Evening star., 1922-03-08
HOME OWNERSHIP
CURB ON RADICALS
Willis Tells Realtors Confisca-
ton Finds Little Sympathy
With Landholders.


ship as curb on radicalism and
holshevistic propaganda was urged
last night by Senator Frank b. Willis
of Ohio before members of the ex-
ecutive committee of the National
Association of Real Estate Boards
and other prominent guests at a
banquet given by the Washington
Real Estate Board in the ballroom
of the Willard Hotel
Quoting some ''insidious stuff
published in several New York radi-
cal journals. Senator Willis pointed
to the efforts of soviet organizations
and other bolShevik societies to un-
dermine the government of the United
States with their writings and ora
tory. This creed is designed to take
away the desire for ome-ownership
and impel workers to confiscate
homes and land, he said.
a man who owns his home is
not likel. to let this radicalism enter
his household, the speaker exclaim-
ed. propaganda such as I have read
TO you, however. finds its way into
all channels. and even has its ad-
herents in the Senate" When one
of his listeners broke into ill-timed
applause. Senator Willis cried out.
Don't applaud that. | am ashamed
OF it
Tells OF Economies.
The senator called on the realtors to
''set their faces like flint against radi-
calism and help the nation become one
of home owners
Senator Willis told of the vast amount
of economies in the administration of
government effected sby the adoption of
business ideas. in accordance with the
slogan. More business in government
and less government in business
THE government Will aid most by
doing its own work better and meddiing
with private enterprise less. The gov
ernmentS disastrous experience in rail-
road mana cement. costing the taxpayers
a million dollars a day. ought to be Suf-
ticient answer for years 10 come to those
who advocate government ownership,
he added.
Housing conditions will be bettered
only as there is more capital seeking
investment: capital will not seek invest
ment as long it can be hidden in tax
free securities. If nations are to con-
tinue their mad rivalry in armiments
there will be further issues of taX-free
bonds Realtors ought to be Interested
in bringing stability to world conditions.
Business i'll general cannot thrive while
nations are grinding their knives and
getting ready for the next Let us
prevent the next war before it begins.
The only way to prevent war is by re-
moving its causes.
'.Shantung the future of China. the
control of the Pacific. these are poten-
tial causes of contiict-iet us settle tlem
and thus make possible the lifting OF
tax burdens by reduction of armament.
He who prociaimS devotion to limitation
of armament and Yet refuses to re-
move the causes which make armament
necessary casts suspicion on his own
sincerity and the clearness OF his mental
processes. Either We shall ratify the
work of the conference for limitation of
rsrpl want .a'S
De eStopped hereafter to proclaim our
devotion to peace. Business ought not to
be i'll doubt in this critical hour and it is
not I'M doubt-it is for the treaties-so
are the people, and the treaties will be
ratified"
DenOunces TnA-EXempt Securities.
Irving Il. Hiett. president of the
National Association, also denounced
taX-exempt securities in compre-
hensive address on the real estate and
housing situation. The association is
on record as opposing all forms of
taX-free securities. whether national,
state. county or city. he said.
Relief from the housing shortage.
MIR. Hiett declared depended largely
on the ability to obtain financial aid.
He inquired if it were not possible
for national banks to invest a portion
of their savings deposits in home
mortgages and for life insurance COM
panies to take similar action. He ex-
planned that realtors opposed the es-
tabliShnient OF home loan bank. com
parable to the farm loan bank, on the
ground that the principle of govern
ment financing was wrong.
The recent census showed that
home-ownership in America de-
creased during the last decade, con-
Stituting 4 menace to the welfare of
the country. which realtors should
endeavor to correct. the speaker
OF fof II ole tn he. u
being done by realtors toward the
drawing up of coming, city planning,
license and other laws and in the
appraisal of estates and of govern
ment property.
Other speakers included Cuno H.
Rudolph, District Commissioner. SEN
ator William NJ. Calder of New York,
Col. c. o. Sheriff.. officer in charge
of public buildings and grounds; DIR.
Edward James Cattell, city statis-
Wiley and William f. Shannon.
Commissioner Rudolph praised the
spirit of unselfshness which has
prompted citizens to sacrifice per
sona1 gain to beautify the National
Capital. referring specifically to the
women Of Washington. The capital
is as much the city of every Amer
lean citizen as it is the home of those
who live here, he said. During the
conference on arms limitation wash
ington actually attained the distinc-
ton of being the heart of the
world" the Commissioner asserted.
Senator Calder stated that the rent
laws. although opposed by him per-
sonally, were no doubt necessary to
combat evil practices of avaricious
real estate owners growing out of
the war. The legislation viii be with
drawn when more houses are erected.
he declared. He advocated use of ma
tional bank deposits for building of
homes.
Col. Sheriff. made a plea that all
business men work for the beautifi-
cation of Washington. DIR. Cattell pre-
dicted great growth for this city dur
ing the next twenty years: DR.. Wiley
spoke on good health.
The speakers were introduced by
Frank ]. Hogan, toastmaster. Harry
X. Boss, president of the Washing
ton Real Estate board, gave the ad-
dress of welcome.
An elaborate souvenir menu and
program was given the guests, who
numbered about 270. An orchestra
he cfxyn inc oo