Evening star., 1948-12-17
Keep RentCurbs
Into 1850, Asks
Virginia Board
Housing Situation
In Suburbs Called
AeuteIy Short Still
By Robert J. Lewis

~ NS1SsA - @SWtS
The newly organized Rent Ad.
visory Board for the Alexandria
Arlington Fairfax rent control dis
trict has recommended to Tighe E.
Woods, national housing expeditor,
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. 1t au-
thorized Fred M. Windridge, it's
chairman, to address letter to the
rousing expediters Office containing
the recommendation
Under the present national rent
act, approximately 300 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. 1t 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 F. Cogswell, District rent
administrator. that District rent
controls should be continued.
Buchanan's Work Praised.
The Advisory Board, appointed by
Mr. Woods from among nominal
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 Office"
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 a 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 congressional
hearing on legislation for a continu-
ance OF rent control legislation here.
Members of the Alexandria -Arl-
ington- Fairfax Board, in addition to
Chairman Windridge, are: John B.
De Lashmutt, James j. German,
George H. Hieronymus and Conrad
H. Reid (vice chairman), all of Arl-
ington; Bennett w. King, Fairfax,
and John B. Abraham. Benton T.
Boogher, S. Cooper Dawson, jr.. and
Clarence J. Robinson, all of Alex
andria.
Southeast Increases Approved.
The District administration an
nounced today that rent increases
amounting to $l9,111 a year on 285
units in Southeast apartment de-
velopment owned by Harry D.
Poretsky & Sons have been recon-
mended by District rent control
examiner.
The apartment houses are in the
200 and 400 blocks of Orange street
Sc, the 1900 block of lie Baum
street Sc. and the 1900 block Of
Second street S.E.
The recommendation was for a
boost of about 10 per cent, the
agency said. The rent control ex-
aminer in the case was William F.
Mansfield.
New rents will range from s49.5O
month minimum, for four rooms
and bath to a maximum of S88 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
iner Denis K. Lane ruled that the
owners had failed to show basis for
the proposed increase. The previous
owner, Mr.. Lane declared, had pro-
vided many more services than the
present one.
The owners had asked that the
monthly rent for three -and-a- half
room apartments be increased from
$62 to SGT. For four r-and-a-h half
room apartments the owners sought
an increase from S66 to $72.