New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-06-01


had this last winter group OF ad-
vertising men were seated around 81
fireplace discussing good will. One
of the men declared that the liveness
Of an industry could be gagged almost
entirely on the extent of its appre-
eistion Of the value Of good will. Any
business that ignores the Importance
Of good will Is pretty likely TO be
trailing somewhere toward the rear
Of the progress procession. says A. d.
Albia in printers Ink"
These remarks led 10 an inquiry as
to what particular business has done
the least TO develop good will.
Among those present was the plan
man Of an agency. Seeing that the
discussion was not arriving at any
conclusion. he suggested an investiga-
ton be made.
In couple of weeks the same group
Of men. nine in all, met again to turn
in their reports. Seven OF them in
dicted the real estate business as be-
ing The most contemptuous Of good
will: the other two laid their charges
against the streetcar companies
Perhaps everybody wouldn't agree
with these seven Investigators. There
are number of mighty good business
raen in the real estate fraternity. A
Eoodly percentage of real estate brokers
are as progressive and as enterprising
as the top-notchers in any other trade
or profession.
1t is true. nevertheless, that realty
has often been unfortunate in the
class OF men who represent it. No
enc is more willing TO admit this than
leading members Of the real estate
profession. if | may be permitted TO
call it that II IS nor hard to under
stand the reason for this The ranks
OF the realty dealers are often re-
cruted from the unsuccessful in every
field ard from the hnbitual ne'er-do-
wells. Trying to exc out livelng in
selling property, these fellows occa-
sionally resort to practices that scat
ter thistles among the seeds OF good
will that honest real estate men have
been planting.
Why Brokers Are Not Popular
It isn't dishonesty that is the matter
with the business, however. In reality
there are very few sharp traders in the
work, and the laws Of both God and
man are constantly eliminating them
The trouble with the business is some
thing OF the same nature that infested
railroad management a few years
ago. That may be best defined as in
difference of these interests to the
rights OF the public to be pleased with
what it buys. In other words, the
good viii element IN the transaction
Is ignored.
I recently had an opportunity of
looking over the correspondence that
real estate man had with tenants of
the properties he manages. What
struck me most about these let
ters was their cold. formal, unappreci
atiyc character. In sending out q lease
-or renewal 4 letter something like
this went with it: Enclosed find new
lease Tor the property you occupy. We
must insist that this lease be signed
and returned within three weeks. Yours
truly Not word asking if the ten
ant IS satisfied with the service that
vas given him during the past year.
He IS not thanked for his patronage.
In Tact, not q business building. GOOD
will-creatiag word appears in the let
ter.
o. course. there is another side to
the story. Real estate men deal with
all classes of people Some Of them
are most unreasonable. They abuse
AND misuse the property they occupv
shG MISS no opportunity to impose on
its owners or their representatives.
The real estate men have q whole host
o; troubles OF their own 1t is not
necessary 70 catalogue them here.
But why do not the realty interests
@1' their side 10 the public Why do
Tot they answer the proliteeiing charge.
nov SO extensively being thrown at
them, with facts Silence in the face
OF the charge is accepted by the public
az = confession OF guilt The wav to
please The public is to cater 10 it. Ask
Tor Its patronage, thank IL for what it
gives explain why rents are high. and
ADOPT general conciliatory attitude
me realty interests in common with
every other class Of business must