Evening Star Newspaper, August 9, 1924, Page 13

W/ REAL BUILDING IN JuLY IN EXGESS OF 23 Reports From 36 Eastern States Show Construction Values Nearly $350,000,000 Construction : continues to be rea- Sonably active, according to the F. W. Dodge Corporation’s statement for July. Contracts awarded last month in the 36 Eastern States (which include about seven-eighths of the ‘country’s total consiruction volume) amounted to $347,184,300. ‘While this represented a 10 per cent drop from' the preceding month, it was still 10 per cent over the figure for July of last year. Recent months have shown a slight change in the character of the build- ing program. .Residential construc- tioh, which was 48 per cent of the total during the first six_months of this year. amounted to $128,072,000, or 31 per cent, in July, a proportion more mearly normal than it has been for a long time. Public works and utilities, representing 15 per cent of the total during the first half of the Year, amounted to 16,800 in July, 21 per cent of the total. The pro- portion of commercial and industrial work to the whole is as yet unchang- cd. Commercial buildings in July amounted to $49,345.700, or 14 per cent; industrial buildings, $19.664,200, or 6 per cent; educational building: $39,510,000, or 11 per cent 9 Per Cent Increase. Total construction started in the 36 Eastern States during the first ®even months of this year has amounted to $2.668,818,700, a 9 per cent increase over the corresponding period of last vear. This increase has Tot been uniform throughout the ter- ritory. New York State and north- ern New Jersey and the Southeastern States have shown substantial in- creases; New England and the Middle Atlantic States, moderate increas the Pittsburgh district and Central and Northwestern States have de- clined considerably. Contemplated new work continues to bel reported in. moderate volume, amounting to $430,500.700 in July! This is only 24 per cent in excess of the amount of contracts awarded during the month, whereas the nor- mal excess is 50 per cent. Increase in Local Section. Contracts awarded during July in the Middle Atlantic States (eastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, District of Co- lumbia and Virginia) amounted to $41,782,700. This was an increase of 4 per cent over June and of 77 per oent over July of last year. Con- struction activity in this district is now holding up at a relatively higher rate than elsewhere. Last month's record included: $20.050,200, or 48 per cent, for residential buildings: $9.392.- 700, or 22 per cent, for public works and utilities; $3,680,800, or 9 per cent, for commercial buildings: $3.343 or 8 per cent. for educational build- ings, and $2,084,800, or 5 per cent, for industrial buildings. The total construction volume for this district in the first seven months of this year amounts to $270,181,500, an-increase of 7 per cent over the corresponding period of last vear. Contemplated new work reported in July amounted to $54,627.300, about 10 per cent less than the amount re- ported in June. In 1923 there were 31.065,000 egs- producing hens in Canada, which laid 20 ,000 dozen eggs, valued at $48,770,780, an increase over 1 when there were 29,345,000 eg) ducing hens, whith laid 184, dozen eggs, valued at 34¥,490,000. ESTATE. BALTIMORE NOTES COST OF BUILDING STILL HIGH Construction Figures Only About 10 Per Cent Lower Than Shown First of Year. Special Dispatch to The Star. BALTIMORE, August building costs throughout the coun- try are dropping consistently, Bal- timore’s new buildings cost almost as much as ever. X Reports from the Building Bureau of the Federal Department Com- merce show a drop in building costs every month this year. Since Janu- ary the average drop has been more then 30 per cent. But in Raltimore it cagts only about 10 per cent less to build a house now than it did the first of the year. Paradoxically, the reason for this is that local conditions are better than the average, local builders say. “While building operations in other cities slumped considerably until just a few wecks ago, Baltimore has shown no let-down,” said the presi- dent of a large construction firm. This is borne out by Building spector Osborne's figures. Thus far this year