Evening Star Newspaper, November 30, 1929, Page 17

REAL BURDING WAGES ESTABLISHRECORD Continuous Rise Since 1922 Puts Scale at Highest Level in 1929. Wages in the building trades have shown an almost steady advance since 1922 and are now at the highest level on record. With the exception of a slight recession in 1921 and early in 1922 the rise has been continuous since 1913. The wage index rose from 100 in 1913 to 135 in 1920, declined to 179 in March, 1922, and then rose to 238, the present level, the Alexander Hamil- ton Institute reports. The rise in wages from 1913 to 1920 ‘was only sufficient to offset the increase in the cost of living. Since 1922, how- ever, the cost of living has shown little change and the rise in wages since that time has furnished building labor- with a clear gain in purchasing power. The ‘cost of living index is now only 63 per Islexlxlltd lnll.)ove the pliea-awnr level, m‘g:‘ile g wages are per cen er than before the war. Building Wages in New York City, Rates Per Hour. Brickla; kA Birue. Tron Work. 105 Plasterers In Wi 3 Carpenters Ce 0 093 ‘Wage rates are not uniform through- out the country, but they have all shown & substantial gain during recent years. Building labor in New York is as well or better paid than in other cities of the United States. New York is the only city which pays bricklayers $1.87', per_hour. Bricklayers receive $1.75 in St. Louis, which ranks next to New York. In Charleston, S. C., where building wages are the lowest in the United ggna. bricklayers receive $1.00 per ur. Carpenters’ wages are the same in New York, Chicago, St. Louis. Pitts- burgh and Newark. In these cities car- penters receive $1.50 per hour, the high- est rate in the United States. Carpen- ters in Boston, Cincinnati, and_Cleve- land receive $1.3712; in Buffalo, Denver, Kansas City, Missouri, New Haven, Philadelphia, Scranton and Washing- ton, $1.25; in Indianapolis, $1.22'5; in Providence, $1.173%; in Detroit, $1.15; in Portland, Ore. Salt Lake City, San e an: iwaukee, $1.10; Bh'mmxm. Fall River, Little Rock, Los Angeles, Louisville, Manchester, [emphis, Minneapolis, Omaha and St. Paul, $1.00; in New Orleans and Rich- mond, Va., 90 cents; in Atlanta and Jacksonville, 80 cents, and in Charles- ton, 8. C., 60 to 75 cents. ‘While the upward trend of wage rates has been beneficial to labor it has been sucl power hoists and mixers for concrete and mortar. The fotal labor cost has creased at a somewhat consequently in slower rate than indicated by the gain | he ; In wage rates. ESTATE. ‘THE EVENING STAR, 'WASHINGTON,.D..C., SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1929, Ne_w Home of Milton R. Baker Residence at 1361 Iris street, Shepherd Park, recently purchased by Mr. Baker, general manager of radio station WMAL and the Washington represen- tative of the Columbia Broadcasting System, from the firm of L. E. Breuninger & Sons, builders. having a den in the second story. It contains seven rooms, two baths and a built-in garage, SUBURBAN HOME DEHAND RONS Apartments Solve Problem in| What May Be Called In- termediate Ring. BY LEONARD COX, A. I A. One of the important results of an increasing urban concentration is the growing demand for suburban apart- ments. These apartments solve a very real problem in what may be called the intermediate ring; the circle dividing the intensely developed urban center from the more or less open countrylike exterior zone developed with detached houses on fairly large plots. In fact, there are in the immediate vicinity of New York many sections now developed with small detached houses on small plots that would have been better used for the right sort of apartments. Unfortunately the technique of apart- ment planning and design has not kept pace with the demand, so that, as a general rule, the promoters of such houses have had to content themselves with modification of strictly urban types. We are, therefore, constantly seeing six or more storied buildings on comparatively restricted lots which throw out of scale all the surrounding houses and spoil the domestic character of the neighborhood. Land Cost is Less. Land in these localities costs nothing whatever as compared with city plots in congested areas. The aj ent building may certainly, therefore, re- duce the number