Evening Star Newspaper, January 11, 1930, Page 17

WASHINGTON, CREDIT PROGRESS CALLED BIG 1929 DEVELOPMENT Official of Associated General Contractors Reports Definite Improvement in Building Industry Through Information Interchange Bureaus. Progress toward the stabilization of credit practices in the con- struction industry was the outstanding development of 1929, accord- ing to George B. Walbridge, general manager pro tem. of the Asso- clated General Contractors of America. To finally eliminate loose credit procedure will be one of the major objectives of the contractors’ organization in 1930, it is claimed. The progress made during the past year will be reviewed at the annual convention of the assoclation, which opens in New Orleans January 20. Plans for the establis will be laid out at that time. . ‘The extension of automatic credit to contractors has been a distinct dis- service to the building public and to the responsible elements in the. construc- tion industry, states Mr. Walbridge. “It has been largely to blame for the stigma of irresponsibility which has surrounded constructors while the absence of a uni- form system for the interchange of credit information has been the chief obstacle preventing the elimination of bad business and ethical practices with- in the industry.” the A. G. C. statement continues. Responsibility Ignored. “Under the system which generally prevailed both construction equipment and material concerns paid little atten- tion to the responsibility of the con- tractors who applied for credit. They depended on survey bonds indirectly gflld by owners and on lien laws which eld owners responsible for payment. Under these conditions owners were frequently required to make dual pa: ments because of the failure of irre sponsible contractors o pay their bills. “These conditions were first definitely improved during the past year when credit information interchange bureaus were launched in some 30 cities in the first attempt to establish a nationally uniform procedure to enforce the col lection of accounts from contracto! ‘The program followed was worked out jointly in 1928 by organized general con- tractors and subcontractors. During the past year this program received the additional support of organized building supply interests and equipment manu- facturers and distributors. “The procedure which has been proved successful consists of setting up | standard credit terms and interchang- ing information on those contractor buyers who become delinquent in their accounts. In this manner irresponsible contractors are unable to run from one supply house to another for additional credit, as all are provided with the same information. The result is that the interests of the owner are safe- guarded before final payment is made to the contractor. Delinquent Accounts Cut. “Wherever established the credit bu- reau system has succeeded in cutting | delinquefit accounts all the way from 40 to 80 per cent of previous totals, the emount eliminated depending on the nature of the terms agreed upon as standard. This movement is said to mark the first instance n business his- tory where a group of buyers has con- | sistently advocated a stiffening of the hel:ms of sale under which they pur- chase.” ‘The outlook for construction activity in 1930 is less definite than at the start of any year, according to E. J. Harding, assistant general manager of the Asso- ciated General Contractor: Estimates | for next year range from seven and a | half to between nine and ten billion dollars. According to Mr. Harding the stabi- lization of the stock market at mod-‘ erate levels is looked upon generally as beneficial to the promotion of construc- tion because of the release of finances to local banks, industries and building and loan associations. This release of funds, coupled with the intention of governmental and business leaders to stimulate construction work, makes computation on the basis of current statistics exceedingly hazardous. Increased Activity Seen. ‘These forecasts that depend on cur- Tent statistical data indicate a con- struction total between $7,500,000,000 and $8,000.000,000, as compared with forecasts of $8,500,000,000 in 1928 and 1929. Where the objectives of the Gov- ernment departments and business leaders influence forecasts these show an increase and range from $8,500,000,~ 000 to $9,500,000,000 and more. As jus- tification for these larger figures the forecasters point out that the Boulder Dam project of the