Evening Star Newspaper, December 22, 1934, Page 15

EASIG OF REDT PRESAGESREVIAL OFBULDING HERE Experts Predict Period of Intense Activity Will Start in Spring. CITY IS EXPERIENCING SHORTAGE OF HOMES Influx of New Federal Workers Boosts Rents and Arouses Optimistic Forecasts. BY JAMES Y. NEWTON. A gradual loosening of credit for home construction has been apparent in Washington during the last few ‘weeks which, according to leading real estate and banking men, presages one of the brightest periods in the history of District building. Most of the local experts in the various fields of construction believe this period of lively activity will be- gin with the coming of Spring. They believe that private finances will be thrown into the home building market in such quantities that, regardless of what course the Government housing program may take, good times will be brought back to the Capital real estate men and to members of affiliated businesses. Carl J. Bergmann, president of the District Building and Loan League, declared this city will experience the beginning of its greatest era of build- ing activity next Spring. He pointed to the vast reservoirs of private capi- tal which are ready to be poured into the mortgage market, and to the shortage of residential quarters. Siddons Also Optimistic. Frederick P. H. Siddons, president of the District Bankers’ Association, asserted that a general easing of money for small home mortgages has been apparent. He said this was largely responsible for the increase in houses noticed in local building records of the last six weeks. Mr. Siddons likewise thinks that the Washington construction business is due for a real reawakening soon. Washington has been undergoing a period of rising rents in regard to both dwellings and apartments. The shortage of residential space is re- garded as more acute than in any period since the World War. Experts who have studied the history of the real estate and building business de- clare that in almost every instance & similar situation has been a fore- Tunner of an era of great construction activity. For the first time in years financial institutions have been asking for and receiving_money to invest in real estate” ~ In recent weeks insurance companies, which have always fur- nished a large portion of mortgage money, have been anxious to make building loans. Large financial inter- ests outside the city have shown re- newed interest in Washington real estate as a spot for investment. Several Investments Made. A number of large pieces of real estate, such as apartment houses, have changed hands in the last several weeks, and these have not been fore- closure sales. The purchases have been for investment. All these, ac- cording to those who know most about the business, are indications that 1935 will witness the end of the long pe- riod of “lag” in the construction in- dustry. When real estate has emerged from depressions of the past, experts say, there has always been, first, a period of small home construction followed directly by a return to activity in the larger building fields. During No- vember more permits were issued for small residential units in Washing- ton than in any month of the year. This despite the fact that November is considered normally a bad building month. In December, so far, there has been more than 100 per cent in- crease in home building over last year. Morton Luchs, vice president of the Shannon & Luchs Co., stated that recently there has been con- siderably more money available for mortgages on houses already con- structed, and that money for building has loosened some. He expressed the belief that in the next few months the dam that stopped the flow of building money will be removed and the business will return to its normal state. - Taylor Sees More Capital. W. Waverly Taylor, prominent home builder, also has noticed the beginning of a flow of meney into real estate. He said there is much more available capital for building now than there has been in the last year. Morrls Cafritz, president of the Cafritz Construction Co., declared the stage is set for a prosperous year in 1935. He pointed to the excellent condition of rentals, due largely to ncreased Government personnels, which should necessitate additional buildings. He said his firm has re- newed activities in the new commu- nities of Greenwich Forest, in Mary- o, land, and in Northwest Park, just off Massachusetts avenue. In the two sub- divisions there is sufficient ground to build several thousand more homes. —_— Sound-Proofing Soothes. Tired, jangled nerves after a day at the office are usually the result of too much noise. By treating office walls and ceilings with sound-deaden- ing material this can be reduced to & minimum. 