of people to at least the same concentration as is common to the single-family development sur- rounding it, particularly in view of the fact that g building housing 30 families costs less to bulld than 30 detached ouses. There is, for the same reason, no Attractive New Homes for the Discriminating Buyér 1207 Owen Place N.E. OPEN UNTIL 9 P.M. justification for building higher than three or four stories, Even if auto- matic elevators are dsed, so that the climbing .of stairs is not a considera- tion, the top-floor apartments will be more desirable from & psychological standpoint if they are near enough the gtound to become a part of, and enjoy, the landscape gardening and trees | made possible by the larger plots. Arrangement is Faulty. ‘The worst fault, however, with many of our present buildings of this type is the interior arrangement. So much stress has been laid on the economy of plan necessary in the city apartment that this idea has been thoughtlessly carried over into the suburbs and pro- duced apartments the arrangement of which is so different from that of a de- tached house that it is impossible for many people to lead a full and comfort- able existence in them. This should not be. The same differences in cost of land and construction that permit greater unbuilt-on areas and lesser height also permit a loosening up of plan and allow an arrangement of rooms more like that of a house. New Detached Brick Home CHASE, D. C. CHEVY SUBDNVION LOT SHLES AWALVZED Highest Number of Purchas- | ers Found to Be Between 36 and 40 Years Old. ‘Who buys a subdivi: lot? Are the lots bought for home sifes or for specu- lation? What kind of lots do buyers want and what prices do they pay, and finally, how can a subdivider best bring his wares to the attention of those who want them? ‘These are some of the questions which the National Association of Real Estate Boards is attempting to answer | in its recently completed subdivision market survey, a project of the home builders’ and subdividers’ division, of which W. C. Miller of this city has been elected chairman for the coming | year. Data was gathered for the survey from 73 subdivision developers in dif- ferent ?fll’u of the country, and it was found that out of 607 purchasers 385, or well over half, bought their lots for home sites rather than for investment or speculative holding. It was found that 40 per cent of the buyers were buying their first residential lots. The remaining 60 per cent were either buy- ing their second lot or were repurchas- ing due to having sold or built on their initial lot. Rate of Buying by Age. It was found that by far the majority of people buying subdivision lots were between 26 and 40 years of age, while; | the very highest number buying were from 36 to 40 years old. Only one per- son under 21 had hought a subdivision lot and only five sales were made purchasers over 60 years of age. The majority of those buying were people who, at the time of purchase, oc- cupled single-family houses; 21 per cent were living in_apartments and only 1 per cent were hotel dwellers. Apparently the most usual way to finance the purchase of ‘a subdivision lot is by & small down payment and by succeeding monthly payments. From a report on 636 sales 215 had been made with a down payment of 10 per cent or less, 109 had been made with a down payment of 20 per cent or less and 83 per cent of the purchasers who obli- gated themselves to make installment | payments had set themselves to a | monthly rate of from 1 per cent to 5 per cent of the purchase Jrice. It is interesting to note that 27 per $18,500 3632 EVERETT STREET Just west of Conn. Ave.—2 Seldom is it possible to find school, neighborhood stores two squares. a small residence may " just west of Conn. Ave. at such an amazingly low price. All-brick construction, 8 rooms, 2 colored tile baths, Frigidaire and two-car garages (built in). A new public Just a few of these homes remain unsold, and OPEN SUNDAY UNTIL'9 P.M. N LpSansbury squares south of Harrison St. new homes of this character and car service are all within be considered in trade. cent of the chasers paid cash for their subdivision lots. + The survey indicates that the unim- }mwed lot which was bought so readily formerly is now less in demand, and the prospective