Evening Star Newspaper, June 21, 1924, Page 13

REAL ESTATE - D. C. Building Operations Show Decrease of Several Millions Comparison With 1923 Indicates Fewer Major Projects—May Figures Move Upward. BY ROBERT J. COTTRELL. Building in the District of Col- umbia for the present fiscal year fs several million dollars behind con- struction in 1 and 192 A sur- vey of bullding activitie revealed by the records the District build- ing that while there is only a slight decrease in building permits for the first five months of 1924 as compared with 1923, the value of last greatly in ex- s was that in 19 ht feature is the upward trend of building last month, parcd with the May of the eding in the number of . their values and the increase of apartment houses. ¢ survey indicates also a lesser number of major construction under- l.,t.}::ng> this y compared with 1 The to of building operations for the fisca 3 r 1922 was $49,001,414; in i and with only this month to go, ations this v re valued 286,065 At the very it ma expected that th this Year will see seve lars under constru Iwo preceding years. Costs Show Deerease. Comparing the first five months of Building activities last vear with the same months of this vear, the uver age price of a house in 1923 was ap- Proximately $3.410, as compared with $7,260 now. The average cost of apartment < was ap- proximately compared With the appro cost this year of $52, ., build- ing construction for the st five months in 1923 was more than twice the value of the operations for the 8ame months this vear. April this vear showed an increase over the number of houses built in April, 1923, by 100, value of the ho s buiit in was much of 1924 would in- dicate that there has been a number of cheaper houses built, rather than any lessening in the cost of ma- terials and. particularly, labor From January to May of this vear there were 971 houses at a value of $7,272,165 constructed. From Janu- ary to May of 1923 1,107 houses were built at a value of '$9,309.805. The similar situation is shown in the con- struction of ,apartment houses for these months! This year there have been twenty-seven apartment build- ings erected, with a value of §$1,414,- 050. From January to May last vear thirty-two operations were completed at a value of $4.42 Business construction in five mont year showed a value of $5. pared with $12.323,443 last The compared totals of all 1 operations in the District of Columbia for their first five months of 1924 and ast year shows 1923 values at $26 50, and 1924, $14,462,350, or ap- proximately 44 per cent less While there is ssibility that construction may e during the next half of this calendar year, at least one official at the District building is of the opinion that, so far as houses and apartments are con- cerned, Washington is very near to being built up. This official, who in close touch with construction mat- ters, is of the opinion that there are plenty of houses and apartments to accommodate every one. but cheaper homes and rental, he emphasizes, is the real need and the crux of the realty situation so far as the resi- dential aspeet is concerned. Reports for some of the big real estate firms for this month indicate a very brisk turn-over in properties, the majority of which. however, are not new houses. Nearly every firm has predicted a sharp upward trend in the market for all types of prop- erty Building _throughout the 2 States shows a decrease in May this year in comparison with the same month last year. A general survey of the country showed an increase, far, over 1923, by 16 per cent. This, however, would not have been the |case were it not for the great con- struction activities in New York. Tha fallowing is a tabulated com- parison of building activities in the Lns- trict as shown for the first five months of 1923 and 1924, month by month Business Property. show year’s construction is of this year, However, one br vear, be United A Small House With Adequacy and Dig- nified Simplicity. Thousands of people in all parts of the United States are longing for homes and planning how best they can be built. To give these prospec- tive home builders help, we are pre- senting this charming design of stucco on hollow tile, which depends upon its extreme simplicity for its charm. This house is free from superfluous ornamentation and possesses an un- assuming dignity. Its main lines flow easily. Its detail is adequate though simple. 