3846 Macomb St. N.W. ® 4 Bedrooms, 2 Baths ©® 3rd-Floor Playroom ©® Automatic Heat ©® All Insulated Unquestionably the best new house value in the city for $14,750 Open Daily and Sunday 927 15th St. DL 1411 WASHINGTON, D. C., SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1934, Beautiful Washington Homes Sold in 'Recent Realty Deals WEEK'S BUILDING TOPS LAST YEAR 69 Permits Include 18 Single Family Houses and Two Apartments. Building construction activity in the Capital during the past week, as gauged by the value of permits is- sued at the District Building, though slightly less than the total for last week, was far greater than for the same period a year ago, examination of building records showed. The 69 permits granted by the office of Col. John W. Oehmann, building inspector, in the last six days include permits for the construction of 18 single family dwellings and two small apartments. In the week before Christmas last year, no permits of consequence were issued. The total value of all permits of the past week, including repairs, alterations and ad- ditions, as well as new building, was $154,321, slightly below the weekly average for the entire year. Issuance of permits for the large number of homes virtually made“cer- tain that December this year will show a more than 100 per cent in- crease over last year as far as home building is concerned. The Cafritz Construction Co. was granted the right to erect six homes in the $6,000 price range in the 4400 block of Brandywine street. Other large permits issued in the week are as follows: Empire Construction Co., Peoples Life Insurance Bldg., owners and builders; J. O. Blair, designer; to erect three 1-story brick dwellings, 513, 17 and 21 Newcomb street southeast; to cost $5,000 each. H. G. Smithy Co., Southern Bldg., owners; E. Burton Corning, archi- tect; Prank J. Wagner, 4000 Cathedral avenue, builder; to erect two 2-story brick dwellings, 6351 and 6355 Utah avenue; to cost $7,000 each. W. C. and A. N. Miller, 1119 Seven- teenth street, owners and builders; G. E. MacNeil, architect; to erect one 2-story brick dwelling, 2915 Forty-fourth street; to cost $13,500. F. A. Ostmann, Fifth and K streets, owner and builder; George T. Sant- myers, architect; to erect two 2-story brick apartments, 301 and 305 Seaton street northeast; to cost $11,000. G. A. Reier, University Park, Md, owner and designer; Martin Bros, 1341 Connecticut avenue, builder; to erect one 1-story brick gas station, 604 Rhode Island avenue northeast; to cost $10,000. Henry J. Connor, Inc., 5812 Nebras- ka avenue, owners and builders; Donald 8. Johnson, agchitect; to erect one 2-story brick and frame dwelling, 8332 Quesada street; to cost $9,000. Ring Construction Co., Westchester Apts., owners and builders; to erect one 2-story brick and frame dwelling, 6419 Thirty-first street; to cost $8,500. Ring Construction Co., Westchester Apts, owners and builders; Harvey Warwick, architect; to erect one 2- story brick and frame dwelling, 6415 ‘Thirty-first street; to cost $8,500. Royal J. Haskell, 1802 Lawrence street northeast, ownmer; Edwin L. and Lois B. Taylor, designers; Edwin L. Taylor, 3619-B Newark street, builder; to erect one 2-story brick and tile dwelling, 1448 Juniper street; to_cost $8,400. Willlam = Welnberg, 224 Pennsyl- vania avenue southeast, owner; Pringle & Arnold, 1315 Half street southeast, designers and builders; to make repairs, 225 Pennsylvania ave- nue southeast; to cost $3,000. Theodore D. Gatchel, 2812 Thirty- fourth street, owner; W. Newton erect one 1-story frame dwelling, 6312 Thirty-first_street; to cost $3,000. Martha Elopulos, 459 N street, owner; H. A. Brandt, architect; W. P. Plumley, 655 F street northeast, builder; to erect one 2-story brick addition, 459 N street; to cost $2,500. Annie B. Cushman, 5020 Kling] street, owner and builder; to erect one (Continued on Page 2, Column 1.) 