Evening Star Newspaper, August 7, 1926, Page 22

) mext wee REAL 1926 BUILDING DROP UNDER 1925 LIKELY Slump in Remaining Months of Year Predicted—Above $6,000,000,000 Expected. Building contracts let in the United | States during the first half of 1926 according to the reports of the Dodge Corporation, s 10 per quarter they were estin 576,000,000, an increase of 25 per cent over the preceding year's showing. The second quarter total was esti mated at $1,813,000,000. Prediction is made that the aggre- gate building investment for the year will be a trifle under tha The second half of 1925 increased 15 per cent over the first half, whereas under normal conditions there is an average decrease of 12 per cent in the latter half of the year. Ixisting gen eral conditons indicate a decrease vather than an increase during the next five months. Were the contract volume for the rest of the year to equdl that of the months the year's total would 000,000, compared with $6,- 2 This, however, is hardly expected. a decrease will probably result and if the normal 12 per cent is maintained the year's total will be $6,371,000,000, or only 4 per cent under last year. A better guess, probably, would be 20 per cent, with an aggregate of $6,100,000,000,- or § per cent ur NEW ZONING MEASURE SOON TO BE READY Baltimore Mayor to Get Draft of Proposed Ordinance During Coming Week. 8pecia) Dispaich to The Star BALTIMORE, August 7.—The new zoning ordinance, embodying a more comprehensive scheme of regulation than the existing emergency measure, probably will be submitted to Howard W. Jackson for his approval d enactment of such s been requested of tate Board | jon to resi- t business in- | the period until sreme Court de- | the legal status that the new measure s of a sive the hmm e autho proposed Tocation: $82 300 LOANS HERE FOR HOME BUILDING| 2 Metropolitan ~ Life Authorizes| Funds Sufficient tg Accommodate 19 Families. 300, sufficient to rdations for | Loans mortage through amounting | to $9, game meeting. - | 950 were farm loa tored in accommodations p\.mn'xl h - Michigan s buil ESTATE, THE EVENING STAR, WASHINGTOXN, D. C. Uniform Mortgage Act to Be Framed For O. K. of American Bar Association' A uniferm mortgage act to facilitate interstate dealings in mortgages will be framed for recommendation to the American Bar Association at its next meeting by a special committee just appointed by the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State laws. The conference has framed a tentative model law which is to come under the consideration of the com- mittee for possible changes. Upon approval by the conference, the act will be placed before the bar associa- tion for its approval and recommenda- tion, Uniformity of State mortgage laws would make the supply of capital be- tween States more liquid, would aid greatly in making clear the title to real preperty and would prevent the present cumbersome and divers: sys- tems of mortgage foreclosure in the several States, according to the Na- tional ~Association of Real Estate Boards, which, in resolutions adopted at its recent annual convention held at Tulsa, Okla., in June, called on the national conference and on the Amer- ican Bar Association to take action to indorse the tentative model act. A model act looking toward the uni- formity of Federal tax lien records in the various States has just been in- dorsed by the American Bar Assocla- tion upon the recommendation of the National Conference on Commissioners on Uniform State Laws. The recommended uniform Federal tax lien regfstration act stipulates a definite procedure for filing of notices of liens for taxes payable to.the United States and of certificates dis- charging such liens, and looks toward the uniformity of tax lien records in the various States. The measure would aild in the mat- ter of investigating titles to projerty and would lead to a more efficlent handling of tax lien records through- out the States. Number of Chimney Fires Prompts Proposal for Natlonal Bulldmg Code The fact that the second largest cause of preventable fires is “de- fective chimneys and flues” is of especial importance to every home owner and occupant. Because thése are classed as preventable causes ine dicates, as is quite true, that new chimneys and flues should not be de- tective and can be properly built. There are three principal ways by which chimney fires are caused. The first is due to faulty or inadequate construction without flue linings; the second to providing for the connec- tion of more than one apparatus to a flue. The third is due to the flue being too small for its intended use. The first condition is unfortunately far too common, the second accounts in part for.the numerous fires which always accompany a severe cold spell, and the third was much in evidence in certain localities during the last coal strike, when flues in- tended for burning anthracite were used in connection with other fuels. Remedy Is Suggested. D. Knickerbacker Boyd, architect, in the current