Evening Star Newspaper, June 7, 1930, Page 15

SHIPSTEAD ACT APPLIED IN METHODIST PROJECT Church Addition Facing Major Case to Arise Arch Capitol Grounds Is First After Enactment of ectural Uniformity Law. BY DON S. WARREN. P THE Shipstead measure, calculated to have far-reaching effect in plans for the beautification of the Nation#l Capital, by giv- ing the Fine Arts Commiss ion power to control the exterior appearance of private buildings erected near major Govern- ment developments, finally has become the law of the District. Just three weeks after President Hoover signed the act a major case arise! and aparim in the form of the projected large addition to the office nt structure of the Board of Temperance, Prohibition and Public Morals of the Methodist Church, at First street and Mary- land avenue northeast, which comes within the purview of the law. Since the Methodist Building there faces the grounds of the Capitol, permit for the construction cannot be issued by the Dis- trict Commissioners until plans have been before the Fine Arts body for 30 days, after which its approval would be assumed unless changes were ordered in the meantime. In the case of the Methodist Build- ing addition, plans call for construc- tion of a large addition on Maryland avenue to the east of the present building and running north to B street. It will provide additional apartment Tesidences, new quarters for officials of the board and have storage garage #pace in the basement for 32 or more sutomobiles. . Higher Limit Sought. +The plan is to make the K:m'nk:l‘J line of the addition conform to that of the existing stracture, which is some- what higher than 60 feet. This made it necessary for the board to petition the Zoning Comnxssion to increase the permitted height limit on the area from the existing 60 feet to the next bigher classification, 90 feet. Announcement that the project would come under provisions of the new Ship- stead law_was made this week by Col. William B. Ladue, chairman of the Zoning Corgmission, at the public hear- ing on this and other proposed zoning changes, Enforcement of the law will mean that private operators cannot erect structures abutting or facing upon the Government developments specified in * the law which do not have the approval of the Fine Arts Commission. This | is designed to protect the costly Gov- ernment projects from unworthy ex- loitation by private enterprises, though | t is not designed to prevent legiti- | mate use of private property. ‘The law is based on the general police ;ower of the Government, which also the foundation of zoning ordinances. Furthermore, the law recites the con- trol over the seat of the Federal Gov- ernment placed in the hands of Con- gress by authority of the Federal | Constitution. Maps Will Be Prepared. | _since the Shipstead law gives the | Fine Arts Commission the power to con- trol, to a reasonable degree, the height and appearance, color and texture of the materials of the exterior construc- tion of such private buildings, the law no doubt will have a profound effect upon future private developments along the extensive areas included in the bill as _subject to this protection. The areas thus specified are the grounds of the Capitol, the grounds of | the White House, the portion of Penn- sylvania avenue extending from the | Capitol to the White House, Rock Creek Park, the Zoological Park, the Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway, Potomac Park, the Mall Park System and public buildings adjacent thereto or abutting upon any street bordering any of said grounds or parks. Maps showing the areas affected by the law are to be prepared for the advice of private_property owners, the guidance of the District Zoning Com- mission, the District Building inspector | and the Fine Arts Commission, all of whom are concerned in the enforce- ment of the law. Members of the Fine Arts Commis- sion are Charles Moore, chairman; Abram Garfleld, Cleveland; Benjamin Wistar Mooris, New York Oity; Fer- ruccio Vitale, New York City; Eara Winter, New York City; John W. Cross, New York City, and Adolph A. Wein- man, Forest Hills, N. Y. H. P. Caem- merer, this city, is secretary and excu- tive officer of the commission. CHECK ON BAD ARCHITECTURE : INBEAUTIFUL SECTIONS URGED ruin of their beautiful sections by 3 ITIES must act to check the the intrusion of ugly buildings and the way has been indi- cated in Washington by the adoption of the Shipstead bill, _ which gives the Fine Arts Commission power to pass upon the design and exterior appearance of private buildings erected close to major Government developments, it was declared today by Charles H. Cheney of Los Angeles, chairman of the committee on city and regional planning of the American . “'So real is the ruin,” Mr. Cheney de- glares in'a statement from New York during a tour of Eastern cities following the architects’ convention in the Na- tional Capital, “that more than $3,000,- 000,000, worth of last year's new build- ing was of this blighting character. Vacant Lot Carries Threat. “Property values are destroyed, cher- ffhed homes abandoned, and neighbor- hoods ruined by the erection of one or more off-color, ugly or inappropriately designed buildings. Every investor, every bank and lender of money, every honest home builder in our cities‘has generally been n& the mercy of the careless, igno- rant o@vicious builder operating on the vacant lot next door. Every vacant lot in an unprotected neighborhood today carries a threat of ruin to its neighbors. “This is the greatest economic loss of our time, and one that can and will bé remedied as soon as Investors, home owners and the public génerally learn how to protect themselves. Congress has pointed the way in the Shipstead bill by establishing architectural control in ‘Washington under the police power. In another decade it is predicted that some form of municipal control over the de- slgn of private buildings will be as com- mon as zoning regulations now are. More than 500 cities have established Zoning in the last 10 years. “Architectural control of this kind is not new. Santa Barbara, Calif., in 1925 to 1526 required that all plans for pri- vate buildings be passed on by a com- petent _architectural board of review, much as the Fine Arts Commission acts in Washington. During that time more than 2,000 buildings of the best old California style were erected, although politics intervened to do away with the board and the city has since been dis- figured by a large amount of ugly, off- color and bad architecture. “For 50 years high-class real estate gubdivisions have been exercising care- ful architectural control, with marked Success and increasing property values, by means of building restrictions es- tablished by private agreement in the ‘This is what has made the Roland Park, Guilford, Home Land district of Baltimore, Forest Hills, on Long Island; the Country Clubj district in Kansas City, and the Palos Verdes Estate, near Yos Angeles, among others, the out- standing attractive residential districts of America. What they have accom- plished will be repeated before long in all cities by the establishment of municipal architectural control under police power. Predicts National Advance. A great national advance to sounder city building through the pass the Shipstead bill was seen by Mr. Cheney. ~This m ves the Fine Ar mmission Jegal veto, with 1po- lice power the design and exterior of all private buildings fronting Pennsylvania avenue, Lafayette Square and certain T _major Gov- ernment projects in the City of Wash- ss has protected hundreds of of dollars of new public build- insisting that private structures them shall at least be of a y high standard of archi- Institute of Architects. wisely appointed the Fine Arts mission to administer the act, This is a body composed of men of the highest standing in the world of architecture. “It is always a great shock to visitors to find Washington in any way below par, tawdry or ugly, or of such bad color or so plastered with signs as to thwart and make negative the fine ar- chitecture that is going up. Of course, in the towns and cities from which these visitors come as much as 90 per cent of the buildings in most places are ugly or bad architecture. So Washing- ton, on the average, is ahead of the country. Washington Befter Today. “In an approximate check-up of the amount of reasonably decent or attrac- tive city architecture of three years ago I said that we could give Washington only 25 per cent, New York 12 per cent, Chicago 8, Dallas 6 and other cities in Detween, as a comparative rat{ng. I believe Washington is now showing a slightly better percentage of new build- ings of all kinds, public and private as well, because of the excellent work of the Architects’ Advisory Council. “In the areas which are now to be subject to Fine Arts Commission ap- proval every building will have to be good, and that part of the city will have a hundred per cent record, or nearly 0. The Biggest Value of the Day in New Chevy Chase Homes $11,850 5424 32nd St. BUILT BY BOSS & PHELPS, Creators and Developers of Fox- hall Village, in the same careful and excellent manner that has characterized this old and sub- stantial firm for nearly a quar- ter of a century. Early American in design; built on lot of good width and unusual depth, with garage in keeping with design. A matchless view for miles_over the surrounding country. Light green shutters against an upper background of white and lower of warmly colorful old English brick add charm to this interest- ing dwelling. All windows are wide, even in basement. French doors open from living room to an exceptionally beautiful covered side porch. FRIGIDAIRE. Oak floors throughout; every modern improvement, including’ fireplace. Slate roof. See this at once. You will be delighted with its beauty. Drive out Conn. Ave. to Nebraska