In a convention that went on record urging increased study of taxation affecting real estate "as one of the most valuable contributions that the Realtors of America can make in the interests of property owners whom they seek to serve," the National Association of Real Estate Boards chose for its 1927 president the man most actively identified with its whole work for tax adjustments. Clarence C. Hieatt* had been chairman of the Association's committee on taxation since 1924. As such he prepared the report adopted by the Association in 1925 and its general program for federal, state and local tax action and the more detailed program for state and local tax readjustment adopted by the Association in 1926. He also served as a member of the taxation committee of the United States Chamber of Commerce.
As age six, young Hieatt formed a partnership with his brother, aged nine, to sell newspapers on the Louisville streets. The newsboy later studied law at the University of Louisville and became a member of the law firm of Hieatt, Scheirich and Marshall, Louisville. Continuing the practice of law, he entered the real estate business partnership with his brother. The firm of Hieatt Brothers, of which he was president, dated from 1899. His other companies included the Hieatt Insurance Company and the Mercantile Realty Company. He was developer of more than thirty subdivisions.
Mr. Hieatt was a curator of Transylvania University, served on the Louisville city planning and zoning committee and on its Board of Trade, and was president of the Louisville Real Estate Board. He was chairman of a committee of architects, engineers, contractors, manufacturers, distributors and consumers which prepared a report for consumers' protection on grade marking of lumber for the U. S. Department of Commerce.
It was under Mr. Hieatt's presidency that the National Association of Real Estate Boards created its States Council, a machinery through which the experiences of the various states were drawn upon as the basis of action by the Association.
Source: Presidents of the National Association of REALTORS®, (Chicago: NAR, 1980).
*Deceased