Evening Star Newspaper, September 14, 1929, Page 15

REAL H. B. DAVIS URGES “COST-PLUS” PLAN Master Builders’ Group Member Contends System Is Fairer to-All. p——in Adoption of a cost-plus plan for em- loyment of contractors on construction bs as a substitute for the now gen- #ral practice of awarding contracts to the low bidder in the competitive esti- mates plan is urged by Henry B. Davis, member of the Master Builders’ Asso- ciation of Washington. He believes the cost-plus plan to be more equit- able from the viewpoint of the three most interested parties: owner, the architect and the builder. “The method of doing work on a per- centage of cost above that of all Jabor and material required, would result un- doubtedly in better construction, because it would obviate criticism and disputes, with the possibility of lawsuits, between owners and contractors,” he contends. Contends Bidding Is Unfair. “There is hothing fair in asking six or more contractors to compete against one another on any one job, using their time and money to give information to prospective building owners on the gambler’s chance of being a low bidder. “Too often the low bid is the result of a mistake from the contractor’s sub- Dbidders, or in his own office. Gambling is prohibited by law, yet every subcon- tractor and builder gambles every day in submitting estimates. . “A reputable builder, even though he has made a mistake in his estimate or some of his subcontractors refuse to do the work under their proposal, will procesd with the work and complete it; others will take advantage of all op- portunities to slight the work and in case of extra work demand exorbitant prices to try to off-set their losses. This does mnot prevall under the cost-plus svstem, as the owner pays for all extra work, and can make any changes or omissions, knowing that he will be benefited financially for the omission and charged only on the commission basis for any additional work. . “An. architect prepares plans and specifications under favorable condi- tions after many consultations with the owners to ascertain their wishes, and it is the architect's duty to clearly show on the plans and small-scale drawings all details just what is de- sirea and to thoroughly describe in the specifications how the work shall be done and what material shall be used, and not leaving anything for indefinite interpretation by the various subcon tractors who bid with the general con- tractor. When various notes are placed on the plan to clarify the work these items should also be mentioned in the specifications as most subcontractors in making up their estimates, check all items from the specifications and fre- quently miss notes that may be placed on the plans and not specified. Owner’s Actions Are Cited. The owner engages an architect for the purpose of designing a distinct home or building, and expects him to keep within the amount of money available and to get the best results and work- manship, without extras. This is some- t'mes very difficult to overcome, be- canse the averags owner cannot visual- {ze or foresee what the drawing will pro- duce until the work is in place. He then finds the results are not what he expected and decides upon a change. “It is then that a low bidder, be he a general contractor or subcontractor, tries to make up for his losses, ®nd they cannot be blamed under lump-sum system of bidding, for the owner and architect have gambled upon getting a bid within their estimate and the build- er and subcontractor have done the same thing, with a further chance of using their money in constructing the building, and then having to wait or sue for the balance due, usually on ac- count of some trivial technicality.” - = ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT SEEN AS BECOMING SAFER Familiarity of Users With Appli- ances Regarded as Minimizing Danger of Accidents. An almost universal familiarity with electricity and the perfection of mod- ern electrical appliances have made accidents infrequent. Nevertheless, certain precautions are advisable and the accident prevention committee of the National Electric Light Association has recently formulated a list of rules. These, in part, are: 1. Use molded composition or por- celain sockets in bathrooms, basements and all other damp places. Use wall switches where possible. 2. If the insulation on a cord has failed. or becomes ineffective through watersoaking, the metal socket becomes charged, and a dangerous shock may be received by a person With damp hands who touches any electric ap- pliance while standing on a wet floor or taking & bath. 3. Never leave an electric iron on anything that will burn. Do not use Jamps, irons or toasters to warm a bed. 4. Extension :cords should be han- dled carefully to prevent injury to the protective covering of the wires. 