Evening Star Newspaper, February 5, 1927, Page 17

REAL ESTATE WASHINGTON, D. hg gntning %Iaf SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1927. | HOME & GARDEN| 17 WHITEFORD FAVORS GREATER DISTRICT REALTY REGULATION Board Counsel Urges Law Compelling yew Homes of Unusual At- Licenses for All Salesmen and Brokers as Protection. Strongly the Government re e gaged in husiness wher tunity to work feasance is and wher interests of public _generally are involved,: Rog er J. Whiteford. + general counsel of the Washington Real Estate Board, in addressing the Y M. G in real ests week, sage of a law for the District of Co- lumbia providing the licensing of realty salesmen and broker: Such a law, he contended, would benefit noi only those who are served 1 by real estate men, but would prove a boon to the real estate men and brokers themselves by bringing about greater confidence in them, with a re- sultant increase in 1 ness. the right of persons en in por- throwe b \pholdin n the the MR. WHITEFORD. Regulated in States. Mr. Whiteford . said that than 20 States this count provinces of Canada there now laws in operation reguiating persons engaged in real estate business. He aiso pointed out that attorneys, phy cians and members of other profes sions have to pass examinations in order to practice, sure of as- suring proper and ethical service to those who must rely upon them in time of necessity. In discussing licensing laws in other Jurisdictions the speaker stre: point that the State may reg more nd may not réegulate the busines The first law regulating persons in real estate business, Mr. Whiteford said, was passed in 1912, in Michigan, ¢ and was enforced in a large number of States. The validity of this type of law, he gaid, is that the real estate man’s re- lation with a client is a position of trust in which he, in a large measure, may hold the future of a man's finan- cial standing and credit in the bal- ance; that the State understands this circumstance and has the right to ascertain whether he Is a man to be trusted with such obligations. ‘Would Eliminate Dishonesty. Taking up the subject of legislation, Mr. Whiteford declared that legisla- tion cannot make a man honest, but that the proper application of the law would help to eliminate the dishonest man from the business. The law re- garding the practice of real estate gives States the right to determine whether persons are qualified by in- telligence and education to advise per- sons on real estate maiters. He asserted realtors do not desire the entry into the real estate business of incompetent persons, but they feel that every man and woman who has the qualification§ f6r the work has.the right to practice this profession. He explained that the law does not stress the educational side so much as the character and integrity test, but the time would come when an educational mal- | | similar | plied tion a | broker mean: for lawyers and other sional men who enter into confi tions with the public. to the lices J Distric pointed out as a_mode to that in the States to conditions in the Capital. He then took up the number of tech 1l terms d explained that in the bil term 1y one who sells or of rent, or offers to rent a loan broker doctors intro speaker ense law but ap ation: duced tl the s to sell or real estate, and t in most States by. “blue sky laws. Most States do not regard loan offices or mortgage houses as real es- cate brokers Expense Paid by Fees. He further explained that a broker meludes one who acts on behalf of an other in the real estate business, not including, however, the man who sells only his own property. Mr. White enough of his own property to make him em vloy a salesman, that salesman must have a_license. The lect tated that the bill con templates a_commission for the exe- cution of the aci, and that such a commission usually is composed of five men. The expenses of the commission i harged brokers for rccording to the amount us localities but sufficient” to permit all those who desire to practice. A man is entitled to a license on the following general qualifications, he id: (1) Good reputation for honesty and truthfulness, integrity. (2) Propet qualifications to ‘adequately transact real ate busi (3) Ability to give proper service to clients. Mr. Whiteford explained that if the commission refuses a license the appli- cant is entitled to an appeal from the commission to the courts, which, of course, have the right to review the action of the commission. A salesman licensed under the bill to do business with a particular office cannot change unless given a license. This proposed law would insure the abolition of the ne'er-do-well salesman. Could