Evening Star Newspaper, March 14, 1931, Page 17

REAL ESTATE OLD NATIONAL MUSEUM TO MAKE WAY FOR ROAD Building Faces Uncertain Fate as Plan for New Structure Waits in Congress After Failure of House to Pass Bill in Late Rush. ) BY DON S. WARREN. [E 50-year-old Arts and Industries Building of the National Museum groap n Mall is destined, under decison of the Park d Plannin% Commission, to go the way of the pld Center arket—but how and when are matters yet to be decided. Planning officials have decreed that Ninth street, which now ends at the Mall, must be cut through the parkway to provide one of the few traffic arteries that will cross the great Federal development area, and this decision contemplates the razing of the historic structure. But like a ccndemned man, it has again been granted a reprieve; like a dying man, it has taken a new lease on life. Its eventual elimi- thation and replacement has been taken for granted for years. This taises the apparent necessity of constructing a new, modern structure, tlesigned to be of more impressive beauty and of more adequate space and facilities, but these plans as yet have not been consummated. Congress at the past session had before it & plan for the creation WASHINGTON, D. C, of a commission to study the needs of a more adequate housing for a national museum of industrial arts, to recommend a site for a Pproposed new building and other Telated matters. During the hec- tic closing hours of the past Con- gress the Senate passed this meas- ure, but it failed of passage in the House and the matter was de- ferred. Has Had Long Career. This venerable brick structure, dis- tinctive with its towers, spires and dome, had a varied and colorful career. It also has been one of the focal points of interest alike to Washingtonians and to many thousands of visitors to the National Capital. Its career opened first as the scene of the inaugural ball of President Gar- field, March 4, 1881. It was first the home of th: National Museum and still is better known as tne old National Museum Building than as the Arts and Industries Building. With the con- struction of the New National Museum Building on the north side of the Mall it was turned to other purposes and now is pack:d and jammed with an amazing array of exiibits in connec- tion with its use as a museum of engi- neering and industrial craftsmanship. Just now it has an uncertain future— tenure of life—but this is no new expe- rience for the old building. It has been destined to the mercies of wrecking crews of some future date since the adoption of the McMillan plan for the Fed-ral development of Washington in 1901. That plan contemplated the eventual continuation of Ninth street through the Mall and since such a thoroughfare would run through the eastern wing of the building its rezing appeared c-rtain, if and when the street plan was carried out. ‘Would Be Replaced. Replacement of the old building by a new, larger and more adequate indus- trial museum was definit-ly contem- lat-d in the resolution passed rccently the Senate. Plans to this end have bzen in the mind of officials for a long time. Provision of n°w housing for the on2 d only large collection of industrial exhibits depicting the development of the greatest industrial Nation in the world is the key to the situation. The strezt matter might be postponed in- definitely regardless of traffic needs, but if the Ndul_fuscumk building is to b: wiped out of the park some place mus! bep(e:una for its huge array of material exhibits. Planning officials say the new build- is to be provided before the old b ng comes down. How long that “life sentence” will be remains for fu- ture developments to reveal. Dr., Alexander Wetmore of the official staff of the museum this week discussed hopes for a new building. The Old Na- tional ‘Museum, now the Aris and In- dustries Building, he said, was regarded s the “last word” in museum construc- tion when it was completed in 1881. But since, he added, it has become an-< tiquated, unsatisfactory in facslities and obsolescent, and should be replaced. contains much wasted space, due to its design. Has Popular Exhibits. ‘The museum building is packed with & wide variety of exhibits of popular appeal. In it hangs the Spirit of St. Louis, the plane in which Col. Charles Lindbergh made his historic flight to Paris, and the Wright airplane, dated (Continued_on_Second Pagt 13 Drummond Avenue Drummond, Maryland $12,750 Owner moving to Philadelphia has authorized