1Its floor plans are charming. The living room and dining room have been so arranged as to be al- most one large room, and, indeed, have this effect as one enters. Both of these rooms and the porch, which be used and then consult a local builder for detailed information as to the building costs. For further information as to pro- curing building plans of this “ouse Design No. 59, send a stamped and self-addressed envelope to the Real Estate Editor of The Star. (Copyright, George Matthew Adams.) DISTRICT NOW FREE OF TRUST CONTRACTS Sale of This Form of Housing Loan Paper Held Illegal by Some Courts. Ibuak as to the kind of materials to Housing trust contracts are no longer sold in the District of Colum- bia, according to the Better Business Bureau, which states that the “so- called” 3 and 4 per cent loan com- panies have ended their operation in ‘Washington. A number of these companies, the bureau declares, have been operating in various parts of the United States for the last decade. Until recently four of these companjes were con- ducting business in the District. The report states: “The contracts s81d by these com- panies have been placed largely in the hands of people of small means who wish to borrow money for the building or buying of a home. Con- tract holders were required to pay into the company a stipulated amount per month on each $1,000 they wished to borrow. No interest was paid on these monthly deposits. “Loans were made to contract hold- ers out of this common fund at the rate of 3 and 4 per cent per annum, The order of such loans was deter- mined by the day, hour and minute the contract was recorded. Many con- tract holders had been paying two or three years without a loan. Many others became disgusted or disap- pointed and dropped out, losing all they had paid in. o3 “A number of courts in the country have held that these contracts consti- tute a lottery. The method of opera- tion has proven to be susceptible to considerable misrepresentation on the part of the salesmen. Inquiries re- garding these companies from pros- pective contract purcha: 's have ceased to come to the bureau, and it is ‘With @ source of considerable sat- isfaction that we report that our sur- vey of the field indicates no more such contracts being =old locally REAL ESTATE Builéing Permits Show Gain For Nation of $24,306,804 quller Cities_ Decline Somewhat in Con- struction Total, But Larger Ones Offset All Losses. In the great mass of cities and towns throughout the country therd was a decline in the volume of build- ing permits issued in May, as com- pared with the corresponding month in 1923. These losses, however, were more than made up by the gains in several cities, notably New York, ac- cording to the national building sur- vey of S. W. Straus & Co., just com- pleted The 338 cities and towns covered in this survey reported bullding permits issued and plans filed during the month amounting to $333,373.351, compared with $309,066,667 for May last year, a gain of $24,306,684, or § per cent. For the entire country outside New York City the month developed pro- spective building activities of about equal volume with those officially re- corded in May, 1923, the this year reporting $267,9: against $29,145,073 in May, 192 ain of 16 Per Cent Recorded. The twenty-five principal buildinz cities reported official declarations | oughs for the first five mont! this amounting to $209,739,066, a year were $4 0,101, s compared pared with $180,433,785 in M 1923, | with $370.326,596 for the same period a B in n:‘ 16 per cent. The gain over | last year, a g: of $1 5, or 33 per May, 1922, was 26 per cent. How-|cent. Added significance is attached ever, these figures were largely in-|to th figures, the survey points fluenced by New York, and if the me- | out, when it is considered that dur- tropolis s eliminated from these cal- | ing’ the period under review in 1923 culations it would show that the other | there were such tremendous construc- twenty-four cities suffered a com- | tion activities that many groups and bined loss of about $7,000.000 over |agencies conducted an aggressivis May, 1923, and scored a gain of $20,- (campaign of curtailment #nd p 000,000 over May, 1922. "Substantial [ ponement. Plans filed for the gains were reported in Chicago, De- | months ended May 31, 1924, were 12 roit, an ‘rancisco, W hington, er cent ahead of the same period i Seattle, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati Im?- ;‘3:‘;2 R i nisiierion 1 las, New Or! ns, Memph Toledo, It is within the Long Beach, Calif.; C and, Balti- | ties that 1924 will pass into history more, Hartford and Newark New York's first billion-dollar In the twenty-five leading building | building year, inasmuch as the figures cities, permits issued and plans filed | for the first half year of the period during the first five months of this | will be well excess of the half- year amounted to $1,138.231,339, com- | billion-dollar mar! pared with $1.027,468,640 last vearand | Further softs with $730,514.605 in 19 nmber and struc In a general way th nounced indications of the slowing up Pprocesses in building activities were revealed in the far western states, where sevent cities reported $39,697,123 of permits issued as com pared with $47.926,301 in May, 1923. Both in the south and central regions, with 167 cities and towns reporting, the total volume remained substan- tially unchanged. In the eastern states, where a survey of ninet cities was made, ther, over May, 1923, of cent. Outside Ne gain for the seast as a_ gain , or 25 per between New York Feels Boom. While