the total cost of building operations is $28.621,950. Last year, for a similar period, it was $27,115,983, and last year was a banner year in all building construc- tion. “It is simply that in other cities the decrease in building work has cre- ated less demand for supplies and | labor. This naturally lowers the price,” said another builder. “One factor is that Baltimore has always maintained a more even kee, he said. “In New York, Philadelphia, Chicago and even Washington prices were pyramided until they became almost prohibitive. A drop to come. But here building o did not go so high and now they are dropping slow INCREASE IS'SHOWN IN LUMBER SHIPMENT Last Week's Business in Excess of Former Week, But Below Year's Record. — While In- Production, shipments and current orders of lumber for the week ending August 2, show an increase over the preceding week, particularly in ship- ments and orders, say telegraphic re- ports to the National Lumber Manu- facturers’ Association from 354 of the larger commercial sawmills of the country, although the totals for the first 31 weeks in 1924 do not vet come up to the record-breaking figures for the corresponding period of i92J. Figures for five weeks ending Au- gust 3 show for the first time since January shipments and orders above production. August usually is the second highest month of the year in production and shipments. For the week ending August 2 there was a substantjal increase in new business over the corresponding week of 1923, equaling almost 20 per cent, while shipments were slightly morc and production appreciably less. Of ‘the reporting mills, 330 have a total normal production for the week of 207,776,413 feet, according to which actual production last week was 93 per cent of normal production, ship- ments 107 and orders (new business) 114 per cent thereof. For all the comparable reporting mills, shipments last week were 113 per cent and orders 120 per cent of actual production. For the Southern pine mills these percentages were 116 and 134, respectively, and for the West Coast mills 129 and 128 The unfilled orders of 242 Southern pine and West Coast mill: 833,674, as against 485,290 mills the week before. Separately, 128 Southern pine mills had unfilled orders of 234,791,700 feet, as against 286,350 for 128 mills a week earller, Similarly, 114 West Coast mills had unfilled orders of 246,041,- 984 feet, as against 004,376 feet for 121 mills the week before. SUCCESS BEGINS WITH THE START THE START BEGINS WITH YOU 4506 IOWA AVE. N.W. This is truly a four-bedroom house, as the sleeping porch is fully enclosed and roomy. The kitchen wall is tiled. There is a built-in cabinet and refrigerator. The bath is fully tiled, with built-in tub and shower. An excellent back porch, screened and cement floored; wide front porch; built-in fire- proof garage; hardwood floors and oak trim throughout. In perfect condition. Open all day to- morrow and every evening from 6:30 until 9:30. ’I‘Hifl EVENING STAR, WASHINGTON, D. C., SATURDAY, ANNOUNCES CREED OF BETTER HOMES Held That Inexpensive But Small‘DweIIings Should Be Always Available. 1t is part of the creed of better homes in America that inexpensive but attractive small homes should be a ssible to all families. That is one of the ‘main reasons why the 1924 competition In a thousand com- munities scattered throughout the na- tion, which culminated in the dem- onstrations of “better homes” during the week set aside for that pur- pose, laid special stress on homes for families of average or small means—homes in the $5,000 class and vicinity. Recognized authorities have re- peatedly made the statement that America is in need of many hundred thousand more houses of a type within the reach of wage earners’ families. Aim of Organisation Cited. The educational organization known as Better Homes in America aims to help in overcoming this housing shortage, and it is aware that pros- pective home owners need expert guidance and assistance. This or- ganization is fully aware of the basic needs for small homes—a good house plan drawn by a competent designer, to insure sound construction and sensible planning in the building of even the smallest house For this reason Better Homes in America has published a booklet for the aid of prospective owners or builders of small houses—houses con- taining up o six rooms. This book- let, called “Plan Book of Small Houses,” was prepared for them by the Architects’ Small House Service Bureau. As Bester Homes in America non-commercial and purely educ: tional in character, these plan books are distributed to’ those writing in for them to national headquarter. 