An Act to extend and revise the District of Columbia Emergency Rent Act.
PL 82-63 (S.1590), enacted 06/30/1951

98 
PUBLIC LAW 62—JUNE 29, 1951 
[65 STAT. 
Expiration of com-
mission. 
Appointments; ex-
penditures. 
63 Stat. 964. 
5 U. S. C. $ 1071 
note. 
63 Stat. 166. 
5U.S.C.§835note. 
Appropriation au-
thorized. 
Loan of exhibits. 
(d) The commission shall cease to exist thirty days after it submits 
the report required by subsection (c) of this section. 
No person em-
ployed by the commission under the authority of section 3 of this reso-
lution shall continue to receive any salary, wage, or remuneration of 
any kind by virtue of this resolution after the date on which the com-
mission ceases to exist. 
SKC. 3. (a) The commission may appoint not more than two em-
ployees in one year and may fix the compensation of such employees 
without regard to the Classification Act of 1949, as amended. 
The 
commission may make such expenditures as are necessary to carry out 
the purposes of this joint resolution, including expenditures for print-
ing and binding and expenditures for necessary traveling and sub-
sistence expenses of commissioners and of employees of the commission 
in accordance with the Travel Expense Act of 1949. All expenditures 
of the commission shall be allowed and paid upon presentation of 
itemized vouchers therefor, approved by the chairman of the 
commission. 
(b) There are hereby authorized to be appropriated to the commis-
sion such sums, not to exceed $100,000 in the aggregate, as may be nec-
essary for the performance of its functions. 
SEO. 4. Upon the request of the commission, the heads of the various 
Federal agencies (including the Library of Congress) may collect, 
prepare, and lend documents, articles, and other exhibits which, in 
their judgment, will serve to carry out the purposes of this joint 
resolution. 
Approved June 29, 1951. 
June 29, 1951 
[H. R.2924] 
Public Law 62 
CHAPTER 
176 
AN ACT 
To amend section 4164 of title 18, United States Code, relating to conditional 
release of Federal prisoners. 
Be it enucted hy the SeTiate and House of Representatives 
of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled^ That section 4164 
62 Stat. 853. 
of title 18 of the United States Code is hereby amended to read as 
follows: 
"§ 4164. Released prisoner as parolee 
"A prisoner having served his term or terms less good-time deduc-
tions shall, upon release, be deemed as if released on parole until the 
expiration of the maximum term or terms for which he was sentenced 
less one hundred and eighty days. 
"This section shall not prevent delivery of a prisoner to the authori-
ties of any State otherwise entitled to his custody." 
Approved June 29, 1951. 
June 30,1951 
[S. 1590] 
Public Law 63 
* 
CHAPTER 192 
AN ACT 
To extend and revise the District of Columbia Emergency Rent Act. 
District of Colum-
bia Emergency Kent 
Act of 1951. 
55 Stat. 788. 
D . C . Code845-1601 
tt seg. 
Ante, p. 25. 
Be it enacted hy the Senate and House of Representatives 
of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, That the District 
of Columbia Emergency Rent Act is hereby amended to read as 
follows: 
65 STAT.] 
PUBLIC LAW 63—JUNE 30, 1961 
99 
" P U R P O S E S ; TIME LIMIT 
"SECTION 1. (a) It is hereby found that the national emergency and 
the national defense program (1) have aggravated the congested 
situation v^ith regard to housing accommodations existing at the seat 
of government; (2) have led or will lead to profiteering and other 
speculative and manipulative practices by some owners of housing 
accommodations; (3) have rendered or will render ineffective the 
normal operations of a free market in housing accommodations; and 
(4) are making it increasingly difficult for persons whose duties or 
obligations require them to live or work in the District of Columbia 
to obtain such accommodations. Whereupon it is the purpose of this 
Act and the policy of the Congress during the existing emergency to 
prevent undue rent increases and any other practices relating to 
housing accommodations in the District of Columbia which may tend 
to increase the cost of living or otherwise impede the national defense 
program. 
