Evening Star Newspaper, March 10, 1923, Page 13

Building Permits for United | States in February Total 1] $340,000,000. DISTRICT HAS $4,960,000 Outstanding Feature Is Gain of 96 Per Cent Shown in Cen- tral West. Predictions of marked construction activity throughout the country this year are borne out in building statis tics for Fobruary compiled by the W. Straus Company of New York. The survey for February shows an approximate total of building permits for the whole country of $340,000.000. Washington's total was $4,960,000. Detailed official reports submitted by the buildings departments of 179 principal cities show a total for Feb- ruary of : . The same cities in ¥ 2, had a total e of $72,447,- per cent. Percentages of Gain. One of the outstanding features of the survey is the gain of 96 per cent shown in the central west. In the Pacific west the gain was 52 per cent, in the east 331 per cent and in the south 10 per cent. Citles showin largest gains over February. in the eastern section were 26,501,429, and Philadelphla, § In the south Nashvillo with $1,227.554. Leading gains in the central west were: 5 $14, 600 nati, $1,154,205; Cleveland, 3,601 Detroit, $4.005,744: Omahi, $1.093,640, and St. Louis, $1,379,16 In the Pacitic west Los Angeles led, with a gain over last February of $4 800,512, and Long Beach, Calif., show- ed 2 gain of $1,881.201. Cities Gaining Over $500,000. THE EVENING STAR, WASHINGTON, 'D. €., SATURDAY,:MARCH 10, '1923. ‘Washington’s Growth Reflected in Real Estate and Building News Progress in Eastern States Maryland Never Excited, Says Trade Ex- pert—Outlook for New York City Uncer- tain—~New Jersey Is Very Active. BY ROGER W. BABSON, Special Dispatch to The Star. NEW YORK, March 10.—Roger W. Babson s now on his annual trip of inspection. With some 10,000 miles of travelling he will study conditions in twenty-six leading centers of the United States. His report, divided into cight sections, presents an unusually valuable picture of current business conditions. Section two, which is fs- sued today, treats of New York, Pegn- sylvania, Maryland and Ohio. “As New England was the first sec- tion to be hit by the depression and the first to recover,” says Mr. Babson, “so New York, Pennsylvania and Ohlo, being the spcond section to be hit, naturally is the second sectlon to re- cover. In 1920 the center of the de- pression was at Bridgeport, Connecti- cut; but by 1921 the center of depres- sion had moved to Akron, Ohio. From Connecticut to Ohlo, however, busi- ness is today in fair shape. The steel v is back to 85 per cent of its substantial totals included Akron, § 000; Canton, $1,029,00 Chicago, $27, 000; Cleveland, 000: Columbu: ,000; Denver, 24,000 Detroit, $7,287,000; Evanston $923,000; Grand 'Rapids, $555,000 Kansas City, $1,676,000; Lima, Ohio, $1.752,000; Milwaukee, $1,298.000; Minne. apolis, $1.206.000; Oak Park, Tii., $566, 000; Oklahoma City, $655,000; Omaha, £1.564.000; St. Louis. $2,664,000; St. Paul, 000; Tolcdo, $918,000, and Wichita, $505.000. In the Pacific west the cities with large February totals included Berkeley, Cal,, $503,000; Long Beach. $3,045,0001 Los’ Angeles,” $12,080.000; Oakland, '§2.- 000 : Po Dicgo, $673.000; San Francisco, 000, and Seattle, $2.091,000. Structural Steel Advances. During the month structural steel has shown a marked advance in price, capacity; coal mining ls very active; the carpet factories and texiile mill3 are exceedingly prosperous; the agri- cultural sections and the numerous small factories of these states are ing on much better. W York city Is feeling fairly op- timistic. The hotels are full and the retail stores are doing a good busi ness. There is, however, no such riot- ous spending of money in the restaur- ants and theaters as during boom times. The principal industry of New York city Is banking and jobbing. The bankers are not especlaily opti- mistic over the prospect of lower money rates for 1923, excepting those who sell bonds. Of course, as money rates decline the demand for bonds increases and bond prices strengthen. Certain banks have already been obliged to reduce their dividends and more reductions may be expected by other institutions. Somc Uncertain Factors. cing some uncertainty. Their work very largely importing and export- The tar considerab which the Department of Commerce is issuing. Whatever the figures may show, these exporters and importers find it much more difficult to do busi- ne This, of course, means a small- er margin of profit for all concerned. However, there has been a distinct feeling for