Evening Star Newspaper, December 19, 1931, Page 18

" B2 REAL ESTATE. ! BULDING DES BETERNENT SEN Advance in Architectural| Beauty Made in Face of Handicaps. (Continued From First Page.) mental economics of housing are no | longer considering the building of a house, or even the building of many houses, as being the housing problem. | Large Operations Studied. | Architects are now studing this sub- | Ject from the point of view of large- | scale operations, rental vs. ownership, | the variable economic conditions of the | classes of society to be housed, the ef- | fect of obsolescence and blighted areas | on taxation, etc. The problem is beiny studied now as it never has been before, with all of the old prejudices and as- sumptions thrown aside. The coming | year's work will surely result in more | light being thrown on these complex | subjects. During 1931 we have heard a great | deal about governmental architecture, | Federal, state and municipal. Archi- tects have urged that we ought to se- cure for public works the skill, the taste | and the technical methods which have | distinguished the great private build- | ings of this country. They have urged that governmental architecture should be freed from the formalism of official architectural bureaus. While architects in private practice are undoubtedly interesied in getting this work for themseives, they urge a change from bureaucratic control pri- marily, because of a conviction that thereby better architecture will result: designs more consistent with local needs | and climatic conditions. | Architects’ Ideas Supported. { ‘The building industry as a whole has supported the architects in this con- tention, believing that if a larger share | of this woik is in hands of architects in rivate practice better contractcrs are ikely to be employed, men familiar with the “various localities, men who will have better relations with local labor and a more general knowledge of local materials. The coming vear ought to show definite results from this agita- tion. Perhaps the most promising moves of the vear 1931 have been those that led toward better co-ordination of the ef- forts of the various functional elements of the building industry. Since 1921 the movement to establish local building congresses in various communities_has mad~ real progress. This year Con- gresses in Detroit and Northern Cali- fornia were organized. Three or four other cities are just starting similar movements. Perhaps 15 cities are now 0 _organized Now a still broader plan of action | has been started. the beginnings of a| national movement to provide a center of co-operation for all of the national organizations within the building in- dustry. It is called the Construction League of the United States. It is in- tended to be a conference body only, each constituent organization learning through this medium what the others are doing, and then deciding for itself whether or not it will help to further such measures as tend to improve the quality of the public service of the building industry. Movement Encouraged. ‘The architects of the country have encouraged the formation of this Con- struction League, as they promoted the Building Congress movement, in order that the industry might move toward 8 better understanding of its powers, the functional relationship of its parts, and the interdependence of each ele- ment upon the others. If we are ever to attempt planned production in this country, or an economic council to guide industry, our building industry in this year, 1931, through the Construction League. has put itself in the way of get- ting ready to do its part. 1 leave to the prophets to say wheth- er the outlook for 1932 is good or bad as far as actual work of construction is concerned. I can see no great upward turn in the volume of construction for 1932 even at present price levels, since new buildings can only be financed ‘when they show the customary (or even an extraordinary) profit on investment. Something might have been accom- plished for the upbuilding of the con- struction industry in 1932 had we been ready with a plan to raise special relief funds to be used as secondary financing for low cost housing, slum removal and reconstruction, and similar now im- pessible ventures in betterment. But, as it is, the architects are de- voting their share to keep the wheels moving. and to make of the building industry a conscious unity with a com- mon purpose, despite the diversity of its functions. The professional men are, and must continue to be, the leaders in this movement. CONTRACTORS PLAN ROSENGARTEN FETE Retiring President of Trades Em- ployers’ Association to Be F Tendered Dinner. Plans are being completed for a ban- | quet meeting of local organized con- tractors in honor of E. H. Rosengarten, retiring president of the Building Trades | Employers' Association, to be held | January 5 at the Shoreham Hotel E. A. Rule is chairman of the ban- quet_committee, which is planning an | evening of entertainment for the mem- bers of the Washington building in- dustry and their invited guests, | Other members of the