Evening Star Newspaper, January 2, 1932, Page 13

REAL ESTATE WASHINGTON, D. O, VAST CHANGE IS WROUGHT| IN CAPITAL DURING 1931 Government Carries Forward Its Plan to Rebuild Heart of City, With Many Monumental Build- ings Scheduled to Rise in 1932. BY DON S. WARREN, HE work of rebuilding the heart of the National Capital was I carried forward on an ever widening front during the past year and 1931 leaves a record of unprecedented activity in new Federal projects completed, continued in progress and others Just started. | More important still for the time being is that the peak of the development work will be maintained during the new year, despite the retrenchment policy dictated by the deficit in the national budget, for it is planned to continue the operations already authorized, deferring only those yet awaiting specific approval of Congress. Stupendous changes in the appearance of Washington have been wrought during the past year when many acres of land within the Government development areas were cleared of old structures pre- paratory to construction of monumental new buildings or the laying BILL 1S OUTLINED The old year also left a number of difficult problems on the door- step of the new year and while the solution of several of these questions may not be found dur- ing the course of 1932, the ulti- mate decisions will presage im- portant changes in the face of the National Capital for the = future. These matters of u’ncertainty,;FO”OWS P which in some cases have given roposal Made by Silver Star Homes of 1931 Attracted Thousands of Visitors FIVE DEMONSTRATION DWELLINGS WHICH WERE SPONSORED IN PUBLIC EXHIBITION UNDER AUSPICES OF THE STAR. rise to wide difference of opinion among officials responsible for various phases of the develop- ment program, have served the good purpose of centering a heightened interest and attention | to these vastly important matters, | final rulings on which will have | a lasting effect, one way or an- | other, on the manner of the| Capital development. | For instance, there is the long-de- | bated question of the proper and most advantageous sites for the new War and Navy Department Buildings, both of Wwhich will be of great size. The Public Bulldings Commission has selected for this purpose a large area between | Eighteenth and Twenty-third streets, | New York and Constitution avenues, part of which was owned by the Go\‘-“ ernment or authorized for purchase under the Keyes-Elliott law. Other officials, however, have contended for other sites, a Southwest area and one | north of Pennsylvania avenue and west | of Seventeenth street being among | those proposed. Naval Hospital Site Debated. A related problem, also in controver- sal stage, is the selection of a site for | the new Naval Hospital, which Navy | Department officials have planned as an | addition to the present Naval Hospital | Gevelopment, overlooking the Potomac River north of Lincoln Memorial. The Fine Arts Commission, however, objects | to this site, urging that the new ho(-‘ pital be erected on some location simi- Jar to that of Walter Reed Hospital, 5o that & great naval medical center may be developed. The building is to cost $3,200,000, but under the economy pro- gram of President Hoover construction 15 to be delayed for the time being. Another proposed development which | may remain unsettled for & protracted period s the suggestion being studied by | the National Capital Park and Planning | Commission and the Pennsylvania Rail- | road for construction of & raflroad tun- nel under the Potomac River to replace | the present old railroad bridge, Which | would cause accompanying changes in the existing industrial and commercial activities in the Southwest section and | contemplate development of a new Tail- road freight terminal at North Carolina avenue and First street southeast. The Cost of the tunnel alone is estimated at $38,000,000. | Then there is the ever-increasing problem of how to provide daytime storage for automobiles of the thousands | of Government employes who will be housed in the new buildings in the Fed- eral Triangle south of Pennsylvania avenue. Proposals again and again have been brought forward urging provision of parking space in the basements of the new buildings for this purpose as a means of reducing the problem of traf- fic congestion on downtown streets. There are serious objections offered however, to devoting costly space in the new bulldings for such purpose. A counter suggestion has been for the bullding of separate garage buildings on a commercial basis. Hoover, Realty Associa- tion Declares. The bill providing for establishment of 12 Federal home loan banks to dis- count residential home mortgages, which was introduced in the Senate by Senator Watson, Republican, of In- diana, and in the House by Repre- sentative Luce, Republican, of Massa- chusetts, does not differ from the plan outlined’ by President Hoover Nove ber 13 when he first