Evening star., 1893-09-22
ISTRICT AT AIRS
Real Estate Brokers Who Are Not Ii
censed
Assessor Trimble Says the Trouble II
With the Law-Other Matters
of Local Interest.

The question as to whether or not there
Is any discrimination in the tax assessors
Office relative to the taxes assessed against
the real estate brokers in the District Is a
much mooted one just at present. and those
who are paying licenses for conducting a
real estate business are very much stirred
up over the matter.
Mr.. r. j. kirkpatrick. a licensed real
estate broker, in conversation with a Star
reporter today said: 81 consider that IL Is
only just that real estate men. the same as
merchants and hucksters, should be made
to pay a license. but do not consider that
1t Is equity and justice for a few to nav
and others to do business without a license
There are in the city of Washington over
QUO real estate brokers. and out of that
number only 2S1 pay licenses. I have talked
to representative real estate men in Wash
tngton and they all favor the movement
which we propose to start. Just how to
get at these unlicensed brokers is the ques-
ton that is agitating us now. / have sub
mitted list OF those who, to my knowl-
edge. are conducting their business without
license to the tax assessor. and 1 shall
render him all the assistance in my power
to bring about a conviction in their cases,
should he see fit to prosecute them.
There Will be meeting of all the lawful
brokers in the city next week, probably
question. and 1t is more than probable that
some definite results will shortly follow
In my opinion real estate brokers ought
to be bonded. and such law would be a
great protection to the general public
against dishonest brokers.
I'VE don't care to bring charge against
the tax inspectors Of being derelict in their
duty, but consider that the existing law
on the subject Is very much at fault. In
less the inspectors can prove concIusiveIy
that man has transacted some business
conviction cannot be obtained. We pro-
pose to take steps at the meeting to remedy
II fv.f4 ~,nIs sl.~A
are a number of department clerks who are
curb stone brokers. and who whenever
they see legitimate real estate man talk
Ing to prospective customer seek the
latter out and try and side track hiro<pn a
sale for some one else. thereby making a
commission"
The Assessor Agrees.
Assessor Trimble. when spoken to in re-
gard to the matter, stated in substance
about what Mr.. Kirkpatrick said. when
we see new sign hung out" said he, I'VE
at once send an inspector there. II the
broker desires to pay his license he does so
and II he does not. why. he doesn't, that is
all there is to it, We have had a number
Of them taken before the Police Court and
they simply testified that they had done
no business. and as We could not prove to
the contrary the case was naturally dis
missed. 1t is certainly presumptive evi-
dence. that when a man has a sign hanging
out he is there for the purpose of doing
business, and he should be made to pay a
license. We are hampered in our efforts to
make all pay their taxes by the action OF
the courts, and trust that at the meeting
to be held next week some action will be
taken that will bring about the desired re-
suit. 1t Is customary with the courts to
simply order a man to secure q license
when 1t Is conclusively proven that he is
doing business without one. The law pro-
vides for fine to be imposed In such cases,
but makes 1t discretionary with the judge
w hath or orr NOT a hall lA s.,..Ax
slider that when a man fails to secure
his license, and Is doing business, he is
wfllfully breaking the law, and / consider
that he ought to be punished by a heavy
fine. AS the law now stands 1t Is simply a
waste Of time to attempt to prosecute an
alleged unlicensed broker. as in 999 cases
out OF 1000 no conviction could be gotten.
/ will willingly cooperate with these gentle
men In their '<forts. and think that If prop
erly handled their object will eventually
be attained"
The license fee. as enacted by Congress
and approved June 20. 1872, is $50 for each
broker or real estate agent.
Indorsed for school Trustee
c. Osborne Ward and A. w. Starck in a
communication to the Commissioners today
indorse Mr.. Paul T. Bowen for the position
of school trustee. Theodore L. DeLand Of
the civil service commission. also indorses
Mr.. p. T. Bowen.
Miscellaneous.
The Commissioners are in receipt OF a
letter from Senator Call of Florida indors-
ing +. I. Douglass Of Orange Springs, Fla,
for the position Of reservoir keeper
William Penn Clarke of 146 9Th street
northwest makes application to the Com
missioners for clerkship in the District
Offices.
j. l. Thompson Of l6 H street northeast
complains to the Commissioners of the dere-
hction OF duty of the garbage collectors,
calming that they have not visited his
premises for over a week.
A. $. Whiteside of 1921 Vermont avenue
complains to the Commissioners of the
dangerous condition Of a tree in front of his
house and asks that 1t be removed.
j. II. Bradley OF Stoddart street near 30th
street calls the attention of the Commits
sioners to the insufficiency of drainage in
the locality Of his property and asks that
the cutters and culvert be enlarged
Martin Keefe Of 1922 Potomac street.
Georgetown. asks that a fence of unlawful
height in rear of his property be ordered
cut down to the proper height
T. II. q. Todd, real estate agent, asks the
Commissioners to have trees in front of
house 24 c street northwest trimmed