Evening Star Newspaper, February 8, 1930, Page 13

WASHING! 'PRIVATE BUILDING HERE STARTS YEAR ACTIVELY January Projects Total, Estimated at $4,540,170, Surpassing Every Month as Far Back as 3§ July, 1929. BY DON S. WARREN. Private construction in Washington made a strong start for the new year in January when plans were approved for projects having a total estimated cost of $4,540,170, according to the official statement of Col. John W. Oehmann, building inspector. This figure compares with the total of $2,558,445 for January, 1929. The January total also indicates a revival of private construc- tion here over the volume for the later months of 1929. It was well in excess of the totals for all months as far back as July of last year. ‘The July total last year was $5,127,815; August, $2,272,880; Septem- ber, $3,232,900; October, $3,066,705; ber, $2,351,330. November, $1,040,320, and Decem- One month's record by no means establishes a positive trend for the whole year but a casual survey of additional operations now in sight fails to foreshadow any lull in the prospective total for 1930 as compared with the past year. Larger operations now pending, at least, will boost the year’s total along considerably. Plans for three projects of consider- able cost were announced this week. The Alonzo O. Bliss properties revealed plans for the construction of an eight- story hotel of costly style and running in size from 350 to 400 rooms for the prominent site on B street between First and Second streets; the Standard Oil Co. of New Jersey announced plans for an early start on a new five-story office building on B street between Second and Third streets, and a new eight-story office and residential building for the Brookings Institution is to be erected at 14 Jackson place. Other Projects Planned. ‘The Federal and munieipal building programs already have provided impe- tus for private operations running into several millions of dollars, the largest being the huge and monumental new home of the Southern Railway at Fif- teenth and K streets, which cost for land and building about $3,000,000, and others are in prospect. ‘The Potomac Electric Power Co. is expected soon to start construction of a monumental new headquarters on the northeast corner of Tenth and E streets. ‘The Ford Motor Co., which must va- cate its large plant at Pennsylvania avenue and John , in the new civic center site, is jerstood now e Bt Bresbyterian, Ghiich, also in the civic center site, already has se- lected a site for its new home on Massa- john Marshall Diilding for s for ‘Two apartment developments now are being started: The Westchester, the first two units of which now are be- ing_erected on the 28-acre tract on Cathedral avenue between Thirty-ninth street and Glover Parkway, the entire overation planned to be carried out over a period of five years at an estimated total construction of between $10,000,000 and $12.000,000, and the New S| Hotel, residential hotel operation on Calvert street between ‘Twenty-eighth street and Woodley road, having an estimated cost of $1,500,000. Permit has just been issued aisg, for the last unit of the Tilden Gardens co- operative apartment development, Con- necticut avenue and Tilden street. h ing a construction cost of $500,000. Universities Expand. Both Catholic University and Geom; town University are ear with notable expansion of their . ‘The lai Union Terminal being _erected by & merchants of Cen- at PFifth ‘walving iterest down- town marketing plant, negotiations for which are now under e ‘The January total was by the approval of plans for two apartment houses having an estimated total cost of $2,050.000 and the Shakespearean i building being erected for Henry on Grant row on East Capitol street at a construction cost of about $1,450,000. Private building “operations in the District approved during the past week by Col. John W. Oehmann, building in- spector, have an estimated total cost of $416,100. Permit was issued for the erection of a two-story dormitory and academic building for Augustinian Col- lege at 3900 Harewood road northeast, costing $250,000. Plans were approved also for construction of 21 dwellings. Included in the new list of operations were the following: Augustinian College, owners; Paul Monaghan, Philadelphia, Pa., architeot; to erect one 2-story brick, concrete dor- mitory and academic bullding, 3900 Harewood road northeast (parcel 122/11, | square S-3665); to cost $250,000. Charles D. Sager, owner and builder; George T. Santmyers, architect; to erect eleven 2-story brick dwellings, 533 to 553 Twenty-third street northeast (lots 19 to 29, square 4516): to cost $50,000. Shelbourne Co., Inc., owners; Robert O. Scholz, architect; Baer & Scholz, builders; to erect five 2-story brick dwellings, 2000 to 2008 M street north- east (lots 7 to 11, square 4445); to cost $25,000. Joseph