quarterly of the Na- tional Erie Protection Assoclation makes some pertinent comments on prevailing methods of chimney con- struction and offers suggestions for remedying conditions. In investiga- tions made in over 100 cities, he say “the conditions were very illumina- ting and quite astounding as evi- dencing the lack of uniformity in chimney requirements of the different places. Twenty cities allowed only one connection, while 44 cities al- lowed any number to each flue. Others allowed two, three, four, seven, one per floor, one per family and so on. The National Board of Fire Under- writers and other authorities recom- mend only one connection to each flue. “On the other hand, quired flue lining: which did not r clties re- st 15 & bz flue lin- s recommended by the National ard ave only definitely stipulated in of these codes. Gas appliances re fequired to be vented in 50 out 91 but only 28 require th flue be used. This investi- tion indicated that building codes e not as strict, and the provisio re not as careful as they should be.” Other Factors in Fires. However, as Mr. Boyd states, “even though the provisions are lax, the cntire responsibility cannot be placed on the building codes, as there are other factors which have an influence actual construction. It is im- possible for building inspection de- partments, as they are usually con- stituted, to supervise constantly all s of construction. Far too many are built without architects sion of an' architect's office. v often the workmen are not ex- periegced in chimney consiruction, even when properly designed, specified and ‘coded’ the chimney may be defective.” The contributory causes of fires due to chimneys, as he points out, “can therefore be attributed, first, to wck of proper building code require- s and, secondly, to actual con- methods. By specifying construction archite an sting on good workman- the contractor can do his share, and by giving careful attention to | actual construction the bricklayer or mason can accomplish uring correct results. After giv these matters careful considera- ion, Mr. Boyd comes to the conclu- the way to insure sound construction is thr muzh omewhat drastic methods by ins beforehand that all chimne) shall be tested on completion o de. termine whether or not they are tight. he says, s part in “If the mason con- tractor knows that he will not be paid until all flues are tested and proved tight he will take extra pre- cautions to see that all his workers understand that condition, and they, In turn, realizing what it will mean to them to make it good if thelr work Is defective, will take additional pains to do it well.” Most of the things mentioned by him, as he further states, ‘are known to and observed by the best brick- layers, but there are many others less experienced who have not given as much thought and attention as they should to the importance of safe chimney construction. For the lat- ter's work a test is imperative. For the good bricklayers such tests would prove their fitness and afford protec- tion against incompetent competition. Specifications frequently call for the heating contractor to test flues be- fore connecting heating apparatus and to “report any leaky flues for correction”—but by this time the mason may have left the building and, as if often the case, the building itseif may have been plastered, or so far finished that corrections are both difficult and costly, and so the condi- tions are tolerated in spite of the perpetual fire menace as well as the ?nnoyance and added cost of heat- ng."” Mr. Boyd goes on to suggest. that all specifications for bullding con- struction contain a clause under “ma- sonry work’ requiring that before the scaffolding is removed from around any chimney and before any chimney walls or breasts are plas- tered, but not until after the mortar has seasoned, each flue shall be given a separate and thorough smoke test by the mason contractor. Leaks into adjacent flues should, he says,'‘'be especially looked for, and not more than one flue shall be tested at one time, and any leaks which may de- velop shall be promptly made tight before the chimney work will be ac- cepted as satisfactory. He concludes with this statement— which is the crux of his recommenda. tions: Fires caused by electricity are classed as only partially pre ventable, ye the widespread use of electricity it is not responsible for so great a loss as defective chim- neys and flues. This can be attribut- ed in part to the National Electric Code which regulates the installation of electrical wiring and appliances. But even of more importance in les: ening the loss from this cause, espe- cially in all new' construction, is the further fact that all electrical instal- lations must be igspected by organ- izations having jurisdiction and that a certificate must be issued by them before fire insurance policies will be written on the building. Why not the same provision as to every chim- ney built? The question then natural- ly arises, *“Why