell
said today he is studying the letter
received yesterday from Is local
organizations opposing any blanket
increase in District rents. Mr.. Cogs-
well explained that in recent weeks
he has received several similar let
ters, including some from landlords
who believe that rent controls
should be eased. He is looking into
the problem, but expects to take
no immediate action, he said.
When todays hearing in the Park
Central Apartments case opened,
Mr.. Haigler protested that the Nor
ris Cafritz Co., real estate opera
tors, had flooded" the examiner
with records concerning operation
of the apartment house. The ten
ants, however, had been unable to
present any such data or to ques-
ton the Cafritz records. He there
fore asked that more detailed rec
ords be obtained by subpoena, if
necessary, and that an independent
auditors statement be made avail
able. Joseph C. McCarraghy, coun-
sci for the apartment owners, OBJ
jected to this on the ground that
sufficient detailed information has
been furnished to show the increase
in operating cost, repairs and capi-
tai outlays.
Continuance Denied.
Examiner Williams sustained Mr.
McGarraghy's objection. Mr.. Haig-
Ter insisted that he should have
more time to interview individual
tenants and to obtain other infor-
nation, but his motion for continu- |
ance also was denied.
Yesterdays six-hour session be-
came especially spirited when nine
tenants took the stand to accuse
the owners of asking substantially |
higher rentals despite "deteriora-
ton" OF maintenance and service
in the apartment.
John r. Hayes, who has lived
there for IL years, said he Is a
landlord himself but gives far bet
ter facilities at comparatively lower
rents to his tenant in Arlington
than he himself receives at the
apartment house. He declared he
would not try. to recover his house
because the tenant is former
serviceman.
Donald B. Wilson asserted the
proposed rents were as high as those
in many other Washington apart-
ments which have newer equipment
He attacked the proposed raise on
the ground it would be inflationary
and lead to similar increases else
where.
Miss Esther Newman, who works
for OPA, cited what she described as
numerous inconvenience because of
the owners failure to provide ade-
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