Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-23

Of owned homes in some cities, in com
parison, to rented quarters, including
houses and apartments, some private
| leaders also have pointed TO this as &
problem crying for solution.
Financing Board Proposed.
Mr.. Nelson told OF consideration be.
ing given this idea, pointing out tina
the cost Of refinancing for home pur'
chases prevents many prospective home
attention Is being given by nationa
| leaders to means Of easier financing
methods and the organization of new
types of home financing bodies to act
like "a Federal Reserve Board" fol
home financing.
Development Of such ideas into con-
crete form may be for the future, but
some national leaders in private indus.
try today are giving thought to the
question, it Is brought out.
The proposal that appraisers OF real
estate be rated or certified according tc
their ability first was brought before
the national realty organization in it,
1929 convention by P. w. Kniskern, vice
president Of Q New York mortgage con-
Germ. This suggestion he again will
present to the body at Baltimore.
Tax Relief Drive Started.
During the past year the National
Association Of Real Estate Boards has
started a national movement seeking
relief from the burden Of taxation on
real property. Property owners divi-
sions have been organized in 80 realty
boards over the country In this period
having an enrolled membership OF
1000, Mr.. Nelson reported here.
These organizations are urging the
tightening of tax burdens on real estate
owners, more economy In governmental
administration, more value received fol-
each tax dollar expended and better
equalization Of tax burdens as between
various types Of taxpayers.
The national association headquarters
Is located in Chicago, and the present
and recent chaotic condition in city
finances there, which recently resulted
in q strike" by taxpayers, principally
owners Of real properly, may have been
the inspiration of the movement.
One Of the things particularly con-
demned by the property owners divi-
sion Of the realty body Is the overlap
ping Of tax-aSSessing governmental
agencies in city, county and State adj
nlinistrations.
cumming NAb NO8b CV0Bnbs
As to means Of reducing the cost Of
building operations, q number Of mat
tiers are before leaders Of the national
association. One is to find fundamen-
tally cheaper means Of producing new
and attractive buildings, some coEtend-
ing that the present hand-work meth
DDS OF erecting q building are out of
date, too expensive and inefficient. New
forms OF materials, new methods of
composition are sought.
Sonae leaders also have proposed q
round-table conference between various
elements Of the building industry, seek
ing sterilization" Of building costs
including that for labor.
Union building mechanics thus far
have successfully resisted reduction in
wage scales for building mechanics
from the postwar levels attained over
long period Of endeavor.
Union Stand Ii Problem.
whether the union building labor lead
ers can be convinced that the theory that
some reduction In building labor costs
viii encourage an increase In construc-
ton work to make up for the cut in
wages by provision Of more steady en-
ployment Is the problem before propon-
ents Of this plan.
Some labor leaders already have
taken cognizance Of expressions Of some
who contend that wages of building me-
chanicS are too high" and have threat
ened both battles in Congress and on
the industrial field.
Others opposing wage cuts hold that
such q plan would add to reduction Of
the buying power Of the general public
and delay return Of better business con-
dttions.