Evening Star Newspaper, March 25, 1933, Page 15

REAL ESTATE WASHINGTON; B: O, he WITH SUNDAY NORNTNG EDITION nening %faf. : SATURDAY, MARCH 25, 1933. B-1 ° Home-Owning and Building Section for Washington and Suburbs l ARCHITECTS AND BUILDERS STUDY HOUSING MEASURES Capper Bill to Abolish Alley Dwellings and Copeland| Makes Neighborhood Plan of Displacing Old Buildings Now Before Congress. BY VINCENT TUTCHING. HE building industry and the architectural profession in ‘Washington are watching with attentive interest the progress in Congress of two District bills aimed at the solution of two city housing problems. They are the Capper bill, 1providlng for abolition of alley dwell- ng. placement of out-of-date dwellings that are insanitary and unsafe. The latter proposal includes provision for creation of a Housing Board and authorizes the incorporation of limited dividend housing ings, and the Copeland housi corporations here. No less interested in these proposals® is society itself, which views them in the light of constructive measures de- signed to meet definite needs. After an_exhaustive 9-month study of housing in the District of Columbia, the Washington Chapter of the Ameri- can Institute of Architects makes pub- lic today a voluminous report on the subject, in which it calls for the sup- port “of all public-spirited citizens” to the housing bill, Unfit Conditions Target. ‘The Copeland measure, which was drafted under guidance of the chapter, is designed to remedy what is describes as “insanitary or otherwise unfit hous- ing conditions which exist in certain areas of the District, and are a menace to the health, safety, morals, welfare or reasonable comfort of the citizens of the District.” The architects, whose profession is of necessity a leading factor in_the building industry, declared in launching this study that they felt keenly their responsibility with respect to housing | conditions. = “As planners,” they de- clared, “we realize the necessity for a more ordered and continuous civic growth. We have taken the first step of making a study of conditions and recommending a solution. We now ask the support of all public spirited citizens to_the proposed housing bill.” The report was compiled by a com- mittee of members of the local chapter, headed by Louis Justement, and in- cluding Gilbert Rodier, Robert Beres- ford, Arthur Heaton and Delos Smith. The findings of the group turn the spotlight on what it looks upon as an increasingly important problem con- fronting civic growth—that of so-called “blighted areas.” It is, in essence, the depopulation of old established resi- dential arcas through & constant tend- ency toward abandonment of housing accommodations for better quarters. “This natural tendency,” the report points out, “is aided and abetted by the activities of the real estate operator who uses every allurement to fill his vacant acres. Census figures show that in two very large areas of the older city of Washingten, there has been a lozs in population of 24 per cent in the 10 years from 1920 to 1930.” While granting that the newer por- of the city generally are in ac- with “reasonable standards of ritation and comfort,” the architects’ ttee declares that the older sec- are, in part, “of rapidly increas- ing cbsolescence and decreasing popu- lation,” facing also a_ period of con- tinuously decreasing values and increas- ing neglect and decay. Gathering Place of Poor. It is in these areas, the report states, that the poorest class of the population tends to gather, since no new housing for this class is ever built. While the general average of sanitation and com- fort in these older sections is not as vet alarmingly low, there seems every Teason to believe that present tendencies if allowed to continue will convert these blighted areas into slum areas, the com- mittee reported. “The theory has been,” the group continues, “that the central business area would expand and that the aban- doned residential areas would be used for business purposes or for apartment houses, The trouble with this theory is that the business area does not ex- pand at anything like the rate required to utilize obsolete residential property. The blighted character of most of the downtown residential area makes in- dividual new buildings too great a risk.” As compared with many Eastern cities, the “blighted area” problem in Washington is not acute today, the committee report says. “This should not blind us to the fact, however, that the ultimate result of allowing present trends to continue will be further loss