us to quote the above price, which is Several Thousand Dollars below cost. It is situated on a lot 80x155, with full grown shade trees, and is one block from the Summerset Public School and Wisconsin Avenue Car line. There are four bed rooms, attic, bullt-in parage, oil burner, and every modern con- venience and improvement. A substantial cash payment re- quired. We recommend it as be- ing an excepticnal value. To in- spect, drive out Wisc. Ave. to Chevy Chase Club grounds, turn left into Drummond Ave. one block. Open all day Sunday. THOMAS L. PEYTON Reatior Chandler Bldg. District 2637 It | Work on $500.000 Pharmacy Edifice To Begin in Spring Building of American As- sociation to Rise Near Academy of Sciences. Construction of the monumental half- million-dollar headquarters building for the American Pharmaceutical Associa- tion, on the north side of B street be- tween Twenty-second and Twenty-third streets, is expected to be started in the Spring, it was announced today by Dr. E. F. Kelly, the society secretary. ‘Working drawings for the structure are to be completed next month, in ac- cordance with design by John Russel | Pope, architect. The project has been | delayed some awaiting decision as to | street plans and other Federal Govern- | ment development plans in the neigh- borhood, it is rcported. ‘The building will be in close proxim- ity to the National Academy of Sciences, the Lincoln Memorial and the site of the War and Navy Department Build- ings. Its design has been approved by the Fine Arts Commission. The bullding is to serve as a na- tional headquarters for the body, will contain a library on pharmacy, a re- search laboratory and the office of the publication of the association’s organ, the Journal of the American Pharma- ceutical Association. The association this week obtained title to a number of parcels in the building site. MODERNIZING ADVISED FOR “SOUND” RESIDENCE Substantial Structure in Neighbor- hood Where Values Hold Offers Good Future. A substantially built house in a neighborhood where values have re- mained sound through many years, and where zoning for residential purposes | protects from possible future deprecia- tion, is certainly well worth considering | for modernization, it is declared by Rollin C. Chapin. “It may be years old. Perhaps it has ‘gingerbread’ porches and stained glass stair windows. To all appearances it | may Jook thoroughly unpromising. And | yet, if its construction is sound, its | rocm arrangement adaptable to the | modern need without too great changes | and its general lines are not unpleasing, | surprisingly worthwhile results are | possible,”” he states. | “It is surprising how greatly the ap- pearance of a home can sometimes be | improved by simply removing some of | the ‘gingerbread.” the superfiuous orna- | ment which was so much in vogue a | few decades ago, refinishing the outside | with stucco, les or brick and per. haps designing a new front entran 4 ASPEN STREET Chevy, Chase, Md. A distinctive home with unusual features that will appeal to the most critical mind. Built by Orville L. Rice, of finest construction, this all- brick home of center-hall plan offers many unusual features, such as slate roof, doubly insulated with cabot quilting and Celotex; copper flashing, gutters and down- spouts, furred walls, rear stairway to 2nd floor, silent toilets, heated recreation rooms on 3rd floor, two master baths on 2nd floor and four large bed roorhs (one of which is arranged to make delightful library if desired) ; tiled floored sun room on first floor. Priced Below Competition Heated and open Saturday and Sunday until 9 P.M., and on week days from 2 to 6 P.M. J. Wesley Buchanan Realtor Met. 1143 Wis, 3732 Shepherd Park Washington’s Fastest Selling Home Community. Many Desirable Building Sit 11 Available Plans Furnished Free WONDERFUL BUY IN Chevy Chase, D. C. $18,250 3636 - EVERETT ST. Within Block West of he Foening Star. - SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 1931 Old Museum Takes _Nfaw Lease on Life ARTS AND INDUSTRIES STRUCTURE TO BE REPLACED EVENTUALLY cca of visiting thousands of tourists will be razed and a new and larger bullding, under pians of inter- \ ;s [ ested officials, will have been erected to take its place. This has been contemplated since 1901, but failure of the past Congress to establish a commis- sicn to study the manner of a new bullding and new site has again postponed completion of plans. —Photo by Underwosd & Underwood. ARCHITECTS HONOR FREDERICK MURPHY American Institute Fellowship Ac- corded Washingtonian, Jury Chairman Announces. Prederick Vernon Murphy, Washing- ton architect, has been elected a fellow of the American Institute of Architects, it is announced by Charles A. Favrot, F. A. I A, chairman of the jury of fellows of the institute. Mr. Murphy is associate architect of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception here and is a member of the Board of Consultants of the Mu- nicipal Center to be erected on the site north of Pennsylvania avenue between Third and Sixth streets. Mr. Murphy served several years ago as a member of the jury in the Better Homes _ Agricuitural Competition for this reglon, sponsored by The Star. He is a_member of the architectural firm of Murphy & Olmstead and professor of architecture at the Catholic Univer- sity of America. OLD HOUSES SURVEYED A survey of old Philadelphia and out- lying communities with a view to urging preservation of historically and archi- tecturally worthy buildings has been be- gun by the Philadeiphia Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, ac- cording to Walter H. Thomas, former president of the chapter. “Complete drawings are being made of the buildings of which no records exist,” says Mr. Thomas, “and from these, in the event of fire, they could be faithfully restored. In this work the Civic Club is assisting.” DETACHED ALL-BRICK Chevy Chase Home $12,950 5346 32d St. OPEN Saturday Afternoon All Day Sunday An exceptional buy. Very hard to find an all-brick home at this price in Chevy Chase. Wonderful kitchen and big pantry, all oak floors, fireplace, built-in garage, pretty lot. Many interesting features. Early American de- s Conn. Ave. to Nebr " a5 e Milltary | g AU 320 Bt and Tieht to house BOSS & PHELPS 1417 K St. First Showing | 5342 Nebraska Ave. | A Real HOUSE at a most | reasonable price Inspect This Solidly-built All BRICK House That Breathes INDIVIDUALITY. This home is most distinctive | with charming stcne_entrance and colonial porch. There are six large, well arranged rooms, two elaborate baths, breakfast room—the ultra-modern._kitchen is an outstanding feature—attic and garage. Attractively decor- ated and fully equipped with screens, electric refrigeration. e Qut today and see the newest RE g govesling home in Glevy | | Open Saturday amd Sumday E. H. CROXTON | Realty Associates i 1427 Eye St. Nat. 8744 | “Metropolitan cities cannot afford to be ugly,” Henry Vincent Hubbard, pro- fessor of landscape architecture at Har- vard University, declares in a sym- posium on a phase of city development conducted by the City and Regional Planning Committee of the American Institute of Architects. “The eontribution which zoning and tricts is an undoubted factor in their great attracting power. Cities with tra- ditional architecture and historic flavor now are beginning to appreciate the fact that uncontrolled growth can make ravages in_their individuality and charm which no late awakening can repal Fletcher Steele, Boston architect, as- serts: “Individuality is not necessarily an endearing or beautiful trait. The vast dinginess of Philadelphia is quite as peculiar as its noble suburbs. Phys- ical envirgnment may b: the decisive factor, as in Portland, Me., which. by its parks and promenades, has emphasized the splendid beauty with which it has risen out of the sea. Boston has always faced inward toward the Common, not outward to sea or hills. Its individu- ality lies more truly in its state of mind—a repugnance toward too quick chang Pointing to the value to a municipal- ity of reclaiming land and utilizing waste areas, George D. Hall, landscape Double-Front English Group Homes FOXALL 8ix and Eight Rooms d Three Baths Furnished Model Home 4400 Volta Place N.W. WAVERLY TAYLO.E.' She. 1998 K STREET 1707 Allison St. N.W. Open Sunday We will sell this home at an outstanding price. All brick, center hall, 8 rooms, 2 baths, 2-car garage. L. E. Breuninger & Sons 5404 Broad Branch Road Chevy Chase, D. C. $14,850 Four houses built in this group—three sold, two be- fore completion. This house on a lot with 90 feet frontage is, in our opinion, the outstanding buy for a home of this type in Washington today. 1st floor—Center entrance hall; large living room: den. or i dining room; ichen: T nished breakfas uest Ia fory, 'and' o ed " Cone boreh. 