The Washington herald., 1921-07-16

through existing building fnstitu-
tions.
There is in the building matter
service that we have inaugurated
In the Department Of Commerce.
which believe will commend itself
to all the realtors. That is an organ
lied effort to solve certain problems
In waste by organized corporation
with the industry and by scientific
investigation through the depart
ment laboratories. The elimination
Of waste through a nationwide sell
entific revision of the building
codes In which strength, durability
and fire resistance of structures
may be increased, and yet, with
scientific use of materials, cost may
be decreased. will naturally be fol-
lowed by q scientific revision Of the
fire insurance regulations. SO that
suitable materials may be more
promptly util<zed and the art of
building more rapidly advanced.
The simpliication OF the dimensions
of material and a study directed to
standard quality and improved
processes of manufacture of such
material is in progress. The activi-
ties of various communities in the
United States and in foreign nations
In development of the art of build
Ing are being carefully studied for
general circulation to our own peo-
pie.
The need of such an action by
the government has long been rec
ognized. As In the case Of agri-
culture, where the units of pro-
duction are too small to maintain
rrivate-information services and
experimental activities, and yet
where the production of each unit
may be vitality affected by the
knowledge of improved methods. SO
in the case of construction the
thousands of units of the building
industry have for years asked for
current information. scientific re-
search. and cooperation through
the government. Such Information,
IL generally used. should not only
decrease the cost of erecting build
ings but should eliminate waste due
to irregularities in operation and
due TO inefficient methods OF distri-
button, and will greatly lower the
cost of building to all concerned.
These are functions of government
CT the finest order-those which
march through education and CO.
operation of our people.
TT is chiefly through the hope OF
enjoying the ownership OF home
and independence that the latent
energy OF the citizenry may be
called forth. Since 1891 the United
States has. in its land laws. recog-
nized this great incentive. 1t has
stimulated the building OF rural
homes through the wide distribu-
tion of land under the homestead
acts and through the distribution o:
credit through the Farm Loan
Banks.
Hope Necessary Factor.
During this period of recon-
struction we are talking much Of
hard work and thrift. but after all
IL is hope that stimulates initiative
and energy. hope of security ana
hope of Arrangement which makes
a producer out of the man who has
been saying to himself: what's the
user After all. saving In the alb
stract is perfunctory process as
compared to purposeful saving. and
what greater incentive for saving Is
there than for the ownership OF a
home, the possession of which may
change the very physical, mental,
and moral fiber Of ones own chill
dren?
II view with great satisfaction
the real estate men from all parts
of the United States endeavoring as
they are to codify the practice and
elevate the ideals OF their, profess
sion. and I would that they take
most seriously back to their COM
munities. in all sections Of the
United States, their sense OF re-
sponsibility of bringing the home
within the purchasing power of the
buyer and of protecting through
wise community'planning and zoning
laws the home from encroachment.
II tho rate OF increase in tenantry
continues for two or three decades,
75 per cent of the people of this
country will be tenants. IL the
present tendency can be reversed,
then in two or three decades more
than one-half of the people will be
home owners. A nation of majority
rule should be 4 nation of majority
ownership.
1h- VI Ntlc real CSldtc
men throughout the United States
is most far-reaching. They in an
organized way may endeavor to
protect the homes which they have
sold from encroachment. They also
in an organized way may protect
the equity of the young home owner
from absorption through illegit-
mate fees, commissions and bonuses.
%r.o 1T -
actment of wise zoning laws should
cooperate with them. and the Fed
eral and State governments should
cooperate with them by wisely d.
recting the use of savings deposits.
The Realtors Mission.
This country of ours is still in
the making. Shall we look forward
as far-sighted empire builders to the
conditions which will confront our
children in another twenty or thirty
years. or shall we as short-sighted.
greedy opportunists exploit the
present without regard to future
consequences?
II know of no greater mission
for the whole of the realtors, of the
United States than that they should
definitely undertake to organize in
each local community the forces that
bear on this problem, for its con-
structiye solution, United determi-
nation by the producers of mate
rails, the owners of utilities, repre-
sentatives Of labor, of the local
financial institutions and the local
civic and governmental bodies will
solve this problem. Is it not a great
mission for your association to pro-
vide the assurance OF the 1,O00,0oU
nau honnno nalna hv our 'n0anleS