Revoke Licenses. Licenses could be revoked for mis- representation of fact as to material matters. in regard to transactions or acting on false promises made to in- duce persons to become a party to a transaction; acting for more than one party in a transaction; accepting com- missions from any one but his employ- er; failure to account for funds;pay- ing commission for violation of these regulations. Any one who has his license revoked is entitled to appeal to the courts to review this revocation, and brokers are required to give bond to protect per- sons with whom they deal. The lec- turer said the law would allow every person desiring to enter real estate business an opportunity to do so, pro- viding he shows proper character and ability and a willingness to protect the. interests of his clients. The law, he explained, would be of great benefit not only to the general public, the brokers and the salesmen, but would also so stabilize real estate business as to bring about more con- fidence in it and assure a greater measure of business through such in- test would be applied just as it is ap- creased confidence. PRESSING NEED OF INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT FOR CITY CITED (Editor's Note—A ment has beén launched by local 1 rmt‘la(lo!ll urging exrpansion of the industrial life of (he “metropolitan area of the capital. = Busi hiefs content greater commercial acti l% is essential 1o the city’s welfare and that additional “light” manufacturing lants would not blight the beauty o) ashington. The Jollowing w licle by Mr. Hyde traces the past_commercial development in relation to the present.) BY DORSEY W. HYDE, Jr., Secretary, Washington Chamber of Commerce. During the war, Washington went through a period of rapid business ex- pansion. Many claimed this prosper- ity was temporary and that with the return of peace time conditions busi- , Dhess would suffer a severe setback. S The statement has been but partially substantiated. From 1899 to 1921 the value of products manufactured in the District of Columbia steadily increased. The 1928 total showed a falling off from the 1921 total of something over five million dollars, but in 1925 the value of products manufactured in the Dis- trict of Columbia was $82,721,576, or more than $15,000,000 above the 1921 figure. Many Increases Noted. If we look at other indexes of city growth, we find everywhere the same story. From 1900 to 1925 the popula- tion of the District incr cent. From 1921 to 1926 the value of building construction increased 234 per cent, while the ass real estate from 1914 to 1 1680 per cent. We find an incr 189 per cent in premiums paid for fire 4 protection from 1916 to 1925, and an increase in the value of personal property_from of 211 per cent. might be supplied indefinitely. If we go back to the earliest ¢ colonial history, we find that the Po tomac Valley region was one of the wealthiest sections of the country. | Virginia tobacco was in universal de- mand, and there was a thriving export trade between this State and In the y 1769 foreign tr grown to such an extent that V concerted mov { land was fifth in the number of ¥ bullt, outranking the seven other colo. | nies of New York Penn- sylvania, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. The shipping trade on the upper Potomac centered about Georgetown and Alexandria. Time was when the leading English merchants had branch offices in the great American port of Georgetown, which was equipped with three customs houses, the income from the smallest of which was esti- mated at $10,000 a year, and when there were 100 ships owned in this thriving American port. Georgetown and Alexandria were running neck and neck as maritime ports back in these early days. By 1796, Alexan- dria’s exports had increased to over $1,000,000 in value. It was soon realized, however, that reliance could not be placed entirely upon foreign trade. It was the vision of George Washington to make the Potomac region the commercial cen- ter of the United States. As this was before the days of the railroad, he took the initiative in sponsoring a canal along tite Potomac. Also, in early plans for the development of a national capital at Georgetown, due provision was made for_shipping and commercial facilities. 