The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-08-24
HOLD HIGH STANDARD
 IN PROFESSION
Starke Points Out Aims Of Real Estate Or
 ganizatiOns

Tt Is great help," remarked Sec retary Starke of the Real Estate Board Saturday, flor the realtors of the city to lay aside their business and give themselves over to a day of good fel- lowship as was the case at their outing at Queenstown Lake last Thursday. There were approximately $50 ladies and gentlemen on the trip, including a number of associate members of the board and many employees of the vari- ous offices. The ball game between the realtors north of Second avenue and the realtors south of that avenue, de veloped a surprising amount of talent that would do credit to any organiza- tion in the city, outside of professional baseball.
 Tt is true that the northside lost closely contested game by the small margin of seven. and six, but they more than made this up by their prize win ming. Through the generosity of the Walker Electric company, associate members, there was a contest for an electric chafing dish, and an electric marcel wayer, and both of these prizes were won by northside men"
 'RealtoFi' Explained
 In speaking of the term, "Realtor, the secretary emphasized the desirabil- ity of its use on all the signs, station cry, and offices of the members of the Real Estate Board, as well as in all of their newspaper advertising. The public, it is claimed, should be in- formed as to the meaning of this term "Realtor," and as to who are authorized to use it. This word was coined some years ago and was adopted by the National Association. of Real Estate Boards to designate those individuals, firms or corporations that are members of the National association, through their utilization with a local real es- tate board that holds a membership in the national association. The exclusive right of such members to style them selves Realtors has clearly been up- held by the courts in several states where cases of infringement have been tried by the courtsa
 Educating Public
 'The public should clearly under stand that Realtor' is man operat- ing in real estate under code of ethics to which he is not only amen able, but under which he is subject to penalty for infractions," Starke said.
 "A whole board can be made to sui fer by the National association for per
 
 duirements in real estate practice that are arc prescribed as essential under the national code of ethics. Then, too, there is the local code of ethics under which the individual board operates in any community, prescribing ethical rules for conducting a real estate busi- ness on high and equitable grounds.
 "The local code naturally follows the broad general principles of the national code, and then may go into more detailed rules of conduct neces- sary to meet the conditions arising out of local experience.
 Change In Realty
 Secretary Starke further emphasized the remarkable change that has come over the real estate business over the country within the last few years due to the organization of 50 many local real estate boards and their enrolment in a national association that is doing all it can to promote ethical dealing in real estate and to elevate into a recognized profession that which was formerly an unguided group of men wandering in an uncharted field.
 'ATember boards of the National as- sociation are equipped with their arbl- tration committees for the settlement of business disputes that inevitably arise between members in regard to commissions and practices. These ar bitration committees serve most Valu- able purpose in keeping members out of courts and in establishing a spirit of comradship among the members Of the board in their dealings with each other. Here the Birmingham board is particularly fortunate in the strength nS ffa aVsia mittee. composed of Jerome Tucker, chairman; c. F. Hanly, D. s. Meyer, W. G. Schuster and George O. Mabry. These gentlemen unselfishly undertake when called upon, to decide without bias a case that is brought before them, each side being allowed to present its view of the controversy and bring to the hearing any witnesses.
 Right Of Appeal
 'sThere is also right of appeal to the board of directors in case any party Is not satisfied with the finding of the arbitration committee. It is only now and then that a case has to be tried before the arbitration committee, and an appeal to the board of directors IS quite rare. All of this makes for a live and let live policy among realtors and the establishment of a spirit of comradeship among competitors that puts the real estate business on a higher plane than was ever the case before.
 "The Birmingham Real Estate Board now has about 95 active members, and it's roll is constantly growing. It Is high time for the public to know that these men alone are Realtors" and that they are amenable to a code Of ethics both national and local. They, themselves should tell the world"