Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-09-17
REAL ESTATE VAL UED FOR SAFE
ANDPROFITABLE INVESTMENTS
Topic Mich Discussed IN Field of Finance.
Conclusions Of Prominent St.
Louis Broker.

TOR $6,0OO.0 600, but the greatest and most
profitable purchase he ever made was In
1893, when he bought the immense terri
tory extending from the Mississippi to
the Rockies and from the Gulf of Mexico
70 canada, which is known as the Louis
lana purchase, for the sum Of $15. 1000 600.
The Louisiana Purchase.
This immense territory, thus acquired
when Jefferson was President, consisted
Of $50, 100000 acres Of land and cost less
than cents an acre. The land now &C.
cupied by the city of Minneapolis and
which was part Of this purchase cost
Uncle Sam less than $1,000 and is now
valued at probably sl0O,OO,O00. While
we all appreciate what fine bargain
Uncle Sam obtained, yet 1 have no doubt
that If some enterprising real estate agent
mad been sent to France to negotiate this
purchase instead Of two lawyers, Liv-
ingstone and Monroe, he probably would
have bought the property for thirteen or
fourteen millions instead of fifteen mill
lions. and If he had not succeeded in
that he would have offered in trade q
fine row of well built flats, apartments or
some other good investment.
every investment made by Uncle Sam
in real estate, despite all the predictions
to the contrary, has proved exceedingly
country
Investments in real estate are usually
made with one Of three things in mind j;
First. for the purpose Of acquiring a
nome; second, for obtaining an income,
and, third, as speculation. It is not my
province to discuss the question of the
many advantages that there are in in
vesting money for home. but I do be-
lieve that no money invested brings great
er happiness and contentment than that
spent for a home. In no other way than
in real estate can money be safely and
so prohtably invested by the individual
who desires to retire from active bust
ness or by the widow who has been left
some money to provide for herself and
the children. Stocks may rise and fall.
prices Of all securities may depress until
they lose their value, but land cannot
vanish nor can thieves steal 1t nor can
the touch Of time ruin it.
Opportunities for Spectators.
'"rhe SPECTATORS who desire to make
money have splendid opportunities in our
large and growing cities and towns If
they will buy tracts of land and wait for
the city's growth to increase its value
and thereby enrich them. Occasionally
complaint is made that real estate has
not been profitable and that it is an ex-
ceedingly slow asset. This is true per-
haps to very small degree, but would
suggest to the individual who desires to
consult a man who is familiar with real
estate and who I am sure will gladly ad-
wise him and prevent him from making
any poor OF slow investments. When a
physician or lawyer Is needed IT is not
customary to call in a shoemaker or
blacksmith, nor is it advisable for those
who make real estate investments to go
to those who are not familiar with con-
ditions and who know nothing of real
estate values.
SsyrY 1,.s~ in, IF cn-nNara ton
Investments are sometimes presented that
require large amount Of capital. the
land owning and holding corporation
makes it possible for number of invest
ors to combine their holdings, which could
not be done by them as individuals. 1t Is
to be regretted that in some of our states
corporations are not allowed to hold title
to land. This makes cooperation and
combining investments by individuals
with limited capital impossible.
Cooperation Is Helpful.
I'm the states where these corporations
are permitted to hold land they have
proved helpful and never Objectionable,
as it is claimed by those who are not ia
miliar with the workings Of these corpo-
rations. Let me summarize and condense
a few Of the things that 1 have already
stated:
First, real estate is the most profitable
form of investment
Second. real estate is the safest form
of investment.
''Third. real estate is the only indie
structible security.
Fourth, large fortunes have been made
by investing in real estate
Fifth. the advice and experience Of
successful individuals is to invest in real
estate.
"Sixth, money invested in home is
money we'll invested.
Seventh, large tracts of land offer OPP
portunities for profitable Investments.
eighth. it is we'll to consult experienced
real estate men in making an investment.
Ninth, corporations are desirable and
give an opportunity for small investors
to combine in investing in real estate