Ferrari, owner; A. S. J. Atkin- son, architect; to erect one 2-story brick addition to apartment and stores, 5600 to 5606 Connecticut avenue and 3805 to 3811 McKinley street (lot 1, square 1860) ; to cost $14,000. ‘Will Build Pack House. Washington Cement Warehouse Co., owners; Macdonald Spencer Engineer- ing Co., Inc., designers and builders; to erect one 3-story concrete and tile ce- ment pack house, 3031 K street (lots 801 and 802, square 1190); to cost $10,000. Continental Oil Co., owners, designers and builders; to erect one 1-story brick auto service station, 936 to 944 E strect (lots 41 to 46, square 378); to cost $10,000. Edwin Jacobson, owner, designer and builder; to erect one 2-story brick and tile dwelling, 5421 Nebraska avenue (lot. 25, square 2025); to cost $9,000. Edward Jacobson, owner and builder; J. M. Gleason, designer; to erect one e , square 3 to cost $9,000. g Y JANUARY BUILDING EXCEEDS DECEMBER Month, Usually Falling Behind. Shows Increase for Period of 2 Per Cent. For the first time in nine years, the January total of building and engineer- ing contracts exceeded the total of the preceding December, according to F. W. Dodge Corporation. Last Month's in- crease over the immediately preceding month was onl~ 2 per cent, but January normally falls behind December and has done so consistently even in the biggest boom years, such declines having ranged anywhere from 5 to 29 per cent. In January, 1921, the contract increase over December, 1920, marked the turn ing point from a prolonged building re- cession; this January's contract record may likewise mark the turning point of the current recession. In addition to the 2 per cent increase in contracts, January had the highest recorded vol- ume of contemplated new construction. Building and engineering contracts let last month in the 37 States East of the Rocky Mountains amounted to $323,975,200. In addition to the 2 per cent increase over December in dollar volume, there was a 4 per cent increase in number of projects reported. The month’s contract-volume in dollars was 21 per cent behind that of January 1929. Among the important classes of cconstruction expenditures contracted for in January were: $112,065,200. or 35 per cent of all construction, for public works and utilities; $66,631,900, or 21 per cent, for residential buildings; $54,052,300, or 17 per cent, for commer- cial buildings; $38,266,200. or 12 per cent, - for industrial buildings; and $19,009,200, or 6 per cent, for educa- tional buildings. . Contemplated new work reported in the 37 States during January amounted to $1,455,349,600, by far the largest total of newly planned work recorded for any single month. & ‘These contemplated projects repre- sented a 68 _per cent increase over the amount reported in December, 1929, and a 78 per cent increase over the amount reported, in January, 1929. Out of this enormous total $808,211,400 consisted of lans for public works and utilities pro- jects, including large subway work being planned for New York City, and $647,- pla 138,200 for new building work in the | TON,-D. C., ‘The total construction cost is estimated The 28-acre tract along Cathedral avenue between Thirt: WITR SUNDAY MORNINO EDIT vy Eil o1 § e between $10,000,000 and $12,000,000. MODEL OF REALTY SALES T0 BE GIVEN Two Officials of National" Body to Demonstrate for Local Organization. Two officials of the National Associ- ation of Real Estate Boards will conduct a sales demonstration meeting of the local realtor organization at Wardman Park Hotel Monday night, it was an- nounced today by Alfred H. Lawson, president of the local board, in notices sent to members. A, John Berge of Chicago, sales counselor of the national association, and Guy W. Ellis of Detroit, past presi- dent of the Detroit realtors and active in educational work for the national body, will lead the discussion. ‘The subject matter will be new, but the conference will be along the lines of the sales clinic held by the board last year. Mr. Ellis will discuss “Aids in Selling” and Mr. Berge will talk on “Creative salesmlnsmr:' Following each lecture there will be open dis- cussion for board members. Realizing the need for trained real estate agents, the national association is devoting considerable attention to the development of sales conferences, Mr. Lawson points out. An invitation has been extended to the_members of the real estate board of Baltimore and to Virginia realtors to attend the meeting. A special com- mittee arranging for the meeting con- sists_of John F. Maury, chairman; Lee D. Latimer, Harry K. Boss, Morris Cafritz, J. E. Douglass, Morton J. Luchs, Paul D. Crandall, Raymond G. Koenig, Rosinki and Howard A. Schladt. b Li Architect’s sketch of the first two buildings of the projected quadrangle of apartment structures planned to be erected during the ensuing five years on