there are unmistakable signs of a slowing up in building operations in scores of citics and towns in all parts of the country, there has been no falling off in the volume of new. plans filed with the building depart- ments of the five boroughs compris- ing Greater New York. On the con- trary. large gains have continued fto mount. " The volume of plans fled in May this year was 64 per cent greater than for "May, 1923, and 54 per cent greater than for M Building plans filed in the five bor- range of possibili- ing in the prices of al rtagl Tateriais most ariug the month, pro- s " “The Co-operative Home Building Trustecs ARency went into recelvers ship in March after Judge Robert E Mattingly had given judgment against them in suit brought by a negro con- tract holder alleging that the con tract constituted a lottery and was sold under misrepresentation. The Atlantic Society of Home Builders went into voluntary receivership in | May before any official action was taken. Another company perempto- rily moved their office to Norfolk, Va., shortly_after rigid investigation of their affairs got under way and have ceased selling contracts. BANS FOREIGN LUMBER. British Housing Commission Urges Home Industry Patronage. A special committee appointed un- der the British housing act to review that legislation has recommended the construction of 2,500,000 houses in the United Kingdom in'the next fifteen vears, The committee has declared in its recommendation, “In the opinion of the committee it is extremely de- sirable in the national interest that | no foreign manufactured goods | should be used on the houses built by the government under its subsidy. could look out on & lovely gurden, are shut away from the sleeping unit of the house—an extremely desirable feature in any plan, for it assures quiet to those who wish it, when guests are being entertained by the other members of the family in the living quarters of the house. The seat near the fireplace, with the addi- ton of the huge divan so much in use these days, maki the real fire- | side circle, and we can imagine that an evening of popeorn, toasted marsh- miallows and storics would not be in- frequent in such a living room as this, The doorway may be made a most attractive feature in this desi, 18 mple, indeed, with its tin projecting over the three steps 1if studied carefull may be made Such & feature as will udd charm to the whole house. The chimneys different, quaint and interesting. fireplace is in the center of the house, <o that only one chimney is needed for both the kitchen and living room. The porch may be inclosed or not, as preferred, and could be used as an outdoor sleeping porch if one chose. The owner's room has a splendid fireplace with a closet on either side, and a view may be had of the side garden as well the front of the house. The bath is convenient for both bedrooms and the linen closet is Massachusetts Park Ample closet space, a porch to live on happily and a well planned, useful 335.000 basement are noteworthy points of this popular plan. 262,000 945,000 360,000 295,000 ows the comparison of the totals in various construc- r the t five months of 1923 and 1 homes. One of the reasons is that the plain walls make a perfect back- ground for flowers of every hue. The effect charming. A house with walls stained a rich cream makes a striking picture with the most bril- liant nasturtiums, zinfas, asters and chrysanthemums that can be grown. In this case tall evergreen trees add distinctly decorative lines and make the whole exquisitely delightful. This house is 52 feet wide by 43 fect deep. Unless ompanied by the beauty of a splendid lawn, the dignity of the design would be thate- rially lessened. We therefore advise that this design be chosen only where or_in sewing or reading. it is possible to have a large lot— The cellar should be a source of | well wooded, if possible—where this pride in a house of this kind, for a | little house may nestle among the great deal of the real work of the |shrubs and flowers under the protec- household may be done here. Every |tion of the trees: just a gem in an bit of the laundry work may be car- |appropriate setting. ried on here; it 'is large enough to nce the prices of materials and | make a real w®rkshop advisable, and | labor vary considerably in different the fruit and vegetable closets are |localit e do not attempt to give a indispe | detin estimate as to the cost of Stucco on hollow tile or metal lath | building according to this plan, but deservedly popular for sug that you suit your pocket- suitably placed in the hall. There is a coat closet just back of the linen closet in the main hall, where the coats and hats may be placed before entering the living room. The kitchen in this plan is literally the center of the house, and thus is exceptionally convenlent for a woman who does her own housework. She has no long halls to traver: and since each article In the kitchen is properly placed many idie and weary- ing steps can be saved day. The