River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1920-09-16
side by side with the lawyer, the
physician, and the banker.
= Colonization

teresting to know, too, that there are
3,500,000 people living in California
who by their use of property have
created that value. The average 10
every man, woman and child in our
state is, therefore, more than $1,000
per person. More people, more use
hence more value. Less people, les
useless value. Herein, then, is our
prime function: to bring more people
to live in California, knowing thai
for every five person brought, we
have added $4,000 to the land values
of our owners; knowing, too, that we
have done our part to make some OF
the increased value we told our buyer
would come when we sold him. Col
onization, new settlement, and fair
subdivision of farming lands--these
are fundamental phases of our work
and must continue. But we must do
even more.
And not as individuals, but through
organization. With owners who will
receive the profits from our work sitt-
ing in with us, and saying, GLADLY
will we pay our small proportion Of
the cost in order to make possible and
certain the benefit that shall come to
us from it,"
Adjusting the Tax Burden
Place the tax burden where it be-
longs-more largely on incomes and
less on real estate. For it would seem
to be but a primary principle of taxa
tion that the burden of expense of
government should be paid in proper
ton to benefit received; and if person
al property and real estate were as
sessed on exactly the same basis, our
present high tax rate would be cut
in two. This is a thought which is
being carefully and thoughtfully con-
sidered all over America today. We
must not be behind-hand in California.
Take an active part in seeing that
adequate incomes are secured on rent
al properties, yet without profiteering.
If this is not done, we may expect re-
suits that will have the same effect
on our real estate business in Califor-
MIA that now prevails in Washington,
d. c., where incomes are regulated by
public officials rather than by the laws
of supply and demand, and where
building operations as result have
practically ceased.
We must maintain constant vigil
ance over legislation, both favorable
and unfavorable to property rights,
that may be brought up before our
State Legislature and before Con-
gress.
Funds Must Be Increased
How can we accomplish this Only
in this way:
By increasing our funds until our
income is adequate. By increasing our
membership, until their active sup
port through cooperation shall be
strong enough to make these meas
ures possible. By increasing the |
number of real estate boards through |
out the state, until finally every |
county shall have it's voice to speak |
through, however small it may be to |
start with. And then by grouping |
all into a single state association
which shall speak with a common |
voice for all
Proper income will mean active, ag |
gressive organization in way that |
will get results. 1t will mean carry |
ing on real estate business for the |
benefit of all. 1t will mean an active |
manager with possible $4,000 year |
Job, one worth working to hold. 1t |
will mean a field man positively, a |
trained man who will be both an or
ganizer of new boards and solicitor
for new members. 1t will mean an |
active working office force through |
which such big important work can
with facility and certainty of success
be done.
quill Oil VI SoAiiDo
ton would mean something worth |
while for the interests of property
owners and for their brokers. Surely
there are $500 men in the state of
California who will profit enough by
work of such character and who are
fair enough to pay $40 year for the
sake of having it done. And $500
members means $4,000 a year with
which to do it. Surely it is practical.
Must Assume Responsibility
What is everybody's business has
been heretofore nobody's business. AS
result, everybody has suffered.
Hereafter what is everybody's bust
ness is going to be the business of
the California Real Estate Associ-
alton in so far as it affects the inter
4 Jat,alo11