Evening star., 1951-06-13
d. {. Rent Bill
Hearings End;
Action Put Off
Senate Unit to Study
z Days of Testimony
On Extending Curbs
BY Harold B. ROGERS

"A SeIlaCe DlSCflcC subcommittee
today took under advisement a
proposed extension and revision of
a District rent control law which
lexpires June 80.
Senator Johnston, Democrat, Of
South Carolina, subcommittee
chairman, announced that some
time will be devoted to study Of
the two days Of testimony when
it is available.
| Both sides in the rent control
dispute appeared at the final ses-
sion of the subcommittee.
Bourbon G. Dawes, executive
secretary Of the Hotel Association
of Washington, took issue with
testimony last Monday by District
Commissioner F. Joseph Donohue
that there were no rooms available
in flrst-class hotels at Sc day.
Contends Rooms Available.
The vast majority of the 33
hotels in the association, Mr..
Dawes told the subcommittee, do
have rooms at the price and below.
Some of them offer rooms as low
as $3.50, he said. He named more
than 20 hotels in the disputed
price range.
Mr.. Dawes reiterated his con-
tention before previous hearings
by a House subcommittee and by
the District Commissioners that
to recontrol hotels was "unneces-
|sary and unwarranted."
Thornton w. Owen, president
of the Washington Board of Trade,
declared the directors authorizes
a statement that the present law
should expire on June 30 and not
be renewed.
But. he said. if Congress should
|extend controls, he recommended
an amendment to permit a "rea-
isonable increase in rent levels in
view of higher cost of operation
and maintenance"
Rufus Lusk, for the Washington
Taxpayers Association, came out
f1atly against any extension of
rent control. reiterating his previ-
GUS testimony at other hearings.
FavOrs RecOntrols.
Mr.. Lusk told the subcommittee
that in his opinion Mr.. Dawes
has devastated any claim that
hotels should be recontrolled."
Mrs. Helen Duey Hoffman said
the Washington branch of the
American Association of Univer-
|sity Women approved rent control
in principle and stressed the
necessity of restoring to the Dis
trict law criminal penalties.
She favored recontrol of hotels
and standby power for the rent
administrator to place curbs on
boarding and rooming houses.
Miss Julia Thornworth, speak,
ing as a small landlord" pleaded
for the right to fair return" on
her investment. She asked for no
controls on boarding and rooming
houses.
Jacob w. Block, a landlord, laid
before the subcommittee several
complaints about what he said
was persecution" by District off,
cials because of his alleged VIOLA
ton Of the present rent law. He
contended that the landlord
should first be given an oppor-
tunlty to present his case to the
rent administrator before being
taken to court on charges of
minor violations.
Complaints to Be Probed.
Senator Welker, Republican, of
ldaho, told the witness that he
would ask the rent administration
counsel to investigate the COM
plants and submit a report to
the committee. The Senator said
he also would make a little in
vestigation on his own.
Leon L. Sclawy of the District
chapter. Property Owners Associa-
ton OF America, contended that il
rent controls should be extended
his organization wanted several
changes in the law.
The association stood "abso-
lutely opposed in principle to rent
control or controls of any kind"
he said.
While the committee hearings
were under way, move developed
20 vote a straight extension of
rent controls rather than
give President Truman the broader
control powers he asks.
Chairman Maybank of the Sem
lte Banking Committee said his
group will vote tomorrow for a
straight extension of the existing
aw, probably for year.
Present rent controls-like
'ther administration anti-infla-
ION powers-are due to expire on
June 30.
The proposal to be considered
oy the Senate committee would
give the Federal Government
power to extend rent controls into
areas designated by the Secretary
II Defense as critical because of
,he mobilization program.
Mr.. Truman has asked Con-
sress for a much broader rent
control law which would include
power to control commercial an
we'll as residential rents. Con-
sress has refused in the past to
impose such controls.
Meanwhile, a bill was intro
1uced in the House to put into
shape agreements reached yester-
lay for extension of rent control
here to June 80. 1852.
The measure includes provisions
hat would:
Control rents on construction
since 194S at the level of last Jam
larry /.
Provide an increase of 20 per
;ent in rents over the 1941 base.
When they were frozen.
Restore criminal penalties up to
$1,000 fine, a year in Jail, or both.
The subcommittee rejected pro.
,nco1c Of Tho nic+r;oA