not a national chim- ney code? To design and build chimneys ac- cording to the provisiens of such a code would be perfectly feasible. To inspect all flues and when found tight to issue a certificate to that effect and to make all insurance contingent upon such certificates is surely also but common sense. The chimney ordinance of the National Board of Fire Underwriters could serve as a basis on which a national chimney code could be drawn up, and once it W prepared and recognized as au- thoritative it could be put into force Just as the electric code now is. With the backing of fire underwriters, fire prevention organizations, architects, contractors, workmen and owners, it would not be long before the fire losses due to defective chimneys'and flues would be practically eliminated with respect to new construction,” The Norsemen established a colony in Greenland, which flourished for several centurles and then mysteri- ously collapsed in the fifteenth cen- tury. New Detached Homes PERFECT CALIFORNIA BUNGALOWS Venable Street at Piney Branch Road N.W. Exhibit—849 $750 CAS The most complete hot-water-heated bungalows in the city. schools, churches and stores, in a section of new homes, these bunnhw- offer the ideal cozy home without going far out. The plan affords a large living room with real wood-burning open fireplace, hmmkl;:;mn. one-piece enameled sink, kitchen cabinet, outside pantry with builtin refrigerator. Venable Overlooking Beautiful Piney Branch Road St. Balance Monthly Including Interest On a wide avenue, close to car lines,. Splend! rooms, front porch, latest electric fixtures, instantanéous hot- wuter heater, finest white oak flooring and ln.clou. tiled bath with novel built-in fixtures. Open Daily and Sunday Until 9 P.M. TO INSPECT—Take 9th St. car to Van Ium St, walk east to Piney Branch Road and north one-half square to Venable St. ‘William S. Phillips & Co., lnc. 1432 K St IBILLBOARD STUDY BY REALTORS SOON Conference. of Committee With Poster Group Suggest- ed as First Step. A continuous campaign against the placing of biliboards upon the State highways ot Tennessee is now being conducted under the direction of the State department of highways and public works. Since December, when @ State-wide Clean-up week was proclaimed, the department has been removing disfiguring signs from the State roads, in accordance with the law created by the State Legislature in 1926, which makes it unlawful for any one to erect a sign of any char- acter on the right-of-way of the State highway system outside of in- corporated towns. Investigation of this type of out- door advertising with the idea of ascertaining how it may best be con- trolled in the interest ‘of conserving the beauty and desirability of resi- dence districts in cities and of scenic countrysides, will be undertaken by the National Association of Real Estate Boards following a conference on city planning held by the associ- ation in connection with its recent annual convention, at which cenfer- ence the advisability of such control was discussed. The confererte recommended that a committee of three be appointed by the president of the national assoclation to co-operate with a committee from the General Outdoor Advertising Assoclation for the pur- pose of studying the best methods for controlling the, placing of bill- boards. General business conditions are mainly satisfactory. Total volume of business s not now _as great as it was four months afo, even after proper allowance for “normal sea- sonal variations. A very gratifying measure of prosperity can continue 80 long as the present relationship SATURDAY, AUGUST 7, 1926. REAL ESTATE. Cedar ‘Chests Attractive. Cedar chests become far from mere convenlence items when they take on such beauty as they do today. Chests that are worthy of a place in the living room, the bedroom or the im- portant hall often combine decora- Credit conditions are such as to re- tions of curly maple with rich walnut | quire caution. The downward trend veneers. in commodities is slowing up. Busi ness outlook for the Fall justifies a fair degree of optimism. The stock Two hundred and fifty women have | market is in a period of distribution.— | Babson Statistical Organization, Inc. WAR ON SMOKE EVIL. Chicago Janitors Given ‘Better Firing” Demonstrations. To aid in reducing smoke in Chi- cago the renting and management division of the Chicago Real Estate Board has been arranging a series of “better firing” demonstration: Practical talks are being given by experts to the janitors of apartment buildings in an effort to obtain ef- ficlent management of heating and'fg§ more to lessen the smoke evil. The Chicago Flat Janitors’ Union has been co-operating in these demonstrations, HOME PRODUCTS USE IN BUILDING URGED Baltimore Mayor Points to Ad- vantage of Such Move in New City College Case, Another Group of Preston Homes! - On inspection of a Preston-Built Home a prospective purchaser is at once attracted by the substantial construction, ideal interior arrangement and beauty of design. EXHIBIT HOUSE 1508 Upshur St. Northwest . These homes are 20 by 36 feet and contain six big rooms, built-in garage, and all other necessary conveniences. Reached by the 16th Street Bus and 14th Street Car Line Special Dispaich to The Star. BALTIMORE, August 7.