for the property owners, and increas- ingly bad living conditions. There is only one way in which downward trend |National Boards Head Says| measure, contemplating. the dis- GREAT ERA SEEN FOR REAL ESTATE Swing Toward Improve- ment Has Begun. William C. Miller, president of the Natlonal Association of Reril Estate Boards, and member of the local realty firm of W. C. & A. N. Miller, believes | this country is approaching the great- | est era of real estatc stability in its history. Pointing to what he describes as a | decided swing toward greater activity | and better rates, Mr. Miller does not | believe that prices will soar to the | heights reached during previous boom periods, “but will attain a level which will be healthy for all concerned,” he says. Reports Are Optimistic. “Reports from all parts of the coun- | try indicate that an improvement in the realty situation is in progress,” Mr. Miller asserts. “Interest in realty is being revived and this interest Is being displayed mnot only among real estate men, but by investors of all types. “In Washington, as elsewhere in the country, inquiries for homes and all other varieties of property are reported on the increase and the general tone of | the market throughout the United | States is better than it has been for a | long time.” Mr. Miller is of the opinion that the real estate business will return to nor- | malcy without the aid of “boom” ac- tivities. “Booms,” he said, “have their | aftermaths, which are detrimental to | business. I do not believe a boom is | pending, but real estate is gradually | getting back to where it was when | :lmes" were naturally and substantially | Tight Credit Hindrance. Tightening of credit, more than any other element, is hindering a more | rapid return to normalcy, the president of the realtors’ organization feels. How- ever, a loosening of credit will' be ex- | perienced, he says, when activity or | proposed activity becomes more pro- nounced. “Bankers will be forced ¢o the realization that real estate is the | world’s greatest basic commodity and | as such is a good investment medium,” Mr. Miller declares. “Throughout the country today a greater sense of security and confi- dence is being felt. This is especi- :;lts; Japparent With respect to real es- —_— BIDS TO BE OPENED New Senate Office Wing Furnish- ings Will Be Contracted. Bids will be opened a week from Monday in the office of the architect of the Capitol for furnishing and in- stalling furnishings, consisting of office furniture, rugs and draperies, in the new First street wing of the Senate Office Building, recently completed. Specifications and bidding informa- tion may be obtained from the office of David Lynn, architect of the Capitol. Living Standards Improved. Colonial Design = Architects’ Third Choice Selection in Star Series - Harmony Count. LONG, LOW STYLE SUITED TO GROUNDS Six-Panel Doors of Mahog- any and White Pine Wood- work Used Throughout. IMPLE, dignified Colonial archi- tecture, designed to harmonize with dwellings in a mneighbor- hood where this style is pre- dominant, marks the third home design selected by the Washington chapter of the American Institute of Architects for presentation in the series being sponsored jointly- by the chapter and The Star. e house illustrated here today was designed by Maurice S. May, Washing- ton architect, for his own residence. Planned for a specific location, the architectural motif is intended to be in keeping with surrounding homes. Long, Low Design, Because the lot selected was very | wide on the street front, but shallow in depth, a long, low house, stretching out along the street frontage, was de- | signed. The main part of the hous:| is of red Colonial brick, with a two-| car garage of frame construction at-| tached. The opposite end of the dwell- | ing is balanced off with an open porch. | An unusual arrangement has been | worked out in the living room of this house, which is located on its street, side. The fireplace is on the inside | wall, and the stairway to the sesond floor is in an alcove nearby. Arched | off from the living room, this plan presents a decorative feature for the room without encroaching on its space. Built-in book cases and a wood | cornice complete the living room plan. | The dining room, which in the in- stance of Mr. May's home will face south, has glass doors opening off onto a brick terrace. This terrace overlooks the rear garden. The second-floor plan of the home includes four rooms and three baths. They are the master bed room, with privdte bath; a guest