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Provided, That if the said lessee shall fail to pay the said rent in advance as aforesaid, although there should have been no legal or formal demand for the same, or shall neglect to pay the water rent or gas bills at the time and on the day when the same shall fall due and be payable, as hereinbefore mentioned, or shall sublet or assign the said premises, or any part thereof, or carry on any business therein except that of dwelling aforesaid, without the written consent as aforesaid, or shall use the same for any disorderly or unlawful purpose, or break either of the aforesaid covenants, then, and in either of said events, this agreement, and all things herein contained, shall cease and determine, and shall operate as a notice to quit, the thirty days' notice to quit being hereby expressly waived. And the said lessor, or its heirs and assigns, shall and may proceed to recover possession of said premises under the provisions of the Code of Law for the District of Columbia, to regulate proceedings in cases between landlords and tenants, but if no default occurs on the part of said lessee, then he shall be entitled to not less than 30 days' notice to vacate the house and premises, which notice shall be given in writing, at least 30 days before said tenancy is intended to be terminated, and the owner or agent shall be entitled to the same notice from the lessee, should he desire to vacate the aforesaid house and premises.

And it is further provided, That if, under the provisions of this agreement, default be made and a compromise or settlement shall be made thereupon, it shall not constitute a waiver of any covenant herein contained. And the said lessee hereby agree to deliver the house in the same order in which it was received, usual wear and tear, fire and storm excepted; and it is further agreed that no waiver of one breach of any covenant herein contained shall be construed to waive or in any manner affect the covenants of this agreement. It is further agreed, That rent shall cease if the said premises be destroyed by fire or any unavoidable casualty, so as to make them uninhabitable. In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands the day and year first herein before written.

CAPITAL CONSTRUCTION Co.,
By R. THOMAS ROBINSON,

General Manager.

Hon. L. HEISLER BALL,

WASHINGTON, D. C., January 27, 1925.

United States Senate, Washington, D. C.

DEAR SENATOR BALL: I have noticed in the newspapers that Mr. Petty, secretary of the Real Estate Board of this city, reported to you that there are for rent in the District of Columbia over 500 vacant apartments and houses at a rental of $50 or less per month.

I would consider it a great favor if you will ask Mr. Petty to furnish me with a list of those apartments and their locations. I have looked around the city quite a lot lately and have been unable to find any livable apartment at $50 per month in any location, and that is all I am able to pay.

I am a Government employee, living in Clifton Terrace with my father and semi-invalid mother, in a two-room, kitchen, and bath apartment, with an outlook upon grocery stores. One room I am compelled to use as my bed

room, living room, and dining room.

I am now paying $50 per month rent, fixed by the Rent Commission, several years ago. My landlord insists that I pay an increase of $17.50 per month, with no promise of any improvements, which are sadly needed. Because I am unable to pay this increase I have been served with an eviction notice.

am now receiving $1,800 per year salary, but have never received as much as a $17.50 increase at any one time, since I have been working. My father is also employed by the Government, but receives only $85 per month.

i am applying for this list af apartmetns through you, as I really can not believe Mr. Petty's statement to be true, and if it should be proven untrue I think it only right and just that you and other members of the investigating committee should know it.

Thanking you for any help you may give me in the matter, and trusting that you will exercise every effort to assist the tenants, especially the Government clerks, in their need, I am,

Respectfully,

(Miss) ELEANOR SMITH, Apartment 112, West Clifton Terrace.

Subscribed and sworn to before me at Washington, D. C., this 27 day of January, 1924. [SEAL.]

LOUIS A. DELANO,

Notary Public.

HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE, NAVY DEPARTMENT,
Washington, D. C., January 15, 1925.

MY DEAR SENATOR: There are just two effective methods of meeting the rent issue in Washington now under consideration by your committee. One is to provide a revolving fund for financing homes for Government employees under Government supervision and control, and the other is by removing all taxation from improvements and taking for public use the full rental value of the land; that is the site value. The first method would benefit directly the Government employee in the District of Columbia and incidentally all others; the second would be beneficial to the whole human race.

The revolving fund necessary to carry into effect the method for financing homes for Government employees could be secured from the retirement fund now in the hands of the Government, but which belongs to the employees themselves.

Either or both of these methods may have occurred to your mind; if so no intimation of that fact has been given out.

Both of these methods, it appears to me, are free from legal and moral objections and would prove a most wholesome means of checking graft. I inclose a copy of a recommendation made by me in this connection in October, 1920.

Very truly yours,

HENRY L. PECKHAM.

Senator L. HEISLER BALL,

Senate Committee on District of Columbia,

United States Senate.

AFFIDAVIT

I hereby certify that the within recommendations embody my personal convictions formed after many years study of the questions involved and that they constitute my own free unbiased and independent judgment.

HENRY L. PECKHAM.