1653 Pennsylvania avenue, Washin, ton. D. C.—at the bare cost of issuing cents each. Plan Book of Small Houses" contains floor plans, descriptions and excellent pictures of 24 attractive and approved houses, ranging from three- room cottages and bungalows to six- room, two-story houses. Types of Homes Show: The types included are the English cottage, the Cape Cod bungalow, Italian style houses, Pennsylvania colonial, Dutch colonial, Spanish- type houses, New England colonial and others. This publication offers every one an opportunity to enjoy many of the privileges of architectural service at Tow cost. The Architects’ Small House Service Bureau is a professional mon-profit making organization composed of many practicing architects from the leading architectural firms of the country. It is controlled by the American_ Institute of Architects and has the indorsement of the Depart- ment of Commerce of the United States. In purpose it is a public service. & e — Confer on Crossing Guard.- The District Com oners con- ferred yesterday with officials of the Bal- timore and Ohio Railroad on the ques tion of whether a watchman should be stationed at the Lamond grade crossing, at Takoma Park, in addition to the automatic warning devices now in use there. No decision was reached. ASSERTS HOME BUYING- HERE WILL CONTINUE Local Realtor Says Investment Is Not Speculative, But Is Constructive and Necessary—People Demanding More. architecture, improved workmanship and the producer properly financing and carrying the home buyer to a successful conclusion, and no longer can inferlority in any of these things find a market. No home, however large or magnificent, can ever equal in earned satisfaction the first home bought. Few Inferior Homes. Even through a period of excessive demand, Washington has had an as- tonishingly few Inferior homes pro- duced and is much more free from this calamity than any of the oth BY HERBERT T. SHANNON Will home-buying continue? In private this is the most widely discussed topic imaginable. Among those who are interested in this sub- Ject are the public, the builder, the realtor, the material supply man, and particularly labor. If anything, prob- ably labor should he placed first, as it is the first to feel the results of any cessation of buylng on the part of the public, if such may occur. In o AR Ao i cities which” have come directly un- pite of the interest in this question, | (itles Which have com stly expressed privately, it is gen- | “T have" purposely not made any erally assumed that it should not be | previous reference in this articls. ta e v . the ever-increasing growth of popu- Foslahiihior disoumea {hroush the lation of Washingion and. its - direct um of the press, as it may tend | rejation to and effect on continued to incite a feeling on the part of the | home buying here. ot seems to me ublic that now was the time to stop | this should be, and is, generally rec- Dosine . G P | ognized, Considering the factors and ety ossential facts, home buying in Wash- the secrecy or lack of faith in the |ington will continue, but with grow- commonsense of the public to dis- [ ing qualifications—there must be ar- cuss so important a subject, for the | chitectural values in homes offered, very obvious reason that home-buy- | homes must be improved, and rich ing’ »w a most necessary part of [and poor men building in" communi- Ameri life, and as such will and |ties products that tend to depreciate must continue in good, bad or indif- | or demoralize these communities should ferent times. be publicly . criticized and ‘preventod Home Buying Not Speculation. wherever possible. At no time has home buying ever- [ Abrubt declines in cost of construc- assumed any proportions of specula- | {lon can only occur by changing com- i s s o e ot rd St s | Pletely the entire complex of Ameri- a constructive and necessary step in | ¢an life. This is a nation of high Thehevelopment ot Aot “home. | wages to its working people and as making. It will no doubt surprise such, it will remain. you to know that in the past we sold 0 anie times (- “bugaboo whicn | COURTS ASKéD T0 GUARD USE OF LABEL “REALTOR” some timid souls seem to like to wor- Realty Men Get Two Injunctions ry about) than in normal times. The reason for this is also to Keep Name for Board Members. I cannot subscribe to very plain. It is in such times that people reckon with their dollars to a great- er extent than in good times. 