Federal Govern- ment alone will probably usher in nearly $1,000,000,000 in construction Wwhen all the supplementary operations involved are considered. Again the vol- ume of highway and public works con- struction, as pledged by most of the States and other public bodies, is taken to indicate an increase in the total amount of such commitments during 1930. None of this prospective work, however, has arrived at the stage whej can be shown in current $12,250 5311 Nebraska Ave. N.W. Chevy Chase, D. C—One Block Conn, Ave. Brand new detached Dutch Colonial of 7 rooms, tile bath and built-in garage. Modern in detail, with many added features. Situated on an attractive corner lot one long block east of Conn. Ave. on Nebraska ve. OPEN DAILY until 9 P.M. MITCHELL QUICK 506 Tower Bldg. Metropolitan 3788 Two Tmposing the wonderful grounds of Chevy Charming English type brick J. & 1621 K St. N.W. | will be placed in the corner o CHEVY CHASE HOMES $18,750 Large Corner Brick—6501 Conn. Ave. iroom thoroughly modern brick home, on promi- nent corner site with long frontage on two streets and overlooking plete tilesyathe, two-car garage, etc. $14,750 Just Off Conn. Ave.—3 Taylor Street lent location, situated on wonderfully landscaped lot Every modern feature, including open fireplace, two t model kitchen equipment, hardwood floors, floored attic, ALL DAY ?UNDAY "Bnuglass Co. Realtors hment of additional credit bureaus | statistics either as bonds issued, bids called for or contracts awarded. Despite the present lack of statisti- cal indicators the Associated General | Contractors look for some increase in | activity in 1930 over the volume of 1929. It is conceded, however, that this might not become evident during | the early months of the year. WORK ON ARPORT GETS UNDER VY |20-Plane Hangar and New Administration Building and | Station Contracted. Improvement of the Washington Air- | | port, south end of the Highway Bridge, was started this week, when Bahen & . | Wright, local builders, were awarded a contract for construction of a modern 20-plane hangar and a new adminis- tration building and passenger station. Ground was broken immediately, and | both structures, the total cost of which will be $85,000, will be completed wllhini 90 _days. Plans for the hangar were drawn by Lockwood, Green & Co. Holden, Scott & Hutchinson designed the office build- ing. Albert G. Ober, jr., executive vice president of the Washington Air Termi- nals Corporation, which owns the air. port, will have general supervision over the work, which is part of a $600,000 expansion program designed to provide Washington with a model commercial air traffic terminal. Safety Equipment Planned. Capt. Thomas Carroll of this city, for nine years chief test pilot of the Ni tional Advisory Committee for Aero- nautics, will superintend the building into the airport of latest safety equip- ment and flying routine. All plans have been approved by the Fine Arts Com- mission as fitting into the general scheme of beautification of the National Capital and environs. The hangar plans call for a steel and concrete structure 100 by 120 feet, with 50-foot concrete aprons at each end. The building will be erected on the| eastern edge of the airport, near the; Alexandria road. Adjoining will be a| machine shop and other servicing fa- cilities. ‘The administration building, which the fly- ing fleld nearest the bridgehead, will be a stucco and brick structure of modern- istic design and finish. On the first floor will be offices, passenger waiting room, restaurant, baggage room and other facilities. Upon the roof will be a glass-inclosed control room and a decked-over space from which specta- tors may view operations on the field. The whole will be set upon a grassed terrace. | Larger Flying Surface. | Pending the start of nmew construc- | tion, the work of expanding the fiying surface of the airport, which is the | most accessible in the neighborhood of the city, recently has been pushed with vigor. Hundreds of truckloads of ma- terial are being hauled to the 100-acre tract daily, and that part of the field suitable to flying has been tripled. The old hangar has been removed to the far end of the field, and across Military road the amusement park structures of Arlington Beach, which was purchased by the airport company some time ago, have been torn down. ‘Through arrangements with the elec- tric power and telephone companies, the wires on Military road are being low- ered into conduits, to give