Evening Star Newspaper, November 26, 1932, Page 15

REAL ESTATE WASHINGTON, D. C, Y MORNING ED ]]2 zfigfliflg giaf‘ SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1932 | BUILDING NEWS |B—1 Home-Owning and Building Section for Washington and Suburbs DRIVE ON UNSIGHTLINESS NEW SLUM SOLUTION PLAN HOPE OF RE ALTY BOARDS National Directors Also Forward Request to'Presi- dent Hoover to Call Experts Into Early Conference for Study of Means of Adjusting Tax Systems. BUILDING AND LOAN Increase 2 Per Cent in Ratio to Total Assets in Third Quarter. " ESERVES P LIVING ROOM IS ARRANG! Spanish Home Has Charm ED TO GET SUN ALL DAY. BUILDING PERMITS TOTAL §206.800 List of New Work Is Headed| by Plans for $90,000 School. SPREADING THROUGH U. S. American Institute of Architects Points to More Attractive Building Designs—Municipal Art Com- missions Declared Exercising Strong Influence. HE movement to drive ugliness from American cities undoubt- EVELOPMENT of a new plan for the reconstruction of the blighted and slum areas of American cities has been under- taken by the National Association of Real Estate Boards. By action of the directors of the body, the association’s | Committee on Housing has been directed to prepare a “sound” ideration of the annual convention plan for such operations for consi C of realtors, to be held here in January. Objection was raised against edly is spreading, it is declared in a statement i by t?e gfi'\‘:ngankmstitute of Architects. G g E ackson of the Rhode Island chapter of institute, author of the thesis, finds that municipal art gommisslgx:g are exercising a strong influence in overcoming the obstacles that modern complex conditions offer to proper city development. The National Commission of Fine Arts was cited as an outstand- ‘The District government this week | granted permits for building operations | having a total estimated construction | cost of $206,800. The list of new work was headed by plans for a public school structure costing about $90,000 and a Reserves of the bullding and loan associations of the country increased 2 per cent, in ratio to total assets, at the end of the third quarter of the features of current methods and proposals. e recent sess The national directors at th President Hoover a request that into conference at an early da realty tax systems. Hope for Speed. Arrangements for the projected Na-| tional Tax Conference should be speeded | as much as possible, so that the State Legislatures meeting next year would | have the advantage of the findings of | the conclave of experts, the message to{ President Hoover explained. | Great importance was placed by the association leaders on the deliberations of the Tax Conference which President Hoover on October 4 announced he would call shortly after the national | election was out of the way. The President in his address at Des Moines described the tax on land and Teal property as the most inflexible one in the country, holding that such taxes had be - in the present situation al- | most v arable. 1 President Favors Review. He then recelled his earlier proposal | that the whole relations of the tax sys- | tem between Federal, State and local governments be reviewed, and there be sought a basis of taxation for each that would give opportunity for readjust- ments between the different forms of government. He made the point that the Federal Government is interested in the matter, although it collects no direct property taxes. The directors of the National Associa- tion of Real Estate Boards in acting on the housing matter indorsed the idea that a sound plan ‘for neighborhood re- construction of blighted and slum areas can be devised. The Housing Commit- tee, alded by the association’s city planning adviser, Harlan Bartholomew of St. Louis, was instructed to study the form which such a plan should take and report at the coming January meeting. Not Regarded Solution. The realtor officials voted that the association advise the Federal Govern- ment and also its own members throughout the country that it does not balieve that limited dividend, tax-ex- tax experts of te for study of means of adjusting ion also forwarded to f the country be called | 050 99030 TOTAL OF NEW CONTRACTS Construction Work Covers First 15 Days of Month in 37 States. Contracts awarded for new construc- tion in the 37 States east of the