RENT INVESTIGATION. CLOVIS, NEW MEXICO. 1943
(New Mexico) RENT INVESTIGATION. CLOVIS, NEW MEXICO. 1943. As of February 1, 1943, rent control in Clovis, New Mexico, was governed by the federal Emergency Price Control Act of 1942, which aimed to stabilize prices and prevent wartime inflation. The Office of Price Administration (OPA) designated areas near defense plants—such as the nearby Cannon Air Force Base—to have maximum rent ceilings, often freezing them at earlier 1941-1942 levels. The Emergency Price Control Act (1942) authorized the OPA to set "fair and equitable" maximum rent regulations to stop housing cost spikes during World War II. Violators could face criminal penalties, including fines up to $1,000 and six months in prison.
This card-covered manuscript of 68 pages and 83 photos illustrates, many times in detail, the terrible living conditions in Clovis, New Mexico. The preface of the manuscript, written by John E. Lawler, the Associate Legal Investigator – OPA in Albuquerque, New Mexico on August 10, 1943 states “These pictures were taken during an investigation and Compliance Drive in June and July, 1943….Most landlords in Clovis do not believe in O.P.A. or Rent Control. They have expressed themselves as being opposed to it and have organized to fight it….The properties described herein are few in number, but they represent a cross-section of the whole city. It is admitted that some of these are ‘worst examples’, but worst examples are so numerous that they almost set a pattern for the town.” Numerous housing buildings are pictured including outhouses all being shared by many families.
Examples:
1. The property, called Spanish Apartments, located at First and Edwards Street’s is described as “The building is a long tin covered one, containing 12, 2-room apartments which can be rented as 24 – 1 room units. General construction is very poor, furnishing are scant, mostly old second hand stuff. No electricity and gas connections. One outhouse with shower is used by fourteen families, No sewage connection to house, tenants throw dishwater etc., in the yard…..Tax valuation $32.00 each lot or total $64.00. No improvements declared. Total monthly income averages $110.00.”
2. Johnson’s Camp and Grocery - 7th and West Sts. Clovis, New Mexico. “The owner of this property has persistently refused to register with the Area Rent Office. The rents for the cabins are very low - $5.00 to $6.00 per week---but investigation disclosed that he owns three other rent house on which the rent has been increased since March 1, 1942, and that he has a habit of evicting tenants without due process of the law. He simply opens the door of the cabin with a pass-key, during the tenants absence, and piles all the furniture and belongings on the side-walk.”
An informative study of the rental crisis in Clovis, New Mexico in 1942-43.
Condition consistent with age...overall in vg cond.