purchaser today re- quires that theTot be ready for the con- struction of a_home. the lots sold already had installed such improvements as' water, sewer, gas. pavement, curbs and surfacing, electric- ity and telephone wirin, The fact that sidewalks-are not al- ways required nowadays by the pur- chaser may be interpreted as a develop- ment of modern landscape architecture, which in designing the surroundings for many high-grade residences does not use sidewalks. That the home buyer demands a fair amount of ground to call his own may be contluded from the fact that 81 per cents of the lots reported on for the survey are 46 feet wide and wider, CHANGE IN DESIGNS OF STORES IS SEEN Business Houses Planned to Fit in With Their Surround- ings. A great deal of objection to retail en- croachment into residence districts is being overcome by merchants who are having their buildings designed to fit into the architectural scheme of the particular districts in which they are located, according to Paul J. Vollmar, vice president of a securities company here. ‘“Merchants have found this new type of store unit to be a most powerful ad- vertising feature that creates good will in the neighborhood and gives a marked individuality to their location,” said Mr. Vollmar. “Mortgage men must look at prop- erties from the point of view of what they will be in 5, 10 or 15 years, and endeavor to judge their future status in comparison with the newer units of far-away perinds,” he said. “This must be done because the mortgage banker wants to renew his loans when they mature and so Should prepare for the future now.” Home Is m W. Clyde Powell has leased the home of Dr. Hugh Meloy, 1825 Sixteenth street, it is announced by the firm of Childress, which handled the transac- tion. The lease is for a term of five years, Jameson-Built The majority of INDUSTRIAL EXPANSION RENEWAL SEEN IN 1930 ‘The year 1930 will see substantial re- newal of industrial expansion, industrial | Property experts predicted at the recent meeting at St. Louis of the industrial property division of the National Asso- clation of Real Estate Boards. The past year has seen a decided tendency nationally in industry toward l mergers, & tendency not unlike that of the late seventies, it was pointed out by George C. Smith, chairman of the division. This tendency of industries to absorb competitors, rather than to open branch plants, has tended tem- porarily to lessen industrial jon, he said. ! Reduction of two and a half billions | of dollars in call money for brokers’ loans, through the recent stock market break, he declared, should mean a very substantial return of funds for the expansion of industry. Wm DOCTOR OR DENTIST | Corner Home for i Office and Residence IIl. Ave. & Farragut St. The office has a separate entrance from the street and consists of two rooms and lavatory. The location is in the heart of a "l"h“ e decorated hout, with hardwood i It is l burner, d all modern . Only $12,500. CAFRITZ 14th & K Dist. 9080 Model Homes 6, 7 and 8 Large Rooms Now Ready for Inspection 415 to 445 Jefferson St. N.W. 914 Quincy St. N.W. 1521t0 1527 Isherwood St. N.E. Isherwood St., One Square North of 15th and D Sts. N.E. 1601 to 1619 D St. N.E. Inspect at Once The architecture of these fine homes has been carefully designed and selected by our ex- perts of superior home designs. The material also has been carefully selected. All labor fur- nished by skilled me- chanics of the best grade. 'These homes contain six, seven and eight large rooms, tile bath and - built-in tub and shower, one-piece sink in kitchen, extra large porches front and rear. Oak floors, latest fix- tures; floor plugs in each room and lots of extras. Frigidaire and Garage With Each House FOR SALE BY REAL ESTATE. 