freer access to the field for airplanes. WOODRIDGE, D. C. A Detached Home That Is Different 3914 21st STREET N.E. $8,500 7erms J. Dallas Grady 1010 Vermont Ave. N.W. Dist. 9179 Open Daily Till 8:00 P.M. Price New Chase School for Girls, Two com- and stucco home, in a most excel. f wide frontage. aths, garage, etc, Av aylor St north corner. Metropolitan 5678 D. C, g ! Philadelphia Meltin g; Pot Produced Colonial Houses of Distinction. MODERN RENDITION FOUND PLEASING | | Recalls Days When Manori-l‘ al Typea of Old England | Were Dominant. | Out of the “melting pot” of Philadel- | phia, where English, Dutch, Swedes and Germans intermingled, came a type of Georgian architecture, perhaps peculiar | to the locality, where Colonial houses showing the development of early | American architecture stand as me- | morials to the progressive development 0‘( this art on the North American con- tinent. New Englander Used Wood. While the colonist designing his own home usually harked back to what he remembered had taken place in his homeland, he was always limited in his production by the material on hand with which to build. In New England he emulated his ancestors and strived to produce in wood what they had pro- duced in brick and stone, while far- ther South, where there was apparently a greater prosperity and wealth, his ef- forts materialized in brick and stone. Around Philadelphia this is particularly true and many of the old houses still stand, representing the finest types of that aristocracy which centered in the Nation’s former social and political hub. From that period there has been copied this Georgian home reflecting the manorial fashion of old England. A modern rendition of this type of architecture has just been completed in_Washington, on Glenbrook road. The house is set well back on its lot and is approached by a roadway pass- ing over an arched stone bridge, under which flows a brooklet, one of the many which traverse this section of the Dis- trict and from which this particular section derives its name, Spring Valley. Upon a knoll rises the house, the walls of which are of stone laid in random rubble. The strict symmetry of the main portion of the house is given an added touch of style by its formal door- way. Sun Room to East. To the east is the sun room planned to catch the first rays of the morning sun and to the west is the servant's wing, containing the three-car garage, with two servants’ rooms and bath above. The chauffeur's room and bath are found in the basement of the main portion of the house. Upon entering the front doorway, ofe finds himself in a square hallway about 13x13, from which the broad stairway rises to the second floor. To the right is the formal living room, 17x29; to the left is the dining room, 17x15, and directly facing the entrance door is the library with its paneled wals. The entrance to the library is placed on an axis with the front door, giving a vista on entering the house of the garden beyond. Just off the library is a small lavatory. To the front of the house are the pantries, kitchen and coat closets. Passing through the li- brary one arrives at a porch about 12 feet wide extending along three-fourths of the garden side of the house. The garden side of the house is de- signed in as dignified and attractive manner as the entrance front. On the second floor there are five bed rooms 2nd three complete baths; and on the third floor there are three guest rooms and bath. This dwelling was designed by Gor- don E. MacNeil and built by the firm f W. C. & A. N. Miller for Comdr. and Mrs. A. H. Balsley. The sale was made through the office of Harry ‘Wardman, Windows in Harmony. To give esthetic satisfaction, win- dows must be in perfect harmony with the building in which they oc- cur because the relation of things to each other is just as refined and sub- tle as the relationship between per- sons. In order to reflect beauty, the house must express fine balance of its essential parts, which it cannot Jhe. WITH SUNDAY MORNING EDITION Foening Stas. SATURDAY, JAN TARY 11, 1930. HOME & GARDEN B—1 d Suburbs BUILDING COST FOR WEEK IN D. C. TOTALS $1,577,900 Permits for Private Construction Include an Apartment Listed at $1,500,000, Exceeding Outlay for Entire Month of November. Residence of Comdr. and Mrs. A. H. Balsley, Glenbrook road, Spring Valley. PLAYGROUND MOVE GANS MOMENTUN Real Estate Subdivisions in 34 States Make Provisions for Recreation. Playgrounds and other public recre- ation areas have