Evening star., 1950-02-05
Bill toExtend
Rent Controls
Here Studied
House Committee
Also Will Consider
Daylight Saving Time
BY Harold B. Rogers

VI 4SCW 1OIh. IL WOulU CONTINUE
controls here for another year.
Meantime the controversy over
national rent control, which ex-
pires June 80, will come before
House and Senate banking COM
mittees later. A Senate subcom-
mlttee will open hearings in
April.
The Districts rent law. however,
is separate act. It has been ex-
tended from time to time so its
termination date comedies with
the national control law.
Apartment Scarcity Cited.
There is sure to be some effort
again to tie in the District act, in
some provisions. with the national
law. But the opinion appears to
be growing in Congressional circles
that different areas of the coun-
try should now be treated on the
basis of their ewn particular
problems.
Mr.. Mcmillan said he believes
controls should be continued here
because Of the shortage of apart
ments.
Apartments still are difficult to
get" he said. Congressional en-
ployes have been unable to get
such housing in several instances.
Until apartments get more plenti-
full Washington ought to have
rent control"
Mr.. Mcmillan emphasized, how
ever. that he definitely is not In
favor of control where there Is
plenty of housing.
Representative Klein is spend
ing the week end in New York
but plans to be back in Washing
ton tomorrow to attend the Dis
trict Committee session.
Daylight Time Bill Also Up.
MFR. Klein's bill to authorize day
light saving time for the Capital
again this summer also will be
considered by the District Com
mittee, Mr.. Mcmillan announced
There should be no need for furth-
er hearings on daylight saving, he
said, since the subject had been
thoroughly considered at hear
1ngs in several past years.
District leaders In Congress are
tackling the controversial problem
of rent control extension here
ahead of congressional considera-
ton of such extension for the
country.
Public hearings will begin in
April on national rent control for
next year. Senator Sparkman,
Democrat, of Alabama, announced
| last night. He is chairman of the
rent subcommittee of the Senate
Banking and Currency Committee
which will study the issue.
THE big question nationally"
Senator Sparkman said, "is
whether we need a Nation wide
law for control over a relatively
small number of areas"
He pointed out that his COM
mittee last year predicted that by
June 80. when controls expire, SO
much of the country would be de-
controlled under local authority
there would be no need for a
Nationwide law. Many areas now
are being decontrolleds he ex-
planned, so that the number OF
those left under restrictions has
been greatly narrowed down."
Needed In Some Areas.
In his opinion, the Senator said
some industrial areas probably
will have to continue controls.
New York City for instance, he
said, may always need rent con-
troll" The same might be said
for such places as Connecticut
and the cities of Chicago and Los
Angeles.
I'm my opinion 1t may be
needed In the District" said the
Senator, but he added, IT really
don't know that for a fact"
I'VE will have a hearing in
April. The committee will listen
very attentively to facts about
the Nationwide situation. We
shall have to determine whether
rent control should be continued
or whether it should lapse" The
Banking Committee, however, the
Senator said, will not consider the
District.
On the House side of the Capt.
tol, Chairman Spence of the HOUSE
Banking and Currency COMMITTEES
voiced similar opinions. He thinks
there is a great need" for con
trolls in some congested areas, but
is sure that many no longer meet
it.
President Truman has urget
Congress to extend restrictions
but Mr.. Spence said a new rem
control bill has not been sent t,
the House.
1.-THE President said it wa
necessary" Mr.. Spence added
"We will consider it as soon as w
get some of our other pendini
legislation out of the way"
The House District Committee a
its regular meeting at 10 am. to
morrow also may consider othel
legislation, Chairman Mcmillan
said.
This may include the McMilla,
bill for investigation Of parking
lots here, and a bill for granting
Congressional Charter to th'
Girl Scouts of America.
Another District subcommittee
considering legislation for expan
sion of the authority of the Ma
tional Capital Park and Planning
Commission will hold furthel
hearings later. 1t now is await.
ing a report from Virginia Off
cials on the bill.
A House Appropriations sub.
committee handling the annua
District supply bill plans tx
"mark-up" the measure this week