PUBLIC LAWS-CHS. 552, 553-DEC. 1, 2, 1941 Proisos. Operation of utili- ties. Officers in Con- struction Division, Quartermaster Corps. Transfer of funds, civilian personnel, etc. Repeals. December 2,1941 [H. R. 5890] [Public Law 327] District of Colum- bia Emergency Rent Act. Findings with re- gard to housing ac- commodations. Duration of provi- sions. Accommodations excluding hotels. Rented on Jan. 1, 1941. the direction of all work pertaining to the construction, maintenance, and repair of buildings, structures, and utilities for the Army; with the acquisition of all real estate and the issuance of licenses in con- nection with Government reservations; and with the operation of water, gas, electric, and sewer utilities: Provided, That utilities per- taining exclusively to any branch of the Army may be operated by such branch: Provided,however, That all officers in the Construction Division of the Quartermaster Corps now on duty in that branch shall come under the command of the Chief of Engineers in their present rank and subject to all permanent and temporary advances m rank that may be accorded officers in the Corps of Engineers, without additional examinations of any kind. SEC. 2. All funds, property, and records pertaining to the activities described in section 1, and all civilian personnel engaged solely thereon, shall be transferred to the jurisdiction of the Chief of Engineers. SEC. 3. All laws and parts of laws which are inconsistent herewith or in conflict with the provisions hereof are hereby repealed. Approved, December 1, 1941. [CHAPTER 553] AN ACT To regulate rents in the District of Columbia, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the UnitedStates of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. PURPOSES, TIME LIMrr.- (a) It is hereby found that the national emergency and the national-defense program (1) have aggravated the congested situation with regard to housing accom- modations 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. Where- upon it is the purpose of this Act and the policy of the Congress dur- ing 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 requirements thereunder, shall terminate on December 31, 1945; 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. SEC. 2. MAXIMUM RENT CEILINGS AND MINIMUM SERVICE STAND- ARDS.- (1) On and after the thirtieth day following the enactment of this Act, 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 excluding hotels, in the District of Columbia shall be the following: (a) For housing accommodations rented on January 1, 1941, the rent and service to which the landlord and tenant were entitled on that date. 788 [55 STAT.
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