The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1912-01-06
DEALERS PROTEST
DELAYS ACTION ON
REAL VALUE BILL
Handlers of District Proper
ty See Harm in Propos-
ed Measure.

The real estate dealers of washington
were successful today In obtaining a
postponement of the consideration by
the House of the real value" BILL
reported by the House District Com
mittee yesterday.
A delegation of. thirty real estate men
held an informal conference this morn
Ing with Chairman johnson, of the
House District Committee. and after
three hours interchange of views, Mr..
Johnson announced that he would not
call up the bill MONDAY.
Although the bill, which requires that
the real consideration in deeds and
mortgages to property In the District.
shall be stated, has been reported by
the District Committee, that committee
will reopen the question.
Hearing to Be Given.
Chairman johnson finally agreed that
the House committee will hear the pro-
testing real estate men at length on
Friday, January 20. After this an
nouncement the real estate dealers left
the office with their faces wreathed In
smiles.
Vigorous protest were made by many
speakers at theinformal conference to-
day, and Mr.. johnson was asked not to
call up the bill already reported by his
committee until the real estate inter-
ests were accorded a full hearing.
The protesting delegations represent
ing practically every real estate firm
In the city told Mr.. johnson that the
real value of the bill would benefit no
one and would cause constant confusion
in real estate circles. 1t was declared
that the statement Of the real consid-
! GRAFTON In deeds and mortgages would
be Of no benefit to District tax assessors
because Of the confusion attendant upon
sacrifice sales and fuctuating values.
The protesting real estate men lined
the walls Of Chairman Johnson's office,
and kept up a series Of rapid-fire inter-
changes with the chairman, who sat as
a committee Of one. Representative
Dyer, a Republican member, came In
, after the informal discussion had been
under way for an hour or more.
During the midst Of the conference,
George Y. worthington said:
II would like to know one thing. Is
! there anything behind this bill except
| q desire to aid the tax assessors of
| the Distfict?'
There Is" said Mr.. johnson. II have
received some confidential correspond
| ence, but since you put the matter in
| that light, i will say that complaints
have been made Of instances of fraud
by real estate agents who recite ficti-
| tious consideration. I have q written
of property for $500 on the represen-
tation Of his real estate agent that this
was the highest figure obtainable. This
man gave SO consideration deed to
4 h. uAntA wurh1 Assrx
| alrady having in his possession, the Of
| fer, decided 1t to another and received
$4,000. thus getting not only his COM
mission, put 6onns from MS $50 own
been stated, would have put the inno-
cent seller on guard"
Recommend Prison.
such men ought to Eo to the peni-
, Tertiary. You need another law to
reach them" chorused B. H. Warner.
Morton J. Luchss Randall Hagner. and
others about the room.
"I have another complaint from a
widow" said Mr.. Johnson" who
claims that she has been defrauded
out Of $4,000 by practically the same
tactics. I do not know that these
things are true, but a real consider
alton. bill will prevent such prac-
tees"
Randall H. Hagner told Chairman
Johnson that he didn't own foot of
ground, and that assessments and tax
increase did not personally concern him,
but that he appeared on behalf Of five
or six large property owners who were
unalterably oppoed to the real value
bills.
| Realty Men Present. d,
Nevertheless Mr.. Hagner and Mr..
wardman took the decided stand that
there was no more reason why real e.
tate considerations should be made pub
lie than the consideration governing the
sale of an overcoat or any other per-
sonal OF real property.
The discussion this morning was en-.
tirely informal, and was participated
In by practically all Of the thirty ode
real estate men present Among those
who by their presence and words OBJ
tected to the bill were H. L. Thornton
George Y. Worthington, B. H. Warner
Fulton r. Gordon, Morton J. Luchs
Britton Brown, Harry Wardman, Ran
dali Hagner. Reginald Beall, Charles
Fairfax Levi Cook, and B. H. Warner
r jr.. William II. Sanders. Kennel!
Brothers, Gardner & Dent. Geors'
J White, George yesterday. James ].
Parsons, Herbert Shannon. ]. d. Sulli
4 van, Charles w. Fairfax, L. H. Schnei
:. der, and G. w. Swartzell