Evening star., 1953-01-06
Realty Group
Seeks Stiffer /
Business Rules
Lows to Restrict
Field Are Urged
In Montgomery

The Montgomery County Real
Estate Board last night asked for
stricter regulatory legislation and
more stringent policing OF the
real estate business.
The boards representatives ap-
peared before the county's dele
cation to Annapolis in the last
Of six conferences the legislators
have held with county groups.
The board asked the legislators
to support legislation being pre-
pared by the newly formed State
Real Estate Association. The
group emphasized support for its
proposed legislation was being
sought by real estate men
throughout the State.
Much Of the legislation-if en-
acted-would discourage would
be real estate brokers and sales
men from entering the field.
The board asked that sales
men be required to pass a writ
ten examination before being
granted a license to operate.
State law now requires brokers
to take written exam but places
no such bar on statesmen.
Apprenticeship Change Urged.
A law to stiffen the "appren-
ticeShip" requirement for poten-
tial brokers also was urged. Resi-
dents now must have two years
experience as a real estate sales
man, but the board urged that at
least six months of this expert
e1ce Immediately precede grant,
ing Of a brokerage license.
George w. Robertson, president
Of the Real Estate Board, said he
felt the examination requirement
for statesmen would do more to
clean up the real estate business
than any other piece Of legisla-
ton"
The board emphasized it want
ed some sort of legislation that
would eliminate "part-time sales
men," j. Douglas Bradshaw,
chairman Of the county delega-
ton, suggested "jacked-up fees"
and the necessity of going to
Baltimore for the salesman's
exam might accomplish this.
Al proposal to discourage fly
by-night operators was a re-
quirement that a brokers' license
to operate be displayed publicly.
Such legislation, the board said,
would force many brokers and
statesmen to abandon operations
from their homes.
The board also asked for leg
islation requiring real estate
firms to give home owners copies
Of their listings showing "a
definite terminal date and
whether permission to erect
signs on property had been
granted.
No Reciprocal Agreements.
Much of the proposed legis-
lation was aimed at equalizing
Maryland requirements with
those of surrounding States.
The board said no reciprocal
agreements between Maryland
and the District and Delaware
now exist.
Herbert E. Thompson, jr., Sill
yer Spring real estate man, told
the legislators that the business
needed more policing by the
State real estate commission.
The legislators also were urged
by Mrs. Rupert L. Dunn, presi-
dent of the Rosewood Parents
Association. to investigate con-
ditionS at the State training
school for mentally retarded and
handicapped children. She sub
mitted q copy of q resolution
passed by the group urging a
legislative investigation.
The legislators also were asked
to support legislation to permit
the sale and importation Of
parakeets. love birds. parrots and
other birds Of the psittacine fam
lily in the State.
A group of pet shop operators
and bird fanciers asked the pres
ent law to control psittacosis, or
parrot fever, be relaxed.