1In fact, Gen. Washington stated he expected the National Capital to become “the great- est commercial emporium in the coun- n_addition to the canal venture, which at first was successful finan-: clally, there were other attempts at. manufacturing. The Foxhall Iron Works made the cannon for the War of 1812, and it is stated that Mr. Fox- hall was able to found five churches, including the Foundry Methodist Episcopal Church, from the profits which he realized. Other ventures in- cluded a woolen mill at Little Falls, and copper and silver mines were suc- -essfully operated for a time at Great Falls. However, these early attempts soon were overshadowed by the speculation in connection the founding of the Federal city. was felt that as the resuit of the creation of the Federal district, land values would increase very rapidly, and o profits from tobagcco growing and from ocean commerce were, for (Continued on Twenty-first Page.) with Tt Be Roof-thoughtful because the roof is way off up there where you cannot see its it of the building of weather. Remember it is the -and heir to all the fates condition don’t neglect 10st exposed part Put the responsibility for its condition up to us. We'll Rose-ize it—and that means it will be as sciénce and servic The small know WHAT to do immune from deterioration as can make it. We and HOW to do it. cost can be budgeted to your convenience 2120-2122 Ga. Ave. North 847-848 not included, as the loan broker i gov- | erned tractiveness and Distinctive Designs Recently Built. CITY OF FINE HOUSES AS WELL AS CAPITAL Utility, Moderate Cost and Archi- | tectural Beauty Combined in House Construction. Bach year brings into being here many new unusual attrac- tiveniess and distinctive design, adding to the standing of Washington as a “oity of homes,” as well as a monu- mental Capital city. More and more the new developments show the em- phasis placed here on beauty. Demonstrations are to be found on every hand, in the District and in suburban areas in Maryland and Vir- ginia, of utility, moderate cost nd architectural beauty may be combined in house construction homes of how 0ld English Stone Home. One of the latest homes completed is that of Mr. and Mrs. Leslie E. F. Prince. 20 Kalorama Circle, an old glish design stone home, Tudor in type, which overlooks Rock Creek Park. Now that the spot has been developed it is puzzling to understand why the site so long was left idle. The location is ideal. The home is two and a half storfes with basement, English without stylis- tic details. The stonework is laid for mass effect of color and surface with an effort to conceal rather than fea- ture jointings. One outstanding feature of the house is the stair tower to the left of the front entrance, which has. a roof. terrace. Two long slits of windows light the tower. Another feature of the place is the garage entrance under the north terrace, which is not con- cealed, but' made decorative and set, as an elemental part of the house proper. ‘Two baths, with shower equipment, are provided on the second floor. House Fits Lay of Land. The house is set to fit the “lay of the land,” with a full depth stone ter- race on the north, opening off a large living room,*and with the dining reom, rather than the Kitchen, at the rear of the house, overlooking the park. The kitchen is placed at the left front, shielded from the entrance hall by the stair tower. An ornamental side door, deceptive in character, serves the kitchen. A loggia, heavily inclosed in stone and brick, is-just off the dining room on the south. Tudor arched doorways and win- dows are the rule throughout the house, and all walls are finished in leream plastic paint, laid over plaster, Eiving a soft neutral background for furnishings. As would be expected, there Js a fireplace in the living room. Horace W. Peaslee was the archi- tect. REALTORS TO SEE ALASKA. Washingtonians Invited to Make Trip After National Convention. Plans already are being made for a special trip to Alaska for members of the National Association of Real Estate Boards who are to attend the national convention at Seattle, August 9 to 12. This trip is being arranged by the San Francisco Real Estate Board. The Washington Real Estate Board is among those asked to join in_the trip. ‘The cost of this trip of 10 days will be $158.75, including meals, handling of - baggage, sight-seeing, etc. The party will leave Seattle August 13 and visit Vancouver, Alert Bay, Prince Rupert, Ketchikan, Wrangell, Juneau, Skagway and return via., Victoria to Seattle. Members desiring to take this trip are urged to make reservations at one - The Triangle of RS LIVING mooM 17 %25 BUILDING PROJECTS ARE HALTED DUE TO LACK OF PERMIT BLANK Many building projects ready to be started here this week were subject- ed to forced postponment due to ex- haustion of supply of building_permit blanks in the office of the District building inspector. In several pressing cases, letters authorizing construction work were issued by Col. John W. Oehmann, the building inspector, to avoid delays that would have proved costly. A new supply of