Evening star., 1923-05-25
INCREASED REALTY
COMMISSION URGED
Brokers Here Advocate High
er and Uniform Rate
for District.

Revision upward of commissions
for selling real estate was urged by
speakers last night at the. regular
meeting of the Washington Real Es-
tate Board at the wardman Park Ho-
tel. Plea also was made for limiting
the number of sales signs on houses
TO one, and it was pointed out
that If the board itelf did not take
action that Congress itself might put
on restriction. William Mather
Lewis of the Chamber of Commerce
of the United States, delivered an ad-
dress on What Constitutes the
Greatness Of a City"
The prolonged discussion on the
matter of commissions was precipi-
tated when the committee on COM
missions recommended commission
of per cent on all sales UP to $4,000
and 3 per cent above that amount, with
a minimum of 500 on any sale. 1t was
pointed out by the committee that
the present system of charging diff
ferent commissions in different sec
tions was confusing, and that there
brokers as TO what commissions
should be charged in the various
areas.
Oppose Lower Rate.
The suggestion of Robert L. Me-
keever that the commissions should
be raised instead Of lowered was
greeted with cheers. He said that
commissions should not be lowered
which would be the effect should the
board pass the recommendation OF
the committee. a number of speakers
supported McKeever in his argument
and displayed a general opposition 70
any act which would reduce the in
come of the brokers'.
The matter will be voted on at the
next meeting.
Reporting for the committee on
signs Mr. MckeeVer asked that the
board take some action which would
restrict the placing of signs TO one
and then only to the broker having
the exclusive agency. He said that
he had observed homes for sale with
many signs on them, and pointed out
that this was Il violation of law it
self He warned the board that II
should take action itself rather than
to wait until Congress took up the
matter. He pointed out that the
failure of the real estate men to take
the rental situation in hand soon
enough brought about the Ball rent
law.
To Teach Courses.
John A. Petty, executive secretary
OF the board, outlined the work OF
the educational conference IN Maui
son, w lS., ApIIi anu
a definite course in real estate had
been outlined as a standard course
to be used in Y. Nj. {. a. scnoolS ana
other educational institutions that
are Co-operating with real estate
boards throughout the country IN
teaching the fundamentals or the real
estate business
y Walter O'Boyle, chairman OF the
conventions committee, reported ina
he had made reservations for forty
seven representative from Washlng-
TON to attend the national convention
at Cleveland. June u to 80. The fol-
lowing delegates were e@iecIea; @ jpn, aa
L. Weaver, William T.. Shannon, Lee
D Iatimer, Harry X. Boss, George
Y Worthington and H. L. Rust; and
rhe following alternates: w. Gilbert
Dent, William X. Hartung, Thomas a;
e. farrell. F. w. Graham, Ear L.
Goss and Joseph A. Herbert, jr.
After outlining the advantages OF
Washington as an educational center,
Mr. Lewis said that he could not point
10 any one publication that SHOWS
what the city has to offer. He Sue
gested that is something whlch
group like the real estate board couid
undertake, adding that II "oulo 90
more for the citizenship of America
than any one thing. 1t would attract
here teachers and others who would
stay for long periods in order 10
take advantage of the opportunities.
a city that would undertake TINS is
on the road to greatness, he sald.
a program of entertainment was ar :
ranged by the entertainment commit
toe under III. G.. Kennedy, chairman,
Following which d buffet supper was
served.