11 AM. to 6 PM. Cooper Lightbown & Son Owners Phone Cleve. 8664 or Ad. 9364 49 COMMUNITIES JOIN I BETTER HOUSING DRIVE unry]md Cities Report Progress in Federal Campaign and Jobs Are Increasing. Special Dispatch to The Star. BALTIMORE, December 22.—Forty- take advantage of the repair and modernizing campaign backed by the Federal Housing Administration through its plan for insuring loans made to owners of homes and busi- ness houses. Activity of the movement is re- ported noticeable in all cities, result- ing in an increase in employment among the building trades. Several store operators are co-oper- ating with the Baltimore better hous- ing plan by distributing 100,000 copies of folders, “Fourteen Questions and Answers,” which explain the move- ment, and by placing posters in their windows. MUSEUN EXHBITS MODERN ROONS Exposition: Demonstrates Ideas of Designers as to Newest Furnishings. Special Dispatch to The Star. NEW YORK, December 22—What | ;;, a twentieth century home should look like—at least in the opinion of the sountry’s leading contemporary design- ers—is being demonstrated at the Met~ Topolitan Museum. Here, in the Con- temporary Industrial Art Exhibition, are modern rooms whose up-to-date include tubular metal chairs, lamps with metal shades and upholstery fabrics of new weaves and design. ‘These rooms are in the contempo- rary style—the term modernistic is ta- boo—according to museum experts. Solid-colored walls are most frequent- ly found, for the contemporary deco- rator believes that a simple, colorful background is the most flattering set- ting for the gowns which women are wearing today. Pictures, mirrors, hangings and other decorative acces- sories supply accents. A chic dresing room, for example, has white painted walls which show to full advantage the artistic effect of the orange-and-black hanging and the orange-covered couch and easy chair. Another interior has a white enameled built-in dressing table, with handles of glass and chromium. Part of the wall is panelled in white leather, which covers also the chaise lounge and comfortable modern boudoir chair., A blue painted ceiling, blue carpet and blue-piped upholstery, to- gether with glass and metal dressing- table fitments, provide effective ac- cents. ‘Tan is the color of the painted walls of a comfortable living room in which modern furniture with a light oak fin- ish is featured. A dining room has a daring decorative scheme of black During the Holidays Be Sure To Visit Our New 1935 Homes 5624 13th St Open—Heated end Lighted g ks 1521 K St. Di. Inc. Baltimore Becomes Landlord On 1,200 Tax-Delinquent Homes Special Dispatch to The Star. BALTIMORE, December 22—With some 1,200 residences in its custody through acquisition by tax sales in the last five years, the city govern- ment has adopted the role of land- lord and started collecting rents from the tenants. A real estate broker has been ap- pointed to act as the city agent to collect the rgnts and find tenants for vacant houses. The fee to be paid by the city is 10 per cent of the collec- DS, Under the law owners have a year CAFRITZ EMPLOYES WILL DINE TONIGHT Construction Company Will Hold 13th Annua! Yule Banquet at Ambassador. The Cafritz Constructton Co. will hold its annual Christmas banquet in the Roosevelt room of the Ambas- sador Hotel tonight at 7 o'clock. It will mark the thirteenth time that members of the various departments of the organization have gathered for the holiday party. Mr. and Mrs. Morris Cafrits will have as guests, in addition to the members of the organization, Judge Milton Strasburger, Harry Viner, Mr. and Mrs. Russell Conn, Mrs. Alvin Aubinoce, James Y. Newton, Richard Baker, Thomas Cahill and Anthony Hyde, jr. The following members of the Cafritz organization will be present: Ralph Hisle, Alvin Aubinoe, Lester Rosenberg, Claude A. Adler, Leo Pope, Mrs. Margaret Hessler, Miss Shirley Kaplan, Miss Lucille Lippert, Miss Catherine Martin, Miss Sylvia Rosen- { , William C. Brincefleld, Edward Franey, S. Spear, C. Hedrick, William Baumback, E. Hoffman and J. Espey. Adlai Mann will act as master of ceremonies. 