the -ninth street and Glover parkway by the Westchester Corporation, of which Gustave Ring is president. W 3 MODIFICATION OF REAL ESTATE TAXES SOUGHT IN UNITED STATES Mounting taxes levied against owners of real estate was the chief concern of the National Association of Real Estate Boards at the annual midwinter convention held January 23 to 25 at Phoenix, Ariz. Plans were considered for development of a national program for real estate tax modificatign in which realtors and property owners throughout the country would be asked to join efforts. The convention, according to an an- nouncement from the executive officers, also took the following actions: . Brought out the way in which tax increases, inevitable with the expan- sion of governmental activity, are now increasing upon real estate in heavier proportion than the general increase. Announced the formation of a joint committee to represent a number of na- tional associations which are interested in the protection of real estate invest- ment values, through which committee it is hoped a natlonal program may be formulated to unify the present recognized strong movement toward tax modernization. On this joint commit- tee there will be represented the Na- tional Association of . Real Estate Boards, the Mortgage Bankers' Associa- tion of America, the National Associa- tion of Building Owners and Managers and the United States League of Local Building and Loan Associations. Reduced the dues of the newly formed property owners' division of the association to the nominal sum of $1 per year in order that the division may ‘represent property owners in the widest possible manner. The action is in preparation for a strong advance drawing. gropeny owners into co-opera- tion with real estate boards in the movement toward a modernization of State tax systems and toward a more equitable situation for real estate in local taxation. Advanced the movement toward standardization of real-estate business practice through step toward stand- ardization of lease forms. ‘Took_initial steps toward the formu- CHEVY CHASE, D. C. Brand New Detached Brick Homes JUST 2 LEFT e % 4307 Jenifer Street (Between Conn. and Wis. Aves.) Colonial design, 6 rooms, den, tile | bath with shower, open fireplace, oak floors, am.i. and garage, $10,500 OPEN SUNDAY Rgached_via Conn. Ave, k1A Then west o to Jenifer ouses. N Sansbury 1418 Eve Realtors Nat'l 5903 Just Completed MILLER 4 Designed & Built English-type Home of Eight Rooms Three Baths ith Lavatory on First Floor 2.Car Garage Large Lot w 3309 35th Street N.W.—Just North of Macomb St. Open for Inspection & W2 Kalorama Heights 2324 Tracy Place Imposing, new, detached resi- dence in Washington's most ex- clusive in-town neighborhood. Brick construction, 11 rooms, 5 baths, 1st floor lavatory, back stairway, oil heat, electric refrig- eration and two-car garage. Reached via Mass. Ave. to 24th St., then.morth to Tracy Pl Open Sunday ansbury ‘Mé‘@ ¥ ING. OWNERS-BUILDERS, 1418 E; Thomas J. Fisher & Co., Inc. Chevy Chase, D.C. CENTER HALL PLAN $20,500 One Block West of Conn. Ave. This is a very desirable new resi- dence of stone and brick construc- tion, consisting of 8 rooms, 2 baths. and’ a_2-car built-in garsge. The lot s 60 feet front by 130 feet deep. Inspection 'of _th convince you that opportunity. $13,000 Twe and One-Half Blocks West of onn. Ave. This {5 an attractive shingle bun- galow of 6 rooms, 1 bath, heated sun room and garage. The lot is 60 feet front. désirable surroundings. Very 1300 Block Clifton St. N.W. Three-story apartment house with an apartment of 4 rooms and bath on each floor. Lot 23 feet by 113 feet. (The total’ rental in $1.620.00 per annum. ;rlu slz,ooo Clear 3536 Eleventh St. N.W. This is a 3-story. 7-room house wil ; “hot-ali heat; one-car $7’000 Clear is' property will at it 15 an unusual lation of standards of practice for sound subdivision development. Held round-table discussions on the changing economic conditions recog- nized as brought about by the stock market crash of October and Novem- ber and brought out the new conditions which may be expected in the flelds of building construction and real estate through released investment funds ex- pected to return to normal channels. Brought out over and over again the idea that a man’s business judgment 1s no better than his information and em- phasized the need for systematic ac- cumulation in every city of accurate facts as to the city's situation in re- spect to supply and demand for the various types of residential and busi- ness structures. Proposed standards of practice for the development of subdiivsions were dis- cussed by the home builders and sub- dividers' division, of which W. C. Miller of this city is chairman. The executive committee of the division approved definitions and statements of principles outlining the essentials for a good