Ave., east to Military Road, right to 32nd and left to house. OPEN DAILY & SUNDAY Best Buy of the Day for Feovle of Modest Means 1910 37th St. Glenbrook Road Adjacent to wooded estates— EDGEMOOR, just north of Wil- son Lane. Large grounds, beautifully land- séaped. Four bed rooms, three baths. Among many other excellent fea- wures, Private Porch, Dressing Room, Bitier's Pantry. MUST RBZ SOLD Tezuzs to Suit Be Sure to See This Property * Saturday Afternoon or Sunday E. H. CROXTON REALTY ASSOCIATES » 1427 Eye Navl 8744 $8,750 Just around the ‘corner from Western High School, in charm- ing BURLEITH. Close to graded and junior high school and near the new Georgetown Medical and Dental School. A lovely English cottage type, on beautiful street, in new condition. Six rooms and bath, modern throughout. Well landscaped front and rear yards. Paved street and alley. Very con- venient terms can be made. Drive by Western High School on Reservoir Road to 37th St. and turn right to property. OPEN ALL DAY SUNDAY BOSLESHELPS Realtors 1417 K St. National 9300 D.C. BUILDING LAW TEXT OUTLINED Shipstead Measure Regulates Height, Exterior Design and Construction Details. ‘The text of the Shipstead law, which carries the title, “An act to regulate the height, exterior design and construction of private and semi-private buildings in certain areas of the National Capital,” is as follows: “Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assem- bled, that in view of the provisions of Constitution respecting the establish- ment of the seat of the National Gov- ernment, the duties it imposed upon Congress in connection therewith, and the solicitudé shown and the efforts exerted by President Washington in the planning and development of the Cap- ital City, 1t is hereby declared that such development should proceed along the lines of good order, good taste, and with due regard to the public interests involved, and a reasonable degree of control should be exercised over the architecture of private or uml-rubllc buildings adjacent to public buildings and grounds of major importance. To this end, hereafter when application is made for permit for the erection or al- teration of any building, any portion of grounds of the Capitol, the grounds of the White House, the portion of Penn- sylvania avenue extending from the Capitol to the White House, Rock Creek Park, the Zoological Park, the Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway, Potomac Park, the Mall Park system and public buildings adjacent thereto, or abutting upon any street bordering any of said grounds or parks, the plans therefore, so far as they relate to height and ap- pearance, color and texture of the ma- terials of exterior construction, shall be submitted by the Commissioners of the District of Columbia to the Commis- sion of Fine Arts; and the said com- mission shall report promptly to said Commissioners its recommendations, in- cluding such changes, if any, as in its judgment are necessary to prevent rea- sonably . avoidable impairment of the public values belonging to such public building or park; and said is- sioners shall take such atcion as shall, in their judgment, effect reasonable com- pliance ~with such recommendation: Provided, - that if the said Commission of Pine Arts fails to report its approval or disapproval of such plans within 30 days, its approval thereof shall be as- sumed and a permit may be issued. “Section 2. Said Commissioners of the District of Columblia, in consulta- tion with the Natiohal Capital Park and Planning Commission, as early as prac- ticable after approval of this act, shall prepare plats defining the areas within which application for building permits shall be submitted to the Commission of Fine Arts for,its recommendations. “Approved, May 16, 1930.” This will substantially increase property values and invite much larger and better investments than those parts of the city so unfortunate as not to have this kind M_lrch.lhctm’ll control and pro- which is to front or abut upon the |- This English cottage is distinguished in its low roof lines and central chim- ney. The square design allows for the most _economical type of construction and provides a maximum amount of area in relation to the exterior walls. Particularly desirable is the accessi- bility of various rooms from the hall- ways. On the second floor each of the three bed rooms and the bath open directly on a hall, which occuples a minimum of space. On the first floor the kitchen and living room are reached from the front hall, while the dining SQUARE DESIGN IN ENGLISH HOUSE PROVES ECONOMICAL room can be entered from either room. Stairs to the basement are from the kitchen, which is large, conveniently arranged and provided with cross venti- lation, as are most of the other rooms. For a combination of economical con- struction, inviting appearance and en- joyable living arrangement, this home is’ most. practical. Rooms are large, pleasant