the better throughout the about the cancellation of debts, re- pudiation of contracts, accompanied bonds, it su: have the British come forward and flatly state that they are determined r one-half of it was.by England, is a tremendous step toward the dence and commerce. il LGS o1 $31,360,000 1923 BUILDING OPERATIONS BEGUN IN D. C. Data compiled by the Architectural east since President Harding's mes- | Forum from Washington sage on the British debt payment|architects of bullding projects. which plan. In the midst of all of this talk | they have been engaged to plan dis- close that construction work now ac- by a general depreclation of foreign | tually in sight for 1923 will total in oy was stimulating 1o | cost $31,360,000. The fact thut this estimate is based to pay us principal and interest in|On work already placed full. Considering that of the $10,000,- | architects, 000,000 owed to the United Sfates,|jarge will undoubtedly ! with six geographical divisions of the be launched later restoration of international confl-|serves to corroborate prediction munictpal and bullders activity in building. according to a comprehensive national survey con- ducted by the Forum. The survey for 1923 is based on re- ports received from 1,767 architects, with a division into seventeen bulld- ing classifications. The total value of new building pre- dicted for 19 $5,116,544,000. This is an approximation of the total vol- ume of bullding construction which may be expected in 1923, divided into seventeen bullding classifications and United States. The figures were ar- rived at by taking the actual reports from the offices of 1,767 architects and multiplying these totals by the INEREASE |S SEEN lBabson Finds Marked Business |HOW THE HECHT COMPANY'S NEW STORE WILL APPEAR INCONSTRUCTION “The jobbers of New York city are|Architect’s drawing of the proposed seven-story home of the Hecht Company’s department store, to be erected at the southeast corner of 7th and F streets northwest high prices. It is a market which | spells opportunity to make profits on volume of business rather than large profits on small business. The action of manufacturers, labor, finance and other factors which control bullding costs during the year 1923 will have much to do with the permanent pros- perity of our industry. If a short- sighted policy is adopted -involving the forcing of high costs because of demand, prospective owners of build- ings of every type will find practical reasons for putting off construction {and the element of financing will be- come discouraged ' eéven as -it was encouraged during the period of de- n;'lln(ng costs late in 1921 and early in The first great waves of specula- tive bullding and construction of the cheaper type have passed, and 1923 will be remembered as a vyear in which a great volume of good build- ing construction was produced. It is evident that residential construc- tion will continue in volume almost .REAL ESTATE. BALTIVORE OFFIE RENTALS INCREASE Jump of 150 Pe Cent in Six Years Due to Raise in Op- erating Expenses. Special Dispatch to The Star. BALTIMORE, March 10.—Rent rates for offices in downtown office build- ings have increased greatly, in some cases as much as 100 or 150 per cent, in the last six years, and office space is scarce, according to the recent ex- perlences of tenants trying to renew leases. One man, a public official, recently | tried to renew his lease for four| small rooms in one of the buildings. He leased the suite six years ago, when the building was new, for $700 | a year. Three years later he renewed the lease for $1,000. When he began negotiations a few weeks ago for an- other renewal he was told that he would have to pay $1,690, an increase of almost 150 per cent, in six years. This man tried to find offices in 000 BUILDING RECORD FOR WEEK Building Inspectors’ Records Show Varied New Con- struction Enterprises. MANY HOMES INCLUDED $85,000 Apartment on Girard Street to Be Reared by R. 0. Scholz. Counstruction enterprises calling for an aggregate financial outlay by builders of more than $680,000 were recorded during the past week in the office of the municipal building in- spector. The list of permits follo Wardman Construction Company, to other buildings at a cheaper rate, |build, 1732 S street; cost, $16,000. He found that he could do no bet- | trr and that it was impossible to get space at any figure in a number of the most desirable buildings. “There is no doubt,” said the man- ager of one of the lardest office | T. Jameson, to build, 1-19 Adams