5. Additional wiring should be done only by a responsible electrician. 6. If a fuse blows out, your circuit is being overloaded or a defective appli- ance is being used. Correct the trou- ble before replacing the fuse. 7. Do not string aerials over or under electric wires. A radio aerial which has fallen against power wires is prob- ably alive and dangerous. 16312 Georgia! Street Near Connecticut Ave. $12,950 This new, fully de- tached home of stone, brick and stucco, simply must be personally in- spected that you may realize its charm and appointments. Similar to our 1929 Star Model Home in Leland. The rooms are large with cross ventilation in every room. Open fire- place in living room, bronze screens, garage and beautifully = land- scaped lot. Drive out Conwecticut Ave- wue to Bradley Lawe, turs right (east) ome lowg block to Georgia Street, them turm left two short blocks to prop- erty, or phone Wisconsin 2489. M. & R. B, WARREN The | ESTATE. | New residence at 3534 Porter street, containing eight rooms and two baths, which has been purchased by George A. Schwegmann, formerly of New Orleans, from the N. L. Sansbury Co., owners and builders. . Period Rooms Show Virtues and Vices 1 Of Modern Styles Esthetic Value May Clash With Usefulness in Decoration. BY ANTHONY F. KIMBE! Allwoing for the fact that “all gen- eralities are false,” it may perhaps be permissible to discuss the virtues of style as well as its vices as exemplified | in the so-called period room in certain American houses today. During the last decade a small num- | ber of home builders have displayed | evidence of their emancipation from this self-inflicted form of slavery to style. This minority has merely striven, as a rule, to give a harmonious effect to the whole. The Tesult in numerous cases has been most satisfactory. It is universally conceded that the development of any decorative as well as furnishing scheme is dependent for its success on the plans and elevations established by the architect. The basis for any effective interior is laid down in the drafting room, and the dimen- sions of the room, the disposition of door and window openings, ceiling | heights, in their determination of the | proportions of the rooms, dictate—fre- | quently in no uncertain manner—what can and cannot be done. ‘Whether the interior be a public hall for a private drawing room. a woman's boudoiy or & man's den, the ultimate effectiveness of the room is more de- pendent on its proportions than on | any other factor. In considering the really successful interiors, contem- | porary as well as ancient, there is little | | doubt that that which gives us our first | feeling of satisfaction upon viewing | them is produced primarily by the pro- portions and general disposition of the | shell, with its perforations for windows and doors introduced with an eye to | giving the whole a quality of usefulness | and well being. being at best imitative in character, is frequently unsuited. from a practical | standpoint, to present-day needs. This | | is not to question its esthetic value. | The undisputed merit of the fine and | applied arts developed up to the end | of the eighteenth century resulted in | their eventual abuse by inspired but | often misguided designers and crafts- | men who prided themselves in their | | self-appointed role of guardians of a In professing paternalistic admiration for that which has gone before we, curlously enough, destroyed :.hidvery ideals we had intended to up- | old. One of the defects of the modern style at present, from the standpoint | of domestic decoration, is that it pre-‘ i New The orthodox period room, bfslde.(‘ cludes the introduction of miscel- laneous objects of other periods which time has awarded a definite ranking. IR T R For snuff, tobacco leaves are mois- tened and allowed to ferment, then dried, powdered and scented. LOCAL PROBLEMS Equalization of Tax Assess- ments Asked of Legislature by Texas Board. The relation of the real estate board to the community and the service it can render to the property owner, or- ganized within its ranks, in the matter of tax reduction, city planning and zon- ing and the solution of other civic problems, trends and policies in modern business, with particular emphasis on real estate, the ever-present farm sit- uation and selling real estate in day's market—these some of the subjects which are engaging the at- tention of the annual conventions of the State real