Evening star., 1948-12-17
Virginia Board Wants
Suburban Rent Curbs
Retained Into 1850
By Robert J. Lewis

The newly organized Rent Ad-
visory Board for the Alexandria
Arlington-Fairfax rent control dis
trict has recommended to Tghe E.
Woods, national housing expedition,
that rent control for the boards
entire jurisdiction be extended
through March 81, 1850, it was
learned today.
The board is Of the opinion that
the rental housing situation is still
acute" spokesman said. It au-
thorized Fred M. Windridge, its
chairman, to address a letter to the
rousing expediter's ONCE containing
the recommendation.
Under the present national rent
act, approximately 800 such boards
through the country are authorized
to make recommendations for COM
plete removal of rent control In an
area or for increases in the general
rent level Of an acre. It also may
consider individual rent adjustment
cases.
The action which came to light
today was the first such recon-
mendation to come from the sub
urban areas of Virginia and Mary
land and supports the contention of
Robert r. Cogswell. District rent
administrator. that District rent
controls should be continued.
Buchanan's Work Praised.
The Advisory Board, appointed by
Mr.. Woods from among nomina-
tions by Gov. Tuck of Virginia, also
praised the rent control administra-
ton for the Alexandria, Arlington
Fairfax area headed by I. Chance
Buchanan and singled out Mr.. Bu-
chanan for commentator for his
fair, just and efficient operation of
his of1ice."
In the District. which has a rent
control administration entirely sep
arate from the national system,
members of the Washington Real
Estate Board have indicated they
will seek amendments to the law to
permit voluntary" Is per cent
rent increase here. This provision
is included in the Federal law. Local
real estate industry spokesmen said
they believe the District Act should
be made to conform with the Ma
tional Act in this respect.
A Real Estate Board spokesman
said today the boards Legislative
Committee is still studying the prob
lem, and that the boards proposals
will be made at a congressional
hearing on legislation for a continu-
ance Of rent control legislation here.
Members Of the Alexandria-Arl-
fngton-Fairfax Board, in addition to
Chairman Windridge, are: John q.
De Lashmutt, James j. German,
George H. Hieronymus and Conrad
II. Reid (vice chairman), all Of Arl-
tngton; Bennett w. King, Fairfax,
and John B. Abraham, Benton r.
Boogher, 9. Cooper Dawson, jr., and
Clarence ]. Robinson, all of Alex
andria.
Southeast Increases Approved.
The District administration an.
nounced today that rent increases
amounting to $1s,111 a year on 2s5
units In Southeast apartment de-
velopment owned by Harry d.
Poretsky & Sons have been recon-
mended by q District rent control
examiner.
The apartment houses are In the
300 and 400 blocks Of Orange street
Sc, the 1900 block Of LIE Baum
street Sc. and the 1900 block of
Second street Sc.
The recommendation was for q
boost Of about 10 per cent, the
agency said. The rent control ex-
aminer in the case was william r.
Mansfield.
New rents will range from $3.50
Q month minimum, for four rooms |
and bath to q maximum Of $88 q |
month for five rooms and bath.
Meanwhile, the rent control office |
refused to grant rent increases to-
the owners Of the 190-unit Hillside |
Manor Apartments, 1900 block of |
Twenty-third street Sc.
In one Of the few cases In recent |
months that have resulted in no
upward adjustment Of rents, Exam
liner Denis K. Lane ruled that the
owners had failed to show a basis for
the proposed increase. The previous
owner, MIR. Lane declared, had pro-
vided many more services than the
present one.
The owners had asked that the
monthly rent for three and half
room apartments be increased from
$62 to $67. For four -and- a half
room apartments the owners sought
an increase from $66 to $72.