Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1904-07-12
INTEGRITY IN SELLING REAL
ESTATE.

Not a few land purchasers in Ho-
nolulu who bought homes on the sup
position that the title was good. have
walked up to the fact that their pur-
chase was covered by mortgage made
by the real estate agent. The good
money of the householder went into
tle pocket of the agent. He did not
pay the mortgage as he should have
done according to all principles of de-
ceney and morality in business. Inc
mortgage is now foreclosed and the
purchaser of homestead finds
that he must either buy his place again
by satisfying the mortgage claim or
lose everything.
The newspaper organ owned by Mr..
Thurston says of incidents of this char.
acter. in which Mr.. Desky has figured
as the real estate agent, 1T is to he
regretted that so useful a citizen as C..
s. Desky should have become involved
In so many doubtful land transactions.
but the experience he has given other
people was badly needed by them and
by the land-purchasing public as a
whole"
This is business morality with ven-
geance. The workingman who finds
his home going under the hammer Cor
no fault OF his own other than placing
confidence In the real estate agent, IL
told that II serves him right; he de-
served the loss because he should have
known better. On this basis the man
who runs gambling game is not at
fault; II Is the fool who puts money on
the card who should be hailed before the
court and held up to public scorn.
Many business" men and promoters
work on this theory. It is not right
and there Is no scheme of emasculated
morals in civilized or uncivlized So
eiety that can make II so.
The deeds given to property Of this
character may cover the law, may pro-
tect the seller from getting his just
deserts. There is not, however. an ele-
ment of business integrity, decency and
honor In any detail OF such transac-
tons. Househoders bought on the
supposition that when they paid the
money asked by the seller. the land
was theirs with clear title.
Granted that the reputation OF COM
munity for business integrity amounts
to anything 1t exists for dealing with
Just such propositions as this. What
honest community on earth has right
to lay claim to the reputation for SUI
periority as possessing a good name,
when Its citizens allow such business
deals as this to pass with the remark,
Serves you right. You should have
been on the lookout for possible games
that gave you nothing for your money
and struggles TO build a home" How
many homebuilders can Hawaii at.
tract when such spirit prevails?
Some lawyers maintain that the GUST
ed householders who have been robbed
of their earnings and investments
through their ignorance OF these I'M
known or forgotten mortgages, have
no recourse at law. Others say they
have. II they have none then the man
who takes $500 out OF your pocket is
one thing and he who sells you piece
of property without your knowledge of
a mortgage lein is smart business
man.
Whatever the law may be now this
Territory will not maintain a lasting
reputation for supporting integrity in
business till law is placed on the
statute books making such business"
deals in land transactions a criminal
offense. When a man steals bread be-