committee are Robert J. Barrett, vice chairman; Fred- erick J. Rice, Charles H. Tompkins, J. R. Skinner, C. Wohlgemuth, W. B, Put- nam. A. L. Smith, C. P. Oliver, George E. Wyne. R. W. Bolling, Fred Drew, J. B. Latimer. Merle Cain, Frank An- derson, Robert E. Anderson. W. Stecher, M. J. Colbert, George J. Herring, D. C. Butcher, H. T. Booth, James F. Mur- taugh, Edward Stevens, E. E. Ellett, L. Crovato, W. A. Thomas, Samuel Hutcher, J. B. McCarthy, Joe High, C. W. Murray, R. S. Conrad, Harry I Coxen A. W. Lee, R. L. Rose, John Koons, Joseph A. Daly, W. R. Carpenter, J. H. Ford, Charles Dowd. John McDonald, R. B. Phelps, C. O. Romborg, Harry J. Pierce, Da Hurson, M. C. Hud- dleston, C. A. Bhepherd, Thomas Mc- Conaty, Frank J. Sheehan, John L. Mc- Donald, Thomas Egan, George H. Zel- lers. P. A. Knox. H. G. Miller, P. Craig Jones, F. L. Campbell, T. J. Woodward, E J. Ewing. H C. McKnew, R. C. Dyer and C. J. Smith, LOAN GROUPS PARLEY SET Midwinter Meeting of National Institute in Shreveport. The annual Midwinter conference of the American Savings, Building and Loan Institute will be held in Shreve- | port, La., February 19 and 20, it is announced by Philip Lieber, president | of the institute. | ‘The meeting will be the ninth annual convention of the body, which is the education and research unit of the $9,000,000,000 building and loan busi- ness. The institute is affiliated with the United States Building and Loan League, of which Mr. Lieber is second vice president. An attendance of more than 300, in- cluding &m;:r;ldf:eculivesh and other ‘workers g and loan apsocia- THE EVENING STAR, WASHINGTON, D. ., SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1931. Washington Residence Home at 4500 Seventeenth street, near Allison street, which has been acquired by Dr. and Mrs. Richard Wilkinson, through the agency of Beitzell & Horning. The house, revealing lines of the Spanish motif, contains seven main rooms, two baths and & two-car garage. It has a lot 65 by 130 feet. ANERG AT WORK T0BE AR TOPE First of Radio Series on; Building to Be Broadcast January 8. As the major industry second only to agriculture, construction takes its place on January 8 as the subject of the first of a series of radio broadcasts presenting “America_at Work.” While a million persons at 3,000 dinners spon- sored by civic and industrial organiza- tions tune in, Gilbert E. Gable will in- | troduce leaders in the construction in- | dustry. Last minute facts on active and new projects will be furnished either per- sonally or by wire by the 13 building news managers of the reports division of F. W. Dodge Corp. Construction activity in every section of the country will be covered with information com- ing over the wires from the 13 key cities in_the 37 States east of the Rockies. Truman S. Morgan, president of F.| W. Dodge Corp., is serving as adviser on the construction program in the | special committee of the “America at Work” movement which is headed by | John E. Edgerton, president of the | National Association of Manufacturers, | and James Nelson McLean, president of the Association of Civic Service Cli_Executives, | “Although it is true that current tuilding activities are far behind those of boom vears, it is also true that $4.- 600.000,000 in building and engineering contracts for 1931 represents a volume | of business not to be passed by lightly,” | Mr. Morgan pointed out. “It means bricks, cement, steel, tile, brass and a thousand other commodities | sold in huge quantities. It means thousands of work hours for carpenters, riveters, steam-fitters, bricklayers and other workers in the building trades. | And so it exactly fits in with the | thought which actuated the ‘America | at Work' movement. | “For in spite of the fact America is hard at work for the most part, undue stress on abnormal conditions has led us to forget that hammers are still pounding nails, steam shovels still dig- | = ging dirt and spans of steel still swing- ing across rivers to the tune of whist- | ling rivets. It is the purpose of the | ‘America at Work’ fact presenting move- | ment to draw attention to just these | activities: and even at low ebb, the building industry is singing & tune of four billions a year!"” | ‘The event will take place at 8:30 | p.m. on the National Broadcasting Co. | network. The key banquet will be held in New York. FIVE HOUSES PLANNED Specifications Filed for Tvo-Stury‘ Structures on Madison Street. Construction of five two-story brick dwellings, at 128-13¢ Madison street, is planned by Cooley Bros., builders. Specifications just filed with the Dis- | trict building "inspector show an es- | timated construction cost of $25,000. Brick Dwelling Planned. Schwab & Valk filed plans with the District building inspector calling for the construction of a two-story brick dwelling at 4915 Albemarle street, the cost of which is estimated at $8,500. A. G. Hughes Heads | the first floor: REALTY ASSOCIATES IS INCORPORATED Brokerage Firm Which Enlarges Business. The partnership of Realty Asso- ciates, which has been conducting a brokerage business for some time here, recently