reet; cost, $50,000. ‘V. W. Kramer, to build two dwell- ings, 919-921 L street northeast; cost, 510,000, i A, Heurich, to build gas station, 500 buildings downtown, “that rents for |12th street; cost, $1.000. offices have gone up and there's a good reason for it. “Everything has gone up,” he con- | J. Smith, to build, 1501 U street southeast. t, $6,000. C. H. Small,’ to’ build five homes, tinued. - “I have been in charge. of |1#13-1421 lves street southeast; cost this building for twenty-three years. en T began 1 could get coal for $2.15 a ton. Now I pay 38 and $9. In those days I used to get elevator operators for as little as $3.50 a Wweek. Now I have to pay $27. There 18 N ohgineer who camé here wenty-three s ago for $9 a week. He gets $39 now. % R e president of the buflding own- ers’ association safd: Sy Everything which enters into the cost of office rent has gone up in re- cent years. The assessment on the bulldings have been increased so that We pay more taxes. got firemen who worked twelve hours a day and got $15 a week. Now fire- men” work “only efght hours a day and get $25 a week. Owners of of- fice bulldings who get 6 per cent net Formerly we | $15,000. C. H. Small, to build five homes, 1432-1440 K street southeast; cost 17,500 FEPW. Herren, to butld, 610 Raleigh place southeast; cost, $3,500. Semmes Motor Company, to build office, 1500 Connecticut avenue; Cost, 96,000. HE 0 apiro, to bula nine houses, 21 Emerson street northwest: cost, $45,000 R.’ O. Scholz. to build apartment, 1415 Girard street; cost, §85,000. Johnson & Clark, to bufld 330-332- 334 Adams street; cost, $18,000. Shannon & Luchs, to build 1318-1320 w York avenue; cost. $60,000. The Fleischman Company, to build - factory, 24th and Channing streets cost, $12.,500. Hunt, .to repair 1221 New Cities showing gains of more than|While other important bullding mate- | <The general tmpression in the east| na; the District of Columbia will | index figure of 3.1 ‘This index figure | equal to {hat of 1922 with greater |on thelr InVestment regard taemselvs $500,000 over February, 1922, included: "{”s p|rdn.ul|carl|z'C:‘!,l1 sh:‘r\:fllr:'c'y;fl'{g;:; help” England and give her all the|eclipse all previous building records :;:slhhnfl;:l’::{‘lr\‘;doalc::y“?nfivmlrr:rl‘m: activity in the more expensive types ;!_el‘;smr-]‘a:f x{:wkx“i of some who e s ey, 3520000, | orarhot. as In Januaty, remained firm | Credit We cun to enable her to buy|this year. Sectural offices us to-volume and clas. | Guy" ©NE8 and probably in the hotel | the money invested. s - Do o " BTt are, T e | Tmany materials, according to | Our farm products. Now is our chance | mpe information supplied by the |sification of work from data mainiain- | (oo, 2 $20,000. $T35000: in the cemiral west, Camton, | stocks in the hands of dealers, ac- |0 demonstrate that it pays for a ma-| . )i cts specifies the kind, number |ed on each architectural office in the [ Industrial construction shows up 5 3.'B. Davis, to repair 1139 9th street; 3355°000; Columbus. "$512.000; Fvans- | tivity of local bullding operations and | tion to meet her obligations and pre chite D = country and filed In the Architect's|%ith surprising strength and the fact|shortage of mechanics in some of | cost. $4,000. B e e | utiook s Fagaras production and | tect her creditors. In view of this and | and cost of buildings planned, pre- | Figty, “Iohich” s Kept in' the office | (hat this work is reported by archi- | the trudes brings about an elimina- | , Morris Cafritz. to build 2400-2438 + and Toiedo 000 P *| sransportation facilities. other events, the keenest bankers of | genting an interesting program. Here | of the Architectural Forum. This in- | tects indicates that a large propor-|tlon of the amount of work by me- | 2d street northeast; cost, $100,000. Among the cities in the ea The demand for lumber as well as | Néw York city look for a rather] ‘. cummary: formation, together with comparative | tion of the volume of industrial con- | chanical methods or by substitution| J. J. Hayes, to repair 319 Pennsyl- 1 e el e e Mty | for many other basic bullding mate- | active stock market during the year | 'S ¢S PVUTRCollingy costing under | percentages of construction work not | Struction for next year will be of a|of materlals not within jurlsdiction of | vania avenue southeast; cost, 33,000, arge building totals for February | for many other basic Hulling MALCs | 1023, belleving that the market ‘will | o SEXty-nine dwellings Costing B der Bonoe e v architects ue Indicated, | Dermanent. well designed character. | the particular trade in question R. A. Hall, to repair 1014 T street; 31506.000; Montelair. s, | T o 1o in spite of increased | SWINE both ways between very broad | 35000k tO SRR LICC 00 000 and | and the asumption of the Index figurs | MUch of this construction represents| =Considering all facts it is certain | cost, $1,500. 