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 26th day of January, 1925. [SEAL.]

R. H. MOSES,
Notary Public.

OCTOBER 11, 1920.

From: Henry L. Peckham, Chief of Section of Notice to Mariners, Hydrographic Office, Navy Department, Washington, D. C.

To: The Chief Clerk, Navy Department, Washington, D. C.
Subject: Report of profiteering in rental charges.

Reference: Chief Clerk's letter, dated October 2, 1920.

1. At the beginning of the war I was living in a seven-room house for which I paid a monthly rental of $32.50. I was forced out of this house by legal action and was compelled to buy a house. This house also has seven rooms, but the monthly cost of carrying it is about $90, including taxes and an allowance of $10 for repairs. This is not a case in which any legal action can be taken, but serves to illustrate the inflation in the cost of housing due to war operations, and represents a need which must be met in some way.

2. I have on several occasions recommended a building and loan association financed and operated by the Government for the benefit of Government employees. The necessary funds could be turned over to this association instead of being deposited in national banks and would constitute a perpetual fund which would be returned as payments are made.

3. If such a scheme is undertaken, the actual construction work should be under Government supervision and direction in order to eliminate private profit.

HENRY L. PECKHAM.

AFFIDAVIT

I hereby certify that this is a true copy of the original submitted by me to the Navy Department on October 11, 1920, in accordance with a request contained in a letter of the chief clerk, dated October 2, 1920, and that all the statements made therein are true to the best of my knowledge and belief. HENRY L. PECKHAM.

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 26th day of January, 1925. [SEAL.]

R. H. MOSES,
Notary Public.

WASHINGTON, D. C., January 26/25.

THE COMMITTEE ON THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. GENTLEMEN: In the fall 1923, Mrs. Gohan (the lady who owns the house), wanted me to raise the rent to $45 per month. I refused to pay it.

Then she raised it $5, making it $35, she promised to repair the place but she did not. When she wanted $45 I told her to repair the house and she said nobody is repairing their houses now.

December 4 I received a notice that December 7 my rent will be $50 per month. And she has never made any repairs yet and the house is not fit to live in to-day.

Yours,

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA:

C. E. CHINN,

No. 319 South Capitol Street SW.

Personally came before me, a notary public in and for the District of Columbia, C. E. Chinn, to me well known, who being by me first duly sworn, deposes and says the foregoing statement, signed by him, is true.

C. E. CHINN.

Sworn to and subscribed before me, this 26th day of January, A. D. 1925.

CHARLES F. PACE, NOTARY PUBLIC, Washington, D. C.

My commission expires March 15, 1926.

WASHINGTON, D. C., November 7, 1919. Received of C. E. Chinn $35 for rent of premises No. 319 South Capitol Street, for one month ending December 6, 1919. $30.

JAS. F. SHEA.

WASHINGTON, D. C., September 7, 1924.

Received of C. E. Chinn $35 for rent of premises No. 319 South Capital Street, for one month ending October 6, 1924.

$35.

JAMES F. SHEA.

WASHINGTON, D. C., January 7, 1925.

Received of C. E. Chinn $50 for rent of premises No. 319 South Capitol Street, for one month ending February 6, 1925.

$50.

JAMES F. SHEA.

Mr. C. E. CHINN,

WASHINGTON, D. C., December 4, 1924.

No. 319 South Capitol Street, Washington, D. C.

DEAR SIR: This is to inform you that the rent of the premises which you occupy will be $50 per month beginning December 7, 1924.

Kindly call at this office and sign a new agreement to this effect and oblige. Yours very truly,

JAMES F. SHEA, By T. W. GREENE.

THIS AGREEMENT

Made this 3d day of December, 1918, between James F. Shea, party of the first part, and C. E. Chin, party of the second part, all of the city of Washington, District of Columbia, whereby the party of the first part has let, and does hereby let, to the said party of the second part, the premises known as 319 South Capitol Street, in said city, by the month, commencing on the 7th day of December, A. D. 1918, and at and for the monthly rent of thirty dollars, payable in advance, that is to say, on the said 7th day of each and every month during said tenancy as rent in advance for next ensuing month, at the office of James F. Shea or at the office of his heirs or assigns.

And the said party of the second part has agreed to take, and does hereby take and hold the said premises as tenant by the month, at the said rent, payable as aforesaid; that he will pay the gas and electricity bills as they become due, and that he will not sublet or assign the said premises, or any part thereof, or carry on any business therein except that of dwelling, without the written consent of the said lessor, or use the same for any disorderly or unlawful purposes; and further, that no gasoline will be kept or allowed on said premises, and that no cooking will be allowed in any part of the house except the kitchen unless by special permission in writing from the party of the first part.

