The state has also exempted from rent control all units built after January 1, 1969, all government-owned or operated units, and owner-occupied two- and three-family dwellings. In addition to these exemptions the rent administrator will have to interpret one of the state's more ambiguous provisions which states "that a municipality accepting this act may exempt those rental units for which the rent charge exceeds limits specified by said municipality provided that no more than twenty-five per cent of the total rental units be exempted under this section." Apparently this means that the administrator may fix higher rents for up to 25 per cent of Cambridge housing if he so desires.

The rent administrator will have the power to make adjustments in the maximum rents charged and hold hearings if either a tenant or a landlord disputes the agreed rent. He will also be charged with interpreting the "fair net income" clause with respect to the property owners.

Obviously the post of Cambridge rent control administrator will be a powerful one and must be filled by a man of judgment and good administrative capabilities. Very little can be done to implement the law before the appointment of this man, yet the city manager has delayed making an appointment for over three weeks.

The Mayor's "blue ribbon" committee of tenants, landlords, and neutrals recommended a well qualified man, Eugene Underwood of New York City's housing program, to the manager three weeks ago. Last week they submitted two more names to the manager, but so far City Manager John Corcoran has taken no action to interview or appoint any of these men. His office states that he has tried repeatedly to interview Mr. Underwood but that Mr. Underwood seems to be unavailable much of the time. Certainly he must have been available once in three weeks?

While the manager delays in making this important appointment the Cambridge rent control law is moving nowhere under temporary administrator Cronin. Landlords are filling out forms but no one is paying lower rents. A motion to conduct a hearing for Cambridge citizens at which Cronin would be forced to answer questions about why the rent rollback is being delayed was put off by Councillor Danehy.

Unless Cronin takes some more serious steps towards immediate implementation of the rent rollback, or unless the city manager appoints a competent administrator soon, the new rent control law will only continue to serve as a tug of war rope between Cambridge tenants and landlords. The law was meant for more than that.