permit books mo- mentarily is expected to arrive and issuance of permits may be renewed today or Monday." Due to Confusion. Exhaustion of the supply of permit books was due to confusion and delay in the placing of orders for a new supply. The building inspector's of- fice places the blame with the audit- or's office and the purchasing depart- ment. It seems bids were advertised and an order approved by Col. Oehmann in December, but that the requisition was lost and the purchasing officer consequently failed to supply the low bidding firm with an order. ~Discover- ing the fact some time later, Col. Oehmann asked that a_duplicate form be drawn, but was told, he says, that bids again would have to be adver- tised. This was done and a contract ultimately was awarded a Baltimore concern. The following permits, totaling $192,- 925 in value, were issued Friday and Massachusetts Park Re-subdivision on Woodland and Rock Creek Drives,_ad- joining Rock Creek Park, one block west of Conn. Ave. Bridge and near Mass. Ave., now available. Included in what remains of Increasing Values —between Connecticut, Massachusetts and Cathedral avenues. Over 256 homes built and under construction. Actual improve- ments and home values exceced $10,500,000. Wooded villa sites, lots, central and side hall homes, with lots from 50 to 300 feet front, from $25,000 to $200,000. Middaugh & Shannon, Inc. ESTABLISHED 1899 717 14th St. N.W. Chevy Chase, Md. A Most Unusual Home In an Ideal Setting This individual residence is located in that wooded section west of Conn. Ave. midw a corner lot with a frontage of 213 between the Country Clubs. It is situated on feet on both streets and improved with a dozen or more large shade trees, 101 West Virgilia Street Corner of Meadow Lane Center entrance hall, Colon open firepluce. and a most com| baths with attic Ave: e kitchen large li conservatory and lavatory, also dining room, side porch, pantry The second floor has 4 large bedrooms and two Built-in garage. past the Chevy Chase Club about 4 squares to W. Virgilia St. ng room full depth of house, Well worth seeing. Drive out Conn. Open Sunday 2 to 6 P.M. Hedges & Middletor, Inc. Realtors 1412 Eye St. N.W. Franklin 9503 Saturday of last week and on Monday this week before the blanks ran out: Connecticut Avenue Realty Corpora. tion, owners; Davis Wick, Rosengar- ten Co., Inc, buildérs; to comstruct a mezzanine floor, 1029 Connecticut aenue, (ot 35, square 164) to cost 500. S R I W. W. Chambers, owner and build- er: R. M. Briscoe, designer; to erect brick addition for storage purposes, 904 Barry place, (lot 841, square 2873) to_cost $1,000. Capital View Realty Co., owners and builders, 927 New York avenue; John A. Melby, architect; to erect one 1story frame dwelling, 5030 Central avenue southeast (lot 47, square 5286); to cost $1,500. 3 American Ice Co., owners and bulld- ers, 1320 F street; C. Leslie Weir, de- signer; to erect one 1 ice sales VIRGINIA TAX LAW COMMENDED TOSTUDY OF ALL OTHER STATES Real Estate Boards of Practices as Urge Modernization Way to Benefit Citizens Generafly. The new tax law of Virginia is strongly commended tc the study of other States engaged in the problem of modernizing their tax systems, in a comprehensive report on State legis lative enactments aftecting real estate, which has just been adopted by the National Association of Real Estate Boards. The association further urges liberal ization of the ancient so-called usury laws, the enactment by the varlous States of uniform laws with r to real estate conveyances, mortgage: liens, acknowledgments and foreclo: ures and the adoption of State acts en- abling the entire metropolitan area surrounding a city to form itself into a unit, notwithstanding its separating municipal boundaries, for control over the laying out of streets, the installa tion of public utilities and the devel- opment of new subdivisions. It asks as a basls for tax adjustment in the various States the general revision of State constitutions, so as to draw every class of property, tangible and intangible, into payment of a fair share of the tax burden. The ‘association’s platform of legi lative action held needed in the vari- ous States in matters touching real property was presented by its com- mittee on State legislation and tax ton, Guy S. Greene of Detroit, Mich., chafrman. Wants Study by States. In adopting the report of its com- mittee, the association voted to ask every member board to take up at a forthcoming meeting a study of the recommendations from the point of view of the most important legislative needs of its own Stafe The new Virginia State tax system, which became a. law in March of 1926 has changed the