423 Marietta Place N.W. Right in Marietta Park A practically new and thor- modern SEMI-DE- T home is here offered at a you will never be able to duplicate. Is situated on a large lot, f: south and overlooks bea: old Fort Slocum. Has six well- throughout, 1o be hl’llldyl’:'. Hot-water heat, big bright cellar and a garage all add to make this a complete and thoroughly comfortable home and is extremely Open and Lighted to Inspect RM HOOKER Tower Bldg. MEtrop. 2663 and a day to pay delinquent taxes due and redeem their properties. In effect, this redemption period has been ex- tended by the city, and in cases where the time has expired no effort has been made by the municipality to acquire title to the properties. Most of the houses are occupied by tenants, but in the few instances of occupancy by the owner the city has adopted a lenient atti- tude and is permitting the occupant to remain if assured that every effort possible is being made to settle ac- counts. HOUSING CREDITED FOR BUSINESS GAIN Stimulation by Federal Drive Believed Responsible for Increase in Sales. Many representative corporations which have reported striking gains in business have credited these gains directly to the stimulation of the better housing program of the Fed- eral Housing Administration. Comparison of sales figures for October of this year with the same month in 1933 shows that the Delco Appliance Corp. gained 6.8 per cent additional business; National *| Co., 20 per cent; Celotex Co., 19 per cent; the Ruberoid Co., 35 per cent; Fox Furnace Co., 50 per cent; Flint- kote Co., 25 per cent; Crane Co., 213 per cent; Masonite Co., 25 per cent; the Upson Co., 10 per cent; Devoe & Reynolds Co., 36 per cent, and Kala- 73 per cent; National Gypsum, 25 per cent; Celotex, 20 per cent; Ruberoid, 16 per cent; Fox Furnace, 50 per cent; Flintkote, 20 per cent; Holland Furnace Co., 35 per cent; Crane, 175 per cent; Masonite, 60 - | per cent; Upson, 50 per cent; Devoe & Raynolds, 20 per cent, and Kalamazoo Stove, 102 per cent. NEW CHARLESTON COLONIAL HOME (Built by Frank J. Wagner Co.) 4892 Chevy Chase Blvd,, Chevy Chase, Md. Six beautiful rooms, tiled bath t porch, slate roof, f-nx. m-. ‘weatherstri nclosed 1di radiation, m never find its equ $8,650 Lighted Evenings o OB TODAT GOSS REALTY CO. J. S. EATON, Sales Dept. 1408 Eye St. _ NAY1 1383 Upper left: Home at 4831 Six- teenth street purchased by Dr. and Mrs. E. E. Ruebush through the office of L. T. Gravatte, real- tor. The house contains 10 rqoms and 3 baths. Upper right: Comdr. and Mrs. J. B. Rutter bought this home at 7118 Hampden lane, Greenwich Forest, Md., from the C. H. Hillegeist Co. Comdr. Rut- ter is attached to the Bureau of Navigation. Below: The Horning Realty Co. sold this home to Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Dawson. It is located at 6601 Piney Branch road. —Star Staff Photos. & PRIVATE FINANCING OF HOMES GAINS Month-to-Month Volume - of | Loans Shows Practically Unbroken Rise. The increasing ability of private | capital to take over home financing and thus make Government participa- tion in the field unnecessary is shown by the practically unbroken rise in month-to-month volume of loans by representative building and loan as- sociations from January through Oc- This is pointed out by I Fried- lander, Houston, Tex., president d} the United States Building and Loan League. Taking an identical cross MANY HOUSING LOANS APPLIED ON HEATING' Reports to Federal Agency Indi- cate Neglected Home Space Being Improved. Reports reaching the Federal Hous- |ing Administration at Washington in- dicate that many home owners are taking advantage of the provisions of the national housing act by obtaining insured modernization loans for heat- ing halls, attic rooms, sun porches and other portions of the home that have not been heated. Much better heating is obtained by additional radiators, piping and air ducts and, in some cases, by chang~ ing the location of existing