Evening star., 1947-02-25
1917 Rent Boost
Bill Approved
BY SenateUnit
Measure Asks End
Of Federal Controls
By December 81
By the Associoted Press

Legislation permitting lU per
cent increase in rents and wiping
out all Federal rent controls by
next December 81 was approved
today by a Senate Banking
Subcommittee.
The bill also would eliminate the
Office of Price Administration as
administrator of remaining con-
trolls and give that authority to the
courts except in States where an
enforcement system is established.
The proposed 10 per cent in
crease in rents would apply to CELL
ings in effect last December 81.
Other Changes Provided.
Several other major changes in
the rental setup were provided in
the legislation, which would become
effective on the first, day of the
month following its adoption.
Senator Buck, Republican, of Del
aware, chairman of the subcommit-
tee, told reporters the bill would be
ready to lay before the full COM
mittee in about a week He said
the flve-man group split, to 2, on
many provisions.
Senator Buck outlined these pro-
visions of the legislation:
Permission to increase rents 10
per cent over the ceilings of last
December 81.
Decontrol of new housing and
accommodations which were not
rented between February l. 1916,
and January 81, 1947.
Would Lift Hotel Controls.
Lift controls on all hotel accom-
modations including trailer camps.
Remove ceilings on rents above
$225 month after application of
the 10 per cent increase. Senator
Buck had urged this provision. say
ing people who can afford to pay
that amount need no protection"
Allow reasonably increased rent
by agreement between landlord and
tenant for certain improvements.
To continue rent control but with
out the help of OPA, ending Federal
supervision next December 81.
Leave enforcement to the courts.
permitting the tenant to go into any
court with his grievance. Recovery
would be fixed at $500, or triple
damages, whichever was greater.
District Is Exempted.
Allow the States to apply to Fed
eral agency not yet designated to
take over controls.
NO S,cfnr Nf f1A~
to the Commerce Department, where
they would be made accessible to the
courts, tenants or landlords.
Make the bill effective the first day
Of the first month after its adoption.
Exempt the District of Columbia
from the provisions of the bill. The
District has its own rent control law.
To require continuance of present
services for which the tenant was
paying last December 81.
Will Study Deficiency Bill.
Later in the day Senate Appro-
priations Subcommittee planned to
consider the House passed deficiency
bill which not only turns down
OPA's request for a supplemental
allotment of S5,950,000 for the rest
of the fiscal year, but orders the
agency to give up 100000 of the
money it already has.
OPA officials contend adoption Of
either measure would spell the end
of the stripped-down agency. Be-
sides rent, it still has jurisdiction
only over sugar price control and
rationing, and price ceilings on rice.
Maj. Gen. Philip B. Fleming, di-
rector of the Office of Temporary
Controls which supervises the QpA
program, is scheduled to appear be-
fore the Appropriations Subcom-
mittee this afternoon. Gen. Flem-
ing's AIDES said he would plead that
OPA be given funds to carry it at
least through June.