condition of the State treasury so that, whereas on March 1, 1926, an actual deficit of $1,509,855.58 existed, the auditor's report for No- vember estimates an actual surplus in the treasury on March 1, 192 672.96, according to a statement of Gov. Harry Byrd of that State quoted in the committee’s report. “The wiping out of the deficit in one year under the tax reform and simpli- fication program is only one of the benefits Virginia is now enjoying from the new tax laws,” Gov. Byrd says. “A substantial reduction direct to the taxpayers in taxes on intangibles and capital in business, already effective, is stimulating industrial development and_resulting in new and desirable residents locating in Virginia.” Segregation of Property. The committee points out that “Vir- ginia has first segregated all prop- erty for taxation purposes. Real estate and tangible personality are glven to the counties and municipal- itles for local taxation purposes ex- clusively. Intangible personality has been classified and given over to the Smlte for State taxation purposes onl The State of Wisconsin, as well as two other States, has entirely elimi- nated the State tax on real property, the committee further points out. Ir- respective of the merits or demerits of the State taxation syetem, which in- cludes a State income tax, Wisconsin operates on a cash basis. It has no bonded indebtedness except an old Civil War debt. s dollar goes to pay s or that State debt Holding that as applied to non-es- sentials and luxuries a sales tax such s been enacted 1 several St has many advantages and few di vantages, the report recommends ach a tax either in substitution of r as a direct offset to the present tax on real property. Plan for Metropolitan Areas. Taking cognizance of the fact that urban communities have come to con sist usually of a large city with one or more tribuary towns, villages or cities, and with a fringe, at least, of built-up or rapidly developing unin- corporated territory, the development of which is or should be a single problem, the association recommends the enactment of a State enabling act to provide for a regional plan ning commission to have oversight over the entire metropolitan area. It commends the work now being done by a committee under the direction of the Department of Commerce, ap- pointed to draft a model enabling a A master plan, applying to the whole metropolitan area of an urban com munity, is essential, the assoclation kolds, and the creation of such a mas- ter plan should be a responsibility of the realtor. “Sewer systems, No part of the tax interest on highway systems, transportation systems, park systems, all need to be planned from the point of view of the whole urban district, and the ultimate intelligent develop- ment will be dependent either upon the voluntary co-operative action of many municipalities or upon the crea- tion of a reglonal or metropolitan gov- 3 the report states. ‘Each municipal plan should be con- ceived as a part of, or a supplement to, the regional or metropolitan plan Such a general plan should be created by men who are able to vislon the community's growth and can co-or- dinate the future requirements of the city combined with the area to be developed in such a logical and sane manner that the city will be a de sirable place in which to live and carry on business.” Uniform Methods Asked. “The unprecedented fncrease during the past generation in interstate busi- nes and commercial contact has brought about a universal demand for uniform methods of transacting busi- ness ‘in the different States,” the association states. Its recommendation calls on every member board of the association and every State real esate association to get behind the uniform Federal tax lien registration act, which, during the past year has been approved and recommended for enacment in all States by the American Bar Associa- tion. *“Often in the course of busi- ness in the Internal Revenue Depart- memnt, an unsatisfied obligation to the Government constitues a lien on the real estate of a party,” the re- port points out. “Until the passage of the act of 1913 there was no way to apprise the public of the fact that this llen existed, or that it has hgen discharged and, satisfled. The act of Congr provided that if the State (Continued on Twentieth Page.) R s e A A section of the Library looking through vista to the living room Woodlawn—4435 Cathedral Ave. N.W This Home Now Open to the Public as a Demonstration of the Higher Art in Building and Interior Decorations Interior Decorations Completely and Tastefully Executed el 400 4 AEianTs j b o [t | W. and ]J. Sloane Designed and Built W.C. and A. N. Miller iller Muain 1790