proposed the new system, according to the National As- sociation of Real Estate Boards. A reading of the bill discloses two things to which the realty association is giving wide publicity: The discount banks would not deal with individuals; the discount banks would have no re- lation whatsoever with the Federal Re- serve and thus no broadening of the Federal Reserve base is contemplated in this bill. Provisions Outlined. The 12 banks would be located in the districts already defined for the | Federal Land Bank system. As pro- vided in the bill, the new banks would operate as follows, according to the national realtors: Amortized and unamortized mort- gages would be discounted by the banks. All mortgages handled must be on dwellings designed for not more than | two-family occupancy. Discounting of unamortized loans will be restricted to 50 per cent of the unpaid principal amount of the loan, also restricted to loans having less than five years to run. For example, if the unpaid bal- ance of the principal is $4,000 the | maximum loan would be $2,000, pro-| viding for possible depreciation. Amortized mortgages will be dis- counted up to 60 per cent of the un- paid amount, when the original term is not more than ten years Only mortgages having an unpaid balance of less than $15,000 will be eligible for discount. | The discount banks will deal with | their members who are defined in the | bill as “banks and banking associa- | tions, which would include savings | banks, trust ccmpanies, insurance com- | panies, building and loan_associations, | and other institutions subject to the inspection and control of banking laws.” Handling of Finances. Financing will be handled as follows A central board composed of five sal- aried members appointed by the Presi- dent will determine the amount capital stock to be originally set for each the financial described ebove, would subscribe to the capital | stock of these banks an amount equal | to 114 per cent of home mo held ‘and not less than $25 remainder will be subscribed by Government, but the bill provides for | the retirement of the shares held by | the United States through the pay- | ons | ment of half of all capital stock paid Program Moves Forward. Aside from these problems, deferred | for future decision, however, the pre- | viously suthorized development program meved forward on a grand scale during the past year. There has been remark- able activity also on Federal programs beyond the boundaries of the District iu the metropolitan area. Among the completed projects the Arlington Memorial Bridge, providing a costly and graceful link spanning the Potomac from Lincoln Memorial to the | new approach to Arlington Cemetery, is | outstanding. Discussed for many ars before & definite proposal was agreed | upon, the magnificent structure rep- | resents & reunion of the friendship of the North and the South. Serving & major utilitarian purpose, the structure represents an investment of $14,750,000 and will provide a new avenue for travel to Washington from the South and West Linked with this development is the Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, skirting the banks of 4he Potomac from the Arlington Memorial Bridge to the | Mount Vernon home of Washington, | which has been completed except for | grading and landscaping of the adjoin- ing parkway. Expectations are that the read will be opened to the public before George Washington's Birthday anni- versary and possibly before February 1. In connection with the general plan involving the Arlington Bridge and the Mount Vernon Highway is the Rock Creck and Potomac Parkway project, on which extensive progress was accom- plished during the past vear. Only a S of this project remains to be con- geructed. This parkway and bouls will provide a virtually unbroken hig! way for travel from the National Zoo- logical Park in Rock Creek Park to rd | year, | feroe | [in after a sultable amount has been | teached in the opinion of the Central | Board. The total capitalization of the 12 banks will be not less than $150,- | 000.000. | The discount banks will ) them- selves liquid and in cash through the sale to the public of tax-ex Totes debentures, or bonds, which will be secured by the mortgages Have purchased. A margin between the in- terest rate charged member borrow- ers for their loans and the rate paid | by the discount banks on tes | vy issue is to provide operation ex- pense and reserves The reserve' accounts will be built up from net earnings, and w have reached a certain sum are made for the payment dends. Each of the banks m: vances on mortgages to any other discount banks. This ments the association, will prc flow of capital for home buy building from State to State th greatly needed Would Employ The bill gives the central Board o Supervision authority to mak inations of State laws, to erty value trends, to ord T and to put on accredited bank ers to investigate the conditior itutions