Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1947-08-27

four witnesses. Since last Wednes-
day it has questioned IS including
several offlcials Of the National
Association Of Real Estate Boards,
the National Institute Of Real Estate
Brokers and the Washington Real
Estate Board.
Again Declines Comment.
Victor H. Kramer, a special assist
ant to the Attorney General, who
with Herbert N. Maletz of the anti
trust division conducting this in.
vestigation,s again refused to COM
ment on its scope.
Attorney General Clark's letter OF
authorization to Mr.. Kramer and Mr..
Maletz empowered them to. make~an
investigation and prosecution"eo OF
possible antitrust law violations by
persons, firms or associations IN the
sale, exchange, financing or man.
agement of real property and the
improvements thereon" It also "au-
thorized and directed" them to take
similar action against those found
to have gone contrary to the anti
trust laws "in any branch of the
construction or housing or allied
industries"
The Nationwide extent Of the
investigation, insofar as 1t related
to real estate operations, was in
dicated yesterday in the calling OF
Lowell Baker of Chicago, admin
istrative secretary of the National
Association of Real Estate Boards
and Joseph Laronge Of Cleveland
president of the National Institute
Of Real Estate Brokers, who also Is
q director Of the national group.
Bangs Gives Testimony.
H. Clifford Bangs, local real
estate man and former president Of
the Washington Real Estate Board,
! also testified. G. Calvert Bowie
Washington realtor, who testified
last Friday, returned yesterday for
further questioning.
Mr.. Bangs said he was asked
about some things that happened a
long as nine years ago." There wal
mention of real estate activities ir
such far flung points as Chicago and
California, he added.
Mr.. Baker was regarded as a key
witness because he holds a con-
tinuing position as an administra.
tive head of the national associa-
ton with headquarters in Chicago
The association, he explained, elects
presidents annually. Association
President Morgan Fitch Of Chicago
he said, has not been subpoenaed
Mr.. Baker revealed he was asked
particularly about activities Of the
national associations Committee or
Rules, Rates and Customs. He said
he told the jury that this COMMITTEES
has not functioned for more than 9
year and that it has never attempted
to fix uniform rates or make manda-
tory requirements for local boards.
Adds to Legal Staff.
The national association yesterday
added to It's Washington legal rep
resentation by retaining Henry H
Classic of the firm of Barbour, Gar
nett, Pickett, Keith Classic t.
be associated with Henry E. Price
during the current investigation
Mr.. Price was retained q week az,
to represent both the nationa
association and the Washington
board.
Yesterdays session Of the CRANE
jury investigating practices in tn
petroleum practices in Washington
and in nearby Maryland countie
lasted from 1880 am. until shortl.
before 2 pm.
) Corporate representatives OF i
major companies appeared, alonl
/ with the executive director of tn
Maryland Gasoline Dealers Associa
ton, Harry r. Wainwright Of Balti
/ more, who until several months ag'
! was director Of q similar trade groul
J in the District.
MIR. Snyder said the complaint
received were Of q general nature
which did not specify whether tn
alleged abuses under the anti-trus
laws were price-rigging, restraint o
k~o 10 ~ r,eopoy,oIietfc y,ro cficAS