estate associations, five of which will convene during the pres- ent month and seven of which will be held during October. At the recent annual meeting of the Texas Association of Real Estate Boards = resolution was adopted recommending that the State legislature create a State board of equalization for tax assess- ments. Another resolution adopted at the Lone Star State convention makes &mvuwn for a request to the State surance commissioner to modify pres- ent rates on title insurance. Outstanding among the discussions of the Utah realtors, who held their semi-annual meeting at Logan, were studies of the problems of taxation and the farm situation. At the annual convention of the Ala- bama Association of Real Estate Boards, September 19 and 20, attention will be directed to city planing and zoning. CHEVY construct; | Hedges & Middleton Development this di * & 5609 Grove Street LI 2 | OPEN ALL DAY | SUNDAY right Chevy Chase Circle. ve new home in environment, as well as proximity to transportation, churches and other conveniences. tion room, den or breakfast room, to an immense living room, exceptionally large hedrooms, two luxurious baths, club room in al finished with Cel innumerable indi questionably the outstanding new home value in Chevy Chase. CHASE An outstanding example of fine home design and n—located just one square west of You will go far to equal Center entrance plan with recep- n addition tex, two-car brick garage and ual features that make it un- Drive west from Chevy Chase Circle on Western Ave., just ome short square to Oliver Street, turn on Oliver Street ome-half square to Grove Street. HEDGES & MIDDLETON, INC. 1412 Eye St. N\W. Realtors Franklin 9503 | roof. Large lots, wide A true saying “Opportunity knocks at your door an EXCEPTIONAL OPPORTUNITY is awaiting you i DETACHED BRICK HOMES await only THREE They are truly lovely homes—containing cight comfortable rooms. lavatory, ELECTRIC REFRIGERATION, Ol 3060 Porter Street Just West of Conn. Ave. landscaped lawns. - Open Sunday ‘10 to 6 Cleveland Park Three New Detached Brick Homes Available for the First Time at the Price Quoted Above but once”—and for the first time n Cleveland Park. Three NEW FORTUNATE PURCHASERS. tile bath and tile L HEAT—BUILT- N GARAGE. Slate Schwab, Valk & Canby 1704 Connecticui Avenue Potomac 0830 B P S S e T Extraordinary Values The Gloucestershire Group of oxna a 49 € America’s Smartest Colony of English Group Homes A Village in the City A Predetermin:’d. Non-Competi- tive Development Distinctly SEVEN .MINUTES FROM DUPONT CIRCLE NOTE: Class One Award for Distinguished Architecture by the Architects’ Advisory Council of the District of Columbia bbbk OPEN DAILY 9:30 AM. %éfi: » A Thing of Beauty Is a Joy Forever—John Keats TO 8 P.M. The Gloucestershire Group range in size from 5 bedrooms and 3 baths to 6 bedrooms and 3 baths with showers. And in price from— $17,750 10 $24,500 . Smaller Homes in the Village range in price from— $11,750 10 $13,750 ‘ The Model FHome at 4400 Greenwich Parkway Is Priced at $23,300 (5 Bedrooms and 3 Baths) As we have predicted, Fozhall Village is growing older more and more beaut ‘ully. Its future is assured. A group home community without a peer in the country, housing a selected class of refined geople. All brick homes, with Bangor certificate slate roofs; steel eam construction from cellar to roof; plate glass windows, beautiful oak floors, sub-floored; NOKOL OIL BURNERS AND FRIGIDAIRE; waterproofed_walls; white pine trim; birch doors; Oregon fir joists; Sanitas on kitchen and- bathroom walls; imported English wall of papers; marvelous cabinets and Armstrong inlaid linoleum in kitchen; bronze copper screens throughout; double screened rear The I’i][ag‘e porches; one and two car garages, some built in, some outside, of face 1417 K St i brick. Remarkably beautiful treatment of lawns, girded with 13-inch g . A0 brick walls and landscaped in a way that has helped to make Forhall SEND FOR BOOK OF PHOTOGRAPHS Village the outstanding development of its kind in the country. i Ld e North one block to Reservoir Rd. West to Village. BOSSE&PHELPS REALTORS Established 1907 CREATORS AND DEVELOPERS Drive out Que St. to Wisconsin Ave. Make left-hand turn at 44th St. to Greenwich Parkway. R AR AR AR AR R A AR AR R R R R AR SRR AR AR AR R AR AR RN R R R has taken over “The Suburb Beautiful’ WATCH FOR FUTURE ANNOUNCEMENTS Drive Out Today and see the improvements taking place in this beautiful suburban development Drive out Maryland Ave. by the new Sears Roebuck Department Store, out Baltimore Pike, to Défense High- way, and bear right to Cheverly. SR 2L P RREA R S