Rocky Mountains during the period from No- vember 1 through November 15 totaled $50,990,300, according to a tabulation by F. W. Dodge Corporation. During the corresponding period of October of this year a contract volume of $54,339,300 was reported. The October contract total for con- struction in the 37 States aggregated $107,473,900, as contrasted to $127,526,- 700 for September of this year. The value of public utilities building contracts for October was almost double the total reported for September. Resi- dential building, however, showed a de- cline from September of about 4 per cent, non-residential building suffered a contraction of about 25 per cent, and ublic works declined about 22 per cent from the September total. For the elapsed 10 months of this year constructicn contracts of the 37 States totaled $1,164,837,100, as com- pared with $2,804,802,000 for the corre- sponding period of last year. BALTIMORE REALTORS PLAN FOR SESSIONS year, as compared with July 1, showing a strengthened financial position, the United States League of Building and Loan Associations reported today. “Financial statements filed with the league show that reserves now are 6.44 per cent of total labilities, a safe margin over real estate holdings and real estawe sold on contract, which to- gether total only 6.21 per cent,” Ward B. Whitlock, president of the league, announced. Management Held Conservative. “Conservative management during July, August and September raised the leve! of reserves, which already stood at the fair percentage of 4.59 on July 1. “The third quarter reports also show a decrease in the association’s borrow- ings, with 3.26 per cent of total liabili- ties consisting of borrowed money on October 1, compared with 3.49 per cent cn July 1. The home loan banks were not open on October 1 and all associa- tion borrowings at that time were short-term obiigations to commercial banks, or to the Reconstruction Fi- nance Corporation. Their move to pay off such borrowings is a step toward clearing house on short-time loans in preparation for the new era of spe- cialized long-term credit for the home financing institutions, ushered in by es- tablishment of the Federal Home Loan Banks. Mortgage Loans Up. “Mortgage loans on homes which cent of total building and loan re- sources at thz end of the second quar- ter, a time generally assumed to have been the bottom of the depression, were up again to 85.24 per cent of total resources on October 1. Month-by- month analysis of the associations’ loans during the past quarter shows an increase of some $1,000,000 in con- struction loans in September over the August figures, and an increase of slightly more than $1,000,000 in loans made for the purchase of existing homes. “Refinancing loans showed a falling off in August and September for the first time since May. These conditions depict a favorable situation in the resi- dipped to the year's low of 84.71 per| HIS Spanish-colonial adaptation has remarkable charm, a good deal of which comes from its lack of pretension. It is not out of place in any section, but it probably will find most friends in the South. The living room is open on opposite | east or west, the room will be flooded with the morning and afternoon sun. Porch Is Sun Blind. The porch in front serves as & “sun blipd” and as a shelter from the street. 1t is likewise the passage from the main portion of the house to the effectively placed garage. A cheery dining room is separated from the kitchen by a dining alcove, | | sides, and if the house is faced either | than two adjoining smaller ones, the a feature much to be desired by the housewife. The alcove will serve for the breakfasts of the family. Second Floor Flexible. ‘The second floor will be found com- fortable and flexible as well. For those who may desire a large bed room rather entire space over the living room may be put into one chamber. The bath wiil be found economically placed near the kitchen to lessen plumbing costs. Stucco or whitewashed brick will suit best, with a slate, shingle or flat tile roof. Sash and trim are white, shutters green, fence white and the garage doors should match the house walls. A lamp- rack at the drive entrance is & neat | feature. BUILDING MATERIALS | PRICE INDEX RISES Slight Gain Shown for Week, With | House Furnishings Re- maining Steady. FORMER AMBASSADOR