Evening Star Newspaper, July 28, 1929, Page 27

ADOBE BUILDING REVIVAL PUSHED Scientist’s. Skill -1s* Turned to Experiments With Mud Houses. By _Consolidated Press. SAN' FRANCISCO, July 27.—Schol- arly research and scientific establish- ment of standards are helping the re- vival of the anclent art of adobe build- ing in California. Early structures built of mud, now tourist attractions, ante- dated the log cabins of gold-rush days, the frame buildings of the roaring '90s and present-day skyscrapers of steel and concrete, A bulletin_just. completed by Prof. J. D. Long of the engineering division of the University of California College of Agriculture has as a frontispiece a photograph of the famous Mission Do- lores, erected in San PFrancisco in 1782. But the widespread use of soil as build- ing material, he points out, dates back 10 the biblical Tower of Babel, the Pyra- mids of Egypt, the Roman period of British history and to antiquity in the Americas. Art Value Is Explored. ‘The present revival, it is learned from rof. Long's manuscript, is based upon he art. value of adobe construction. its comfort-giving qualities in extreme tem- peratures and the demand from rural sections for a building material which is cheap and lends itself to personal construction. ‘When adobe construction is mention- ed one is likely to think of weather- destroyed remains of early structures or of tumble-down shacks of Mexican laborers, but photographs of buildings, etc., the last few years show most at- tractive bungalows and beautiful and homelike ranch houses, some of two- story construction. “There can be no question” states Prof. Long, “that when properly built to meet our modern requirements, earth structures can be relatively comfort- able, durable and heaithful shelters.” Five Methods of Construction. Ha lists five methods of construction and recommends three for present-day use. These are “poured adobe,” sim- flar to monolithic concrete: ‘“adobe blocks of dried mud” used as bricks or concrete blocks, and “rammed earth,” a method in which moist earth rather than mud is tamped into forms. This last-named method is arousing considerable interest at present, be- cause it lends itself to th= use of mod- ern machinery. Prof. Long will begin next week the construction of a rammed-earth residence, using pneu- matic tamping equipment. This will be the second construction of its kind in the United States, and upon its suc- cess there may grow up a new type of construction contracting business. Collegiate research has disclosed that decomposition of earthen bufldings in the past has been largely due to de- fects which can now be avoided by the careful builder. Prof. Long, in tell- ing how to build with adobe, stresses particularly the importance of a solid concrete foundation, an exterior weather-protecting coat, a good roof, reinforeing features and a study of the soil to be used. Giving careful at- tention to such details, one can dig a cellar of only moderate size and use the ground thus removed to make the walls of his new home. Unalterable When Built. But the professor suggests that the beginner, unfafiliar with construction principles, should experiment first with a smaller building, for a mud house, once built, is just -about unalterable. One gathers that one should begin, say, with a dog kennel, then advance to a hen house, and then, with his technique perfected, he would be ready to draw his plans and lay the foundation for his bungalow. “The advantages of adobe.” the pro- fessor points out. “are that it is a native material of adequate strength and durability for residences and other small structures and a material gen- erally economical to use, available for attractive, comfortable, fire-resistant, dry, soundproof and thermal insulated structures.” (Copyright, 1929 CHURCH SCHOOL GIVES CERTIFICATES TO 100 Meritorious Work, tendance and Deportment Rewards at Pres- byterian Exercises. More than 100 children were pre- sented certificates for meritorious work, attendance and deportment at the clos- ing exercises of the Vacation Church School, Friday night, at the Fifteenth Street Presbyterian Church. The school had been in session for five weeks, Following the salute to the flag and the singing of several hymns, portions of the Scripture were repeated and va- rious recitations were given by the children. “The Judgment of Solomon,” a biblical play, was presented by junior students. Craft work and miniature displays on exhibition evidenced the industrious spirit shown by the children in their five-week study. A special feature of the display, a miniature “Bolling Field,” was particularly well constructed. Mrs. Frances Boyce, who has been acting director of the school for the past two years, was presented with a fern by the children. Mrs. Morrison, formerly director of the school, presided. and Mrs. Annie E. Johnson presented the certificates. S S Liverpool, England. has “adopted” the Prench village of Givency les Brasse and will help its poor financially. ROUND 32.50 TRIP 32.50 EXCURSION TO Shenandoah Caverns, Va. Sunday, August 4, 1929 SPECIAL TRAIN of First- Class Coaches and Parlor Car: Lv. Washington.9:00 A.M. (Union Station) Lv. Washington.9:05 A.M. (7th St. Station) Lv. Alexandria. .9:17 AM. Lv. Manassas. . .9:55 A.M. Special Train stops at Caverns Entrance. Spe- cial admission to Caverns, $1.00. Many outstanding fea- tures in these beautiful Caverns — dry walks— electrically illuminated. Dinner and refresh- ments served at Chverns Inn. Southern Railway System City Ticket Office 1510 H St. N.W. Telephones National 1465-1488, or Unien Station or 3th Street Station 27 i T Convenient Deferred Payments 10% to 40% Discounts ‘ 10% to 40% Discounts Al ® Furniture, are all included in the great 107 to 40% Discounts during the August Sale. The customary Julius Lansburgh Furniture Company’s CONVEN.