New-York tribune., 1922-10-23
X e al Estate News
Draft Prepared
For Governments
Use i'm Leasing
II Approved by Federal
Real Estate Board Will
BE Put Into Operation
in Ali u. S. Departments

at meeting of the officers of the
National Association of Building
Owners and Managers held last
August, the first vice-president, Lee
=. omlth, member of the executive
committee of the Building Managers
and Owners Association of New York,
was directed to consult with Colonel
Y. V. Won dem Bussche, executive
chairman OF the Federal Real Estate
board at Washington. with view of
uaheermlning ,'h satisfactory. method
whereby cooperation could be estab-
iished between the Federal board and
the national association, which might
lead to the adoption of standard
lease form for the government to use
in the renting of property,
FOR some time past the present
lease form has been very unsatisfac-
tory and has worked to the disad-
vantage of both the owner and the
government, the cancellation clause
ana the one year period being espe-
cially Objectionable
Since the passage of the budget and
accounting act in June, 1921, an or
ganization has been built up to carry
on the business of the nation, so that
the several departments can have a
point of contact and be able to profit
by the needs and requirements Of each
other.
This organization has been formed
along, strict business lines. The
president appointed a chief co-ordi-
nator and charged him, under the di-
rectlon of the Bureau of the Budget
with the responsibility of represent
ing him in the application of uniform
business principles and methods ap-
plying to tho expenditures of public
1ands. Under the chief co-ordinator
was established co-ordinating boards
relating to certain specific business ac-
tivit!es of tho government. Among the
appointed boards are the Interd epart-
mental Board of Contracts and Ad
yustments and the Federal Real
Estate Board.
The former to standardize forms and
methods Of contract letting with the
view of fostering economy, prompt
ness and the reduction Of hazards to
be assumed by the contractor, also to
recommend general policies in the set
Element of outstanding contract OBJ
legations and to act in an advisory
capacity to review and revise important
contracts concerning their interpreta-
tlon and to assist in their negotiations
The latter to coordinate the activi-
ties OF the government relative to the
purchase, sale and rental OF real prop
erty. The surveyor general of real
estate. designated by the Director of
the Budget, to be ex-officio chairman.
The Interdepartinental Board of Con-
tracts and Adjustments will draft a
form of lease contract which will be
submitted to the Federal Real Estate
Board for approval and then placed in
use in all departments in the United
States government
1t so happened that the very day that
Mr. Smith visited Washington the board
of contracts was in session and had
before it a lease form. At the request
Of Colonel Won dem Bussche, he ap-
peared before them and unoAicially
pointed out certain clauses that, in his
personal opinion, should be modified
or omitted.
Resulting from this interview the
lease form when prepared by the In
tcrdepartmental Board of Contracts
and Adjustments and approved by the
Federal Real Estate Board will be sent
to a committee of the National Asso-
ciation for suggestions, ana after re-
view Will be returned with whatever
comment it NAV wish tn MAKO