view from the kitchen is of the garden, and it is but a step through the entry to,the yard, where pleasant hours during the year's work may be spent in the preparation of the food The Triangle of Increasing Values —between Connecticut Ave., Massachusetts Ave. and Woodley Road (Cathedral Ave.) 238 acre; Six miles of improved streets. Zoned or restricted against apartments, stores and community houses. Over 175 homes from $15,000 to $200,000 built and under construction. Actual improvements and home values exceed $7,000,000. Wooded villa sites, lots, central and side hall homes, with lots from 50 to 115 feet front. Park Office, 32d and Cathedral Ave. (Woodley Road). Inquiries re- ceive intelligent answer without annoyance. Middaugh & Shannon, Inc. Established 1899 Riggs-Semmes Bldg., Dupont Circle, Potomac 2200 Member Washington Real Estate Board, tion undertakings Jan. to Mas Jan. to May — PLASTER SANDS TESTED. Quality of Materials Studied by Bureau of Standards. dards n of The examin master an n the United n being to 4,429,000 e e e e able could not be enforced. The un- dertaking was, therefore, changed to an attempt to solve the question of how much sand could be used in lime d gypsum plasters, depending upon the quality of the sand. A large number of plasters were made from mixtures of different limes and gyp- ms and many different kinds of sand. These were tested for water | cariying capacity. plasticity, time of set, shrinkage and tensile strength this ma- a result of these tests the bureau | hopes to set a definite limit beyond ion show- | which sand Is not fit for pastering b and within which the proportion of | sand which will give the best job can be indicated. The hureau of stanc recently has 3 examinat sands used for pla tion was made of the used in fifty-two citie tates, the original intenti pecification for as cest —_— ANOTHER OFFERING! 10 Beautifully Constructed Modern Dwellings in Fashionable North Cleveland Park ¥]12 9Q5(),, Reasonable Terms VAR We have just completed 10 exceptionally fine Homes on Warren Street in the northern addition to Cleveland Park. Nearly 300 more are vet to be constructed in this popular and growing residential district. EASY TO REACH— Take Wisconsin Avenue car to Warren Street—or drive out Wisconsin Avenue via Massachusetts Avenue or Woodley Road. Direct car service to F street downtown section was inaugurated last Sunday, June 15. The advantage is yours of being among the first to select a Home in this restricted community of con- stantly enhancing values. By purchasing now you secure a remarkably low price and a much greater in- crease in value on your investment. North Cleveland Park occupies one of the highest points in the District of Columbia, being just a few feet short of the crest itself. It is healthful, attractive and readily accessible to To illustrate the progress of North Cleve- ~ the City by trolley line or automobile roads. land Park: Wisconsin Avenue, which bounds the community on the west, is to be widened at once to a full 60 feet and paved from Massachusetts Avenue to a point several blocks beyond the property, while the car tracks are to be desirably relocated. Many years ago the Telephone Company anticipated the growth of this section by locating their attractive .Cleveland Exchange on Wisconsin Avenue near Warren Street. Many thought their judgment at fault, but the sub- sequent marked and steady de- velopment of residential Wash- ington toward this section has proven the correctness of their forecast! Only detached or semi- detached Homes may be erected in North Cleveland Park. The plans for the community and the desirable restrictions provided for it assure congenial neigh- bors and an ideal Home at- mosphere. Exhibit Houses—3818 and 3820 Wa&en Street M. S. PHILLIPS REALTOR—BUILDER Think what this mcans to you as a North Cleveland Park resident and land- owner! Paved alley, 16 feet wide, in rear of 33 feet width rear yard. Roomy, dry basement, with Ideal hot- water heating plant, instantaneous water heater, stationary tubs and other equipment. Finished attic, lighted. Colonial staircase leading to floor. Hardwood floors. Numerous closets, including large linen closet on second floor. One or more electric floor plugs in every room. Cement sidewalks, wide streets. Semi-detached style, distinctive archi- tecture, brick construction, red tile or slate mansards, Attractive hall entrance to large fiving room with cozy raised brick fireplace. Large, bright dining room, and Roomy kitchen, equipped with fine stove, built-in ironing board, cabinet and other conveniences. Built-in ice chest in large pantry. . Large cloak closet; rear porch. Master bedchamber full width of house, and two other large bedrooms. (iln:fi;nlclued sleeping porch, exception- arge. Two white tiled baths, built-in fixtures and shower, . second 15th and K Sts. Ten Splendid Chevy Chase Homes on Fessenden Street at Connecticut Avenue Four of the Are Still Available at the Remarkable Price of $16,950 Convenlent Terms