been set aside in 278 real estate subdivisions in 34 States, according to a chart issued today by the Playground and Recreation Asso- clation of America. “The plan has assumed the proportions of a national movement,” declares the essociation, pointing out that both the subdivider and the community are benefitted. Not included in the chart for lack of suffi- cient data are 147 additional subdi- visions known to have recreation spaces. An average of 7 per cent of the total area has been set aside for recreation purposes in subdivisions _comprising 109,327 acres. At least 71 develop- ments have reserved 10 per cent or more for play. Realtors of New York State and North Carolina lead with play areas in 34 and 32 subdivisions, re- | spectively. Among the cities, Greens- boro, N. C., takes first place with 18 subdivision, and Kenosha, Wis, 1is second with 15. Golf Courses Provided. Parks, athletic fields, chilaren’s play- grounds, tennis courts and golf courses are among the recreation spaces listea. That the small subdivider can afford w set aside recreation spaces is indicatea by the fact that 96, or more than one- half, of the subdivisions whose acreage 15 known, comprise 100 acres or less, the report states. ‘The prevailing plan of maintenance is deeding the play area to the munici- pality or township, which exempts the land from taxation and relieves the | operator from the responsibility of up- | kep and supervision. This has been done | in the case of 113 of the 204 subdi- visions for which the chart gives the answer to the question of maintenance. Wisdom of Work Cited. “The subdivider of today has learned that it is wise to set aside land for playgrounds in his communities in the | same way that he allots certain areas for streets,” says W. Burke Harmou, president of the Harmon Foundation, in a foreword to the summary. “To my knowledge no subdivider has followea such a plan without being amply re- warded, both by the immediate economic return and by the very nacural satis- faction that comes to us all when we see important human work well done. ‘Through a series of awards whicn have been administered by me Play- ground and Recreation Association of America, the Harmon Foundation has been able to encourage a large number of subdividers to test for themselves the value of creating adequate play do unless its windows are properly designed and located. ook Hillbr Community in ch /ONLY $5,850 | i Small down pay- Di. ment . . . only $45 per month. excel front HARRY A. 1019 15th St. N.W. with 1 ble screened sleepin; GARAGE. ping porche: OPEN SUNDAY, 1417 K St. BO"‘E HOME Exhibit Home 4647 Hayes St. N.E Semi-detached hom: rdwood stores, schools and churches. few steps of the property. ofeoeoededededeodedesdedoodeodoodoodeoedededed The' Finest Buy At an Amazingly Low Price IN Mt. Pleasant 1835 IRVING ST. A SEMI-DETACHED BRICK HOME WITH WONDERFUL VIEW OF ROCK CREEK PARK $13,500 Approached by handsome stone walled terraces. Won- derfully landscaped lot fronting 40 ft. inclosed sun room and 2 fireplaces on first floor. 4 BED ROOMS, 2 BATHS, fireplace on 2nd floor and dou- A beautiful home. SSAD PfiL PS Nat'l 9300 Realtors oiloode Bofoloofucococfifooec oo fofglo b ofefon spaces in their real estate developments, he Highly restricted colored development. "IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII‘IIIIIIIIIIIII||||||||I|IIIII§- Y £ g 5 , distinctive aracte: oor . . . sp: lently planned kitchen, large and rear yards. Convenient to Easy ach. Take H St. cars marked ct Line. Car stops withi presentative on the Premises Open for Inspection Daily and Sunday KITE, Inc. National 4846 of the Season | Spacious rooms— s, oak floors. Maids' room. 2 UNTIL 5 P.M. OF Immense Profits In District Real Estate Disclosed Returns After Holding Property Comparatively Short Time Shown. Reports of real estate transactions throughout the country showing inves- tors have won great profits by holding property for comparatively brief periods while ‘appreciation in land values steadily mounted are being broadcast by the National Association of Real Estate Boards. Among the scores of cases cited are _the following: “Robert S. Nash of Washington pur- chased from the Munsey Trust Co. in 1920 a property for whicn he paid $6,500. On March 17, 1926, he sold this property to Catherine MclIntire for $101,000, or a profit of 1,453 per cent, or 242 per cent a year. “The records do not show if Wilbur 8. Nash is a relative of Robert Nasn, referred to above, but in 