Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-26

lures of both bills and was challenged
by Oscar H. Brinkman, attorney for
the Senate committee which drafted
this legislation. and by Representative
Hull, Republican, of Wisconsin. The
latter declared: I'VE want to do some
thing to protect the people here in
Washington from Just the sort of
schemes which we have had exposed in
the past few months"
Representative PatT1an questioned
the ingenious method which was used
in the Swartzell. Rheem g. Hensey case,
leaving outstanding notes after mort
cages had been cancelled.
Mr.. Brinkman stated that this meth
Cd had been devised by a former leading
attorney in the city, and Mr.. Burkhart
said there is no statute except the gen.
eral one of obtaining money under false
pretenses that would operate to protect
the public in that case. Representative
Hull again emphasized that deeds of
trust were cancelled with notes out
standing and declared vigorously that's
what we want to protect the people
against" Mr.. Burkhart insisted that be-
cause three or four recent cases have
been cited. that the entire practice in
the District of Columbia and the entire
real estate industry should not be con-
demned.
Burkhart Answers Hull
you have had an opportunity for
10 years to advocate legislation that
would correct these abuses and protect
the people" said Mr.. Hull What
have you done to stop this high hnanc-
ing? You have been at it since the
war here in the District. When are
you going to stop it?"
Mr.. Burkhart replied: when Con-
gresS says so. You cannot blame the
District people because Congress has
failed TO act"
Representative Stalker, Republican of
New York, called attention that CON
ditions In the Smith company case were
common knowledge for some years, and
were known" he said, when we Gre
ated the Rent Commission"
Mr.. Burkhart reminded the commit
tee, I'VE are considering the past and
these bills win not affect anything done
In the past"
Chairman Zil1lman quoted Mr.. Brink
man as having told the committee that
the Bar Association and other import
ant organizations approved these
measures and that they are In opera
ton in many States. Mr.. Burkhart
argued that the District is not a State,
but essentially urban population.
United States Marshal E. c. Snyder
OF the District protested that 1t was
unfair TO impose upon the marshal
duties and responsibilities that are
not imposed on any other marshal in
the country" and he expressed the
opinion that "the nature of the things
required under this bin are not in ac-
cordance with the object and purpose
of the ONCE of United States marshal
This bill in effect makes an auctioneer
Of the marshal 1t will require the
employment by him of additional
clerical help, the appointment Of some
one who Is highly skilled In real estate
law and real estate values. 1t requires
the marshal to perform such duties
as will make 1t quite probable that he
will be engaged in endless litigation
all diverting his attention and time
from the normal and legitimate objects
Of his Office"
Protests Fee Of SIS.
He protested that the fee of SIS al
lowed for conducting the sale will fall
far short OF reimbursing the United
States Government for the additional
money required In making available the
additional clerical and expert help.
Representative Hull asked the marshal
II 1t Is very much more difficult for you
10 comply with the requirements Of this
law than for a county sheriff." The
marshal answered that 1t would neces-
sarily create new branch of work in
the marshaPs Office.
Representative Patman sought to
have the chairman Of the committee
instructed to ask the House to send
back TO the committee for reconsidera-
ton the real estate licensing bill re-
ported out yesterday, and that these
three related Senate bills fathered by
Senator Blaine should be referred TO
a special committee of three members
who would bring in a program Of
remedial legislation in the next Con-
gresS.
Representative Hull vigorously OPP
posed this, saying that the situation
here in Washington has caused wide
spread comment throughout the coun-
try that securities have been sold
throughout the states TO people who
are ignorant Of conditions here and
that the committee should not wash
its hands of this legislation until the
next Congress, but should do with the
other two pending measures as II has
done wit hthe real estate licensing bill
and put the responsibility on the House
itself
During a sharp exchange, Mr. Pat
man asked Mr.. Hull II he had read the
bill and the hearings held by the
Senate. The latter replied: Yes. and
I have q great deal more material in
my once that / will bring in here
and read to the committee you 50
desire"
When the committee voUed, TO 5,
to delay action, as proposed by Mr..
Patman, Mr.. Hull bitterly charged
''Why not pass a resolution condoning
all Of the grating schemes and high
financing and apologize TO the public
Representative Patman rejoined.
q