equip- ment. The amount of radiation re- quired to heat all parts of a home or building, should be thoroughly considered in determining the suffi- ciency of an old heating unit, or the necessity of installing a new, improved unit. |LOG CABINS FOR RENTAL BRING SUMMER PROFITS Trees From 6 to 10 Inches Prove Suitable for Rustic Houses in Mild Weather. If you have a wooded tract of land, a log cabin for rental in the Summer may be a profitable investment. Trees of from 6 to 10 inches are usually employed, although larger ones may be used if a more rugged effect is desired. If it is intended to use logs with the bark peeled the trees may be cut down at any time (preferably in the Spring). If, however, logs with bark |on them are to be used the trees July an Off Month. July was the only month in which the new advances to home owners (Continued on Page 2, Column 4.) — e 2.-Day Pre-Showing Event 6223 Utah Ave. Open Sunday & Monday 10 AM. to 9 PM. should be cut in the late Fall or Win- ter before the sap starts to flow freely in the Sprirg. All.ends, knots, peeled surfaces and scores should be treated with a chemical wood preservative, such as creosote, and in the use of this the Government has prepared Farm Bulletin No. 744. Moreover, there are bulletins No. 1582 and 1472 prepared by the Bureau of Entomol- ogy which warn against the destruc- tion by insects. Dahlia 7121 8th 'AGE B—1 PLANTO LIFT TONE OF DEPRECIATED BLOCKS IS URGED Proposal Involves Owners in Neighborhood Pooling New ‘Home Benefits. LACK.OF COMPETITION BY GOVERNMENT CLAIMED Co-operative Group Enterprise Would Be Formed to Tear Down Poorer Houses. Private enterprise could be spurred into & program of action if the Gov- the emphasis were placed upon ac- celeration of the rate of amortiza- tion,” he says. “A combined rate of 5 per cent for interest and amortiza- tion would produce the results de- sired and assure the orderly liquida- tion of the credits advanced.” Comprehensive group planning and of interests by dividuals to avoid unfair competition and waste in modernization of small properties are advocated by Holden, member of Mayor La Guardia’s Com- mittee on Real Property Inventory. Economical Form. “It is hard to see how governmental stimulation can be exerted success- fully on any other basis than the district improvement plan which spreads the aid over communities instead of concentrating it in scattered e . prlvugm Anumm( through group co- operation, for group replanning and group rebuilding. “The present national housing act, (Continued on Page 2, Column 1.) A Real Value New Detached Brick Home 121 Madison St. N.W. At one of the highest points city. Located on an attractively land- scaped lot adjacent . Slocum Park. Insulated with rock wool and celotex. assuring all your comfort and minimum fuel consumption. ingly Low Open Daily Kitchen and Sunday Gas Appliances Thru Co-opera= tion Washington Gas Light Co. Drive out_16th St. or Kansas Ave. to Madison St. and furn right te house. oley Bros. "BUILOERS OF SETTER HOMES® Tower Bldg. NAtional 9240 Terrace St. N.W. The last two remaining houses in this development are now completed for ins; pection. Detached brick, 6 rooms (3 bed rooms), 2 baths, recreation room; oil burner; deep lots. Convenient schools, transportation and stores. This is your last opportunity to buy a standard Breuninger constructed house at this amazingly low price on convenient terms. G Joreuninger & Sons Owners—Architects—Builders National 2040 - LIVE IN & UXMANOKR The Suburb of Contentment HOMES ON ;- ACRE SITES Model home open daily and Sunday until 6 PM. E‘m‘-.""&“““ g e A city. [SHANNON+LTCHS] Investment Bldg. TRUE TO THE COLONIAL TRADITION a‘;[thcfw.’n{ 3 NEW EXHIBIT HOME (FURNISHED) 4962 Quebec Street in SPRING VALLEY This newly opened Exhibit Home embodies the impressive design. Its fully furnished, of the Colo spacious rooms and ics of Georgian-Colonial hallways, beauti- the comfort and hospi- motif. Lovers of correct ‘will be delighted with the decorative theme that adds distinction to the handsome interiors of Avoncrest. Open From 10 AM. to 9 PM. venge, Turn Left on Fordham IMNMMI‘I. W. C. & A. 1119 17th Street ‘N. MILLER District 4464