Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-04-13
REAL ESTATE MEN
LAY BROAD PLANS
Brokers' Organization to Be-
come More Efficient
and Powerful.
IDEALS ARE DISCUSSED
AT A LARGE LUNCHEON
Will Devise Scheme to Avoid Pro-
posed Tax on Placing of
Signs on Property.

Plans for making the organization so
efficient and powerful that every licensed
real estate man in Washington will de-
sire to be enrolled as member were dis
cussed at luncheon meeting OF the Real
Estate Brokers' Associa ton yesterday af-
ternoon at the Ebbtt House. The meet
ing is said to have been the most en-
thusiastic gathering of its kind the city
has seen in many days. the success of
the affair being attributed largely to the
efforts of George Y Worthington, chair
man of the luncheon committee. Presi-
dent William II. Saunders presided.
Mr.. Worthington spoke of the great
harm done the real estate profession by
false advertising. He cautioned the men,
hers not to advertise piece of property
in extravagant terms which are based
entirely on the description furnished by
the owner He said every agent should
investigate the merits of piece of prop
erty before making great claims for It,
John L. Weaver. vice president of the
association. spoke of the growth OF
Washington and the increase in values.
He told of deed made in the early
eighties in connection with the sale OF
80 acres of ground. now known as
Chevy Chase. for $4,000. The same
ground now sells for ~ cents square
foot, he said.
Recent Sign Legislation.
Herbert r shannon, secretary of the
assoc alton. spoke on the recent legis-
lation limiting the displaying of ''for
rent and for sale signs on property.
He declared that only few days ago
he was told by the District Commission
crs that they contemplated charging
a.
mission IS given to put up sign. The
charging of such a fee would be unjust,
nc said. and perhaps illegal. no such
provision is made in the law limiting the
number of signs. Upon the motion of
Mr.. Shannon, James +. Shea was ap-
pointed chairman of committee author
ICED to work out scheme by means OF
which it will not he necessary for the
commissioners to provide such a license
fee in order to cover the expense which
the provisions of the law entail
John p. Story spoke of the advisablity
of procuring the services of competent
counsel by the association in order to
have expert advice on legal matters.
Charles Fairfax called the attention of
the members to the adviSability of urg
ing the Commissioners to prevent only Ii
censed agents from carrying on a real
estate business in the District. Charles
y. Shields suggested that many of the
trials and tribulations of the real estate
agent would be lessened by the enact
ment of better landlord and tenant law
James r. Shea declared that events of
the past month or SO have shown the
necessity of having a strong real estate
mems association in Washington in order
To protect their interests.
Loss of Clarence B. Rheem.
Is. +. Saul spoke of the loss to the as
ISOLATION through the death of Clarence
e. Rheem. one of its members. Upon his
motion the president was authorized to
appoint a committee to draw up resolu-
lions expressing the sorrow of the as
sociation at the death of Mr.. Rheem. Mr..
Saul was made chairman of this COM
mittee
Harry a. Boss. chairman Of the MEM
bership committee, reported that within
the past SEX he had received twelve APP
Dlications for membership in the associa-
ton.
s. X. Norman spoke of the advisa bility
of the preparation by the association
of an illustrated booklet telling of the
merits of District real estate. He also
spoke OF the benefit to real estate values
which will result by the extension of the
park system. Others who made brief
addresses were Odcll Smith. II. L. Rust
N i. Sansbury, Lee Latimer and Will
lam NJ. Terrell.
PRESIDENT Saunders announced that he
expected to call another meeting of the
association within the next few weeks
He said he agreed with the suggestion
made by number of the members that
the gatherings of the association be i'm
fIrfs fnET, g linn.