New-York tribune., 1915-11-21
FEW OPPOSE
LICENSE BILL
PresidentWo Woodworth Says
Proposition Deserves
Special Attention.

"The proposed plan for registration
Of brokers, commonly called the license
bill. deserves special attention at this
time" said L. d. Woodwork, president
of the Real Estate Association of the
State of New York, yesterday. lie
added: at is advisable that special
consideration be given that subject and
tax reform at the next meeting Of the
executive committee of the organiza-
ton, to be held at the 0nondaga Hotel,
Syracuse, next Saturday"
Among the members, besides Presi-
dent Woodwork, who are preparing to
be present are: George S. Horton. sec
retary, of Brooklyn; Hiram Mintz,
treasurer, of Binghamton; all the vice,
presidents, including Alwyn Ball, jr., Of
New York; Alfred II. Wagg. Of NAL
vern, Long Island, and Fenton M.
Parke. of Buffalo, also the additional
members of the executive committee,
including NJ. Morgenthau, jr., chairman,
of New York; II. l.. Reed, of Amster-
dam; Ten Eyck T. Mosher, jr, of Al.
bany, and Fred. n. Van Patten, Of
Syracuse.
On the broker license question Presi-
dent Woodwork also said: THE state
convention was almost unanimous In
its vote directing the executive com
mittee to seek to place such law upon
the statute books during the present
year. Very little substantial opposi-
ton is appearing, there being no oppo-
sition except by a few members in two
of the real estate boards. At least
dozen of the local boards in the state
are on record as in favor of the project.
at is my opinion that those who
are opposing this measure have given
little careful thought TO the actual con-
tents Of the bill, although copies have
been available for general distribution
and the association issued an elaborate
report upon the subject just previous
70 the New York City convention.
"The term real estate broker Is so
defined in the bill as to include any
person who performs the work and as
sumes the obligations of real estate
broker as agent, as generally under
stood. IL does not include owners act
ing as such. nor does it include judicial
officers or persons acting under Judg-
ment or order of court. Statesmen and
solicitors of brokers ale included.
"a commission of nine members to be
appointed by the Governor with the ad-
vice and consent of the Senate, is pro-
vded. Commissioners are TO serve with
out COMPENSATION. The state is divided
into districts, each of which is to be
represented on the commission by a
person who shall have been actively
and principally engaged In business as
real estate broker for not less than
five years preceding his appointment
The secretary and deputies must have
the same qualifications. The term OF
Office will be six years.
"The application for registration,
like that for an insurance broker, VIII
REQUIRE, if the bill becomes law, full
information on all essential facts as
70 name, place of business, business as
sociates and former license, and to be
accompanied by afiidavits of two repu-
table residents of the same locality
that the applicant is worthy and quail
fed to act as a real estate broker and
the applicant must give such fur
ther information as the commission
NAV require to show trustworthiness
and competency to transact real es-
tate brokerage business in such man
ner as will safeguard the interests of
the public.
"The bill also provides that no per-
son will be allowed to act as real
estate broker in this state without hrst
procuring q certificate from the COM
mission. Any ceruncate can De re-
yoked or renewal refused If after due
investigation and hearing il is hoswn
that the application contains mate
rial misstatement, the applicant has
been guilty Of fraudulent practice or
has demonstrated his Incompetence.
ANY such ruling might be reviewed by
certiorari proceeding.
"The fee now contemplated would be
$40 for each license and 81 for each
supplemental license, same TO be paid
into the State Treasury. All expenses
of the commission would be paid upon
legislative appropriation only.
"Real estate brokers would be pro
hibited from paying directly or indi-
rcctlv any commission or other vaIu-
able consideration on account OF any
real estate transaction involving prop
erty in the State of New York to any
person in this state not duly degls-
tered as a real estate broker.
"a violation of this act constitutes
a misdemeanor, and also creates a pen
alty OF not less than the compensation,
commission or profit received, nor more
than four times such an amount as
may be determined By the court"
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