2nd _floor—Four generous sized bed rooms; two full baths and extra lavatory. Attic could easily be converted into recreation roas uilt-in ga- rage. clothes chute, ironins bos Sellers " kitchen eabinet, siate e. and Heated y and Monday fr AM. Until 9 P.M, Drive to corner of Military Road and Broad Branch Road—home is nezxt to corner. J. WESLEY BUCHANAN Opened Saturday, 81 10 Realtor i Met. 1143 Wis. 3732 — Lee Boulevard Special Sale The new road crosses our ground, necessitating removal of Beau- CITIES CAN’T AFFORD TO BE UGLY, LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT HOLDS Zoning and Planning Control Regarded as Factor in Attracting Powers. | architect of Los Angeles, says: “Boston and its metropolitan park system is an outstanding example of what can be doge by turning unsightiy areas and water courses into a superb park and parkway system.” i il SRR NEW HOMES WILL NEED SECLUSION FROM RADIO New elements are coming into im- portance in apartment house contruc- tion which builders must consider, in addition to the question of supply and demand in certin types of housing, declares Henry Wright, city planner and architect, in the Architectural Record. These are a formidable and diversi- fied list of amenities, accessory to the needs of habitation cnly, Mr. Wright states, which includes a reasonable de- gree of quiet from the neighboring radio; cut-of-door vistas that are re- poseful and inviting; access to health- giving agencies of sunlight and fresh air through the general use of bal- conies, roof terraces, and convenient parking and garage facilities. FOR For Exhibition Purposes Real Esta‘e OPEN DAILY FROM 3 to INDAYS FROM 10 to 1 and or BY APPOINTMENT ¥m. Corcoran Bill Co. Loans 716 Jackson Place DISTRICT 1283 $11, 5905 33rd Street Chevy Chase, D. C. Facing seven-acre Government Park is this charming BUILDING AT 606 F IS SOLD AT AUCTION Baltic, Six-Story Office Structure, Brings $23,700—Senator Dale Reported as Buyer. The Baltic Building, office structure cf six stories at 606 F street, was pur- chased at auction sale this week by Mortimer Harris, local attorney, who is reported to have represented Senator Porter H. Dale of Vermont. The win- ning bid was $23,700. The Baltlc was erected in 1889 by Dawson & Haislip, from plans by J. G. Myers, architect. The original owner was reported to be C. Rupert. The current assessed value for land and building is $33958. The contruction cost was about $30,000. The sale, conducted by Thomas J. Owen & Son, was ordered by the Wash- ington Loan & Trust Co., as trustee. Garden Only Outdoor Room. A garden should serve as an outdoor room and should be located with this idea in mind. Usually perennial or flower gardens are not placed in the direct line of a long view, because it is difficult to enjoy the near and intimate when the grand and the distant are dominating, which is always the case when there is a long vie SALE No. 6 Ralorama Circle Recently Completed by F. M. McConihe & Co., Builders This unusual residence, done in the true Colonial style of architecture, contains among its features a beautifully landscaped garden, on to which open the Living and Din- ing Rooms; six Master Bed Rooms, with four Master Baths; a small pine paneled Library; a Grille Room; am- ple servants’ quarters and a four-car garage. the House Is Furnished ] 3tos Insurance 950 BUILDING NEWS B—1 ] WEEK ADDS $1,302,000 TO BUILDING PROJECTS $693,400 Red Cross Office Structure and Numerous Private Undertakings on Official Record. Razing and Expansion Go Apace. valuation of $1,302,000 officially were added to the Mst of current operations here during the past week. f this amount $693,400 represented the cost of the new office structure of the American Red Cross, and the remainder represented that of private building projects, permits for which were issued by the District Government. Progress in both Government and private development tells a story week after week of new landmarks being added to the physical structure of the National Capital, bringing closer to realization the fact that the amount of undeveloped land in the District is being reduced steadily, and some day will be gone for all practical purposes. MOTOR FIRM BUYS tional, Gapital, Bowever, for. as OLD LUMBER SITE CONSTRUCTION projects in the National Capital having a total virgin building sites in the Dis- trict dwindle more and more each year two other elements enter into the picture, both already seen About $150,000 Paid for Property at Fifth and Sixth Streets and New York Avenue. Steuart Bros., Inc., representing the motor concern of the same