2737 Devonshire Place N.W. Connecticut Ave., at Klingle Road Bridge There is a pleasure and convenience to+liv- ing in Woodley Park Towers that is un- equalled. Primarily this is because of its ideal loca- tion, overlooking Rock Creek Park and thus offering all the quiet beauty characteristic of a suburban community, while providing every advantage of downtown residence . . . This measure of convenience is further accented by interior arrangements that minimize the du- ties of the housewife—Electric refrigeration, of course; refuse incineration, ample elevator accommodations and an arrangement of rooms that is most delightful. Apartments of ome room with bath up to seven rooms with three baths are now being engaged by the type of people with whom you would enjoy meighborly associations. Open for Inspection Daily Until 10 P.M. Thomas J. Fisher, Inc., Rental Agents 738 Fifteenth St. N.W. 1719 VARNUM ST. N.W. An individually built brick residence that incorpo- rates-a number of interesting features that distinguish it from the average gyeculntively built home. . . . The owner, now desiring a smaller home, is offering this residence at a most attractive figure. There are 8 spacious rooms, two baths, first-floor lavatory, shower in basement, paneled walls, attic over entire house, Frigidaire, 2-car brick garage and deep lot with sev- eral large trees. OPEN SUNDAY UNTIL 9 P.M. Reached via 16th St., turn west 1% squares on Varnum to house. THOS. A. JAMESON CO. 906 New York Ave. National 5526 “Ask the Man Who Owns One” WASHINGTON BUILDING If you are seeking a REAL home, conveniently located and substantially built, come out Sunday and see this at- tractive new group of houses, just opened for inspection. They contain six large rooms and a built-in garage. The walls are paneled, blending with the exceptional lighting fixtures, and there is hardwood trim and oak floors. A modern, all-white kitchen, with inlaid linoleum floor, a beautifully tiled bath with shower. Three large porches. The streets and alleys are paved. The new Green Jacket Boiler and hot-water heat- ing system guarantees comfort these cold days. ‘M&Qansfimy MPANY INC, 1418 Eye St. N. Exclusive Agents Nat'l 5904 Very Low Price and Easy Terms Robert E. Kline, Jr. Owner—Builder 718 Union Trust Bldg. Or Any Broker National 6799 A Comprehensive Display Of the Correct Modes of Autumn <> Are Being Shown at 7538 Morningside Drive N.W. The Autumn Model Home in Shepherd Park L= 706 Montgomery Ave. ? B8 EW f If you are thinking of buying a home You will be enterested in this unusual Because L. E. Breuninger & Sons, since their incef- tion, have insisted that high and unstinted quality . . . new and correct design . . . fair and conservative price ++ .« be attributes of every home they feature, it is but natural that the ladies and gentlemen of Washington should encounter much of absorbing interest in the presentation of Our Autumn Model Home. Because— The construction is all brick The house is entirely detached There are four large bedrooms There are two tiled baths Naturally there is a garage Decoration is in exceptional taste Street and driveway are paved The location assures enhancing value The price is absolutely right—$11,950 We will make exceptional terms (Open Saturday and Sunday 1 to 9 P.M.) COLLEGE HEIGHTS, MD. On Washington - Baltimore Boulevard — one - fourth mile south of Maryland State University Detached, 6 Rooms, Bath—Lot 60 by 130 Ft. Beautiful setting on a spacious lot. Evergreens, trees, lawn. Native forest shade trees. 25 minutes by bus or auto to Treasury. Macadam streets, concrete sidewalks, electricity, gas, water, sewer. Twelve handsome homes already occupied. Convenient to grade school. DESCRIPTION Colonial brick. Six large, cheerful rooms and tiled lath (shower and tub). Spacious halls, coat closet. Bright attic. Well lighted concrete cellar, laundry trays, covered porch, builtin garage. Colonial brick fireplace. Hardwood floors throughout. " Linc. 2071 NEWSOM .1110 H N.E. I —_—----— = ! District 9486 mm e Autumn —brings a collection of new decorations . . . carefully and tastefully selected by Breuninger. <> To Reach— Drive out 16th St. to Alaska Ave., to 14th St., turn left to Iris St., then right one block to home. Preuninger S Sons 211 Investment Bldg. National 2040 Washington’s Oldest Established Builders (Opposite the U. S. Treasury) ANY SIZE SUITES ‘e An Inspection Will LCCATED in the very heart of the financial district this thoroughly modern building offers to the shrewd business REASONABLE e (o iitnsastH o Fode: RATES ve‘nie:nl;es 'inol:iu fuflice. WEAYE.BEQO REALTORS 809 15th Street N.W. Give You Many Additional Reasonse y Drive oult Georgia Ave. to Silver Spring and east on Montgomery Ave. to sample house. Natiom.ll Mortg. & Inv. Corp. 1004 Vt. Ave. Nat. 5833 K ¢ ey