room, a small | room over the garage, which may be | used as a den, and an extra room in- | tended for a servant’s bed room. | The roof construction is of heavy slate, of unfading greens and grays. A large attic extends the length of the house, adequately insulated for storage purposes. Basement Arrangement. ‘The basement, extending under the main portion of the house, has a Jaundry and boiler room, in addition to provision for a large recreation room. Six-panel Colonial doors, with ma- hogany finish, are used throughout. All other woodwork is to be of white pine, painted white. The house, which would be well suited for a lot having 80 to 100 footi frontage, and a depth of 75 to 100 feet, may be bullt in Washington at current prices of labor and materials | for between $9,000 and $11,000, the architect estimates. Its over-all meas- urements are 58 feet wide and 28 feet deep. The cubical content is 32,000 cubic feet. If built of frame construction, the architect points out that a saving in cost could be accomplished. | OFFICES ARE MOVED Carl G. Rosinski to Occupy Homer Building Space. ! Carl G. Rosinski, real estate broker, | and member of the Washington Real Estate Board, announced today removal of his offices to the third floor of the Homer Bullding on Thirteenth street, between F and G streets. Mr. Rosinski has been in business for four years in the Woodward Build- ing, Fifteenth and H streets. | S Rockville Company Formed. BALTIMORE, March 25 (Special). | KITCHEN_ DINING RM.._ e 14-6"x12-3 . _LIVING ROOM_ 21-0"x12*8" FIRST FLOOR PLAN SECOND FLOOR. PLAN -] | Upper fllustration depicts & simple Colonial home designed by Maurice S. ! May, Washington architect, and se- lected by the Washington chapter of the American Institute of Architects for presentation in the series presented for the benefit of The Star's readers. Below are shown the floor plans. The Greatest VALUE in Washington 1366 Sheridan St. N.W. Easx. $8,975.00 2041 Two_Complete Baths Four Porches Two Fireplaces Recreation Room HARRY WARDMAN BUILDER D. C. Developing Co., Owners 1025 15th Di. 3830 Charles W. Townsley, Robert T. Shelton and Lowell C. Lane of Washington, have incorporated the National Stores, Inc., of Rockville, Montgomery County, to operate a women's ready-to-wear shop. 441 Decatur v TWO FILLING STATION PROPERTIES LEASED Recorder of Deeds Registers Also Extension of Another Lease Until January 2. . Lease of two pleces of gasoline filling station property for a period of one! year and extension of another lease to January 2, 1934, were registered with the recorder of deeds this week by, | the Standard Oil Co. of New Jersey. | One of the properties leased con- | sists of the southwest corner of Second and H streets northeast, occupied by | Sellers’ Service Station. The lease, | signed at a rental equivalent to the | monthly sale of gasoline and other | motor fuels, on the basis of 1 cent per | gailon, expires October 31 next. W. | Sellers is the owner. | | . The motor fuel concern also leased fran V. C. Tompkins, jr.. the service ‘stanon property at 717 O street for | a period of one year, beginning March | | 1 Jast, with the privileges of renewal for two additional periods of one year | | each. The rental arrangement in this ‘lem also was 1 cent for each gallon of gasoline and motor ofl sold each | month. | Lease ot filling station property on | the “south side of H street, between | Third and Fourth streets northeast, | wes extended for another year, be-, | ginning January 1 last. The property is owned by A. D. Loeffler, jr., Inc. Ask Cut in Unpaid Rent. One of the demands of the mob in- | sisting upon attention of the London | government is for a rent cut of 25 per | cent, which is amusing, in view of the | fact that the mob is financially unable | to pay rent and has not recognized for some time. A.| with taxpayers who are prepared to METHOD OF MUNICIPAL ARCHITECTS OFFICE HIT Institute Chapter for Administrative Rather Than Advisory Duties to Avoid Competing With Private Business. tects to urge the diversion of Government work into the chan- nels of private business, the Washington Chapter of the Ameri- can Institute of Architects today urged a change in the method of conducting the office of the municipal architect, lately made ma%g byhm?,e de:}tlh othAlbert Harris. e chapter, through action of its Executive Committee, aski that the municipal architect’s office be made an administrative ar?g supervisory one, and that the design of municipal buildings be in- trusted to architects in local private practice. The group’s