and restful. Brick or variegated stone is recom- mended for exterior walls, with gray- weathered wood for the front door. The center terrace in the rear may be open or closed. " BATURDAY, JUNE 7, 1930. EXHIBITION HOUSES WILL REMAIN OPEN Public Invited to Two Star Model Homes as Other Is Delayed Week. The Star model homes program, un- der which two of the series of five 1930 exhibition houses now are open to the public, will continue in operation dur- ing the coming week, as preparations are completed for the opening of the| fourth of the series. ‘The opening of the charming Eng- lish countryside dwelling of the eight- eenth century style of architecture in Northgate has been postponed from to- morrow until the following Sunday be- cause of delay faced by the District in completing the laying of sewers in the streets. This house was erected at 1325 Locust street, one block north of Kalmia road and east of Sixteenth street, by the North Washington Realty Co. from plans approved by The Star Model| Home Committee. It will be furnished for the demonstration b, Dulin & Mar- tin. Landscaping treatment has been executed under the direction of John H. Small. Meanwhile the two other houses now on exhibition continue to attract throngs of interested visitors. One of these is the modest six-room | row house erected by Baer & Scholz| at 2004 M street northeast, in the Shel- bourne section. This is’the smallest and least expensive of the series ar- ranged this year by The Star in co- operation with the Operative Builders’ Association. ‘The Shelbourne house may be reached from the center of the city by ‘driving out H street to Pifteenth street north- east, then out Bladensburg road to M street and right to the house. The other house now open to the public is the English group dwelling erected at 1509 Forty-fourth street, in Foxall, by Waverly Taylor, Inc., vhich tomorrow will complete its fourth and last week of exhibition under auspices of The Star. It was furnished for the exhibition by the department store of W. B. Moses & Sons. It is to be kept open to the public during the Summer. STAR MODEL DWELLING INSPECTION IS INVITED real estate firms and members of the Washington Real Estate Board have been invited by the North Washington The Star model home at 1325 Locust road, Northgat#, next Thursday after- noon at 5 p.m., it was announced today by Curtis Walker, vice president of the company: After an {inspection tour of the grounds of the model home, which will | be opened to the general public next week, the party will visit the surround- | ing section. A buffet supper will be served at 6 p.m. in Sligo. distinction and atmosphere. L.'E.'E. English Style Home | i O Assures You: trees in profusion . . Real Thrift, enjoying Comes with this Charming A Charming Colonial Home Old Georgetow This offering will delight the discriminating. It has real The pure Colonial has been re- tained—the mellow old flooring, the original brass locks and hardware, the lovely wide entrance and stairway. Yet it is thoroughly modern.” Six large rooms, two tiled baths, hot- water heat, three fireplaces. And a quaint old-fashioned garden. Recently reconstructed for the owner’s occupancy, changing circumstances now permit its sale. The Price Is Only $17,500—Terms Give yourself the pleasure of seeing it Sunday. Open 2 to 6 P.M. n, 1425 34th St. PRINCE 314 Investment Bldg. “ELBOW ROOM” 411,950 4311 ELM STREET, CHEVY CHASE, MD. A Warren-built Home Ample grounds, beautifully landscaped . . . Shade . Refreshing air, healthful sunlight . . . Beautifully designed homes, fully d.e- tached . . . Spacious rooms, every modern utility « .. Desirable neighbors, a select community « « . while you save . .. Com- fortable, happy, expansive living . « « —WITH PLENTY OF “ELBOW ROOM” SEE THIS HOUSE TODAY. Drive out Wisconsin ave. to Leland st., just north of Bradley lane, turn east (right) three biocks to 44th st.,, then north (left) two blocks to property. Open and Lighted Until 9 P. M. M. and R. B. WARREN Wisconsin Officials and sales managers of local | Realty Co. to make an inspection of | Choice Corner Home 4123 Thirteenth Place N.E. A modern, comfortable home for your family, Amid whole- some, beneficial environments. guard for their financial interests. .. Available on Most Reasonable Terms Seven Rooms—Built-in Garage Charles M. Wallingsford Owner & Builder 1010 Vermont Ave. MOST ATTRACTIVE HOME FOR SALE Ideally Arranged Beautifully Planted Garden A detached home at a high spot of Chevy Chase, in an established location, The house is modern, with a large living room, opening out on the garden; a smaller room, dining room, kitchen and pantry. The second floor has three large bed rooms, inclosed sleeping porch and There are two completely finished rooms on the third two baths Two-car garage. thick hedge. . STONE & 1008 Connecticut Avenue * “The large garden has a great variety of trees and planting afid is completely secluded from the street and adjoining houses by & high, Inspect This Most Comfortable Home Priced Well Under $20,000 OPEN SUNDAY 3932 Legation Street (Just West of Connecticut Avenue) And a safe- FAIRFAX National 2424 only 5 doors west of offered by CENTER-HALL PLAN. bery. Garage. 