'They perhaps a bit more cautious or a greater consideration to the serious things of life and are quicker to effect savings with their do!lars—and home buying is the very essence of Eaving. Home buying 1s not now, nor ever was, a_whim of the people. It 1s basically too much of a necessity for them. Each year we have been in busi- ness home buying generally has in-| ‘The decree was issued July 2 on a creased. t‘nmn|3|g[ nf‘ the Ogden ( h) Real Cxtravaganee. Estate Board and the National Asso- o N":l'(:': B et an be | Clation against Reuben A. Saunders. fcl'?s""f‘“h in home buying and such It follows less than !)‘rce weeks after D onE o and sueh | the issuing of a similar decree by the e m:;\n;rumyramg’ o Tmore Coe | circuit court of the city of Norfolk Va. on the joint complaint of the less reckless or promiscuous spend- | N3 e 23 ing of money by the public for what | Norolk) Real Tstate Board and the National Association. The Virginia they deem pleasures takes place. But|jecree declares that the use of” the it has been my observation that|ierm “realtor” by a real estate dealer these periods are short-lived and|not a member of a real estate board there iIs a return to the more sub-|pelonging to the National Association stantial belief that pleasure. 1Ke|.js of such a character as to mislead charity, begins in the home. When|anq deccive the public and so depriv cne awakens to the realization that|them of the protection afforded b he must seek all his pleasures out-|;cryal membership in such a board. side of a home, it is the beginning |" A similar case filed by the Ogden of a realization that he Is without a | Real Estate Board against E. W. Can- home. g 5 nady at the same time as the Saun- Home buying will continue prob- | ders case, but in another division of ably in not as great proportions as |the court, is set for trial in Septem- in the past few years, but I belleve | per. it will proceed With even more sane | The applications for injunctions are restriction part of a vigorous campaign being Buyers today give more consider-|carried on by the National Associa ation to home locations and are|tion with the help of its local member more analytical in thelr buying, and |boards. It is the purpose of thiscam- rightly so. but this cannot be con- |paign so to protect the term “realtor,” strued to mean a recession In buy- |by court action if necessary, that the ing. In other words. the better prop- | public may be assured that the man erties are coming into their own, so | who advertises himself as a “realtor” to speak. Forced buying has gone | has met the membership standards of and the more reliable and capable | the local member real estate board, is producers of home properties to a|pledged to observe the coda of ethics man will tell you that they are glad |of the National Association in the it _hpas gone conduct of his business, and for viola- Today in _home building |tion of that code is subject to must come through ability, improved | cipline or expulsion by the local board. An injunction against the use of the term “realtor” by a real estate broker not a member of any constituent board of the National Association of Real Estate Boards has just been en- tered in the District Court of Weber County, Utah. AUGUST 9, 1924. LITTLE DECREASE IN HOME DEMAND Realty Company = ‘Reports Sales of Many Houses Dur- ing Past Few. Weeks. The Morris Cafritz Co. reports busi- ness during the past few weeks very brisk, and notes very little, if any, decrease in demand for new homes, as two rows’ were sold before comple- tion. The row of 17 homes located on Varnum street west of Fourteenth street has been disposed of. These houses confain six rooms