"(b) The provisions of this Act, and all regulations, orders, and 
Expiration date, 
requirements thereunder, shall terminate on June 30,1952; except that 
as to offenses committed, or rights or liabilities incurred, prior to such 
expiration date, the provisions of this Act and such regulations, 
orders, and requirements shall be treated as still remaining in force 
for the purpose of sustaining any proper suit, action, or prosecution 
with respect to any such right, liability, or offense. 
4( MAXIMUM-RENT CEILINGS AND MINIMUM-SERVICE STANDARDS 
"SEC. 2. Subject to such adjustments as may be made pursuant to 
sections 3 and 4, maximum-rent ceilings and minimum-service stand-
ards for housing accommodations in the District of Columbia shall be 
the following: 
"(1) For housing accommodations rented on January 1, 1951, 
and not under control under this Act prior to that date, the rent 
and service to which the landlord and tenant were entitled on that 
date. 
"(2) For housing accommodations not rented on January 1, 
1951, but which had been rented within the year ending on that 
date, and not under control under this Act during that year, the 
rent and service to which the landlord and tenant were last 
entitled within such year. 
"(3) For housing accommodations not rented on January 1, 
1951, or within the year ending on that date, and not covered by 
subsection (4) hereof, the rent and service generally prevailing 
for comparable housing accommodations as determined by the 
Administrator. 
" (4) For housing accommodations under control under this Act 
on December 31, 1950, the rent and service to which the landlord 
and tenant were entitled on June 30, 1951; except that upon the 
filing, by any landlord of any housing accommodations covered 
by this subsection, of a new rent schedule on a form prescribed 
by the Administrator and setting forth the pertinent circum-
stances as indicated by such form, the rent and service shall be 
adjusted and automatically effective upon the date of filing 
thereof, (A) for housing accommodations rented on January 1, 
1941, or within the year ending on that date, so that the maxi-
mum-rent ceiling shall be increased to 20 per centum above the 
rent heretofore frozen at the level of January 1, 1941, or the 
last rent in the year 1940, whichever was applicable, plus the 
100 
PUBLIC LAW 63—JUNE 30, 1951 
[65 STAT. 
upward adjustments heretofore authorized by General Orders 
12 and 13 of the Administrator; and (B) for housing accom-
modations not rented on January 1, 1941, or within the year 
ending on that date, so that the maximum-rent ceiling shall be 
increased by 2 per centum per year for each calendar year end-
ing after rent schedules for such housing accommodations were 
first filed in the office of the Administrator, for the calendar years 
1941 to 1950, inclusive, to the extent applicable, plus the upward 
adjustments heretofore authorized by General Orders 12 and 13 
of the Administrator. 
"GENERAL AND SPECIAL ADJUSTMENTS 
"SEO. 3. (a) Whenever in the judgment of the Administrator a 
general increase or decrease since January 1, 1951, in taxes or other 
maintenance or operating costs or expenses has occurred or is about 
to occur in such manner and amount as substantially to affect the 
maintenance and operation of housing accommodations generally or 
of any particular class of housing accommodations, he may by regu-
lation or order increase or decrease the maximum-rent ceiling or 
minimum-service standard, or both, for such accommodations or class 
thereof in such manner or amount as will in his judgment compen-
sate, in whole or in part, for such general increase or decrease. 
Thereupon such adjusted ceiling or standard shall be the maximum-
rent ceiling or minimum-service standard for the housing accom-
modations subject thereto. 
"(b) Upon a showing by any landlord of good cause in the judgment 
of the Administrator that the maximum-rent ceiling on any housing 
accommodation is substantially lower than the maximum-rent ceiling 
for comparable housing accommodations located within the same 
building or group of buildings operated by the same landlord as a 
single operation, the Administrator may, by special order under this 
section, adjust such lower ceiling so as to equalize the same with such 
higher ceiling, and thereupon such adjusted ceilings shall be the 
maximum-rent ceilings for the housing accommodations subject to 
such special order. 
