Omaha daily bee., 1916-11-19
M. Y. 0. B. Is REALTY
BOARDS SLOGAN.
Exclusive Attention to Affairs
Concerning Themselves Only
Will Be Guiding Policy.
EXCHANGE BLUNT OPINIONS

The Omaha Real Estate board is
going to attend to its own business
after this.
That is, by a report Of the execu-
tive committee adopted ct the last
meeting, the general policy was es-
tablished OF discussing real estate
matters alone in the meetings hence
forth, and leaving other public ques-
tions to be handled by the organiza-
tons, boards and commissioners espe-
cially organized for that purpose.
The report was submitted by Harry
A. Turkey, Edward R. Benson and
Harry A. Wolf. The report went into
considerable detail and provoked not
a little heated discussion. There was
some talk OF gag rule, and of an at
tempt to shut off all debate on any
question of such subjects as electric
light ordinances, and gas franchises,
but the report carried Just the same.
Alternative Mentioned.
w. T. Graham wanted to leave the
matter in the hands of the members
as to whether they wanted 10 discuss
a given subject at time when it
should come up. Il am willing to
trust in the good judgment of these
members" he said, as to whether we
should discuss subject or not"
at is merely a matter Of establish
ing general policy" insisted Turkey
mot that we are bound absolutely by
this"
Charles Grimmel wanted to know
what subjects discussed in the past
or likely to be discussed in the tu-
ture were especially obnoxious to the
committee. "I'd like to have the
committee tell us what it is getting
at"
Z. r. Benson said he had been stay
ing away from real estate meetings
for long time because they did not
discuss things OF interest or profit to
him, and because he could put in his
time more proftably in the office at
that hour.
Reason for Absence.
c. c. George declared this open dis
cussion was bringing to the surface
the reasons why many had been stay
ing away, and that it ought to be
taken as lesson to the board to get
down to business in the future and
discuss real estate matters. He de-
clared himself in favor Of the report
So, with some variations, revisions,
amendments and notifications, it was
finally adopted. The principal points
are as follows:
The committee believes that tho board 10
organized primarily for the consideration Of
real estate questions, and that for some
years past 1t has uneonsciously grown into
negative rather than constructive body
great many questions are brought up
for discussion outside OF the real estate
business and questions In fact that should
he considered by the other civic bodies OF
the city. OF which individually most OF US
are members, and we believe this board
should not take issue on anything foreign
to tho real estate business and that the
other questions should be taken up by the
members Of the civic bodies that are formed
primarily TO consider general questions.
Watch tho laws.
Legislative work--The committee recon-
mends that the president appoint commit
tee to watch new bills introduced into the
Legislature and that the board subscribe 10
the bureau which issues the bills, and that
all bills introduced affecting real estate
business DO reported on by this committee,
and further that this committee should re-
port the need OF whatever new laws, II any.
are required to advance the welfare Of the
real estate business.
Taxation--The tax committee should be
appointed to study tax questions In general
and this committee should report at FREE
duent intervals to the board regarding gem
eral questions Of taxation and principles
thereof for the education Of tho members,
The basic value, however OF taxation Is a
quadrennlal assessment Of property which
has just been made and before the next
four years come around the board should
be In such position that they can materially
assist tho assessor In obtaining q fair and
equitable valuation Of raj estate
City Planning-The city planning prob
lem Is at present In the hands Of com.
petent planning board. whose chairman IL
one Of our members, and we believe the In.
terests of the city will be well taken care
Of and that the chairman Of the planning
board, should report TO the real estate board
At frequent intervals tho progress Of the
work.
Get New Industries.
New Industries--This is a question which
the Commercial club Is making a very live
issue and another one Of our members Ia
chairman OF this committee. We believe he
should call upon this board for active as.
sistance. for IL is far better to cooperate
with one active committee like this than Il
attempt independent work. We would es.
pcciaiy like a report from him MS TO the
housing question for working mon. We be.
lieve II is possible to secure trackage at very
reasonable prices in Omaha and that there
Is = large amount Of same to be had.
Street Signs-This is one Of tho minor
and inexpensive questions. but In all yer,
important one, as 1t will be one Of the first
steps TO enable the visitor to know Omaha
and we recommend that a committee b,
appointed to see the city commissioner,
asking that steps be Immediately taken L
mark all street corners, ~
Better ApprAisemcnts.
Appraisements--we appreciate the amount
OF good work that the recent appraisemeni
committee has accomplished. but we fee
that II Is a very small percentage OF what
should be done by our real estate board
For some reason there has not been sent tc
this committee the important values which
should have been. This Is probably due
10 the fact that the board itself has moi
gained the full confidence OF the citizen,
and property owners which 1t should. We
believe a committee should be appointed
which would be competent to give any and
all apprAisements asked of II and that tn,
existence Of such committee be advertised
at frequent intervals and that the indi
vidual members refer to this committee al
the inquiries for such appraisements, with
the exception Of those which come from
their own clients who desire the persona
opinion OF the member to whom they ap
ply.
In this connection the board itself shoult
have frequent appraisements made at tn,
open meetings for the education Of II,
members.
Want Cooperation.
In closing the committee wishes 10 sa,
that It would like TO have the cooperation
Of every member OF the board and tina