150 Attend Pro-Rent Control Rally

BOSTON--Demanding that the state legislature pass three petitions to preserve forms of rent control, more than 150 Massachusetts residents gathered at the State House yesterday to lobby legislators and the governor.

In last month's election, state voters approved Question 9, the ballot initiative to repeal rent control effective January 1. But Cambridge, Boston and Brookline--the three communities with rent control--have petitioned Beacon Hill to allow a gradual phasing out of the program.

The House of Representatives passed all three home-rule petitions Monday. The Senate is expected to vote on them today, according to an aide of Sen. Robert Travaglini (D-North End).

Teams of lobbyists visited all 40 state senators, according to Matthew Henzy of the Massachusetts Tenants Organization, which conducted the event.

But they failed to meet with Gov. William F. Weld '66, Henzy said yesterday.

Weld, a resident of Cambridge, has indicated he will veto any home-rule petition to maintain rent control. It remains to be seen whether the legislature would be able to override a gubernatorial veto.