"(c) Upon the showing bj^ any landlord to the satisfaction of the 
Administrator that the maximum-rent ceilings, on any comparable 
housing accommodations located within the same building or group 
of buildings operated by the same landlord as a single operation, will 
vary in amount due to the effect of General Orders 12 and 13 or similar 
general orders, the Administrator may, by special order under this 
section, adjust any or all of such ceilings so as to equalize the same, and 
thereupon such adjusted ceilings shall be the maximum-rent ceilings 
for the housing accommodations subject to such special order. 
u PETITION FOR ADJUSTMENT 
Peculiar oircum- 
"SEC. 4. (a) Any landlord or tenant may petition the Administrator 
***°'^' 
to adjust the maximum-rent ceiling applicable to his housing 
accommodations on the ground that such maximum-rent ceiling is, 
due to peculiar circumstances affecting such housing accommodations, 
substantially higher or lower than the rent generally prevailing for 
comparable housing accommodations; whereupon the Administrator 
may by order adjust such maximum-rent ceiling to provide the rent 
generally prevailing for comparable housing accommodations as 
determined by the Administrator. 
65 STAT.] 
PUBLIC LAW 63—JUNE 30, 1951 
101 
"(b) Any landlord may petition the Administrator to adjust the 
maximum-rent ceiling or minimum-service standard, or both, appli-
cable to his housing accommodations to compensate for (1) a substan-
tial rise in taxes or other maintenance or operating costs or expenses 
over those prior to January 1, 1951, or (2) a substantial capital 
improvement including furniture and furnishings or alteration made 
since January 1, 1951; whereupon the Administrator may by order 
adjust such maximum-rent ceiling or minimum-service standard in 
such manner or amount as he deems proper to compensate therefor, 
in whole or in part, if he finds such adjustment necessary or appro-
priate to carry out the purposes of this Act: Promded^ That no such 
adjusted maximum-rent ceiling or minimum-service standard shall 
permit the receipt of rent in excess of the rent generally prevailing 
for comparable housing accommodations as determined by the 
Administrator. 
"(c) Any tenant may petition the Administrator on the ground 
that the service supplied to him is less than the service established by 
the minimum-service standard for his housing accommodations; 
whereupon the Administrator may order that the service be main-
tained at such minimum-service standard, or that the maximum-rent 
ceiling be decreased to compensate for a reduction in service, as he 
deems necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of this Act. 
"(d) Any landlord may petition the Administrator for permission 
to reduce the service supplied by him in connection with any housing 
accommodations; whereupon the Administrator, if he determines that 
the reduction of such service is to be made in good faith for valid 
business reasons and is not inconsistent with carrying out the purposes 
of this Act, may, by order, reduce the minimum-service standard 
applicable to such housing accommodations and adjust the maximum-
rent ceiling downward in such amount as he deems proper to com-
pensate therefor. 
"(e) Any tenant may petition the Administrator to adjust the 
maximum-rent ceiling applicable to his housing accommodations on 
the ground that such maximum-rent ceiling permits the receipt of an 
unduly high rent; whereupon the Administrator may by order adjust 
such maximum-rent ceiling in such manner or amount as shall, in his 
judgment, effectuate the purposes of this Act and provide a fair and 
reasonable rent for such housing accommodations, but not less than the 
generally prevailing rate for comparable housing accommodations. 
"(f) A petition made pursuant to this section shall be subject to the 
provisions of sections 8 and 9 of this Act. Any adjusted maximum-rent 
ceiling or minimum-service standard ordered pursuant to this section 
shall be the maximum-rent ceiling or minimum-service standard for 
the housing accommodations subject thereto; except that, in the event 
that the adjustment order is stayed or set aside by the court in accord-
ance with section 9 of this Act, the maximum-rent ceiling and mini-
mum-service standard theretofore applicable to such housing accom-
modations under this Act remain in full force and effect. 