TO BUILD NEW HOME Alanson B. Houghton Will Con- struct Residence at 3001 Massachusetts Avenue. A large residence is to be erected for residential project of D. C. Gruver cost- ing $35,000. Among projects approved were the following: District of Columbia, owners; to erect one 2-story masonry addition to public school building, Eighteenth and New- ton streets; to cost $89,900. D. C. Gruver, owner and builder; George T. Sentmyers, architect; erect six 2-story brick dwellings, 2434 to 2444 Thirty-ninth street; to cost $35,000. W. W. Chambers, owner and builder; Leroy H. Harris, designer; to erect one 2-story brick and stone funeral parlor and undertaking establishment, 517 and | 519 Eleventh street southeast; to cost | $25,000. Lawrence A. Baker, owner; W. J. Creighton, designer; Adams-Fisher Co., builders; to erect one 2-story frame addition, 2500 Foxhall road; to cost $12,000. Loren M. and Joseph A. Herbert, owners and builders; George T. Sant- myers, architect; to_erect one 2-story brick dwelling, 3608 Rittenhouse street; to coset $12,000. ;- Kass Realty Co., owners and build- ers; D. M. Levy, designer; to erect three 1-story brick stores, 932, 934 and 936 Rhode Island avenue northeast; to cost $10,000. S. M. Burgess, owner and builder; J. A, Hunter, designer; to erect one 2-story brick dwelling, 6225 Thirtieth street; to cost $6,000. Joseph A. Shafer, owner, designer and builder; to erect one 21%-story brick and tile dwelling, 6412 Thirty-first street; to cost $6,500. R. W. Werth, owner; Woodridge Realty Co., Inc., builders; to erect one 2-story frame dwelling, 3810 Twenty- fifth street northeast; to cost $4,000. Henry J. Radowitz, owner and build- er; W. T. Hackett, designer; to erect one 2-story brick dwelling, 359 -Ana- costia road southeast; to cost $3,500. W. G. Binnix, owner and builder; to erect one 1-story frame dwelling, 3328 Thlz%cenm street southeast; cost. $1 tractors, and are to be opened Decem- ber 7. As now designed, the house will be of three stories and basement, having a frontage of about 94 feet and a depth ing example of leadership in promotion of architectural design. The Architect’s Advisory Councils in were commended. ’ ‘The architecture of American pub- lic buildings, Mr. Ellis believes, has suf- fered in comparison with the lavish designs of commercial buildings of pri- vate ownership. He makes the point that public buildings should truly rep- | resent the power and ideals of the com- munity. Mr. Jackson cites the report on archi- tecture in President Hoover's Survey | of Social Trends, which held that “the esthetic influence of architecture on a community is dependent not on intrin- sic qualities of the architecture itself, but rather on the amount of popular and personal consideration given to it.” . “This being so0,” Mr. Jackson adds, ‘“‘we must not expect the same charac- ter of work today as in the past, for the rapid growth of commercialism and the greater importance placed on scien- tific_discoveries have affected not only the life of our people but the expression of their buildings as well. In our com- g]:x modern existgnce, attention must paid to the vhried aspects of our cities’ needs, all of which are closely allied to rapidly changing conditions. Urges Reservations. “In fact, there are persons who be- leve these newe:.:specu must be look- ed to as the m of developing and procuring today a satisfactory munici- pal architecture. This point of view must be considered, however, with res- ervations. “Zoning, traffic regulations, the ex- tension of public utilities, taxation and valuation are gmong the factors which enter into this problem, and it is often difficult to determine where one func- tion of city planning ends and the other begins. Municipal art commis- sions are exercising a strong influence overc the obstacles of our modern complex conditions. “The authority of art commissions in most localities over buildings, private or public, is, however, sharply restricted, and in certain instances their powers are advisory only. Philadelphia has given to its commission much broader powers than most municipalities, for it is a department of the city government. Leadership Is Cited. Washington and Cincinnati also isign. Architects’ Advisory Councils are at work in Washington, D. C., and |in Cincinnati. Undoubtedly the move= | ment to drive ugliness from