The Washington times., 1905-01-15
Real Estate Men Organ
ize and Will Hold
Mass Meeting.
COMMITTEE IS NAMED
Will Urge Commissioners to
Revoke Approval of OBJ
jectionabie Measure.

}
Concerted action to defeat the master
builders bin is now under way among
its army of opponents in Washington.
a definite Plan of organized opposi-
ton 10 its passage by Congress is being
mapped out. Any attempt 10 railroad
the measure into law will be met with
stern resistance
Indeed. the opposition has already OBJ
1ained authoritative assurance that the
bill viii not be enacted until an impair
tial hearing has been given to the pro-
tess against its adoption.
T.l.s phase of the situation developed
yesterday afternoon at meeting of
real estate mon at 1he Riggs House.
The conference was called 10 concentrate
the influence working against the pas
sage OF the bill.
Realty Interests Represented.
II was thoroughly representative of
the Leading real estate interests of the
city While no course of procedure was
fixed upon, the officers of the meeting
were authorized to issue general call
fos a mass meeting 10 be held at u
o'clock noon next Tuesday al the Riggs
House
An important development of the
meeting was the decision of the con-
ferees 20 consult with the District
Commissioners with view to have
them revoke their Endorsement of the.
measure
It was announced that the Commits
sieners will give a hearing co COM
mittee appointed at the meeting next
Tuesday morning. This committee viii
also obtain "a hearing in the near fu-
ture before the committee Of the House
which has the bin under consideration
1t had been planned to hold the con
ference yesterday Immediately follow
ing the meeting at the Riggs House
relative TO the smoke law. Owing TO the
fact that the smoke conferees were in
session longer than had been antfci-
pated, it was called before the adjourn
ment of the latter.
Officers Chosen.
When the conference was called to or
der by James A. Taiiaferro, who is tax
ing an active part in the crusade
against the proposed legfsia tion officers
were at once chosen to preside at fu-
ture meetings and to direct the fight Of
the real estate men. Col. James l. TAFT
was elected president; David Moore vice
y
In brief statement TO his confreres
Colonel TAFT reviewed the causes which
had summoned them together He spoke
in strong denunciation of the bill, and
characterized ii as the product of a
building trust now forming in Wash
ingtoa He said. however. that the op-
popents of the bill had obtained the as
surance that it would not be enacted
until they had been given a hearing to
voice their opposition before Congress
"As l understand the BILL" said Col
onel TAFT. ''it is designed for the ap-
pointment of master builders exam.
lining board. consisting of two architects
two builders. and one inspector o1
buildings
Heavy Fees Required
1T provides. furthermore, that eaeF
builder, before he is given license te
carry on his business, must pass pre-
scribed examination. for which he mus
pay an entrance fee of Si0 If he pass
es the examination. he must then pa,
80 and furnish bond in the sum of no
less than 5000
If all these provisions are not car
fied out he at once becomes liable e
fine of from SO 10 $50. or three month.
IN the workhouse.
Now, how does a proposition of tha,
kind sound 10 a freeborn American citl
zen2 To me ii seems as bad as tha
effort 10 establish a whipping post II
the District
.'On the latter pois.t some of Won may
rot agree with me. but / feel l am voic.
ing the sentiment of everyone her,
vixen / say the bin now before Con.
gfeSs Is simply a blind TO establish ?
trust IN the building industry of Wash
irgton,
Must Quit Business.
no attempt should be made 10 con
ceal the fact that the measure is dra #
ed wholly n the interest of the prosper
Gus and influential builder Its provi
sions shut out the smaller builder en-
tireiy and leave nothing for him 10 d
but qEit business
'.It seems odd, therefore, that the Com
nissioners should approve the proposi
ton. Especially is their support strik
ing when II is recalled that the bill i
contrary 10 laws in force in the Unites
STATES Government and in contrast /.
the expressed views OF President Roose
NeIt,'
Following Colonel Tait's statement tn
meeting Immediately set to work OF
plans for The mass meeting a motto:
was adopted authorizing the officers Il
issue call for meeting on Tuesday
seft@es are to be sent TO practically al
the real estate men III the city, Will
builders opposed TO the measure vii
also be invited to take part in the con
ference.
Considerable discussion took place a
TO whether the District Commissioner
should be conferred with before the pro
test is taken TO the District of co
Z lumbia Committee. Objection TO a con
fContinued on Page Eleyen.)