was incorporated. The officers are A. G. Hughes, presi- dent; L. P. Liles, vice president, and E. H. Croxton, secretary and treas- urer. The firm has enlarged its busi- ness operations to include rental, loan and insurance transactions. BUILDING IN ITALIAN STYLE COMPLETED Three-Story Structure for Heki- mian, Inc., on Connecticut Avenue Finished. Completion of the three-story busi- ness bullding at 1214 Connecticut ave- nue for the galleries of Nejib Hekimian, Inc., brings to Washington an expres- sion of the architectural motifs of Islam. The facade of the building, designed by M. Mesrobian and built by the Charles H. Thompkins Co., is arabesque in style, except where present day methods of construction demanded con- cessions, it is explained. Above the large glass windows of the main floor there are triple mosque- type windows having tile spandrels, and above these there is a single arch third-story window Materials used for the facade include polished black granite and bronze for limestone, marble and specially designed tile in Oriental motifs for the remaining floors. The interior is finished along similar architectural lines. The first floor has wide walls broken by arched taber- nacles. _On this floor also are the busi- ness office and other quarters. The | second floor is to be used for lectures and other purpcses of the establish- ment 4100 Georgia Ave. AD-0145 I') Say Just This About 1419 Spring Rd. N.W. —it's the greatest value I know of today among six- room, colonial brick houses. By all means seet it! Open Daily to 9 PM. Robert W. Savage 717 Union Trust Bldg. Nat. 6799 or your broker PRE-OP ENING! 1932 NEW HOMES!! Start the “New Year” in a New Home Model Home Now Open for Your Inspection! 702 D Never hefore have you been as completely finished features as we have incorporated i —for the low price of 38 250 St. N.E. able to own an All-Brick Home with the modern conveniences and practical n this group we are now offering Small Cash Payment Moathly Payment Like Rent Highly restricted all-white section of all new homes occupied by owners. Only a few minutes to downtown...few steps from high, junior high and graded schools, stores and transportation. SOME INTEREST 6 Large Well Proportioned Outside Rooms, ING FEATURES: —— Hardwood Trim, Oak Floors throughout, abundance of Electric Outlets, Wall Brackets. FIREPLACE WITH “ RADIANT HEATER” BEAUTIFUL EQUIPPED A KITCHEN! Sanitas on walls and ceili ng, Inlaid Linoleum, Cabinet Gas Range, Electric Refrigezation, Oxford Kitchen Cabinets trimmed in two-tone Duco. Fold-a: way Dinette, * Colonial Front Porch, Screened Breakfast and Sleep- ing Porch. Large Bright Cella Alley. r. Deep Lot, Garage. Paved WE INVITE YOUR INSPECTION OPEN DAILY From Il AM. to 9 PM. Straight Out D St. N.E. to 1702 WAPLE & JAMES, Inc. 1226 14th St. N.W. North 0962 -FOR HOUSE IDEAS National Realty Association to Send Out Questionnaire on Many Topics. The National Association of Real Estate Boards is seeking to learn, by means of a public questionnalre, just what kind of houses the people who live in them would like to have. ‘The association has queried various manufacturers on what they will put lnto the homes of the future and has dsked various architects what the houses of the far distant years will be like. Now it seeks to learn from the public how closely industry’s plans for new American homes agree with the ideas of American families of today. It asks: Barring the palaces seen in the mov- ing pictures, what would you like, out- side and inside, for your home? Do you like big rooms or small ones; dining alcoves or dining rooms, or both; plain basements or recreation rooms? Do you like wall paper, paint or plaster walls; built-in features; pantries? If you could secure a good home without colored bath room fixtures, would you go without them if having them affected the house cost? ‘The majority of the members of the association are selling homes and the data obtained from this questioning of the public will be passed on to brokers and builders. A digest of whatever is received will material and equipment manufacturers, as well as to realtor bullders. Persons who write to the association on this subject are asked to confine their letters to 1,000 words and to give the name and address of the sender in the upper right-hand corner or the letter will not be used in the digest. No names will be used or printed, if this is requested. All letters must be in the hands of the National Association of Real Estate Boards, 59 Fast Van Buren street, Chicago, Ill, by midnight January 20, 1832, 80 an early digest can be prepared. HILLS TO OCCUPY HOME Owners of Massachusetts Residence to Move In. Mr. and Mrs. Bishop P. Hill are planning to occupy by the end of next month their new residence at 3000 Woodland drive, in the villa section of Massachusetts Park, which they have just acquired. The house, designed by Porter & Lockie, reveals lines of the colonial style of architecture set in modern form. It is of stone construction “7ith slate roofing, which forms pleasing contrast ainst the spacious lawns and the tall trees to the