request was forwarded by letter to the District Commissioners. In the past practically all buildings® = erected in the District for mumcipal} purposes have been designed in the|but it is generally believed by the office of the municipal architect. The | architectural profession that no saving attitude of the architects to this pro- | Whatever can be shown to result from cedure is that it places the government | this method of handling architectural in a position of competing with pri- |design, while there is obvious danger Vit Tealncs of over-standardization and a routine E carrying out of stock plans. Scope Believed Too Wide. “In the opinion of the architects the “The architects believe,” said an an- | econd_ T nouncement mace by the president of | T — — ————————— — (Continued on_Second Page.) the chapter, Francis P. Sullivan, “that 6216 32nd Place there is no more reason for the mu- | (Chevy Chase, D.C.) nicipal government operating an archi- tect’s office than there is for it going | Price $8,950 On high ground, adjacent into any other business or practicing any other professicn.” | The architects’ body believes, ac- cording to Mr. Sullivan, that if the municipal architect’s office were con- ducted in accordance with their rec- ommendation, a greater variety and interest would be introduced into the to a small pine forest, this at- tractive brick house contains six good size rooms, open fire- place, attic, slate roof, copper gutters, metal strips, large concrete front porch, garage, deep lot. Close to bus line and new school. IN line with a national movement on the part of private archi- municipal buildings of the city, while | 2t the same time the co-ordination ex- ercised by the municipal architect’s of- | fice would provide for a general har- mony in design, materials and con- struction. “The recent report of the Shannon committee of the House shows that the Government has gradually become in- volved in all sorts of business enter- | To Reach—Drive out Conn prises foreign to its proper functions,” | o chele 4 the chapter asserts. “It is apparent %”52"}»;’{; Ins T that the present tendency is to take ; o d3ra Pave Ais! turn left on 33rd Plade 1'4- the Government out of competition | squares north. Open Today and All Day Sunday furnish services to the Government | along these lines as satisfactcrily and 2s economically as they can be car- ried out by any Government activity. Suggested as Economy. | “It has occasionally been suggested that activities of this nature, on the part of the municipal government or Federal Go ment, are an econom Realty Associates, Inc, " Realtors 1427 Eye St. Nat. 1438 116 SEMM FIRST SHOWING BUILT BY G. F. MIKKELSON & SON CHEVY CHASE, MD. Those who appreciate and love the charm of the old Colonial whitewashed brick will revel in the ERFIELD ROAD 6403 Ridgewood Avenue CHEVY CHASE, MD. a RARE value in heavily wooded section of Chevy Chase, Md. Exceptiona Ily appealing home of E lish architecture, designed for comfortable living. Large lot studded with trees. convince you that this home buys. A personal inspection will is one of the season's best $13,500 To inspect, drive out Conn. Ave. to Rosemary street (one block north of Bradley Lane), turn lejt (west) ome block past water tower to Ridgewood Ave., turn right about lme-ha!/p‘;’lock to property OPEN Saterday and Sunday Until 9 P.M. J. WESLEY BUCHANAN, Inc. REALTORS MER U8 can be arrested, namely, by the con- solidation of relatively large parts of | Personal cleanliness and frequent 2 blighted srea under one ownership | baths rank high in the American stand- and the renovation or rebuilding of | ard of living, the Committee on Home- the buildings on a large scale basis.” m: reported to the President’s Con- In arriving at solutions for the pro:- grencreshfn Home Bullding and Home / lem presented by this situation, the| Ownership. . committee. classified four possibilities: Early America Reproductions A delightfully ' different 1°"The philosophy of “laissez-faire"—ot | NEEEEG—S— home tastefully finished avoiding any interference by govern- %mm / i , I 520 170 in quaint Early American A S A R el e h Stfi]e. s;; X]arge ooms and two baths. ouble sprING Is HERE] FOXALL rear porches. Fireplace in master’s bed room. New Colonial center hall brick @ Double fronts, six and eight home for sale, also detached S rooms, with one, two and three beauty of this New Cornmer home. Built on a lot fronting 95 feet (including parking). Containing about 10,500 square feet, shaded by beautiful trees. A center hall home, 4 Bed rooms, celotexed attic, 2 baths, club room, two fireplaces, covered terrace porch overlooking Western Ave., 2-car built-in garage; abounding in special, modern features that are both practical as well as charming. Copper guttering, spouting and slate roof complete an extremely de- lightful dwelling. From Chevy Chase Circle drive east on Western Ave. to Summerfield Road and left to house. OPEN DAILY, 2 TO 6 P.M, & ALL DAY SUNDAY ~ BOSS & PHELPS St. N.W. $3,000 LESS THAN COST 6 rooms —bath with shower. Screened porches —garage. Renovated throughout. Convenient to grammar schools and busses. 