sub- division development. The standards of E;:ctlm will be brought before the rd of directors f{ the association at ‘A'.; \lzuamrly meeling in Chicago in Four types of lease forms, worked out by the property management division of the association after an examination of successful lease forms in use by mem- bers of the division, were approved as standard forms by the executive com- mittee of division. SPARKS PURCHASES BARAGE BUILDING Consideration for Structure Is Reported in Excess of $400,000. James B. Sparks has purchased the modern fireproof garage bullding re- cently erected at Twenty-first and L streets by William E. Gore from plans by George N. Ray, it was announced today by Keller & Stuart, who handled negotiations. The consideration was reported to be in excess of $400,000. The building is one of the largest garages in the city and was planned with the idea of combining under one roof all necessary features of a com- plete automobile sales and service busi- ness. The bullding is of four stories, faced with limestone, and has a volume of 1,100,000 cubic feet, including a show room 55 by 120 feet. Access to the upper floors is pro- vided by a banked ramp. There is parking space available on the roof An electric elevator provides service for passengers. Beginning PFebruary 15, it is an- nounced, a general automobile storagc and service business will be conducted in the plant under the -direction of A. F. Brown. A 2 per cent decrease in the amount of vacancy in all types of dwellings was | shown in the recently completed occu- pancy survey of the Des Moines (Iowa) Real Estate Board. /’\. ASSACHUSETTS Park West of Kalorama -Across Rock Creek. Mass. Ave. entrance at 30 St. One Square east of New British Embassy The National Cathedral on west Sites for Individual Homes Priced from *1.50 per sq.ft. up Within 2 miles of White House l&o}:’rtio;d and h:rntou;.:'cag\ never be ul |cxp’.m t of mngrm again- ices anad Data MIDDAUGH AND SHANNON Inc, 1435 K St R L. W. GROOMES Announces the Removal of His Real Estate Office to 1719 EYE STREET NORTHWEST PHONE NATIONAL 1768 Nagoss New Brick Home 6 Rooms and 2 Baths $14,950 311 W. BRADLEY LANE Opposite Chevy Chase Club Groumds On one of the most prominent boulevards of Chevy e, this home, surrounded by shade trees, contains ix carefully planned rooms and two tiled baths. a large side porch and floored attic. Of course, there There ngnil!g %iaf' SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1930. HOME & GARDEN : B.-! SURVEY REVEALS INCREASE IN CREDIT FOR BUILDING Prospect of Greater Const ruction Activity in Many Sections of Country Disclosed by Report After Exhaustive Inquiry. Indications that credit is resuming its flow in normal channels in larger volume, paving the way for increased activity in the con- struction field, are disclosed in a survey made by the National Build- ing Survey Conference under direction of the chairman, Fenton B. Turck. The survey, in which banks. building and loan associations, in- surance and mortgage companies co-operated, shows that building mortgage conditions on the West Coast are now favorable, money being available in sufficient quantity for prudent residential, renovat- ing and business building loans. The raf on a basis of 60 per cent valuation. te varies from 5% to 7 per cent In the districts surrounding Cincinnati, Cleveland, St. Louis and St. Paul there has been a particul ar pick-up during the past week in the mortgage market, with many loans being favorably negotiated at the present time. ‘There is & slight improvement in the situation in New England and a con- siderable optimistic attitude has de- veloped in that section regarding the immediate future of the mortgage money market. No favorable change has been noted in the situation in the districts surrounding Chicago, Detroit, | Pittsburgh and Indianapolis. This also applies to certain spotty conditions in the South, including Atlanta, where sufficient funds have not been received to enable them to enter the mortgage market in a noticeable manner. ‘The Baltimore district in the past few days has shown considerable im- provement. Funds have been put out recently from New York and its sub- urbs on a conservative basis. The situ- ation in the Philadelphia district is im- proving. Increase of Funds. “It is with special interest that we are watching building and loan asso- ciations,” says Mr. Turck, ‘“because they play such a large part in home construction and renovating finance. The increasing supply of funds flowing into these channels at this time, par- ticularly in the Eastern district, is a most interesting reflection. The Rail- road Co-operative Building and Loan Association, with assets of $58,000,000, has just made seven building loans which are the first group they have made since October 23. “The general tendency seems to be to pay courteous attention