rear of the building. Aside from the commodious living quarters on the first floor, the house contains four main bed rooms and two baths on the second floor. The property, which has a frontage of 100 feet, is landscaped, and vines, included in foundation planting, give a touch of color to the exterior walls. Park $7,000 Dwelling Planned. Harry C. Woodward plans the con- struction of a two-story brick and frame dwelling at 3136 Oliver street C. R. Matheny is listed as the builder. | The cost is estimated at $7.000. REALTORS T0 STUDY CURRENT MATTERS rl Midwinter Meeting at ¢i. Louis to Discuss National Problems. (Continued From First Page.) dividers' division. Mr. Taylor is a regis- tered arhitect and a representative of | the realty board on the advisory coun- cil to the National Capital Park and | Planning Commission. A former president of the national association will speak at length on a matter that is bringing up problems in | various places throughout the country— | | the_Pondholders’ Committee. Leonard | P. Reaume of Detroit, who has had a great deal of experience along this line in_ Detroit, has been assigned this sub- ject. He will describe specific ways in which such committees can protect | both the interests of the bondhoiders and the interests of the equity holders. | Mr. Reaume is a past president of the | Detroit Real Estate Board. The Executive Committee of the As- | sociation will meet in St. Louis on Jan- | uary 18 and the Board of Directors will | hold session all day on January 19, pre- ceding the opening of the general meet- | ing. The States Council will hold meet- | ings during the same period. | Inspection trips through the St. Louis metropolitan area are being arranged | for -subdividers and builders and for | property managers. Argentina plans to encourage the pro- ' duction of Argentine motion pictures. This model home is at 4929 Rockwood Parkway, un the Spring Valley sec- tion of Wesley Heights. It contains twelve rooms in addition to the becuti- ful basement club room which was made possible by the cleanliness of gas heat. Illustrations show the club room and the charming library paneled in American walnut. Crowning a wooded rise in the Spring Valley Section of Wesley Heights is one of the most beautiful homes ever opened to the public. Designed and built by W. C. and A. N. Miller and furnished by Dulin & Martin, every possible comfort and convenience has been included, and in every detail there is evidence of value and good taste. Typical of the house, and of the care taken in its planning, is the wall construction, a model of which has been erected for your inspection. First there are eighteen-inch walls of stone, a coat of tar, firring, heavy Celotex insulation, metal lath, and finally the plaster. endure, and insulated against cold in winter and heat in summer. Here are walls built to With such evidence of care for the owner’s comfort, it is natural to find that this is one of the new Gas-Convenience Homes. In the sunny kitchen is a modern automatic gas range; in the laundry is a gas ironer, a gas dryer, a gas incinerator, a gas water heater and, of course, a clean, quiet, automatic Bryant gas heating plant. While this remarkable house is open, everyone should take the oppor- tunity to see it, for here is a perfect example of a home designed for modern living at its best. WASHINGTON GAS LIGHT COMPANY Builders’ and Architects’ Division 419 Tenth St. N. W. s SRR National 8280 ZE = e ARE YOU SURE YOU OWN IT? Let Title Insurance Answer the Question One flaw in your title to realty may be enough to involve you in a costly law suit, entailing a substantial loss. Court records disclose the frequency of title disputes and the losses that have resulted to the holders of supposedly “good” titles. Safeguard your property the sensible and modern way. For one small premium the $64,000,000 capital funds of this Company will be pledged to handle any title litigation or make gond any loss. NEW YORK TITLE AND MORTGAGE COMPANY Capital Funds over $64,000,000 810 15th Street, N.W. (Shoreham Bldg) Phone: Metropolitan 3900 A. W. Hoover, Assistant Secretary in Charge -~ A DISTINCTIVE. /ime for DISTINGUISHED //ving In addition to W. C. & A. N. Miller, these Washington builders also modernize their homes with gas: L. E. Breuninger & Son Boss & Phelps Breuninger & Phifer Edson W. Briggs, Inc. Cafritz Construction Co. Casey Engineering Company Columbia Construction Company Henry J. Connor Cooley Bros. D. J. Dunigan, Inc. Federal Construction Co. Thos. J. Fisher Co. J. F. Fox B. H. Gruver Harvard Terrace Development Co. Wm. A. Hill Co. Independent Investment Co. Thos. A. Jameson Randolph L. Jennings Jacobson Bros. Kennedy-Chamberlin Development Company McKeever and Goss W. C. & A. N. Miller Frederick B. Mills C. W. Morris & Son Henry J. Robb, Inc, Fred Schnider Shapiro Construction Co. Chas, L. Tankersley Waverly Taylor John B. Tiffey Triangle Realty Company Waple & James ‘Wakefield, Inc. M. & R. B. Warren C. M. Wilcox C. W. Williams Edward M. Willis P. H. Willis Realty Co. Young & Oppenheimer Earl Warren Walter Vaughn Molye Zitmore