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Mr. HARRIS, from the Committee on Military Affairs, submitted the

following

REPORT

To accompany H. R. 9154]

The Committee on Military Affairs, to which was referred the bill (H. R. 9154) to provide for the construction of a revetment wall at Fort Moultrie, S. C.,. having considered the same, report favorably thereon with the recommendation that it do pass.

The purpose of the bill is set forth in the House report thereon, which is made a part of this report and reads as follows:

The Committee on Military Affairs, to whom was referred the bill (H. R. 9154) to provide for the construction of a revetment wall at Fort Moultrie, S. C., introduced by Mr. McMillan, having considered the same, report thereon with the recommendation that it do pass with the following amendment:

Line 5, strike out the word "five" and insert in lieu thereof "four".

Fort Moultrie is a Regular Army post situated on Sullivans Island, 6 miles from Charleston, S. C. The purpose of this legislation is explained in the letter from the War Department. Your committee feel that the importance of preventing further erosion at that point calls for early enactment of the legislation. The letter from the Secretary of War is as follows:

Hon. W. FRANK JAMES,

Chairman Committee on Military Affairs,

House of Representatives.

JANUARY 29, 1930.

DEAR MR. JAMES: Careful consideration has been given to the bill (H. R. 9154) to provide for construction of a revetment wall at Fort Moultrie, S. C., in accordance with telephone request of January 27, 1930, for a report thereon and such views relative thereto as the department might desire to communicate. There are no applicable provisions of existing law on this subject.

The present wooden bulkhead extending along the north shore of Sullivans Island from the western edge of Fort Moultrie Reservation eastward for a distance of about 2,859 feet, was built some time between 1900 and 1906. The bulkhead has all rotted away and the wash from vessels passing up and down the channel, together with spring and storm tides, has washed out considerable ground just inside the position of the old bulkhead. This is a continuing process and the island upon which Fort Moultrie is situated is gradually washing away into the bay.

SR-71-2-VOL 2- -33

As the result of a recent study of this situation, it develops that the most inexpensive method to stop the erosion would be to construct a riprap revetment near the high-water line along 2,400 feet of the shore line, at an estimated cost of $25,000. It is believed that this method will prove satisfactory and economical both in first cost and maintenance.

The War Department favors the passage of the bill provided it is amended so as to authorize the construction or a stone revetment 2,400 feet long.

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71ST CONGRESS 2d Session

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SENATE

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REPORT No. 669

REGULATION OF REAL ESTATE BROKERS AND SALESMEN IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

MAY 19, 1930.-Ordered to be printed

Mr. BLAINE, from the Committee on the District of Columbia, submitted the following

REPORT

[To accompany S. 3490]

The Committee on the District of Columbia, to whom was referred the bill (S. 3490) to define, regulate, and license real-estate brokers and real-estate salesmen; to create a real-estate commission in the District of Columbia; to protect the public against fraud in real estate transactions, and for other purposes, having considered the same, reports favorably thereon, with the recommendation that the bill do pass, with the following amendments:

On page 1, line 4, strike out the word "sixty" and insert in lieu thereof the word "ninety".

On page 1, line 5, after the word "unlawful", insert the words "in the District of Columbia".

On page 2, line 2, strike out the word "article" and insert in lieu thereof the word "Act".

On page 2, following line 23, insert the following:

Persons employed by a licensed real-estate broker in a clerical capacity, as collectors, or in similar subordinate and administrative positions, shall not be required to obtain licenses. The real-estate commission created under this act shall have power to make rules and regulations governing this exemption.

Page 3, line 18, strike out "three" and insert in lieu thereof the word "two".

Page 3, line 19, strike out "two" and insert in lieu thereof the word "6 'one".

Page 3, line 22, strike out the words "the enactment of this act" and insert the word "appointment".

Page 4, lines 4 and 5, strike out the semicolon and the words "one member for a term of three years".

Page 5, strike out all of lines 22 to 25, both inclusive.

Page 6, strike out all of lines 1 to 6, both inclusive and insert in lieu thereof the following:

All fees, charges, fines, and penalties collected by the commission under the provisions of this act shall be paid at least weekly to the collector of taxes for the District of Columbia for deposit in the Treasury of the United States to the credit of the District of Columbia: Provided, That the commission may refund any such fees or charges erroneously collected out of any undeposited collections in its possession.

The annual estimates of appropriations for the government of the District of Columbia for the fiscal year 1931 and succeeding fiscal years shall include estimates of appropriations for the operation and maintenance of such offices.

Page 6, line 22, strike out the word "chapter" and insert in lieu thereof the following:

Act. Such proof of competency to act as broker shall not be required of any applicant who shall furnish proof of two years' experience as real-estate broker, real-estate salesman, or two years' employment in connection with the realestate business in the District of Columbia.

Page 7, line 21, strike out "applicant" and insert in lieu thereof "application".

Page 7, line 24, strike out the word "in".

Page 12, line 21, after the word "out" insert the word "a".
Page 14, line 7, strike out the word "in".

Page 26, line 7, strike out the word "described" and insert in lieu thereof "prescribed."

HISTORY OF PROPOSED LEGISLATION

On June 4, 1929, the Senate by its Resolution 58 directed the Committee on the District of Columbia, or a subcommittee thereof, to make an investigation and report relative to the real estate, mortgage, and securities situation in the District. The adoption of the resolution followed public disclosure of practices in connection with real estate mortgage bond issues that have resulted in a number of grand-jury indictments. The resolution is set out in full as a part of this report.

In accordance with the resolution of the Senate, the committee, through a subcommittee, has made investigation pertaining to the real estate and securities situation in the District of Columbia. The bill hereby reported is designed to remedy certain existing evils in the conduct of the real-estate business. Other bills, it is anticipated, will be reported later dealing specifically with mortgage foreclosures and the issuance and sale of securities.

NEED FOR REGULATION

The need for regulation of the conduct of the real-estate business has been recognized generally throughout the country. Many instances of abuse and fraud in connection with real-estate transactions in the District of Columbia have been brought to your committee's attention. In addition, the Better Business Bureau of Washington hus stated that during the past year it has investigated 214 complaints arising out of real-estate transactions.

The possibilities for fraud and other misconduct in the sale and management of real estate are almost unlimited. The amounts involved in real-estate transactions are usually substantial; the mere

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