and two baths each, and were sold to the fol- lowing: 1401, to A. L. Giering; 1403, to Joseph P. Mulroe; 1407, to & local in- vestor; 1409, Nicholas Bobys, for in- vestment; 1411, to - Philip Holber- mann; 1413, to James D. Burns; 1415, o 'William R. Phelps; 1417, to Joseph Ornateint 1413, to 1. Dresner; 1421, to Mary E. Carusi, through A. B. Calder; 1423, to - Edward- S. Linz, - through Joseph Shapiro Co.; 1426, to Grace B. De Atley; 1427, to Capt. Frank K. Parker; 1429, to Stewart Boyer; 1431, to Charles Marks. Sell Rows of Hounes. The fourteen homes located on De- catur street were sold to the follow- ing: 903, to George T. and M. A. Wood; 905, to Jacob Adelson, as in- vestment; 907, to Gary Campbell; 909, to E. Ott French; 911, to Frank Du- chesne; 913, to Charles H. Komma- Jan; 915, to Rebecca Smith; 917, to Sarah E. Nichols; 919, to Virginia Brown Curreton; 921, to Joseph and Amelia Hurwitz; 923, to Eimon V. Carr, in__conjunction with Jack Leonard; 925, to Willlam F. Seebode, o was represented by Robert E. Heater: 927, to Dr. Joseph Kreisel- man, and 4800 Ninth street, to Irving Seigel Another row, on Ingraham street northwest was sold to the following: 802, to Henry and Nellle M. Quill; 804, to Thomas D. and Elva B. Dunn; 806, to Howard D. Van Deveer, who was represented by Frank H. Gauss Co.; 508, to Russell K. Walker; 8§14, to Harry and Mary Elizabeth Luckett. Houses on Delafield street were so0ld_to the following: 902, to Joseph A. Chaley; 906, to Albert P. Brodell 908, to Martin R. Cooper; 912, to rnest B. Cole; 914, to Howard V. Donoghue: 916, 1o W. A. Lyons; 918, to Orra Nelata: 920, to Daisy D. Hedrick, through Pauline Walters office; 922, to Fairfax Atherton, and 26, to Victor Fiouchi. 2 he premises €22 Roek Creek Church road was sold to J. R. and K. E. Lehmann for Mamie C. Holland. Many Bought for Homes. A house containing six rooms, bath and built-in garage was sold to Frank S. Reed for W. A. Lyone. The premises 3537 Hertford place was sold for Stewart Boyer to Aaron Isaacs, who will occupy it as a home. Olga Kreiselman purchased from Margaret O. Henderson the large home at 4727 Thirteenth street north- west. The premises 935 Massachusetts avenue northwest was sold for Sarah E. Nichols to James D. Hoover. This | property was purchased as an in- vestment. Lieut. R. B. Storch purchased 307 Rock Creek Church road from M. B. wing, the seller being represented by N. L. Sansburg Co. The house at 11 Sixteenth street southeast has been sold to A. Capilos for a local investor. This house con- tains six rooms. The new home at 4518, Seventh street northwest was sold to Grace M. Newlen for:Morley & James. This house contains six rooms. The store at 3716 Fourteenth It Is One of the Weaknesses of Human Nature to Put Off Until Tomorrow the Things That We Can Do Today YOU CAN BUY ONE OF THESE BEAUTIFUL HOMES AND SETTLE Open Sunday 1472 SpringPl. A 4-Bedroom and. 2-Bath Tapestry Brick West of 14th St. Just the type of home that is ter.-B rated throughout, cious rooms, every con- venience dwelling, most sought af- eautifully deco- spa- in a modern glassed-in sleeping and breakfast posxches, built-in = fire- proof garage, Open Every Evening From 6 Sunday, 10 A.M. Until :30 Until 9 P.M. 9P.M. built-in bookcases. mahogany trim. This is a well-built home. 1415 K Street N.W. YOUR HOME PROBLEMS 3921 Harrison Street Half Blocks West of Connecticut Avenue. Center hall. Living room on left, with open fireplace, window seats and Dining room and well equipped kitchen. Three bedrooms. Fully tiled bath, with built-in fixtures and shower and additional tiled lavatory and toilet. Beautifully finished and artistically decorated throu‘fioiut. Will Also Be Open Evenings Until 9 French doors to wide porch. Hardwood floors. Maximu| CKEEVER=GOSS.... Evening Phone Service Until 9 P.M. Ivory and Main 4752 This New and Charming Home Is Located Two and One- REAL ESTATE. 