American | citles is spreading. “The structural development of mu- nicipal architecture must be regarded not as something conceived at any one time, but as the result of the continued | co-operation and conception of many persons over a period of years. “Our architectural consideration must be D'O?TESSIVE and not interrupted by the revelation of new ideas in the |art of building alone unless some up- heaval is taking place at the same time in scientific, political and social life. “All architecture should be so modi- fied, with the advancement of time, as to retain a selective and controlled her- itage from the past, combined with the :nhidlity“to proje):t l:“w and fresh forms purposes eeping with existin attitudes lnfi habits. pAtgnO time in th history of “the world have changing conditions been as marked and as necessary of consideration as now. Today’s Best Buy in New Semi-Detached Homes! 8 rooms, 2 baths (all brick). Beautiful high location, near all conveniences and transportation. SEE THE LARGE BACK YARD AND WIDE OPEN SPACES, ‘WHERE LIGHT AND AIR ARE PLENTIFUL! Sample Open to 9 P.M. Daily 704 Nicholson St. N.W. “Marietta Park’s Highest Point” Priced to Sell Quickly at $9,450—Easy Terms! WAPLE & JAMES, INC. Owners and Bullders The wholesale cost of building mate- rials advanced fractionally during the | emp:, State supervised, multi-family housng corporations constitute a sound solution of problems cf slum clearance | dential real cstate market, with the | trend toward acquisition of homes, and | less demand for funds to stay in the | Alanson B. Houghton, former Ambassa- dor to Great Britain and to Germany, “The National Commission of Fine Arts is an outstanding example of lead- ership in promoting architectural d of 68 feet. The site for the building was purchased about a year ago from ocut-of-town owners. It contains about 1226 14th St. NW. Dist. 3347 and housing development. They proposed to discourage loans subsidies and tax exemptions to projects. e take this position because a thorough analysis of these types of projezts clearly shows that if such ~ojests are carried cut on any busi- | ness basis at all that they will be of no benefit to the poorer classes of people for which they are intended, but can merely benefit a restricted group in a higher income class,”. the statement declares. “To provide for these poorer classes of people these projects must be prac- tizally a total gift from the Federal Government, and we do not believe the Federal Government should extend free housing facilities to small groups of poorer in a limited number of cities. Where housing conditions for the poorer classes my be mnotably unsatis- factory, whatever relief can be given to such conditions should be provided by private or local governmental philan- thropy at the points where these condi- tions prevail. Burden on Owners. “In addition to the above, the crea- tion of such new housing facilities, which, even with the use of Federal credit, if set up on any sound financial basis, could be of no benefit to the poorer classes, would seriously and ad- versely affect the owners of property, not only by increasing general tax bur- dens but also by causing vacancies in various properties now occupied, thereby in these instances making it either ex- tremely difficult or impossible for such owners to meet their taxes and other obligations. In a word, projects of this character would merely increase the present critical burdens of all taxpayers without in any way benefiting the poorer classes, whose housing conditions in & few cities are the only basic reason for this further extension of govern- mental aid into the field of private business. nally, this type of Federal aid will do more than any other single force to discourage the Te-entry of private money into the field of real estate finance, and thereby seriously postpone or indefinitely delay a revival of private building con- struction of all classes.” In a telegram to the Federal Home Loan Bank Board the association direc- (Continued on_Second Page.) A sible Investment 637 Hamilton St. N.W. 6 rooms and bath brick house. Deep lot, garage, paved street and alley. Reconditioned throughout, convenient neigh- borhood. Small cash deposit. Rental payments for balance. Open Sunday, 10 A.M. to Dark L. E. Breuninger & Sons Invest. Bldg. NA. 2040 - Colonial Bungalows Claren:;on, Va. Brick—frame—5 rooms and bath —all modern features—electric re- frigeration—fireplace—large attic— bronze screens—wide p@Fch—ga- rage—ample garden spacé end at- tractive planting. Real value st 695 cash and monthly payments less than rent. Sample House, 358 Milton Ave- nue. Open Saturday and Sunday until dark. To Inspect: Cross Key Bridge to Wilson Boulevard, through Claren- don _and left on Milton Ave. 44" blocks to Rouse. Detlow M. Marthinson 1700 Eye Street N.W. Natl 8662 Large Delegation Coming Here for National Business Meeting in January. Special Dispatch to The Star. BALTIMORE, November 26.