Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1903-04-16
THE REAL ESTATE MAN.

an attack on real estate men, and |
this has brought out some stirring /
articles defending them. They are
entitled to defense against such at
tacks.
1t is true that the real estate
man works for himself, but who
doesn't? How many people have
we who devote themselves to work
ing for other? One would have
to search any city with the lantern
OF Diogenese to find man in
business who was not working for
himself. That is what we are here
for 1t has been decreed that man
shall earn his bread by the sweat
of his brow. The declaration calls
for a broad construction, but in
the last analysis it is found that
the rule applies to the vast ma
jority of people, no matter in what
occupation engaged. The laborer
or mechanic earns his living by
work that literally causes the
sweat to roll from his brow, but
the work Of others is no less ex-
hausting and trying. We all must
work il we would live, and the
rule applies even to the average
capitalist, since even he must de-
vote time and thought to the in
vestment and protection OF his for
tune.
The real estate man, like all
others, earns his living by the
sweat of his brow. His occupa-
ton is differnnt from some others,
but it is no less respectable than
that of any man who seeks to sell
property of any character. If
there is any prejudice against him
it is because he works so much
harder than other people. He has
to work for the entire community
while working for himself, and it
is possible that some think that he
does too much, INDUCING in what
has been termed pernicious activity.
But let us see what he does:
He enjoys good times when his
town is attracting attention-when
there are people ready to invest in
property when men are seeking for
locations for business blocks or
residences. He may derive some
profit from looking after property
of others and collecting some rents
even when times are bad, but his
prosperity comes when prosperity
strikes his town and demand for
prosperity springs up on every
hand.
The real estate man is therefore
keenly alive to everything that az
fects the prosperity of his town,
and he is always first among those
who seek to promote conditions OF
prosperity. lie is directly inter
ested in keeping real estate moving
and he loses no opportunity e
create such conditions as will pro.
mote such activity. He ADVERTISE
the advantages of his town far and
wide and sings its praises at every
opportunity. Il he finds q strange
in town he eultivates his acquain
lance if opportunity shall offer ant
gives him as good an impression o
the place as possible. He is al
ways ready to answer questions
and the government is enriched by
sale to him Of stamps to be used ii
sending replies TO inquiries through
the mails.
The real estate man does al
these things because he knows i
pays him to to do so. lie refrain
from ''knocking" because he know
he hurts his own business when
ever he sends an intendin,
investor away by givin,
him an unfavorable impression 0
the place. He is always active
but his activity never contribute
to the purposes, intentional or I'm
intentional, of those who are al
ways ready to discourage investors
He points out the advantages G
Investing in city property, in farn
property, in mines, in industrial
enterprises, or in anything els
that may seem to attract the al
tention of visitor.
In these respects the record G
the real estate man is in marke
contrast with those Of some othe
people. Perhaps his critics ar
among those who do most towap
checking development-who ar
always INDUCING in dolelul pre-
dictions and who are always I'll
last to join in any movement look
ing to advancing the interests {
the town.
Yet the interest Of the real estat
man in encouraging settlement an
investment is no greater than tia
of any other business man. Their
is no one doing business in tow
who is not .directly interested
the growth OF the place. Great
population means more busine.
for every body; purchase of pro-
erty by newcomers means that I'll
money paid will be invested i
some manner that will be benz
fetal to the town; erection of ne
bnillinCc .naonc tbot NJ