Passing the Buck

The Senate, taking its cue from the House, also decided to pass the buck for rent control back to the home folks. Led by Arkansas' Democrat Bill Fulbright, it voted a bill extending federal control for 15 months, but permitting any state, county, city or village government to vote out rent control locally, subject to the veto of state governors. All that was needed to finish the job was to iron out the conflicts between the Senate and House bills.

The extent of rent increases to be allowed was the only major conflict in the two bills. The Senate wanted a limit of two 5% jumps in twelve months, not to exceed an overall increase of 15% over the rental of June 1947. The House bill provided for a "reasonable return" to the landlord but didn't say how it was to be determined. In the end, Senate and House conferees compromised on a provision insuring landlords "a fair net operating income," to be determined by national and local rent officials.

The Administration, which wanted a two-year extension and stricter controls, glumly accepted the compromises as the best it could get. But what was safe enough for the rest of the country was not safe enough for the Congressmen themselves. Taking no chances, the House passed a rent-control bill for the District of Columbia (where about half the members of Congress are tenants), freezing rent ceilings for the next 15 months, retaining controls on hotel apartments, and allowing no second guessing by local boards.

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so reader's discretion is required.