1427 EVE ST. N.W. 1417 K Bt Natlonal 9300 Open Sunday 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. or *phone for appoint- ment to inspect. Random width floors e, detan downstaxrs,h Best of con- Dutch colonial .for ren evy < struction throughout. A Chase, D. C. Failss. - dowtit scheasliponies home that anyone would Homes_designed and built to 2525 OPCR QIS IACH o S ectnie be proud to own. suit purchaser—guaranteed qual- refrigeration . . . gas heat . . . g ity construction by— insulation . . . garage . . . out- standing value at $11,350 ta 3315 Quesada St. Chevy Cl;aae Home S U550 kit mseitis finsr Chevy Chase, D. C. Builders ments less than rental value. Visil Budget-Balancing Hi 1933 Prices and Terms V4410 Volts Plase. thes e $13995 0 at 4410 Volta Place, three short blocks south of Reservoir Road. J. Wesley Buchanan, Inc. - James Howell Gordon Realtors Estab. 1914 Open 9:30 A. M. to 9:30 P. M. 1343 H Street N.W. - Met. 1143 5 - - Nat. 8873 CL. 1935 _/ nghe§t Point D R R e R R D R R _ - 2 - Wesley Heights $11,500 o Save } . Yor : CHEVY CHASE |fMARVELOUS VALUES| Brand. sis 4543 Klingle St. 110 Leland Street rooms. 3 cov- True Colonial Home Chevy Chase, Md. N ew ered porches. Just Of Conn. Ave. Located in dignified sec- Lot 142 ft. deep; i o o ALL-BRICK >Jicees “Giea 26 East Woodbine St. HOMES baths sor Turn Right (east) from Conn. Ave. Henry J. Connor Ge. 1446 Spring Valley “The Garden of Beautiful Homes™ Presenting for Your Approval The Washington Post MODEL HOME 3641 49th Street Completely Furnished Now open to the Public as a Demon. stration of the Finer Art in Home Building and Interior Decorating. Designed and Built by large W. C. & A. N. MILLER P rice, $24’950 ]ntzfiorGDecaruthn ALLERY, INC. This most_attractive brick General Electric Kitchen home, of English architecture, overlooks &ll of this charming ?«“Z—:a'fl"?flfi'm::fl "‘fwfl' g:d !cra: S S suburb. operation of demonstration of careful planning and sound Of the popular center-hall THE NATIONAL ELECTRICAL : construction. It has 3 double-exposure bed rooms, type, ,‘geb.l;?:gfi sfofo':r“fi v:? SUPPLY (0. K 2 tile baths, spacious living room, dining room, fully tory, screened living porch and 4 and equipped kitchen, garage, etc. A wisely restricted, sun parlor. THE POTOMAC ELECTRIC new community adjoining Sligo Valley Park with A large corner lot, 165 ft. POWER Co. desi 9 i doep, WR & Soer Deiel every desirable location advantage . . . Here is a new conception of home value worth looking into! garage. Right from traflc light at Silver Spring, continue Open Today and All Day north g. calaglle-mutimors Road about 1 mile. y sold for $30.- Sunday i 2o BUILDERS AND DEVELOPERS Realty Associates, Inc. Office 1 Realtors ; Ao 7900 Georgia _ [NJORTH\J\/ASHINGTO| RM HOOKER 14th and K DI. 9080 reaity YV compeny inc! Originall; 020. priced for quick sale al : 1427 Eye St. Nat. 1438 Tower Bidg. Realtors Met. 2663 Over 3,000 Built and Sold E. BROOKE LEE, President J. WESLEY BUCHANAN INC. —_— e OMBINING natural stone and clapboard in S . true colonial style, this duratly Luilt home is a geously equip- and three baths. Ser- vants' quartefs and bath y separate. 2-car built-in Restricted North. Ped kitchen; west Location step-down living . room; concealed $8,950 garage. Oil heat, spacious porches. Lot 75x128, well tastefully radiation ; recre- ation room with Small Cash Payment shaded and fireplace; paved Exhibit Home landscaped. Two thou- sand dollars just spent street and alley. 323 Emerson St. N.W. Overlooking Entire Petworth CAFRITZ aling me of stone, hoj located ot Cauntty Club, d Columbla Country $as secn complctely renished, in © has Dearance of & new ho rooms, dressing roo General Electric ‘convenience. Open Daily 10 A. M. to 9 P. M. W.C.&A.N.MILLER Developers 1119 Seventeenth Street DiIstrict 4464 two baths, Srigeration, e ung 3 fne'old tree, rustic w: ecidedly the bisgest value e Know of In Chevy Chase today, OPEN SUNDAY Phone SHepherd 2400 Realtors Met. 1143