"(g) Upon the expiration of forty-five days after the date of the 
filing of any petition by anj^ landlord for adjustment of the maximum-
rent ceiling under the provisions of subsection (b) of this section, the 
maximum-rent ceiling for the housing accommodations covered by such 
petition automatically shall become the ceiling requested in such 
adjustment petition, unless and until such adjustment petition shall 
have been finally disposed of by the Administrator or his office, 
pursuant to the provisions of this section and the provisions of sections 
8 and 9. Upon such final disposition, if the maximum-rent ceiling 
Rise in taxes, etc. 
Service to tenant. 
Petition by landlord 
to reduce service. 
Unduly high rent. 
Post, p. 104. 
Automatic ceiling 
after 45 days, etc. 
Refund of excess 
payments. 
102 
PUBLIC LAW 6»—JUNE 30, 1951 
[65 STAT. 
provided by this subsection during the pendency of such adjustment 
petition shall exceed the maximum-rent ceiling as finally disposed 
of by the Administrator or his office, any tenant having paid such 
excess or any part thereof shall be entitled to a refund to the extent of 
such payment, but the landlord shall not be liable for any penalties 
under the provisions of this Act. 
(( 
Recovery of posses-
Violations by ten-
ant. 
Landlord's occu-
pancy. 
PROHIBmONS 
"SEC. 6. (a) It shall be unlawful, regardless of &nj agreement, 
lease, or other obligation heretofore or hereafter entered into, for any 
person to demand or receive any rent in excess of the maximum-rent 
ceiling, or refuse to supply any service required by the minimum-
service standards, or otherwise to do or omit to do any act in violation 
of any provision of this Act or of any regulation, order, or other 
requirement thereunder, or to offer or agree to do any of the foregoing. 
. . . 
"(b) No action or proceeding to recover possession of housing 
m^ations.^"*^*"**™ accommodatious shall be maintainable by any landlord against any 
tenant, notwithstanding that the tenant has no lease or that his lease 
has expired, so long as the tenant continues to pay the rent to which 
the landlord is entitled, unless— 
"(1) The tenant is (A) violating an obligation of his tenancy 
(other than an obligation to pay rent higher than rent permitted 
under this Act or any regulation or order thereunder applicable 
to the housing accommodations involved or an obligation to sur-
render possession of such accommodations) or (B) is committing 
a nuisance or using the housing accommodations for an immoral 
or illegal purpose or for other than living or dwelling purposes; 
or 
"(2) The landlord seeks in good faith to recover possession of 
the property for his immediate and personal use and occupancy as 
a dwelling: Provided, That in the case of housing accommoda-
tions in a structure or premises owned or leased by a cooperative 
corporation or association no such action or proceeding under 
this paragraph or paragraph (3) of this section shall be main-
tained unless the landlord is a bona fide owner of stock in, or 
member of, such cooperative corporation or association and has 
actually paid in in cash at least 20 per centum of the full purchase 
price of the stock, proprietary lease, or other evidence of owner-
ship entitling the landlord to possession of such housing accom-
modations, or was, immediately prior to the effective date of this 
amendatory Act, entitled to recover possession. 
"(3) The landlord has in good faith contracted in writing to 
sell the property for immediate and personal use and occupancy 
as a dwelling by the purchaser and that the contract of sale con-
tains a representation by the purchaser that the property is 
being purchased by him for such immediate and personal use 
and occupancy; or 
"(4) The landlord seeks in good faith to recover possession 
for the immediate purpose of substantially altering, remodeling, 
or demolishing the property and replacing it with new construc-
tion, the plans for which altered, remodeled, or new construction 
having been filed with, and approved by, the Commissioners of 
the District of Columbia; or 
"(5) The landlord seeks in good faith to recover possession 
for the immediate purpose of discontinuing the housing use and 
occupancy for a continuous period of not less than six months. 