5520 Conn. Ave. $11.950—Chevy Chase, Md. No. 12 Blackthorn Street This attractive home, in a perfect location, just south of the Columbia Country Club and OUT-OF-TOWN PRICE WHICH CANNOT FAIL TO COM- MAND YOUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. lor, tiled bath. Lot 70x120, with trees, flowers and shrub- OPEN ALL DAY SUNDAY Edw. H. Jones & Co., Inc. Chevy Chase Properties Connecticut Avenue, is OWNER AT A 7 rooms, including sun par- Cleve. 2300 BUILDING NEWS PRIVATE BUILDING PERMITS SHOW HEARTENING VOLUME Total Number for Cottages, Garages and Other Structures and Improvements Nearly Equal to That of Same Period Last Year. D of last year. ESPITE the quieting effect the stock market slump of last Fall has had upon private building operations with the exception of the enlarged activities of huge industrial corporations, which were given impetus by President Hoover’s stabilization | program, local private building projects here thus far this year have | reached a volume that is but $929,568 lower than for the same period The monthly statement just released by Col. John W. Oehmann, District building inspector, shows that construction projects here, exclusive of Federal developments, had an estimated cost of $3,032,412, according to plans approved during May. A Report Held Encouraging. This brings the year’s total to date to $16,491,512, as compared with a total of $17,421,080 attained during the first five months of 1929. This is regarded by observers as encouraging, since the heavy program for this period of last year was started before business con- ditions generally and the strength of the buying public were lowered by losses in the stock market last Fall. Plans were approved during May for the construction of 109 private dwell- ings, an office building costing $1,100,~ 000, a warehouse costing $300,000, re- pair and remodeling operations costing more than $500,000, an apartment house costing $45,000 and numerous other smaller projects. During the past week plans were ap- proved for the construction of 24 pri- vate dwellings. « Permits issued during the week include the following items: W. H. Schoellkoff, yowner; Warde Brown, architect; R. W. Bolling, builder; to erect one 3-story brick and stone ad- dition, 2600 Porter street (parcel 55- 215, square 2218); to cost $50,000. J. J. James, owner and builder; George T. Santmyers, architect; to erect six 2- story brick dwellings, 717 to 731 Quack- enbos street (lots 82 to 87, square 3160); to cost $50,000. * Morris Blumenthal, owner; W. D. La- . L. Parsons, jr., builder; tory brick filling station, 5039 Connecticut avenue (lot 1, square 1986); to cost $30,000.. D. C. Gruver, owner and builder; George T. Santmyers, architect; to erect five 2-story brick dwellings, 2219 to 2225 ‘Thirty-eighth street (lots 662 to 666, square 1301); to cost $25,000. D. C. Gruver, owner and builder; George T. Santmyers, architect; to erect five 2-story brick dwellings, 2316 to 2324 Thirty-eighth street (lots 735 to 739, square 1301); to cost $25,000. E. W. Briggs, owner and designer; Allan Saville, builder; to erect one 2- story brick and stone dwelling, 1710 Kalmia road (parcel 77-16, square south of square 2748); to cost $22,500. Everett 8. Beall, jr., owner, designer and builder; to erect two 2-story brick dwellings, 3633 and_3635_Vea: (Continued on Third Page.) 4508 Ridge St., Chevy Chase One Block North Bradley Lane $12,250—Convenient Terms—Lot 50x125 ‘Three under construction—incorporate your indi- vidual ideas and changes now at practically no extra cost in these new houses. To inspect—Drive out Connecticut Avenue to Bradley Lane, turn west on Bradley Lane thr squares to East Avenue, then north on East Avenue one block to Ridge St. COME OUT SUNDAY — OPEN DAILY UNTIL 9 P.M. M. & R. B. WARREN Reliable and Dependable Operators Tel. Wisconsin 2873 For Your Inspection IF IT’S VALUE YOU WANT SEE THESE FIRST 3712 Windom Pl. N.W. North Cleveland Park This Beautiful Detached Home is now on sale at $13,500 Two baths, six rooms, and every modern appointment, including Frigidaire, big at- tic, garage, paved street and alley. The best buy west of Conn. Ave. Every home-seeker should inspect the homes we ad- vertise, because they are carefully selected and priced right. values are better. The last one of these pretty semi - detached six - room homes for this low price $7,750 Pretty oak floors, built-in | bath, shower, front porch, double back porches, fireplace, garage and paved st. Right at Fort Slocum Park and near graded and junior high school. Tower Bldg. We specialize in residential property where the -~ 427 Marietta Pl. N.W. Marietta Park Two squares north of Lonsfellow