asking for loans, even t they are already under State bank amination. Five members of this board | will be appointed “with the advice and | consent of the Senate” and will be paid salaries of not more than $12,000 a Examiners, ough ex- | Upper (left to right)—Residence at 4929 Colonial Village, Rock Creek Park, Estates Valley Forge residence used as the Gen. Washington headquarters, built at 1817 Plymout. attached dwellings in Foxall on the north side of Volta place, west of Forty-four street {0 e [ Rockwood parkway, Spring Valley % £ A T section of Wesley Helghts, and the early American home at 1705 Hoban road, Middle—Silver Star Home at 6309 Oakridge avenue, forest section of Chevy Chase, Md., street, Colonial Village, in Rock Creek Park Estates. which won Silver Star Home medals. and the likeness of the Lower—The 16 FOR 23 DWELLINGS Firm Announces [ Construction Plans for 12 on Davenport and 11 on Emerson Street. An extensive program of house con- struction, having a total estimated building cost of $130,000, is provided for in plans just filed with the District building inspector by the Cafritz Con- struction Co. Specifications were filed with applications for permits. The plans call for the erection of 12 two-story brick, stone, frame and stucco dwellings in the 4500 block of Daven- port street. The cost of this operation is estimated at $74,000. They will be erected at 4511 to 4529 Davenport street and from 4510 to 4528 Davenport street Simultanecusly the Cafritz company revealed plans for the construction of 11 two-story brick dwellings from 311 to 331 Emerson street, having a total cost estimated at $56,000. . Will Erect Barbecue Stand. Plans for a one and a half story brick and tile barbecue stand to be erected at 6525 Georgia avenue, having a cost of $5,000, have been flled with | the District government by George Manning, as owner, and listing W. C. Kremkau as builder. Dwellings to Cost $12,000. L. E. F. Prince, as owner and builder, has’ revealed plans for the construction of a two-story brick dwelling at 1731 Holly street, in an application for per- mit filed with the District government The cost is estimated at $12,000. Plans Filed for Two Homes. Comdr, F. P, Willlams as owner and ©. D. Hobbs as builder have filed plans for the construction of two two-story brick dwellings costing $9,000 each in the 1400 block of Juniper street. Ezhibit 5512 Home Fourth St. N.W. Take 14th St. Cars Spacious Dinetté—Tiled Lavatory—Model Kitchen Frigidaire, copper screens, cedar closets, double-drainboard porce- lain sink, detached garage. | ‘ $8,950 L. T. GRAVATTE /|| 729 15th St. Realtor Nat'l 0753 Potomac Park. During the past year, | the road was completed from the vi- cinity of the Lincoln Memorial to K street, and previously the stretch from P street and Florida avenue to the Rock on Second Page.) 3109 Military Road Chevy Chase, D. C. $13,950 Beautiful New Brick Home Bullt By H. P. Huddleson Co. 8ix large rooms (3 master bed rooms). 2 full tiled baths, large kitch- en with all modern equipment includ- ing _electric refrigeration, breakfast finished attic and a detached . Lot 60x107. y and Sunday 30 P.M. H.G.Smithy Co. 1418 Eye St. N.W. National 5604 S. Let this New Year Be Thritty! To own one's home is a physical expression of individualism, of enterprise, of independence and of the freedom of spirit. Artistic, Well Built Homes of Six and Eight Rooms $13,950 = ** This Is a True Opportunity Drive out Connecticut Ave savares north of " Alvemarte! turn left o “Cumberlaind St one square 1 Wakefield. # 2 Open All Day Sunday Phillips & Canby, Inc. Exclusively Nat'l 4600 F 'PERMITS ARE ASKED |FIVE HOMES SHOWN IN 1931 UNDER SPONSORSHIP OF STAR Attention of Thousands Focused on Better Dwellings During Annual Dem- onstration IVE Silver Star Homes, selected with painstaking care by the| group of specialists in home building matters, have been made available during the past year for | public inspection under auspices of The Star in connection with its annual bet- ter home demonstration program. The public attention devoted to these homes has illustrated in concrete man- ner the interest in modern home de- velopments on the part of the Wash- ington public, for thousands of visitor. were attracted to these dwellings dur- | ing the course of their exhibition. The objective of the 1931 Silver Star Homes program was not to attempt to | sponsor as many homes as possible, but to make the Silver Star award and to place on public exhibition a selected group of houses which were distinctly outstanding examples of one or more phases of modern housing s an illus- tration of the best present-day thought | on_the subject. The program brought applications for a number of dwellings in various sec- 4 Your Opportunity See 1339 Kalmia St. N.W. Distinctive Colonial Brick Home with gas heat. Balsam wool blanket and Nu-Wood insulating board on all ex- terior walls, copper gutters, screens and weather