—Mayor Heward W. Jackson vocaties the exclusive use of “home” products In the proposed construction of the new City College bullding. The Mayor made his recommenda- tion In view of controversy involving | i the purchase of certain bullding materials outside of Baltimore, because they were regarded as better and more desirable than local products. pointed out that it was possible to procure both slate and granite in Hartford County; that the best of marble in quarrfed {n Baltimore County, and that the largest copper | [} works in the world for the making of copper bullding materials and || decorations was located within the State. All the counties, he sald, were rich in lumber, while clay and lime and cement were generally available. “It is my bellef,” saild the mayor, “that we could bulld a wall around Maryland like the Great Wall of China and subsist entirely on products within the boundaries of those same walls.” Open Daily and Sund&y for Your Inspection Winfield Preston Denrike Building, 1010 Vermont Ave. Main 6307 hhtAthtRtRLRthtRtRRRY — e How to Use Small Rugs. Use small rugs sparingly in lving roome, as they tend to break up floor space, which is better covered with a few large rugs. Small rugs look 1 between rooms, in odd jogs, in halls, between production, consumption, prices, credit structure, etc., is main- tained—Standard Statistics Co., Inc. Center hall entrance. 5 porches, Contains Best Main 8187 Inspect west to 36th, north to side pantry, hot-water heat, For auto to inspect ‘call Col. 123 large attic; built-in garage. Take, Chevy Chase car ramercy St. 738 15th St. N.W. Price and Terms Attractive Open for Inspection Every Day and Evening SIMON BELOFF Owner and Builder 903 New York Ave. N.W. 3531 Porter St. NN\W Cleveland Park Open Every Day Till 9 P.M. NOTE: Drive out Conn. Ave to McComb St., Porter, thence one square east to house 4 Built—3 Sold—1 Left No Better Homes Anywhere Priced right, easy terms. shower, large attic, plenty of closet space, Frigidaire, out- bin, Jaundry, servant’s toilet, brick garage, paved alley. See Mr. Reeves, (\Wnors representallvc, on premises. NEW * CHEVY CHASE, D. C. HOUSES Price, $27,000 - 3806-3810 Gramercy Street, D. C. A District of Select Homes and Choice Environment Two beautiful detached brick houses of 10 rooms, 2 baths; e LARGE COLONIAL PORCH These delightful new residences will be “OPEN SUNDAY” for your inspection; representative on the premises. arrison St. to 38th St., then one block aonh THOMAS J. FISHER & CO., lNC and in front of important pleces of furniture, which they help to accen- tuate. Brookland Section New Home 12th and Hamlin Sts. NE. 8 rooms, complete detached brick home. garage adjoining. Modern, will make any one a beautiful home, or can be easily arranged for a two-family apartment. Improvements Beautiful Star Model Homes— the Finest in Northeast Section West Virginia Ave. at Queen St. Six and eight rooms, with all latest im- provements and garages. Sample house furnished and open daily until 9 P.M. Turn north at Fla. Ave. and 9th St. N.E. C. H. SMALL & CO. Realtors Builders 925 15th St. AW Main 6861 Sunday T T TR T Porter or Wis. Ave. to 8 big rooms, tile bath with automatic water heater, coal 228, e RS BEEERERE MEMORIAL HEIGHTS Overlaokmg the Beautiful Potomac R et oo esmzee T i ,,z,,m,mvs. or drive out Conn.’Ave. to SR BUNGALOWS ON EASY TERMS $ 30 A MONTH $99---LOTS---$289 ' TERMS $10 DOWN---$10 MONTHLY High—Healthful—Convenient—With Sel urches (both Protestant and Catholic). This is an already established community—you don't have to wait for all m m It 1s a location selected for its dumfl!ty from every standpoint WONDERFUL VIEW—BEAUTIFUL SHADE TREES , COOL BREEZES AND A SPARKLING BROOK grer> . PICNIC IN OUR GROVE 7 COME OUT TODAY OR SUNDAY 1f you have your own machine just drive down the Mount Vernon-Richmond High- way—about two mllel below Alexandris, and you can’t miss Memorial Heights. Look mmmm. Our representatives will be on the ground. Or call at our office or lnlwawmunloryonmdhkcrwu o property in our autos. Abso- lutely no obligation to buy. . THE “OWN-YOUR-OWN-HOME” ASS’N. L. PRESTON GATES, President 1110 F St. N. W., Washington, D. C. Main 1026 o 920to 942 - Quincy St. N.W. Only 2 squares from 14th St. car line Inspect at Once Six large rooms, tiled bath, hewh., electric hfl:h, hard- ‘wood floors nnd trim, one-piece sink, built-in ice box. instan- taneous water heater, and other extras. Double rear Vdnfl. cement front porch. ith or without built-in gerage. “Ask the man who owns ons” For Sale by . MAIL THIS COUPON FOR FULL DETAILS Name....ooievuirscnniisnsanssnssscsscseesd(T) Address cessssvesaaas PETTERr e PROne..vocssosessssscscssosnas e E P e S e R0 s A RS W NN