Contract of sale. 
Altnstions, etc. 
Disoontinuanoe of 
bousing use. 
65 STAT. 
PUBLIC LAW 63—JUNE 30, 1951 
103 
during which period, commencing on the date possession is 
recovered under this subsection, it shall be unlawful for the owner 
of such housing accommodations or his agent to demand or 
receive rent for the same, and any person paying such rent may 
bring an action for double the amount of rent so paid, pursuant 
to the provisions of section 10 of the Act; or 
"(6) The landlord, being a recognized school or an accredited, 
nonprofit university, has a bona fide need for the premises for 
educational, research, administrative, or dormitory use. 
"(c) It shall be unlawful for any person to remove, or attempt to 
remove, from any housing accommodations the tenant or occupant **°*^*'*'*-
thereof or to refuse to renew lease or agreement for the use of such 
accommodations because such tenant or occupant has taken or pur-
poses to take action authorized or required by this Act or any regu-
lation, order, or requirement thereunder. 
Educational ase, 
etc. 
Illegal removal of 
(( 
ADMINISTRATOR 
"SEC. 6. There is hereby created in and for the District of Columbia 
the Office of Administrator of Rent Control. 
The Administrator shall 
be appointed by the Commissioners of the District of Columbia and 
shall be a bona fide resident of the District of Columbia for not less 
than three years prior to his appointment. 
He shall devote his full 
time to the Office of Administrator and shall receive a salary at the 
rate of $11,200 per annum. 
The Administrator shall establish offices, 
acquire supplies and equipment, and employ such personnel subject 
to approval by the Commissioners of the District of Columbia, and 
in accordance with the Classification Act of 1949, without regard to 
race or creed, as may be necessary in the performance of his functions 
under this Act. 
The Administrator shall submit a semiannual report 
to the Commissioners of the District of Columbia for transmittal to 
the Congress of the United States. 
63 Stat. 954. 
5 U. 8. C. 
note. 
Semiannual report 
ion 
II 
OBTAINING INFORMATION 
"SEC. 7. (a) The Administrator may make such studies and 
investigations, and obtain or require the furnishing 
of 
such 
information under oath or affirmation or otherwise, as he deems 
necessary or proper to assist him in prescribing any regulation or 
order under this Act, or in the administration and enforcement of 
this Act, and regulations and orders thereunder. For such purposes 
the Administrator may administer oaths and affirmations; 
may 
require, by subpena or otherwise, the attendance and testimony of 
witnesses and the production of documents at any designated place; 
may require persons to permit the inspection and copying of 
documents, and the inspection of housing accommodations; and may, 
by regulation or order, require the making and keeping of records 
and other documents. No person shall be excused from complying 
with any requirement under this section because of his privilege 
against self-incrimination, but the immunity provisions of the 
Compulsory Testimony Act of February 11, 1893 (U. S. C, 1934 
edition, title 49, sec. 46), shall apply with respect to any individual 
who specifically claims such privilege. In the event of contumacy or 
refusal to obey any such subpena or requirement under this section, 
the Administrator may make application to the United States District 
Court for the District of Columbia for an order requiring obedience 
thereto. Thereupon the court, with or without notice and hearing, 
as it in its discretion may decide, shall make such order as is proper 
and may punish as a contempt any failure to comply with such order. 
Powers of Adminis-
trator. 
27 Stat. 443. 
104 
PUBLIC LAW 63—JUNE 30, 1951 
[65 
STAT. 
Rules and 
tions. 
reguia- 
"(b) The Administrator shall have authority to promulgate, issue, 
amend, or rescind rules and regulations, subject to approval by the 
Commissioners of the District of Columbia, and to issue such orders 
as may be deemed necessary or proper to carry out the purposes and 
provisions of this Act or to prevent the circumvention or evasion 
thereof. 
u 
Hearings. 