strips. Heated recreation room and built-in garage, large elec- tric refrigerator, lot 60 ft. wide. And the price is only $15,750 HENRY J. CONNOR Phone Georgia 1446 T T New All-Brick Bungalows 7th & Tewkesbury Sts. N.W. Price, $7.950 One of the most modern homes in the On Easy Terms section. Real open fireplaces with lighted fires in them. Frigidaire. Modern gas range in color. Kitchen in beautiful colors. You owe it to your- self to inspect these homes. To Inspect—Drive out 7th St. to Tewkes- bury, two squares nmorth of Rittenhouse. Wm. S. Phillips 2032 Belmont Road o Decatur 5000 Program. tions of Greater Washington, all exem- plifying modern construction and plan- ning motifs, and out of these were selected five as Tepresenting exceptional expression of the best thought on one or more phases of modern home de- velopment. The Silver Star Homes Committee, which acted for The Star in the ar- rangement and direction of the better homes demonstration, included special- ists in the various phases of home de- velopment flelds who were eminently qualified to judge the exceptional merit of the houses submitted for the pro- gram. The chairman of the committee was James S. Taylor. chief of the Division (Continued on Second Page.) NEW CORNER HOME DETACHED Center-hall plan, large rooms, 2 baths, open fireplace, very large kitchen with electrical refrigera- tion, finished room in attic, slate roof, 2-car built-in garage, large pretty yard. 4330 37th St. N.W. (Corner 37th & Yuma Sts.) Ideal Location—High, Restricted, Convenient A Real Valye—Open Sunday All Day and Priced to Sell! Drive out Wisconsin Ave. to Yuma St. and east 3 blocks to house, or out Connecticut Ave. and up by Bureau of Standards to 37th St. to Yuma. Wm.M.Throckmorton Dist. 6093 and north Investment Bldg. CHAIN STORES PLAN TO EXPAND IN 1932 | Survey Forecasts Expenditure of Many Millions on Buildings and Fixtures. The building industry, landlords and manufacturers of store equipment and fixtures will benefit by many millions | announced by leading chain store com- panies in the annual survey by Chain JStm'e Age, it is predicted. While the chains are cautious in their statements regarding plans for 1932, the survey reveals the opening of new stores and the remodeling of old ones will proceed on a broader scale than in 1931. BRECIALIZING In FAIR FAX COUNTY N\ PROPERTIES . \ X, (TeLePHONE S rjmx.mu MOUNT VERNON VA, 3aFs We have several very beautifully situated acre- ages fronting on the Mt. Vernon Blvd. and the Potomac River Suitable for country es- tates or high-class develop- ments. These, minutes’ drive o Nation's Capital, through mpleted *section of ~ the Washington Memorial Parkway, which ely extend from Mount the Great Falls of the Potomac. These ‘tracts can now be had at very attractive prices, which we do not_ believe will be possible atter the official _opening of the Boulevard next Spring. OPPORTUNITY IN FoxaLL Eighty Double-Front English Group Homes have been completed in Foxall. In the group of sixteen recently completed, there are only three available, each different and each possessing distinct advantages. They contain 6 and 8 rooms, with 1, 2 and 3 baths, maid's room and garage . . . Prices from $11,350 to §14 Make this the happiest of your family . . ,950. New Years for yourself and . let us show you how you can acquire an ideal home in an ideal community and enjoy living in this environment while you Visit our Furnished Model at 4400 Volta Place, three are building an estate. Home, open until 10 p. m., short blocks south of Reser- voir Road, and see for yourself what living in Foxall really means. ° WAVERLY TAYLOR % 1522 K Street National 1040 'DEVELOPMENT - ADVANCED IN SUBURBAN SECTIONS | Assessed Valuation of Arlington, Montgomery and Prince Georges Counties Increases More Than $115,000,000 in Decade. HE growth of Washington beyond the political boundarie: j the District continued during the past gear, new physical sm?f | roVementsdlnAtkllle n;etrogolitacxl\ areas of Montgomery, Prince eorges an rlington Counties recordin rogress development of Greater Washington. BRIty A New public and private projects started or completed in the suburbaa sections of the city, coupled with the rising tide of popula- tion of the counties as shown by the 1930 census figures, are fore- 1;::&55 of increasing importance of the metropolitan areas in future _ Arlington County’s growth in population has been 62.5 per cent in the past 10 years; Montgomery County, 40 per cent, and Prince Georges County, 38.6 per cent, indicating the overflow of population | from the District beyond its fixed political boundaries. WEEK,S PR[] JECTS census perid the Sasessed vanas LI OV tion of these three counties, to- $153,100 Construction Cost gether with that for Alexandria City, increased from $78,257,079 Is One of Lowest Levels During Last Year. to $195,848,031, according to the census records of 1920 and 1930. Lasting changes were made in the physical character of the metropolitan area of the capital during the past year as construc- tion programs continued despite the general national depression. Highlights of these operations are described in the following sectional reports. 