Evening star., 1951-10-06
Opinions Clash
On Arlington
Rent Control
County Board Faces
Flood of Testimony
In 5-Hour Session

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Nearly five hours of conflicting
testimony on whether it should
seek restoration of rent control in
Arlington today is before the
County Board.
Exactly four hours, 40 minutes
and 81 speakers after it opened
a public hearing, weary board
members left the courthouse early
this morning, due to return for a
regular Saturday daytime session
a few hours later.
Mrs. Florence Cannon. chair
man, said there definitely would
be no decision today on the maze
of contradictory testimony and
evidence submitted. Although the
Virginia General Assembly decon-
trolled the entire State as of June
rs, 1850, Mrs. Cannon explained
how rents might be controlled
again under an amendment to the
Federal Housing and Rent Act.
The President may order control
If the local governing body finds
shortage of rental housing exists,
she said.
Many Left to Speak.
Thele was standing room only
wheE the nearing got under way
at 8 pm. in the Circuit Court
room. More than $50 were pres
ent and it was nearly three hours
before the crowd thinned so that
all cculG be seated. Of these, As
persons sent cards to the board
indicating they wished to speak
against rent control and 13 indi-
Gated they were for the regula-
tionS Many left. however. and
at the end 26 had spoken against
and II for controls.
With ore exception, all who
spoke in opposition to the issue
were landlords, apartment man
ayers builders, real estate men
and attorneys or representatives
But a proponent of control.
Alan L. Deane of the Harrington
Civic Association. precipitated a
politi, al debate among some mem
bers of the board. Mr.. Deane is a
non-partisan candidate for one
of the board seats in November
and F Freeland Chew, incumbent,
is seeking reelection.
Mr. Deane said Arlington's
delegation to the General Assem-
bly, mad tried to exempt the
county from the Statewide de-
control action but the Legislature
refused to permit this exemption.
He said the county's delegation
sought to carry out the request
of the County Board.
Would Set Record Straight.
Mr.. Chew said he wanted to set
the record straight and that an
examination of the minutes would
show that he was not among the
board members seeking to retain
rent regulations.
Shortly afterward, Mr.. Chew
commented it lis silly to make a
political forum of County Board
meeting
1T is the first time in my Is
years on the board that I've had
to face my political opponents at
an official board meeting" Mr..
Chew said.
He declared a number of tenants
had been mailed literature to at
tend the hearing to listen to Mr.
Deane and T. Oscar Smith, another
board candidate. The literature. |,
Mr.. Chew added, was sent out
under the name of the Smith
Deane Club"
Board Member Robert w. Cox
not up for reelection this year
said he originated the move for
the rent hearing but not with
political motives. To Which Daniel
A. Dugan, another member, ex-
pressed resentment over "innuendo
that I supported this for a politi-
cal meeting"
Mr.. Smith arose from the audi
ence on a point of personal privi-
lege.
Had Not Planned to Speak.
Il will state that if such letter
was sent, l had no knowledge of
It," Mr.. Smith said, land, further,
that I had no intention of speak
ing tonight" +
Mr.. Deane also replied that to
his knowledge no such letters were
sent by his campaign workers. He
acknowledged that some of his
supporters may have done so
without his knowledge.
In arguing the rent issue, Law
renee w. Douglas. attorney for
Lee Gardens Apartments, pleaded
for a retention of the free enter
prise system; said that reimposi-
ton of controls would remove the |
incentive for new housing con-
struction and added that "the way
w AldfC ID W l1dtC a
free market in housing"
Attorney Thomas w. Phillips,
representing Colonial Village, Ar
lington Village, Westover and
Magnolia Gardens, contended,
1.-THE short time available (since
the hearing was called) makes it
impossible for the landlord or
tenant to present substantial
evidence"
Attorney James H. Simmonds
also pleaded for more time to as
semble facts.
Malcolm D. Miller, representing
the Arlington Civic Federation,
asked for control and asserted the
tenant is at, the mercy of the
landlord and has no bargaining
power.
William O. Burtner. 2406 North
Upton street, a landlord, cited
newspaper advertisements to in
dicate housing is available now.
Control Petition Presented.