—Mem- bers of the Real Estate Board of Balti- more are planning to take an important part in the annual business meeting of the National Association of Real | Estate Boards, to be held in Washing- ton in January. A large delegation headed by Presi- dent Phillip S. Morgan, Vice Presi- dents Charles H. Steffey and Guy T. O. Hollyday and Secretary C. Philip Pitt, will attend. Among the subjects being given prominent place on the four-day pro- gram now being formuleted, according to Mr, Pitt, are the home loan bank system, Government loans for housing projects, the mortgage situation, real estate taxes, rehabilitation of blighted districts and the outlook for real estate in general. A new feature of the meeting will be the sessions of the newly formed Amer- ican Institute of Real Estate Apprais- ers, which will be held separately. homes already bought. P “Femilies which have borrowed for their homes in the first three quarters of 1932 now total some 166,000, of which 15,500 obtained financing to build new homes and 10,500 received loans to buy homes. The larger per- centage of the loans went for re- financing, which is now shown to be on the decline in comparison with the other two types of loans.” HOME OWNERS PAY Speculators Behind in Taxes, Col- lector Declares. Special Dispatch to The Star. BALTIMORE, November 26.— “The small home owner is paying his taxes. We are not having any trouble with him. It is the man who has been spec- ulating in real estate and who has a lot of houses on his hands who is back in his taxes.” So Thomas G. Young, city collector, told & council- committee this week during a discussion of the Traub tax ordinance, which would reduce thy penalties imposed by the city on delin- quent taxpayers. - Firemen Use Trolley Car. Eight firemen, whose hook-and-ladder truck broke down while they were speeding to a fire in Philadelphia, trans- ferred their equipment to a trolley car and arrived in time to save a burning plant from destruction. FHomes of Comorrow in, FOXALL @ Double fronts, six and eight rooms, with one, two and three baths . . . double screened porches . . open fireplace . . . electric refrigeration . . . gas heat . . . insulation . . . garage . . . out- standing value at $11,350 to $14,950, with monthly pay- ments less than rental value. Visit our Budget-Balancing Home at 4447 Volta Place, three short blocks south of Reservoir Road. Open 9:30 A. M. t0 9:30 P. M. WAVERLY-TAYLOR e, 1522 K STREET NAT'L 1040 Beautiful New DETACHED HOMES Restricted Community Mass, Ave. Extended Situated in splendid new residential colony— varied in size and design— these homes will appeal to families who want “some- thing better,” at prices within modest means. 7 and 8 rooms, step- down living room with an open fireplace, recreation room with open fireplace, gorgeous de luxe kitchen, 2 colored tile baths, con- cealed radiators. Large landscaped lots, separate garage, paved street and alley. $11,950 v ——————— 46TH AND DAVENPORT Drive Out Massachusetts Avenue to 46th Street, North to Property CAFRITZ #_ New Dutch Colonial Six Room and Bath HOME (] 4811 47th St. N.W. Between Elliot and Davenport Sts. $8,750 This detached residence of six rooms and bath is one of the outstanding values in Washington today! Lot 40 ft. by 137 ft. Electric re- frigeration. Slate roof. Large maple trees in front yard. DRIVE OUT TODAY! J Wel:eyl Buchanan, MEt, 1144 1427 Eye St. Built by Dunigan, Built Right All-Electric HOMES With Modern Electric Kitchens $9,250 AND TERMS Built With the Co-operation of the Potomac Electric Power Co. and General Electric Company EXHIBIT HOME 5416 Kansas Ave. N.W. On a Beautiful Boulevard Open Every Night Till 9 P.M. D. J. Dunigan, Inc. Tower Building NAtional 1265 