Omaha daily bee., 1917-02-04
Mr.. REALTOR MAKES
DEBUT IN OMAHA
Members of Omaha Real Es-
ta$e Board Get Copyrighted
Name from Parent.
ED SLATER MAKES SPEECH

II the word 'Realtor' is not yet in
the English dictionary it is time it
were crawling in, for it is going to be
a word. 1t is copyrighted now, hav-
ing been invented by the National AS
ISOLATION of Rea, Estate Boards. It
stands for man in the real estate
business, who is member of the
local organization and also of the
national body.
President Ed M. Slater Of the
Omaha Real Estate board discusses
the newly organized Omaha Real Es-
tate board and the adoption by its
members of the term "Realtor' in the
following way:
For thirty years the leading real
estate men of Omaha have been as
sociated together in the Omaha Real
Estate exchange. Through this as
sociation good fellowship, friendly re-
lations, better methods of dealing,
and a much better standing for our
business have all been brought about.
Some years ago we joined other real
estate organizations in different cities
in organizing a National Associa-
ton of Real Estate Exchanges. This
has also promoted the better inter
ests of real estate men throughout the
country, tending to make the bust
ness what it ought to be, profess
sion. Almost without exception, those
who have been members of these real
estate exchanges or real estate boards,
as most of the associations are now
known, have only had good words
to say of their membership in them.
A Profession Now.
IF you are a member of our Real
Estate board, which name we now use
instead of exchange, we are sure
that you will agree with us that it
has been we'll worth your while, and
that with the plans in prospect much
will be done to assist you in your
business and establish our vocation as
a profession in this city and surround
ing territory.
Through all these years there have
been frequent attempts made to put
our organization upon better fnan-
cial basis. 1t has been felt that it ought
to be worth something financially to
be member of the Omaha Real Es-
tate exchange or board. Only re-
Gently has this plan been worked out.
We are now organized as a stock
company with $500 capital, par value
of each share SIS. A membership in
the Omaha Real Estate board now
carries with it certificate of stock.
This has raised the membership fee
from $40 to SIS, the annual dues from
Sc to So This increase has been
brought about by practically the
unanimous consent of the members
of our board, for two reasons: First,
to have more money with which to
advertise and advance the interests
of our calling; and, second, to give
us fund with which to make real
estate investments, out of which we
think will come considerable profits.
A moments thought will convince
anyone that a body of real estate
men such as compose our member
ship, ought, together, to make some
mighty good investments. Our men,
bership feels that this is a profitable
plan for the individual members as
vel as Tor the organization.
That New Name.
Another reason why it is worth
while to be a member of the Omaha
Real Estate board is based upon the
adoption by the National Association
of Real Estate boards of new name
to be given to members of the real
estate boards of the country, these
boards being in turn members of the
national association. This name,
"Realtor" has been copyrighted by
the national organization. 1t will be
placed upon the stationery, signs, ad-
vertisements and wherever the name
of the individual agent may be seen.
1t will distinguish the real estate
man who is member of the real estate
board from one who is not 1t will
indicate to the public that here is a
real estate dealer or agent who has
accepted the code Of ethics adopted
by his real estate board and put out
by the national association. 1t will,
in good measure, put the entire or
ganization back of the individual in
his dealings with the public, and if
the public has any complaint he can
make it known to the board. This
will have the effect of relieving the
business of the "curb-stoner" or of
those who are not willing to accept
the code of ethics adopted by the or