PROCEDURE 
Action o
n petitions. 
"SEC. 8. (a) Any petition filed by a landlord or tenant under sec-
tion 4 shall be promptly referred to an examiner designated by the 
Administrator. Notice of such action, in such manner as the Admin-
istrator shall by regulation prescribe, shall be given the tenant and 
landlord of the housing accommodations involved. If the petition be 
frivolous or without merit, the examiner shall forthwith dismiss it. 
Such order of dismissal may be reviewed by the Administrator in the 
manner provided in subsection (c) of this section. The examiner shall 
grant a hearing upon the petition except in cases dismissed under this 
subsection. 
"(b) Hearings under this section shall be conducted in accordance 
with regulations prescribed by the Administrator. The landlord and 
tenant shall be given an opportunity to be heard or to file written 
statements, due regard to be given the utility and relevance of the 
information offered and the need for expedition. In any such hearing 
the common-law rules of evidence shall not be controlling. 
"(c) The examiner, after hearing, shall make findings of fact and 
recommend an appropriate order. 
Copies of such findings and order 
shall be served upon the parties to the proceeding in such manner as 
the Administrator may prescribe by regulation. 
Within ten days 
after such service, any such party may request that the recommended 
order be reviewed by the Administrator. 
If there be no such request 
within such ten days, the findings and recommended order of the 
examiner shall thereupon be deemed to be the findings and order of 
the Administrator: Provided^ That the Administrator may review the 
proceedings, as herein provided, on his own motion at any time within 
twenty 'days after service of the examiner's findings and order upon 
the parties. The Administrator may, in his discretion, grant a 
hearing upon the request. 
Upon such request or motion, the record 
in the case shall be forthwith transferred to the Administrator for 
review and he may, in his discretion, grant a hearing. 
He shall state 
his findings of fact or affirm the examiner's findings of fact, which 
findings in either case shall be conclusive if supported by substantial 
evidence, and shall make an appropriate order. 
Action by examiner. 
Review of proceed 
ings, etc. 
Petition for court re-
view. 
Jurisdiction of court. 
"COURT REVIEW 
"SEC. 9. (a) Within ten days after issuance of an order of the 
Administrator under section 4, any party may file a petition to review 
such action in the Municipal Court of Appeals for the District of 
Columbia and shall forthwith serve a copy of such petition upon the 
Administrator. 
Thereupon, the Administrator shall certify 
and 
file with the court a transcript of the record upon which the order 
complained of was entered. 
Upon the filing of such transcript, the 
court shall have exclusive jurisdiction to affirm or set aside such order, 
or remand the proceeding: Provided^ That the Administrator may 
at any time, upon reasonable notice and in such manner as he shall 
deem proper, rescind, modify, or set aside, in whole or in part, any 
such order of the Administrator at any time notwithstanding the 
pendency of the petition to review. 
"(b) No objection that has not been urged before the Administrator 
shall be considered by the court unless the failure to urge such objection 
65 STAT.] 
PUBLIC LAW 63—JUNE 30, 1951 
105 
shall be excused because of extraordinary circumstances. No order 
shall be set aside or remanded unless the petitioner shall establish to 
the satisfaction of the court that the order is not in accordance with 
law, or is not supported by substantial evidence. The commencement 
of proceedings under this section shall not, except as provided in 
subsection (d), operate as a stay of the Administrator's order. 
" (c) The Municipal Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia 
Jurfedictjon o
f court 
• 
i ^ ' i 
i
l
l
- 
• 
• i- 
j_- 
^ 
• 
1 
j ! x r , t o review Administra-
IS hereby granted exclusive jurisdiction to review any order oi the tor's orders. 
Administrator made pursuant to section 4 of this Act. The judgment 
and decree of the court shall be final, subject to review as provided 
by law relative to other judgments of the court. 
