The Washington times., 1937-05-15
Charges Aired
In New York
ByLuchs
Local Realty Expert
Scores UntaxabIe
u. S. Properly
BY JOHN DEAN MnLIGAN
Real Estate Editor

hS3 ESL&So GuASUG
NEW YORK, May 15.-Recom.
mendations that the Federal Gov
eminent should bear q larger
share of the expenses Of running
the District Of Columbia were
today applsuded by the Middle
Atlantic Regional Convention Of
the National Association Of Real
Estate Boards.
Delegates to the meeting, who
include many of the most pron11'
nent realty figures in the Eastern
States, heard Of the Capitals
financial plight from Morton j.
Luchs, acting president Of the
Washington Real Estate Board,
who charged Uncle Sam is Civ
ing the District less than 1t is fair
to pay" ,
Luchs, who is vice president OF
the Washington firm Of Shannon
and Luchs, Inc, explained to the
convention that the Federal
lump sum" for Washington is
only $5,000,000, but the Govern
ment owns approximately $780,
100000 in tax-free District prop
erty.
Face $4O.OOO,OOO Tax Bill
At the same time, he said, in
dividual w S hingtonianS own
property valued at about $1,131,-
O00, 900, but are facing $40, DOC, 600
in taxes, to meet the 1888 fiscal
year budget of $45, 00O, 900.
The realty magnateS were told,
however, that the lump sum" Of
$5,OO0,000 was granted only after
Congress refused to accept the
Jacobs committee report" which
Luchs characterized as failing
to present the true facts"
Explaining the Jacobs commit
tee had attempted to investigate
the fiscal relations between the
Federal and District governments,
the Washington realtor declared
its final analysis contained seer
tain differences and interpreta-
lions" which were misleading and
doubted by the House District Ap-
preparations subcommittee.
WatchfuIness Urged
The Jacobs affair."" Luchs in.
ferred, was but one instance OF
the difficulties confronted by
Washingtonians in tecting
their property. He cited the wash
ington Real Estate Board as one
of the numerous agencies in the
Capital which must watch all
legislation in Congress, to make
certain that the rights of Wash
ingtonians are maintained.
Whether the convention would
take definite action on the sug-
gestion that the Federal Govern
ment increase its contribution to-
ward the Capitals budget was I'M
certain. Hope was expressed by
members Of the washington dele
CATION, however, that the assem-
bled realtors would throw their
collective strength behind the Sug-
gestion.
Three other points on the prog
ress of Washington were brought
forward by Luchs, who appeared
during the morning sessions OF
the two-day convention on a
round.table discussion termed "the
realtors all-States newsreel." He
spoke Of the necessity for a real
estate licensing law in Washing
ton, the boost in real estate sales
and Government participation in
low-cost housing.
Urges Realty Advertising
Speaking Of the rising realty
market, he said:
"There has been great activity
In selling in Washington during
the past three years. am con-
WINGED all cities could develop
their sales similarly, by proper
efforts to fill vacancies as they
occur and by letting the public
know that now Is the time to
buy real estate as an investment.
II know that investors in
Washington would not have
bought any quicker than inves-
tors in other cities, If real estate
had not been advertised and If
the public had not been told
that It was . good buy.
"The Washington public has