1930 FIGURES EXCEEDED Plans for the construction of 17 pri- | vate dwellings in the District were ap- | | proved during the past week by Col. | | John W. Oehmann, building inspector, | paving the way for the opening of resi- | dential operations at the start of the new year. The total estimated cost of all types | of private operations included in the list | | of approved projects was $153.100, which | was one of the lowest levels for any week during the last year. Permits | | issued included the following: | D.J. Dunigan, Inc., owners and build- ers; George T. Santmyers, architect; to | erect nine 2-story brick dwellings, 5401 | to 5417 Kansas avenue; to cost $50,000. | D.J. Dunigan, Inc., owners and build- ers; to erect eight metal private garages, Suburban Montgomery Building Shows Little Results of Depression. BY HOWARD M. BAGGETT, Staff Correspondent of The Star. BETHESDA, Md., January 2.—Build- ing operations in suburban Montgomery County during 1931 showed little re- sults of the general depression which has slowed up operations in other sec- tions, reports of the building inspectors, which have just been compiled, show. Permits for construction work totaling well over $2,000,000, all but a small por- tion of which represents new bulildings, were issued during the year, which slightly exceeds the figures for 1930. The total estimated value of the con- struction covered by the permits in the in 1932 as a result of expansion plans | 5403 to 5417 Kansas avenue; to cost $1,200. | Store to Cost $18,000. Charles H. and Lida R. Tompkins, owners; E. L. Bullock, jr.. srchlmn:‘ Charles H. Tompkins Co., buil..rs; to| erect one 2-story brick and concrete store, 1315 Fourth street northeast; to cost $18,000. | Waple & James, owners and builders; | F. G. Wilcox, designer; to erect two 2-story brick dwellings, 624 and 626 | | Madison st.; to cost $15,000. | Waple & James, owners and builders; | to erect two brick private garages, 624 and 626 Madison street; to cost $1,000. | L. E. Breuninger & Sons, Inc., own- | ers and builders; H. L. Breuninger, | architect; to erect one 2-story stone, brick and stucco dwelling, 7614 Morn- | ingside drive; to cost $12,000. | Abraham Miller, owner; David L.| Stern, architect and builder; to erect | one 1-story brick and limestone store, | 802 K street; to cost $10,000. | ‘Thomas F. Jones, owner and builder; | A. S. J. Atkinson, architect; to erect one | 2-story brick dwelling, 5531 Thirty-third | street; to cost $8,500. | A. 'J. Dinger, owner and bullder; | Charles E. Dillen, designer; to erect cne | 2-story brick and tile dwelling, 1319 ' Holly street; to cost $8,000. On Leang Tong, owner; Atco Con-| struction Building, builders; to make | alterations, 618 and 620 H street; to cost $6,500. | H. G. Smithy Co., Inc., owners and | builders; to make repairs, alley between | Second and Third, F and E streets; to, cost 34,000. William V. James, owner; C. E. Phillips, designer; J. A. Absher, bulld- ers; to erect one 2-story brick, stucco and tile dwelling, 3111 Alabama avenue southeast; to cost $8,000. (Continued on Second Page COLONY HILL A Smart Community of Early American and Georgian Homes In outline and construc- tion, whether depicting the puritanical stateliness of New England or the breadth and cordiality of the South, the Colonial house has an inde- scribable charm, subtle in its appeal. And when beauty is enhanced by the proper set- ting, velvety stretch of lawn, and an old-fashioned garden, there is nothing more to be desired. = 1705 HOBAN ROAD Open 9 to 9 BOSS & PHELPS To reach: Que St to Ave., north one block to Reservoir west to 100 ft. beyond 44th St. A New Corner Brick Residence WESLEY HEIGHTS 3100 45th St Corner of Klingle Street An impressive center-hall brick home situated on one the most delightful sites in this distinguished com- munity. - Its spacious floor plan and unusual refinement of detail characterize perfection in design and crafts- manship. There are eight rooms (four bed rooms. with Unusually large master bed room), two baths. additional room and bath on third floor, and first-floor lavatory. Garage for two cars. Open Daily Schwab & Valk Decatur 2333 1704 Conn. Ave. A FIRST SHOWING 1932 4-Bedroom MODEL HOME Chevy Chase - 3231 Patterson St. Brand New $ 1 3 ‘95 O La'rgc Lot Start the New Year right—see this home right away. Beautiful Colonial design. Substantially constructed by a reliable builder. Large, airy rooms (4 excellent bedrooms). 2 modern baths—first floor lavatory—a kitchen that will meke cooking a pleasure—with that much desired breakfast room adjoining—in fact, everything necessary to a fine home. Large lot with a garage. Open Daily Until 7:30 H.G.Smithy Co. 1418 Eye St.