- IENT DEFERRED PAYMENTS may be readily arranged, regardless of the amount This is the only time in the year that we reduce our ENTIRE STOCK, excepting PMiher Simmons Beauty Rest Mattress, De Luxe Springs and Whittall's’Anglo-Persian Rugs from 109 to 409% in order to effect great volume. Which is just another way of saying that this is your GREATEST opportunity to SAVE on furniture of “Quality That Endures!” Suites for the Living Room, Dining Room and Bedroom, Occasional Chairs, ‘ Tables, Lamps, Secretaries, Desks, Rugs, Draperies, Refrigerators and Kitchen, Lawn, e of the reduction, whether the purchase is $5.00 or $5,000.00! You're welcome to a charge account, with 18 MONTHS TO PAY! If you have not already received one, drop in the store and ask for a copy of our illustrated “August Furniture Sale Catalog.” Console Table and Mirror Mahogany finish. Plate-glass mirror, nicely mitered, set in Colonial cut-out frame, size 14x28 in. Table is ettractively carved, with apron and lower shelf. August Sale Price Colonial Secretary Genuine mahogany veneer with drawers below and bookcase over- head. A most useful furnishing of artistic design. August Sale Price : ’ : ‘ e : . ' ), V, . 4 i '. ; $8 75 $ goill, < /- Ml : Boudoir Chair ! Comfortable spring seat. Covered in cretonne, with valance. Both at- tractive and restful. August Sale Price $8.75 Coil-Spring Bed Outfit Simmons wood-finish metal bed with cane’ panels, genuine coil spring and cotton and laver felt mattress. August Sale Price $24.75 Coil-Spring Day Bed Double Day Bed, with wood-fir- ished metal ends and genuine coil springs. Cretonne-covered mattress. August Sale Price $23.50 Ivory Decorated Dresser Ivory, with light green decora- tions. Splendid for the summer cottage or spare room. Occasional Chair Mahogany frame, upholstered with attractive Velour seat and Tapestry back. Combines beauty snd utility. August Sale Price $8.95 Period Design 7-Pc. Walnut Veneer Twin Bed Suite An ornate and handsome suite, comprising Twin Beds, Dresser, French Vanity, Chest of Draw- ers, Chair and Bench. Delight- fully designed and attractively constructed of carefully chosen walnut veneers. Davenport Extension Table Mahogany finished table _that opens to 36 by 48 inches. Most useful especihily in small spart- ments. August Sale Price August Sale Price $14.75 $ .75 Seamless Congoleum Made August Sale Price Velvet Rugs Felt Base Rugs This Same Suite, with Double Bed, $29.75 $7.95 May Be Had for Choice of 9x12 ft. or Size 9x12 feet 8.3x10.6 ft. Attractive Patterns 10% to 40% Oft Marquisette Curtains ‘Window Drapes $1.69 pr. $1.69 pr. In a wide showing of ‘With deep ruffies new patterns Suitable for all reoms Throughout the Store “You're Welcome to a Charge Account” New Lawson Style 3-Piece Bed-Davenport Suite A useful and comfort- able suite that is easilv’ converted into a full sized bed. Upholstered 4 in high grade Tapestry denim. Three large pieces sturdily constructed— Bed-davenport, armchair ] and tufted back chair. August Sale Price wn-»w’k‘l"’ffii You Will Enjoy This Suite in Your Dining Room This beautiful suite of walnut veneer on hard- wood, includes 10 pieces, comprising extension ta- ble, buffet, china cabinet, inclosed server, 5 side chairs and 1 armchair, with velour upholstered seats. Stylishly decorated and handsomely finished. August Sale Price 129 Handsome Tuxedo Style Mohair Suite An exceptionally attractively designed suite of the finest construction. Up- holstered in heautiful frieze mobair, with moquette on reverse sider. Large § kidney shape sofa, shapely kidney chair and luxurious Cogswell chair. Dis- criminating shoppers should inspect this unusual value. August Sale Price S fi?@u’mmmuzum Ji s : 20% Off All Refrigerators Including Top Icers, Apartment Styles, 3.-door Styles and Ice Chests; oak, enamel and porcelain ex- teriors; enamel and porcelain lined food compartments. Convenient Deferred AUG;JST SAII;E Payments PRICES Range From H s . . . and-Woven Decorated Stick Fiber Suite : 397_5 to ‘952 An extremely attractive stick fiber suite with graceful rolled S-Plece Enameled : BreakfaSt Set 3 arms." The 3 pleces comprise a_6l-inch settee, armehair and § I . el 75 100 Dilivess ARy Refrigeritor rocker. Spring-filled cushions covered in colorful cretonne. o visael ,2', and nicely finished, 2 Y . “ August Sale Price ugust Sale Price to Your Home FThe cSulins Lansburgh é%”’”””m’ Go. Store Closed Saturdays During July and August Entrance—909 F' Street N. W/. ‘Store Closed: Saturdays During July and August T OO RO R O RCAL RO - - (T Q e a ity T hat Endures