1922, Wilbur Nash, in the same city, purchased three Jots at & public auction for 22 cents per square foot. Two years later he sold these lots for 56 cents per square foot, realizing an increase of 34 cents per square foot, or a profit of nearly 100 per cent per year.” — MODERNISM IN HOME. Durability and Convenience Not at 0dds With Architectural Trend. Modernism in home architecture does not imply bizarre or freakish ar- chitecture, for modernism is essentially a matter of utility, comfort and con- venience and economy. There is no reason why a small English cottage type of house cannot be truly moder similarly, American Colonial archit ture may be utilized in a home that is as modern as next year's motor car. Modernism in a home means, first, that from a purely structural stand- point the house is built to stand hard weather and to afford its occupants the utmost comfort and security, no mat- ter what may be happening outdoors. BUILDING PROJECTS SHOW LARGE GAIN Contemplated Work Is Put| at 54 Per Cent Above 1929 Contracts. The year 1929 closed with a loss in the number of construction contracts as compared with 1928, but with the amount of contemplated new work run- ning 54 per cent ahead of contracts during the past year, it is reported by F. W. Dodge Corporation in its annual review. The report states: Construction contracts recorded dur- | ing the year 1929 in the 37 Eastern States reached a total of $5,754,290,500, according to the Dodge review. Com- pared with the total for the record year 1928, this was a decrease of 13 per cent. Commercial and industrial building reached a combined total of $1,689,200,- 800 last year, an increase of 11 per cent over 1928; these classes of work usually in crease when general business activity and the stock market are on the up- swing; public and institutional buildings of all kinds (constituting the remainder of the non-residential classes) amount- ed to $901,020,200 last year, represent- ing an 8 per cent decrease from 1928. Non-residential buildings as a_ whole had contract expenditures just 3!z per cent above those of 1928. Financial Condition Better. ‘The decline was most severe in resi. dential building, whose 1929 total was | $1,915,727,500, being 31 per cent under the 1928 total. Even public works and utilities, contracts for which kept some- what ahead of 1928 very nearly to the end of the year, finished with a contract total 7 per cent under that of 1928, or $1,248,342,000 as compared with $1,- 337,930,500. Although the financial which reached its climax in late Octo- ber was in the nature of a removal of || serlous obstacles to construction im- provement, it late to aid any NEW ENGLISH BRICK HOME No. 5405 39th St. N.W. (Between Military Rd. & Legation St.) A beautiful new center-entrance plan home in one of upheaval || Private building operations in the District approved during the ast week have a total estimated cost of $1,577,900. The figure is | larger than that for the whole month of November. The week’s total was swelled by issuance of a permit for the $1,500,000 apartment development at 2500 Calvert street, near the Million-dollar Bridge over Rock Creek at Connecticut avenue. The Calvert Street Corporation is the owner; J. Abel, designer, and Harry M. Bralove, builder. The apartment is to be of eight stories, of stone, brick and concrete construction, built in the form of two crosses, with provision for the future construction of a third unit. Permits were issued during the past week as follows: The Calvert Street Corporation, own- ers; J. Abel, architect; Harry M. Bra- love, builder; to erect one 8-story brick, concrete and stone apartment building, 2500 Calvert street (lot 6, square 2138); | to_cost $1,500,000. Robert E. Kline, jr., owner and build- |er; George T. Santmyers, architect; to erect nine 2-story brick dwellings, 1701 |to 1717 C street northeast (lots 67 to |95, square 1093); to cost $40,000. George 1. Willis, owner and builder; L. E. Harris, architect; to erect one 2-story brick and frame dwelling, 5618 Nebraska avenue (lot 19, square 2311); to cost $6,000. Kass Realty Co., owners and builders; to erect one 1-story brick store, 2566 Wisconsin avenue (lot 867, square | 1300); to cost $6,000. Brick Store Listed at $5,000. Dr. R. Hottel, owner; George T. Sant- myers, architect; E. A. Pessagno, build- er; to erect one 1-story brick store, 3522 Twelfth street northeast (lot 31, square 3881); to cost $5,000. Sarah E. Sonnemann, owner; Frank Sonnemann, designer