Evening star., 1951-06-17
Arlington Board
ndorses Local
Rent Control
Option Amendment in
Federal Measure
Backed Unanimously

Possibility of a return of rent
control to Arlington was seen last
might as a result of the county
boards support of a proposed local
option amendment to a new Fed
eral control bill.
/ The proposal has been approved
by the Senate Banking Committee
land will be offered in an extension
lof the present rent-control meas
lure which expires June 30.
Virginia decontrolled all rents
Iabout a year ago after action Of
iEthe General Assembly. More than
$4,000 rental units in Arlington
and Fairfax Counties, Falls Church
and Alexandria were taken of the
regulated list.
| Unanimous Endorsement of the
local option proposal was voiced
by the Arlington County Board at
its meeting yesterday.
Ask Support of Legislation.
/ Board members urged Repre-
sentative Smith and Senators
byrd and Robertson, Democrats.
Iof Virginia, to support the legisla-
Ition.
Daniel A. Dugan, who made the
motion, said there is no doubt
that Arlington is a critical area.
Mr.. Dugan initiated a plea to the
State to retain controls just be-
fore they were permitted to ex-
pire last June Is.
Mayor Franklin P. Backus Of
Alexandria expressed doubt, how
ever. over the willingness OF the
city's officials to seek reinstate-
ment of rent controls.
''I don't think it would be justi-
fled here because I don't believe
there is an emergency" he said.
1 G. Wallace Carper. chairman
/ Iof the Fairfax County Board Of
|ISupervisors, could not be reached
|Efor comment.
4 Maryland Renewed Law.
| In Maryland. the 1851 General
l Assembly has renewed legislation
to permit the State to impose rent
scontrols on counties and cities,
Hat their request. in case Federal
slcontrols are dropped. The legisla-
sItion includes Montgomery County.
but exempts Prince Georges
q County.
Under the amendment before
the Senate, local areas could bring
themselves under Federal rent
icontrol by action of their gov
-terning bodies. provided they are
declared critical defense areas.
This formula would follow Q
lpattern set by the Defense Pro-
lduction Administration in relax.
ing curbs on credit for construc-
ton of necessary housing.
l.. Under this program. governing
r rIofficials of communities may ask
ri the Critical Areas Committee Of
sIDPA to be recognized as critical
e lareas" because of defense impact
on living conditions.
S Investigation Provided.
! This involves a thorough in.
1lvestigation BY the Defense De-
apartment, to see if the local pro-
-Igram is essential; by the Labor
: Department, to see if the local
labor market will meet demands
: Iof any defense project. and the
FILA and FSA to determine If
available housing is adequate
should labor be imported.
( 1t is questionable whether
: nearby Virginia would qualify
!, under the critical area" terms
t tlfor rent control, DPA officials
said.
Only Is such areas have now
been classified, out of more than
so community requests.
The rent controls would be ad.
E ministered by the Economic Sta
y bilization Administration in CO.
2 ordination with other controls.
5 The bill also provides for winding
up the Office of the Housing Expe-
: diter. in which case it is expected
that Tighe E. Woods, the expe-
2 otter, would continue handling
= rent controls under ESA.
! While the rent amendment Is
! considered broad enough to bring
: the District under the Federal
controls. it is the intent of the
: committee to allow Washington to
: continue under its own separate
{ controls.