1600.000; limits. thus giving us both higher | SWCInES costnl heewedn, 350000 Q0| 4l ctly as wa sasumed the Index |Plant expansion by well established |that 1923 should be a vear of sound | George A Degenhardt, to build H | York avenue; cost, $8,000. T. A. Jameson, to build four houses, 1010-1016 C street southeast; cost, N 2 9,000; Schedules of production of 1922, Tf 3 i oth L -.fu‘,‘o\'»:\f‘m unlm?;“‘; 95000 for May | building operations continue at the el lower prices than We SaW | Gy tllings costing over $50,000 each, | figures 5 for total valuatlons in the | manufacturing ' concerns together prosperity for all branches of the| 2519 Rhode Island avenue northeast; e totaling $850,000; forty apartment|survey of 1922, has been proved rea- | 3, e establishment o onstruction industry, provided no ad- | cost, $8,000. hattan, $27,159,000 for Brooklyn, $19,- | present rate and the demand for ma- y ¥ CC s g Philadelphia had a total | inevitable increase of prices generally very time that I visit the Mo-| tels, costing $8,600,000: seven clubs orl tion figures. i 4 Em : 3 there “will | be avallable an ample | materials or the enfore o SRR i 18 looked for. - lon is not alarming |BAWK valley of New York state, I am | fraternal butldings, L:’;*‘;l“"n'!‘,"i’."?,g-ggg: Costs Moving Downward. |amount”of financing for this great | prices ‘which rP]::es;:lffl{g;mp:r'xelagoal mfi“‘,s'fi’:{,|£:;”'§,‘3“,;uf,‘?,“;3“‘°f§ 9 ton, $545,000 in any particular, but in certain lo- | More impressed with its great activo| oo *Community or memorial butld-| While it i3 truc that the cost ofiVolume of projected building “con- | margin of profit. 4th street northwest: cost T the South some of the large Feb- | calities It 1§ growing more and more | ity and Ws potential resources. I|inzc? costing $1,100,000: one welfare | building has advanced considerably S B e ruary ‘totals included: Atlan acute, as the demand, for yorkmen | country lying between Albany and | buflding, costing $18.000: three hos- | within the past few montha, it is an- D ot coaihomancs oogn, $634,000: T . nor of wa ) . Buffalo, traversed by the New York | Pitais. CoStNF, 0 Cbanks, | ticipated that this is but a wave in|but it is quite probable that 1923 tanoogit, $634,000: Dallas, $1.850,000;|ency of wages for the country at el ork | Dulldings, costing $190,000; six banks. J 5 Fort Worth, " ‘Houtton, $1.- | large is upward. Builders in numer- | Sentral, the & i;‘eq;';‘e':!:;d“:,“‘:ul(::f conting. '$735,000; one educationai | the general downward course of | will show a fairly good spirit ot co- 685,00 cksonville, $503,000; Knox-|ous cities are figuring on a probable 3 butlding. eational | building costs and that with renewed | operation betweeri employers an . : costing $75,000; ville, ville, $1.151.000; | Inerease of wages in nearly all trades, turing section of the Lnited States. | PUICINE, CORDE, FoU0 s M v-seven | Production activity and with rellef|labor in the buflding industries. Memph ashville, $1,5611 From no quarter is an abundance o Its climate i8 jdeal: its labor condi- 37 i the rail and coal situation the Jead e becoming more 2 . " | stores, costing $372,000; two industrial | from the ral C ation the | Labor leaders ar g $650.000: Richmond. | elther skilled or common labor re- | tlons are good: ‘:hflu‘;"““d:r'x::i"‘:‘::_ Structurcs, costing $1.450.000. and ten | COSt of building should be on a down. | farsighted and "in certain " of the tonio. $624.000, and | ported. Wage agrcements are pretty | tural resources, thus assuring a rea’| 25 hocive bulldings, costing $755,000, | ward trend agaln in the spring of |trades there is o growing Interts 000. Jws\u signed up in the important |Sonal & Activities Unprecedented. 