and builder; to erect one 2-story frame dwelling, 2211 Perry street ortheast (lots 25 and 26, square 4242); to cost $5,000. Realty Investment & Securities Cor- poration, owners; to repair fire dam- ages, 1718 Corcoran street (lots 212, 213 and 214, 155) ; to cost | INSPECT | 1213 Trinidad Ave. N.E. and Save $750.00 Open Sunday from 21t05PM You will appreciate the re- markable value being offered in this practically new home. Newly decorated throughout, this six-room colonial brick, with hardwood floors, natural trim, || tile bath, three porches (two rear | porches inclosed), built-in ga- || rage, paved street and alley, is actually being offered for $750 less than it recently sold for. Located in & community of new homes, convenient to schools, stores and bus line. Will make terms to suit reliable purchaser. Inspect today or call Nat'l 2100 for particulars, A. Dispensa, owner and builder; H. W. Gaines, architect; to erect one 2- story brick addition and erect one con- crete block garage, 4527 Forty-fourth street (lot 22, square 1647); to cost $1,300. Edith P. Lapish, owner; D. M. Mar- thinson, builder; to make repairs, 3414 ()1 ;g‘-’eet (lot 814, square 1228); to cost $1,200. Temporary Church Planned. Church Extension Society of the Methodist Protestant Church, owners and builders; W. S. Plager, architect: to erect one 1-story frame temporary church building, Kansas avenue and Hamilton street (lots 15 to 23, square 3301); to cost $1,000. Estate of Elias Heidenheimer, own- ers; Clarence W. Gosnel, builder; to make repairs, 903 E street (lot 801, square 377); to cost $1,000. Leo Simmons, owner and builder; A. G. L. Toombs, designer; to erect porch, 2230 California street (lot 816, square 2529) ; to cost $1,000. Guthrie & Williams, owners; Ward Brown, architect; G. L. Williams, build- er; to erect addition and make repairs, 1526 and 1527 Thirty-third street (lots 211 and 212, square 1255) ; to cost $900. —3524 — 13th Street N.W. Just North of Park Rd. £ Unquestionably the best buy in a 3-story brick Colo- nial anywhere on the heights. Reconditioned from cellar to roof and in tip-top shape. Wi Colonial front porch, 9 5 bed rooms, tiled b: public Be Sure to See This One Sunday! OPEN SUNDAY UNTIL 9 PM. 1418 Eve St Natl. 5903 1890—1930 EXPRESSING OUR THANKS TO ALL WHO HAVE HELPED US DURING 40 SUCCESSFUL YEARS the finest sections of Chevy Chase, D. C. Large living room with spacious firelace, dining voom and a light. wall equipped kitchen on the first floor; three lovely full size bedrooms and two baths on the second. 2-car garage, floored attic, Sanitas walls; every desirable feature. Situated on a fne lot 45x140 feet, with several large trees. The Price Is the Real Feature OPEN ALL DAY SUNDAY FOR INSPECTION [SHANNON. & LUCHY] Realtors 1435 K St. NW. Nat. 2345 WANTED Experienced Real Estate Salesman One of the best known builders of fine homes in the city will employ capable man who wishes to identify himself with an office that is able to afford a future. State fully qualifications. Applications will be held con- fidential. For an Interview Address Box 263-K, Star Office = Massacauserts Park West of Kalorama -Across Rock Creele Mass. Ave. entrance at 30 St. One Square east of New British Embassy “The National Cathedral on west Sites for Individual Homes Priced from *L50 per sq.ft. up Within 2 miles of White Fouse Location and contours can never be dublicated in heart of Washington again- Drices ana Data from= MIDDAUGH AND SHANNON Ixc, B 1435 K st Nesoss WALTER A. BROWN 1400 H St. N.W. Natl. 1652-1653-1654 RENTALS—C. T. du Fief SALES—L. A. Daly LOANS—W. A. Brown, Jr. INSURANCE—M. B. Ulsh AUDITOR—W. C. McGuire A Breuninger Home— 1630 Allison St. N.W. S.E. Cor. of 17th and Allison An Invitation . . . to Visit a Com- pletely Furnished Home This Home is Priced Fully $2,000.00 Less Than Its Real Value Ina c?mmunily of detached homes rang. ing in price up to $40,000. It is like new in every respect and is decorated throughout. It has 9 rooms; 5 bedrooms, 2 baths, built- in garage, most modern gas type heating plant and screened. The family which is interested in a well-built home of unusual character in a restricted, high cla munity should see and compare the value of this house - with those submitted by others. The home is b tifully furnished and is open for your inspection Sunday and every day from 10 AM. to 9 P.M. Freuninger S Sons INC. Furniture by D. S. Pool 211 Investment Bldg. Washington's Oldest Established Builders National 2040