past week, bringing the index number | for November 19 to 70.7, according to | Bureau of Labor Statistics. The index numbers are based on av- erage prices of 1926 as 100 in the index scale. The level of 70.7 compares with 70.6 for November 12, 70.7 for Novem- | ber 5, 70.6 for October 29, and 70.5 for October 22. The price for housefurnishing goods | remained steady at 725 for November | 19, the same as the level that pre-| vailed during the preceding four weeks. NO ONE CAN DENY That this house is a real bargain 19 Franklin St. N.E. Opposite Reservoir 6 rooms, bath and built-in ga- rage. Just likke a brand-new home. Can buy on reasonable terms. Open Sunday, 10 A.M. to Dark L. E. Breuninger & Sons Na. 2040 you are looking for a house valued at $15,000 Investment Bldg. And would buy that house for $10,500 By all means see 3820 Morrison Street Chevy Chase, D. C. West of Connecticut Ave. is Dutch Colonial in desi with large living and dining rooms. Three splendid bed chambers and open sleeping porch. Attic—elec. refrigera- tor—oil burner—large, deep lot. New -house condition. Easy terms. OPEN SAT. AFTERNOON AND ALL DAY SUNDAY F. ELIOT MIDDLETON Realtor Investment Bldg. MEt. 2827 Only One Left! UNUSUAL New 8-Room Home On a high elevation in a restricted 16th Street community 1423 Upshur St. N.W. Recreation Room with Fireplace Gorgeous De Luxe Kitchen Completely Equipped 2 Colored Tile Baths Concealed Radiators 2.Car Detached Brick Garage Lot 142 Feet Deep % !:E]S.S, ?H?NOR ENT L] the current report of the United States | | at 3001 Massachusetts avenue, accord- ing to plans now under preparation. ‘The house, which has been designed by Frederick H. Brooke, Washington | architect, is to contain more than 30 rooms and would have about 200,000 cubic feet. Bids for the erection of the structure have been received by 17 firms, includ- ing_general _contractors _and _subcon- 1 3315 Quesada St. N.W. Nearing Completion The last of a group of five homes of authentic Early Ameri- can repro- Value at ductions. Built by Muhleman & 13,9590 = Open Sunday J. Wesley Buchanan, Inc. 1427 Eye St. Met. 1144 4 Remarkable TYPE HAVE To reach: Drive out Thornapple St.. turn Becchwood Drive and CAFRITZ A Custom-Built Home COSTS NO MORE LET US BUILD FOR YOU THE 6307 HILLCREST PLACE THE NEW MODEL HOME IN BEECHWOOD Price, $16,750 F. MIKKELSON & SON DEVELOPERS OF BEECHWOOD 200 West Thornapple St, Chevy Cha Wisconsin 4255 Wisconsin 2323 20,000 square feet. Present plans provide on the first floor for a drawing room, 20 by 38 feet; a dining room, 38 by 18 feet; a library, 45 by 33 feet, and a private study, a loggia and & secretary’s office. CHEVY CHASE BARGAIN 5415 Nebraska Ave. $10.950 This 7-room brick and frame Colonial residence, containing large living room with open fireplace, attractive dining room with corner cabinet, sun parlor, complete kitchen, electric refrigeration, 3 de- lightfully large bed rooms, master bed room with toilet and lavatory, hall bath with tub and shower. Celotex at- tic, built-in garage, is, we be- lieve, one of the best values in this section today. We Invite Your Inspection Edw. H. Jones & Co., Inc. OF HOME THAT YOU ALWAYS ENVISIONED. Conmnecticut Ave. to Teft two blocks to Teft again to Rouses. Spring The Garden of BEAUTY, DIGNITY, COMFORT, COMBINED WITH DURA- UTILITY, BILITY AND EASE THE HOUSE Valley Beautiful Homes AND OF MAINTENANCE BEAUTIFUL Completely Furnished 4935 HILLBROOK LANE Available for Inspection GENERAL ELECTRIC KITCHENS Through the Co-operation of NATIONAL ELECTRICAL SUPPLY 0O, and THE POTOMAC ELECTRIC POWER CO. W.C. & A. 'N. MILLER DEVELOPERS 1119 SEVENTEENTH DISTRICT 4464 Detached Brick, $6,950 Here Is Something You Will Wait Long to Duplicate! 820 EASLEY ST, Silver Spring, Md. Terms Like Rent Small Cash Payment The most. worthwhile value in a quality home offered in re- cent years. An extremely at- tractive brick home with full basement, 6 rooms, bath and attic with sufficient room on second floor for 3 rooms. Hot- Pitteen - year Metropoli Life Ins. Go. 1st tr\::b—mnm‘; 3 an um econom: protection to the home buyer. water heat and all modern im- Pprovements. Open fireplace. OPEN FOR YOUR INSPECTION riRe St Garn o . Gnd rioht fo Edsley St. at W ‘Washington Bldg. ve. to Bonifant St., 3 block: th £ %on Bonijant 5t one Dlock to Fenton corner of Fenton and Easley. EAVER BRO REALTORS