Provided, That if the lessee shall fail to pay the said rent in advance of aforesaid, although there shall have been no legal or formal demand for the same, or shall neglect to pay the gas or electricity bills at the time and on the day when the same shall fall due and be payable, as hereinbefore mentioned, or shall sublet or assign the said premises, or any part thereof, or carry on any business therein except that of dwelling aforesaid, without the written consent as aforesaid; or shall use the same for any disorderly or unlawful purpose, or break either of the aforesaid covenants; then, and in either of said events, this agreement, and all things herein contained, shall cease and determine, and shall operate as a notice to quit, the 30 days' notice to quit being hereby expressly waived. And the said lessor, his heirs and assigns, shall and may proceed to recover possession of said premises under the provisions of the Code of Law for the District of Columbia to regulate proceedings in cases between landlords and tenants; but if no default occurs on the part of said lessee, then he shall be entitled to not less than 30 days' notice to vacate the aforesaid premises, and the owner or agent shall be entitled to the same notice from the lessee should he desire to vacate the aforesaid house and premises.

And it is further provided, That if, under the provisions of this agreement. default be made and a compromise or settlement shall be made thereupon, it shall not constitute a waiver of any covenant herein contained. And the said lessee hereby agrees to deliver the house in the same order in which it was received, usual wear and tear, fire, and storm excepted; and it is further agreed that no waiver of one breach of any covenant herein contained sball be construed to waive or in any manner affect the covenants of this agreement In testimony whereof, we have hereunto set our hands and seals the day and year first hereinbefore written.

C. E. CHIN.

415 Fourth Street NW., WASHINGTON, D. C., January 14, 1925.

MY DEAR SENATOR BALL: I was to have testified, last evening. I wanted to say, and you may consider this entire statement as under oath, that the payments were returned for September, 1924, rentals, in effort to coerce tenants

27363-25-PT 6- -9

423, 425, 427 Fourth Street NW., into new owner's (I understood the name William Notes was on auctioneer's paper, May last auction-purchase of premises) new schedule of rentals for disreputably dirty house called "a perfect fire-trap" by firemen; old houses made into apartments, one to a floor; hall woodwork never once cleaned in the nine years five months of my tenancy of fourth floor apartment, up three long and three short flights of stairs; not a hall window; darker than Erebus in halls; top, roof skylight never cleaned in three years. Halls swept sometimes, once in six weeks; sometimes in three or four weeks.

Eviction notices and summons to municipal court, September 30; four tenants were making the fight; rents were cheap, but had tenants been able to pay the $35.50 asked, they would not have been living in the squalid, practically unjanitored building; I have wept, with the bitter cold, of my top-floor apartment. North on side; no protecting walls beside to break the cold; windows so warped the portières hung between the front and middle room swayed to the winds blowing in.

With our lawyer we were at the court; lawyer who, in 1920, had acted for tenants in similar way at a time when I was dangerously ill and could not take part, was at court that morning, and he said, "I'll swear the building should have been condemned four years ago," when asked if he would testify for us.

But when the case was called, Judge O'Toole, a woman, would not permit our lawyer to present the case; would not tolerate his saying one word.

"Did you not receive eviction notices?" Judge O'Toole asked Mr. Sumner, our lawyer. "Yes"-then a wave of the hand, brushing aside the mere cobweb of four reputable families asking to be "tried" by a court of the United States of America, though confessed murderers have trial!

She gave us until October 15 to pay the increased rent-retroactive September 1-or vacate. All at last moment gave in. I left. Took a tiny hall bedroom and I feel, following sessions of Monday, and especially last night-and Mrs. Brown's illness-as though the accolade were on my shoulder!

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Chairman Joint Committee of Congress on Rent Conditions in the District of Columbia, United States Senate.

DEAR SENATOR BALL: I had planned to appear at the last meeting of your committee for tenants and ask to be allowed to present a brief supplementary statement, but unfortunately for me, I am down with the grippe and my physician says that he will not give his consent to my leaving the room for a week or two longer; on this account, I am compelled to send to you my statement, with the request that it be read to the committee at the final hearing to be granted to tenants. I have acknowledged before a notary public, this statement, as I was informed through your office that this would be necessary. Wishing you and the committee a very happy and prosperous year during 1925, I beg to remain,

Yours very respectfully,

J. MILTON WALDRON,

Pastor Shiloh Baptist Institutional Church and
President Alley Improvement Association.

WASHINGTON, D. C. January 20, 1925.

There appeared before me, Samuel E. Lacy, a notary public in and for the District of Columbia, John Milton Waldron, a citizen of the District of Columbia and pastor of Shiloh Baptist Institutional Church and president of the Alley Improvement Association, of Washington, D. C., who solemnly affirms (with a full knowledge of the penalty for perjury) that all of the statements made by him, in the paper attached hereto (consisting of four pages of typewriting, and addressed: "To the Joint Committee of the Senate and House

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