'LOCAL BRICK CONCERN TO BUILD NEW PLANT Washington Clay Products Com- pany Buys Site in Nearby Maryland. The Washington Clay Products Company has purchased a six-acre tract at Loughborough, Md., where it will immediately begin construction of ‘a complete brick manufacturing plant. It will manufacture a shale brigk in two grades. common build- ing and face brick; also hollow tile for building and drainage. purposes. The company also owns .27 acres fronting on the Baltimore and Ohio railroad at Barnesyille, Md., 25 miles from Washington, frfm which the shale will be shipped to Loughbor- ough. - Sidings will be built at once. officers of the Washington Products Company. are J. E. cusker, president; W. H. Talbot of Rockville, vice president; Lloyd H. Johnson, secretary; G. K. Mecusker, general manager. Admiral Austin M. Knight is chairman of the board of directors. e fges MCKEEVER & GOSS DISPOSE OF 15 HOMES Transactions in Leland Park Are Announced by Real Estate Dealers. Sales of 15 homes in Leland Park have been announced by McKeever & Goss, as follows: L.'B. Tuckerman, David W. Fox, Willson R. Johnson, Phillip R. ney, John P. Rudyk, Phillip P. Stewart E Summerhays, 2. Kugene H. Copenhaver, J. mnmon, Capt. Andrew’ O. ero, Mrs. Je street northwest was sold to James E. Lane. A_store and fourswoom and bath apartment at 4807 Georgia ave. was so0ld for Max Scher to A. and H. Able- man. The apartment house at 1101 Fair- mont street northwest, containing 10 apartments of two and three rooms and bath each, was sold to a local investor for the builders, Minkoft, Sil- ver & Smith. The new owner intends to_hold same for investment. Eighteen four-room houses located at Twenty-seventh and N streets northwest were sold for a local in- vestor to Drs. Repetti and Rogers who intend to renovate and put on the market —between Connecticut Road (Cathedral Ave.). Zoned and restricted against munity houses. built and under construction. 9 to 9. Middaugh & 3363 N The Owner Has Priced This at a Figure to Sell $14,500 W. UPTREND IN WAGES SEEN IN BALTIMORE Outstanding Feature in Re- port Intended for U. S. De- partment of Labor. Special Dispateh to The Star. BALTIMORE, August 8.—One of ths outstanding features of a report on labor conditions in Baltimore to be submitted to the United States De- partment of Labor by George B. Mc- Allister, director of the Municipal Employment Bureau, is the upward trend of wages during the past month for workmen in the building trades in the face of a slump in the demand for labor in the other fields. The report covers the operations of Mr. McAllister's office and the Federal Employment Bureau here for the month of June and July. The demand for labor in the build- ing trades, which the report states caused wages offered for electricians to jump from $1.20 to $1.50 per hour, was laid to activity in house building and other construction Bricklayers were being offered nuses and carpenters, gineers, masons, painters and cement workers' were able to get increases over their wages for the month of June, the report declares. During June a total of 975 skilled and unsilled workers were asked of both bureaus, according to the report Some 790 were provided. For July the total requistioned was 530 and the number of men placed in jobs was 403. bo- hoisting en- REPORTS VIRGINIA SALES. Sales of nearby Virginia properties were announced by C. Eugene Doyle as follows: The premises 40 Wilson boulevard, Clarendon, was sold to Arthur P. Walsh; 110 Waverly street, Clarendon, to Lawrence H. Hubbard for Mrs. Ida Mae McCaa, and 38 Eldon place, Clarendon, to A. E. Constantine for G. F. Dennis Lots in Willett to Louis H. Oswa and John Wahl Heights were sold !4, Davis Stevens Buy in Massachusetts Park The Triangle of Increasing Values Ave., Massachusetts Ave. and Woodley Six miles of improved streets. apartments. stores and com- Over 175 homes, fram $15,000 to $200,000, 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. Office, 32d and Cathedral Ave. Park (Woodley Road). Open from Shannon, Inc. Established 1899 Riggs-Semmes Bldg., Dupont Circle, Potomac 2200 Member Washington Real Estate Board Z 4] &4 417 < 18th 7 ‘gL E &% 75 € g¥E WG E Y A Mount Pleasant Home of 9 Rooms, Sleeping Porch, 2 Baths and Garage for There is no question in our minds about the bargain element in this property. You will agree with us, too, when you see it. Anlummwilloal{foryouinhi:earifywpl_lancthkoficc, Modern in every detail and in éxcellent condtion. In addition to the .nine rooms there has been provided a cozy breakfast room. Just around the corner from Mount Pleasant car line.