"(d) No court shall issue any interlocutory order or decree staying 
the effectiveness of any provision of this Act or any regulation or 
order issued thereunder unless the person objecting to such provision, 
regulation, or order shall file with the court an undertaking with a 
surety or sureties satisfactory to the court for the payment, in the 
event such objection is not sustained, of the amount by which the 
maximum rent, if any, permitted under such provision, regulation, or 
order exceeds or is less than the amount actually received or paid while 
such stay is in effect. 
Bestriction on issu-
ance of staying order, 
etc. 
' ENrORCEMENT; PENALTIES 
"SEC. 10. (a) If any landlord receives rent or refuses to render 
services in violation of any provision of this Act, or of any regulation 
or order thereunder prescribing a rent ceiling or service standard, 
the tenant paying such rent or entitled to such service, or the Adminis-
trator on behalf of such tenant, may bring suit to rescind the lease or 
rental agreement, or, in case of violation of a maximum-rent ceiling, 
an action for double the amount by which the rent paid exceeded the 
applicable rent ceiling and, in case of violation of a minimum-service 
standard, an action for double the value of the services refused in 
violation of the applicable minimum-service standard or for $50, 
whichever is greater in either case, plus reasonable attorneys' fees and 
costs as determined by the court. 
Any suit or action under this sub-
section may be brought in the Municipal Court for the District of 
Columbia regardless of the amount involved, and the municipal court 
is hereby given exclusive jurisdiction to hear and determine all such 
cases. 
"(b) No person shall be held liable for damages or penalties in any 
court on any grounds for or in respect of anything done or omitted 
to be done in good faith pursuant to any provision of this Act or any 
regulation, order, or requirement thereunder, notwithstanding that 
subsequently such provision, regulation, order, or requirement may 
be modified, rescinded, or determined to be invalid. 
The Adminis-
trator may intervene in any suit or action wherein a party relies for 
ground of relief or defense upon this Act or any regulation, order, or 
requirement thereunder. 
No costs shall be assessed against the 
Administrator in any proceedings had or taken in accordance with 
this Act. 
"(c) Whenever in the judgment of the Administrator any person 
has engaged or is about to engage in any acts or practices which con-
stitute or will constitute a violation of this Act, or any regulation, 
order, or requirement thereunder, he may make application to the 
United States District Court for the District of Columbia for an order 
enforcing compliance with this Act or such regulation, order, or 
requirement, and upon a proper showing a permanent or temporary 
injunction, restraining order, or other order shall be granted without 
bond. 
Suit to rescind lease, 
etc. 
Restriction on liabil-
ity for damages or pen-
alties. 
Enforcing com-
pliance. 
106 
PUBLIC LAW 63—JUNE 30, 1961 
[65 STAT. 
u 
DEFINITIONS 
"SEC. 11. As used in this Act— 
"(a) The term 'housing accommodations' means any building, 
structure, or part thereof, or land appurtenant thereto, or any other 
real or personal property rented or offered for rent for living or 
dwelling purposes in the District of Columbia, together with all 
services supplied in connection with the use or occupancy pf such 
property; but the term 'housing accommodations' shall not include 
(1) any of the accommodations in a hotel in which more than 60 per 
centum of the units devoted to living quarters for tenants and guests 
are used for furnishing accommodations for transients, or the build-
ing constituting such hotel; or (2) furnished nonhousekeeping accom-
modations, whether or not in a hotel, which are rented as rooms with-
out kitchen privileges or facilities for cooking (but not in a suite of 
two or more rooms); or (3) any building used as a licensed rooming 
house. 
"(b) The term 'services' includes the furnishing of light, heat, hot 
and cold water, telephone, elevator service, furnishings, furniture, 
window shades, screens, awnings, and storage; kitchen, bath, and 
laundry facilities and privileges; maid service; janitor service; the 
removal of refuse, and the making of all repairs suited to the housing 
accommodations or necessitated by ordinary wear and tear; and any 
other privilege or facility connected with the use or occupancy of 
housing accommodations. 