interests, has just consummated purchase of a site for a large new commercial de- velopment on the property fronting on Fifth and Sixth streets and New York avenue. ‘The property was acquired from the old Libbey estate and was for about 100 years operated by members of that family as Libbey’s Lumber Yard. Title was executed this week by Willlam H. Walker and C. F. R. Ogilby, executors for the Libbey estate. ‘Guy Steuart, who acted in the trans- action for the new owners, reported the sale, consideration amounted to ap- proximately $150,000 for the site. Plans have been drawn for construc- tion on this property, which adjoins the present plant of the Steuart con- cetn, of a four-story reinforced concrete building. This building, he announced, would contain in its first story what was described as the largest coversd gasoline station in the District. The upper stories of the building would be devoted to_repair and storage operations Chevy Chase $9,250 West of Conn. Ave. Modern with_all_improve- ments. M by April 15, Leaving the city. Further Information Phone Wisc. 2873 as well defined trends. Razing and Expansion, These are the razing of old and ob- solescent structures to make sites for new, modern buildings and the expan- sion of Greater Washington farther into suburban territory. Work preliminary to the construction of the new Red Cross Building was started this week as a crew of wreckers started to raze the old church on the site at Eighteenth and E streets. The LOW PRICED HOME IN 16th ST. HEIGHTS Detached Center-Hall ALL BRICK FOUR BED ROOMS TWO BATHS TWO-CAR GARAGE $14,750 1430 HOLLY ST. OPEN Saturday Afternoon All Day Sunday BOSS & PHELPS 1417 K 8t ‘Nat'l 9300 Drive out 16th St. to Holly St. East to house. Sketched From Actual Photograph. Fort Bayard Park (St. Amw’s Parish) The structure, architecture and exquisite interior decora these homes lend a dignity and charm t for those who want the best at moderate price. make them most desirable From past experi- ence we believe them to have an_especial appeal for those in the service of the Army and Navy. We know there is genuine value in these homes. Model Home—4453 Faraday Place N. Completely Furnished for $1,165 2 Price, $10,950—Only Two Left Small Cask Payment—Balance Like Rent BOSS & PHELPS 1417 X 8¢, National 9300 north on Wisconsin Avenue to Fessenden Street, west to 45th Teet, turn right half block to home. 15 minutes to center of city. New, SPACIOUS priced at - beautifully planned hom 3600 & 3604 Van Ness Street North CLEVELAND PARK individual, brick homes, solving a problem of s rooms bath Hflncfiv.if 215’950 All the charming atmosphere in this restful type of design Th tion and environment is unsurp: English type, and two tile convenience of loca- ed. l RIGHT OF WAY Estimates on Completed Houses Convenient Terms Your Present Home Considered as Part Payment tiful Evergreens. The sizes are from 1Y% to 4 feet. Excellent condition. Norway Spruce, Cc ‘orado Spruce, American Arborvitae, Scotch Pine, Irish Juniper, Spreading Junipers, Blue and Green Cypress, Dwarf Arborvitae and others. $1.50 Come Early and Pick the Best $1.50 FORMAN’S GLEBEWOOD GARDENS ¥ BALLSTON, VIRGINIA i Glebe Road mear Pershing Drive Betwéen Columbia Pike and Wilsow Boulevard OPEN SUNDAY Phone Clarendon 500 new Colonial home. Six marvelously planned rooms. Liv- ing room, 23x137% ft., open fireplace, dining room has good wall space, kitchen and pantry with equipment that pleases the women, 3 lovely bright bed rooms with 6 closets, tile - bath, shower. Concrete porch, screens, weather locked, garage, large lot, well landscaped and shrubbed. Close to schools, stores, .transportation and churches. Open Daily to 9 P.M.—Heated. Drive out Comn. Ave. to McKinley St., turn right to 33rd St., left to Patterson St. M. & R. B. Warren § 4 Pot. 5824 Connecticut Ave. Open Sunday 1 to 6 A beautiful home. DETACHED ICK, 8 (4 BED Featuring Master Bed Room (22r14) with Tile Bath Living Room with Stone Fireplace Two Large Screemed Porches Attic — Frigidaire Two-Car Garage Open Saturday Afternocon and All Day Sunday hwab, Valk & Canby AV Potomac 0830 e rooms ROOMS), 2 BATHS, ELECTRIC REFRIGERATOR, finished Celo- texed attic, tiled roof, BUILT-IN ' GARAGE. Worth con- asked. Directions—Drive out 16th St. to Alaska Ave., to 13th St., turn left SemtEiviston, with fine features siderably more than price Bee it Sunday afternoon. BO:! PHELPS 3 HHKE..S & l'llhEllmulm s 'm H » Agent on Premises L. E. Breuninger & Sons