1923. It is highly important that all | In the apprentice problem, an e t the cities with | center: Z bituminous coal mines of the country construction interests realize that the |idea of admitting a larger propor- gflllllllllIllllllllllllllllIflIIII!IIIIIIlIIIIIIIHI[IHI[IHI[Hllfllflfllfllflflflfllflfllfllfllflflfllflfllllllfllflflllllllflmflflfll{fi" = -Surrounded by Washington's finest regidential section. antaqug seven million feet of forest-covetred land, with -six miles of improved streets. Includes what remains of - “The Triangle of Increasing Values” between Connecticut, Massachusetts and Cathedral avenues (Woodley Rd.). Over four million feet of land sold. Over ninety homes from $15,000 to $200,000 built and under con- struction. Wooded villa sites, lots and 6, 8, 9 and 11 room central and side hall homes of brick and tile, with lots from 50 to 115 feet front—32d and Cathedral Ave. Plans at office. Woodley Park Finished and under construction. Washington's best located, designed and most complete city homes. Exhibit, 2820 Connecticut Ave., adjacent to the bridge. Two stories, attic, breakfast and inclosed sleeping porches. three baths, 2. brick garages. Terms if desired: $2,000 Cash. $150 Monthly. Saving $94. Lots 24 and 29 feet by 115. For House or Lot Salesmen Call Main 6935. Middaugh & Shannon, Inc. SINCE 1898—“NO PLACE LIKE “OMFX NO HOME LIKE OURS” Tenth Floor. Woodward Building, 15th and H Sts. Illustrated Booklets Mailed on Request. are located to the south and the| 1ng year 1923 throughout the coun- | building market for 1923 is a market | tion of ne wmen into the ranks. Cer- (Continued on Fourteenth Page.) try will be marked by unprecedented | which must not be discouraged by !tain reactions are felt as the enforced Handsome Residence = Of Unusual Construction In Exclusive 16th St. Section 1407 KENNEDY STREET N.W More house and better value for the price than any other we have been able to locate. An inspection will convince you of its superiorit 12 Rooms—4 Baths—2-Car Brick Garage Lot 41x136 to wide paved alley. Cement front porch, two-story inclosed sleeping porch; open fireplaces: hot- water heat: electric lights; rear stairway: screens: awn- ings: all in good condition. Unusual terms may be arranged. Open Sunday From 2 to 6 P.M. QUINTER, THOMAS & CO. Specialists in Real Estate for a Quarter Century 819 15th Street N.W. Main 8416 i i ~[& Home for the One - Family in a Hundred Out in 16th Street Highlands, just half a block off 16th street, in a section where it is the rarest sort of experience to find a home for sale, we are able to offer probably the best VALUE in Northwest Washington. 1420 Madison St. N.W. —is a detached stucco over hollow tile residence, in ex- pensively cultivated grounds. The house has 10 rooms and 3 baths, 2 inclosed sleeping porches, breakfast room, 2-car garage and full-width front porch. It is com- pletely modern, of course, and in excellent condition. A feature is the early colonial stairway—there is none like it in Washington. A Good Home at a Low Price WEST CHEVY CHASE, D. C. : 4300 Brandywine Street v In Chevy Chase Beautiful corner. Six rooms and bath. Vapor heat, electric lights, hardwood floors, open fireplace, spacious.porch. Lot 67%x115. Hollow tile construction. New. Price, $8,750—$1,500 Cash, $75 Monthly [ T | NEW CHEVY CHASE HOME 3712 Ingomar Street arming mew home of center-entrance type: 8 spacious rooms and 2 tiled Lathe: hormater heat, elsctric lights, hare floors_throughout, large porch, double garage; splendid plot of ground; located just far emough from Coun. ave. {0 be free from noise and dust of cars; French doors between living room and library ana entrance hall and dining room; open fireplace: sewing room; slate roof; completely equipped with screens, two sets of window shades, instantane- ons heater; attic. An exceedingly high<lass residence in every way. Price, $19,750—Easy Terms Immediate Possession 4505 to 4523 Arkansas = Ave. NW. . (At Buchanan Street Between 13th and 14th Streets N.W.) . Beautiful new tapestry brick home of 6 rooms and tiled bath. , ,Hnt-‘wptcr heat, hardwood floors, electric lights, front and double rear porches, brick garage. ' . : Price, $9,500—Terms $1,000 Cash, $80 Monthly. . - T : House, which is almost new, is center-hall type, 38 feet wide. Lot 60x150. First floor contains large living room with side porch, dining room, reception hall, kitchen and pantry. Second . floor has four large bedrooms with open sleeping porch and two complete baths. Servants’ room in basement, and a built-in rage. Oak flooring and slate roof. One block from car line. lley and street .both. paved. > Open Sunday from 2 to 6 P.M. This_home has all the latest improvements and is in excel- - le'n:_fiondi!ion. The grounds are planned with attractive shrubs o Bl and'flowers. : e WILLIAM R. HARTUNG & COMPANY 1108 16th Street N.W. REALTOR Phones Main 372160 .Open All Day S;xndny. 1 Come Out Connecticut Avenue or. Wisconsin Avenue to Harrison St. L. E. Breuninger & Sons Phone M. 6140 g 706 Colorado. Bldg. EXCLUSIVE AGENTS 713 14th St. N.W. ‘ Main 2345