The Washington herald., 1922-03-12

taxation. argument. protest and un
fair rulings are invited by present
methods. This work should be ON
cially& performed by real estate
boards through their experts, which
would result In absolutely just ap-
praisais. supported by a weight of
authority that could not be sue
cessfuliy questioned.
when Congress Investigated OPP
erations growing out of our partic-
ipation l nthes world war, realtors.
were given a clean bill for their
work In both the purchase and sale
of property for the Bureau Of
Housing and other government de-
partments. They directed the ex-
penditures of many millions of dol
lars-their record shows how many
millions they saved to the nation.
why should not realtors serve
their government in times of peace
by the expert handling Of all 'pur-
chases and sales of real estate? In
the past. property bought or sold
for the government was Influenced,
often to the governments loss, by
political favor-and IL, all too fire.
quently. was bought at too high a
price. sold at too low a price. or
sometimes was improperly located.
or was unsuitable for the purpose
for which II was purchased. This,
obviously, is wrong. The cure is the
placing of the responsibility in
trained hands-the realtors. Cen
eral Dawes. of the Budget Com
mittee, has proposed that all real
estate for all government depart
ments should be handled by a Fed
eral real estate board. This board.
I am informed. has already been
created. Should IL not be re-
quirement OF the Federal real estate
board that all real estate, before
being purchased or sold by the gov
ernment must be appraised by a
local realtors appraisal committee?
Conclusions.
The National Association of Real
Estate Boards has NJ more impell-
ing motive than its desire, gen
erously and impartially. to serve the
nation. In its dealings with the
government IL has never asked for
legislation. to beneht its members
directly. Legislation in which il
has taken part has invariably been
for the protection Of the large ma
tional interests represented by real
estate ownership. ! believe ] am
justified in saying that our national
association by it's patriotic service
has won an unassailable standing
with government off1cials. Secre-
tsry Hoover recognized the asso-
cations public character when he
recently appointed its president to
a place on the Committee on Build
ing Industries of the Department
of Commerce.
What is true of the association
is becoming true of its individual
members and their local organiza-
tions. The true realtor is a man Of
conscience and patriotic purpose. q
man who has expert knowledge and
training. who is capable of render
ing public service. He represents
the most stable and dependable ele-
ment OF our population, the home
owner, He is literally city
builder. He realizes his RESPONSE
bility and may be depended upon
to build in truth for beauty and for
the health, the comfort and the
happiness of all.
Let me thank you, Mr.. Chairman.
for this opportunity of addressing
| opportunity of speaking in behalf
OF the men OF my profession whom
have learned to respect and ad-
mire through years OF the closest
association. America has no more
loyal class Of citizens than its
| united realtors"