to applica- tions which represent real value and for loans involving betterments and renovation to property. Careful ex- amination of data would indicate that the better class of people seeking mort- gage loans are active at this time and will benefit by filing applications so that their cases may receive considera- tion as surplus funds come into the. mortgage market.” It was the sense of industrialists meeting with President Hoover after the stock market recession, as well ds of the National Business Survey Con- ference, that a speeding up of con- struction, repairs, replacements, e would serve as one of the most impo: tant stabilizing influences in the busi- ness situation. The Building Survey | Conference was organized in_January to carry out this purpose. It brings together for ‘the first time all of the gnlx: in the building and construction e The work of the conference is undcr the general direction of a represent- ative executive committee. Particular phases of it are dealt with by special committees, among which are the fol- lowing: Building and loan committee, Ernest A. Hale (chairman), president United States League of Building and Loan As- sociations; statistical committee, Thomas F. Holden (chairman), vice president in charge of statistics, F. W e Co.; trade publications commi'- tee, F. W. Feiker (chairmah), managing director, Associated Business Papers, Inc.; special home financing commit- tee, M. B. Nelson (chair ), presi- dent Long-Bell Lumber Co.; architects committee, E. J. Russell (chairman), president, American Institute of Archi- tects; radio committee, Frank A. Arnold (chairman), National Broad- casting Co.. real estate committec, Leonard P. Reaume (chairman), presi- dent, National Association of Real Estate Boare The following appointments have been made to the executive committs: R. B White, representing importart lumber interests; A. C. Pearson, chair- man of the board, United Business Publishers; William A. Starrett, presi- dent of Starrett Brothers, Inc.; George A. Wilson of Breed, Abbott & Morgan. New York City. i BUILDING TO AL GROWS. Special Dispatch to The Star. BALTIMORE, February 8.—Building operations in Baltimore last month totaled $2,596,800, an increase of $150,- 000 over the corresponding month of 1929, according to a report of the bu- reau of buildings. Garages formed the principal item of construction for which permits’ were issued last month, there being 54 in- volving a total of $297,000. Two-story brick dwellings, numbering 67, were next in volume with a total of $287,000. Salt Lake Snrvei ‘Work has been completed on the Salt Lake City Real Estate Board's occu- pancy and vacancy survey, covering all kinds of residential and store property. The results show that apartments have a decrease of more than 3 per cent in their percen of vacancy. _Homes in Priced From EASY TERMS OWNERS and 906 New York Ave. N.W. Petworth $8,250 Up Inspect at Once 415 to 445 Jefferson St. N.W. 6, 7 and 8 large rooms, tiled bath, built-in tub, shower, hardwood floors, cedar - lined closets, servant’s toilet and wash trays. Frigidaire and other modern appointments. Double rear porches and concrete front porch. Paved street and alley. Lots 140 feet deep. Garage with each house. Conveniently located to schools, street cars, stores and churches. Thos. A. Jameson Co, BUILDERS T A Real Opportunity! DOCTOR or DENTIST Corner Home for OFFICE AND RESIDENCE Ill. Ave. & Farragut St. ‘The office has a sept entrance from the street and consists of two rooms and lavatory. The location is in the heart of a fast-growing community. The residence is of tapestry brick with concrete front porch and contains reception hall, 6 ununusually large rooms and tiled bath with built-in tub and shower. Beautifully decorated throughout, with hardwood floors and trim. It s equipped with oil irner, Frigidaire and all modern conveniences. Only $12,500. 0000000000000 00000000000000000000000 te Convince Yourself 21 Built $9,950 5017 9th St. N.W. Colonial type 8-room, buff-brick home, 2-colcr tiled bath, daylight kitchen, Frigidaire, breakfast room, sleeping porch, built-in garage, hardwood floors and trim, screens, covered concrete porch, coat closet with plate-glass mirror door, instantane- ous water heater; 21 built—only 1 left. by an Inspection 1400 Block Hopkins St. N.W. This is a 3-story house of 9 rooms baths; hot-water heat. Rented. rie §6,500 C Thomas J.IFilher & Co., nc. '738 15th St. N.W. Dist. ll!fl is plenty of closet space, screens and a garage. Opened and Lighted Until 9 O’clock CAFRITZ Dist. 9080 Sunday, 10 AM.-9 PM. W. C. & A. N. MILLER REALTORS—DEVELOPERS Open for inspection daily and Sunday until 9 p.m. Drive out Connecticut Ave. to Bradley Lane, turn iest to property, or ou?, Wisconsin Ave. fo Bradley Lane and east to property, or phone Wisconsin 2873. M. & R. B. WARREN Realtors : "14th & K