"(c) The term 'rent' means the consideration, including any bonus, 
benefit, or gratuity, demanded or received per day, week, month, year, 
or other period of time, as the case may be, for the use or occupancy 
of housing accommodations or the transfer of a lease for such accom-
modations. 
"(d) The term 'maximum-rent ceiling' means the maximum rent 
which may be demanded or received for the use or occupancy of hous-
ing accommodations or the transfer of a lease for such accommodations. 
^'(e) The term 'minimum-service standard' means the minimum 
service which may be supplied in connection with the renting or 
leasing of housing accommodations. 
"(f) The term 'tenant' includes a subtenant, lessee, sublessee, or 
other person entitled to the use or occupancy of any housing accom-
modations. 
"(g) The term 'landlord' includes an owner, lessor, sublessor, or 
other person entitled to receive rent for the use or occupancy of any 
housing accommodations. 
"(h) The term 'person' includes one or more individuals, firms, 
partnerships, corporations, or associations, and any agent, trustee, 
receiver, assignee, or other representative thereof. 
"(i) The term 'documents' includes leases, agreements, records, 
books, accounts, correspondence, memoranda, and other documents, 
and drafts and copies of the foregoing. 
"SEPARABILITY 
"SEC. 12. If any provision of this Act or the application of such 
provision to any person or circumstance shall be held invalid, the 
validity of the remainder of the Act and the applicability of such 
provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected 
thereby. 
65 STAT.] 
PUBLIC LAW 66—JUNE 30, 1951 
107 
"APPROPRIATION 
"SEO. 13. There are hereby authorized to be appropriated such ^j^A^opriation au-
funds as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act, to 
be paid out of money in the Treasury of the United States to the credit 
of the District of Cokimbia not otherwise appropriated. 
"SHORT TITLE 
"SEC. 14. This Act may be cited as the 'District of Columbia 
Emergency Rent Act of 1951'." 
SEO. 2. This Act shall take effect on the day following the date 
Effective date. 
of its enactment. 
Approved June 30, 1951. 
CHAPTER 193 
Public Law 64 
AN ACT 
To amend the Act incorporating the American University. 
Be it enacted hy the Senate and House of Representatives 
of the 
United States of America in Congress a^semJbled^ That the Act entitled 
"An Act to incorporate the American University", approved February 
24, 1893 (27 Stat. 476), as amended by an Act of Congress, approved 
March 2,1895 (28 Stat. 814), is amended by striking out "two thirds of 
whom shall at all times be members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church", and by inserting in lieu thereof the following: "three-fifths 
of whom shall at all times be members of the Methodist Church". 
Approved June 30, 1951. 
June 30,1951 
[S, 1645] 
Public Law 65 
CHAPTER 194 
AN ACT 
To amend chapter 213 of title 18 of the United States Code. 
June 30,1961 
[H. R. 2396] 
Be it enacted hy the Senate and House of Representatives 
of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, That chapter 213 
SPstS^s??*^*^"^^' 
of title 18 of the United States Code be amended by adding a new 
is u. s. c'. § asi 
section to be known as section 3291, as follows: 
*
* *''• 
"§ 3291. Nationality, citizenship and passports. 
"No person shall be prosecuted, tried, or punished for violation 
of any provision of sections 1423 to 1428, inclusive, of chapter 69 and 
sections 1541 to 1544, inclusive, of chapter 75 of title 18 of the United 
States Code, or for conspiracy" to violate any of the afore-mentioned 
6
2 8tat.766,767,77i. 
sections, unless the indictment is found or the information is instituted 
within ten years after the commission of the offense." 
SEC. 2. The chapter analysis of chapter 213, immediately preceding 
section 3281 of title 18 United States Code is amended by adding the 
following item at the end thereof: "3291. Nationality, citizenship 
and passports." 
Approved June 30, 1951.