Evening Star Newspaper, March 2, 1935, Page 15

BUILDING PERMITS INFEBRUARY SOAR TOPCT, VER 134 Private Construction Total| Reaches $883,400 in Last Month. DISTRICT GOVERNMENT’S FIGURE PUT AT $513,200 Residential Types Lead in Im- provement—68 Dwellings Are Included. BY JAMES Y. NEWTON. ‘The great upturn of private building construction in Washington was em- phasized today by the report of Build- ing Inspector John W. Oehmann, which showed the valuation of permits issued in February as more than 100 per cent greater than that of the corresponding month last year. All types of private construction permits reached the surprising total of $883.400 during February, the| largest figure for the month in sev- eral years. The valuation of permits granted in February, 1934, was $425 560. In addition, the District govern- ment obtained permits last month | for $513,200 in construction, while | there were no permits of this type is- | sued in February last year. : Residential construction led all other types in improvement. Permits for building 68 single-family dwellings and 11 small apartments were granted last month, compared with 34 one- | family dwellings and no apartments in February, 193¢. The 11 small | apartments will house 53 families, so residential construction in the month | will provide for 121 families, or 87 more than last February's total. Realtors Optimistic. | Real estate and construction men are optimistic concerning continued improvement of the business in the District, and they foresee even greater | increase in activity when the Spring building season gets into full swing. ! The mild boom is attributed to the work of the Federal Housing Adminis- | tration under the mutual mortgage in- surance plan, and to a greater degree to the “favorable” rental situation Virtually all of the desirable apart- ments in the city are occupied and few vacancies are listed among the houses that are rented. This situa- tion has caused numbers of people who had been renters to go out into the market and either purchase or | build a2 home. Another encouraging factor is that officials of so-called “temporary” Government -agencies have commenced investing in homes. Although the improvement was not so great as in other forms of con- struction, repairs, alterations and ad- ditions likewise showed an increase in February over last year. Moderniza- tion permits last month were valued at $144,645, as compared with $104.-| 260 for February, 1934. { Two District Projects. The two District projects for which | permits were issued in the month were the first section of the adult| tuberculosis sanitarium to be erected at Glenn Dale. Md., and an addition 1o the Alice Deal Junior High School to cost $136,000. The sanitarium per- ‘ mit was granted this week. The struc- | ture will be built by the Northeastern Construction Co. of Baltimore at an estimated cost of $377.200. gl The largest private construction | permit of the last week was granted the Sisters of St. Dominic of Adrian, Mich., for erection of a convent at 901 Upshur street northeast. The con- | vent will cost about $60,000. Gerald A. Barry was named architect and the Warren B. Ewer Co., Chicago, builder. Permits for construction of 18 one- family dwellings and four multi- family flats were issued during the week. The Penn Co., 1625 West Vir- | ginia avenue northeast, was granted a | permit to build four flats in the 1200 | block of Penn street northeast to cost | $24,500. { Other Important Permits. | More important permits of the week | are as follows: | District of Columbia, owners; North- ; eastern Construction Co., Baltimore, | Md., builders; to erect one 2-story and one 4-story brick addition to tubercu- losis sanatorium near Glenn Dale, Md.; to cost $377,200. | Sisters of St. Dominic of Adrian, | Mich,, owners; Gerald A, Barry, archi- tect; Warren B. Ewer Co., Chicago, Il builders; to erect one 2-story brick, concrete and stone convent, 901 Upshur street northeast; to cost $60,000. The Penn Co., 1625 West Virginia avenue northeast, owners and build- ers; George T. Santmyers, architect; | to erect four 2-story brick and tile flats, 1243, 47, 51 and 53 Penn street | northeast; to cost $24,500. District of Columbia, owners; John W. Hunt, builder; to erect one 1-story | brick and steel market building, 631 | ‘Tenth street southwest; to cost $16,900. Frank D. Phillips, 5617 Thirty-sec- ond street, owner, designer and build- | er; to erect two 2-story brick and tile dwellings, 3530 and 3534 Quesada «street; to cost $7.500 each. Kaufman Goldman Co, 1625 K street, owner and builder; Robert O. Scholz, architect; to erect one 2-story brick and stone store and offices, 2600 Connecticut avenue; to cost $15,000. Frank D. Phillips, 5617 Thirty- second street, owner, designer and (Continued on_Page 2, Column 1.) LIVE IN o | UXMANOR " The Suburb of Contentment HOMES ON 1%, ACRE SITES OR MORE Model home open daily and- Sunday until 6 P.M. irections—Out Wisconsin Ave. to Bank of Bethesda and follow car line road to Lurmanor signs, Just 35' minutes from the heart of the city. he Zpening Staf WASHINGTON, D. C, SATURDAY, MARCH 2, 1935. Building News PAGF B—1 - Attractive New Homes of Washington and Nearby Maryland Upper left: Home of Dr. and Mrs. Earl R. Templeton at 4520 Edmonds street, in the Foxhall road section. The home, contain- ing nine rooms and four baths, was purchased from Phillips & Canby, realtors. Upper right: Purchased by Mr. and Mrs. Owen S. Davis, jr., from the firm of L. E. Breuninger & Sons, this house at 7809 Six- teenth street, contains seven rooms and two baths. It is English in de- sign. Below: Bungalow at 4815 Leland streets, Chevy Chase, Md., bought by Mr. and Mrs. Albert B. Heagy from Alfred T. Newbold, builder. The transaction was com- pleted through the office of Cyrus T. Keiser. —Star Staff Photos. FINANCE QUTLOOK 600 FOR HOMES Construction in Next Few 139 Pledges Swell Work F;lan Total in District to $400,000 | Approximate Modernizing Commit-| ments Made by 30 Per Cent of 2,850 Property Owners Met. Years Spurred by Easy Borrowing Methods. Home financing leaders of the Na- tion who gathered here this week for a meeting of the Executive Commit- tee of the United States Building and Loan League and the League's South- eastern Group Conference, were opti- mistic regarding tne home-construc- tion outlook for the next few years. Morton Bodfish, executive vice pres- ident of the League, who has traveled throughout the country in the inter- est of his organization, reported that building money is more plentiful and | week despite unfavorable weather, | more important, is being made avail- | able to the borrower. Bodfish said he thinks Washington is in a more fa- vorable position for a large-scale con- struction revival than any other sec- tion. There has been a promising loosen- ing of credit for real estate over country, and while the general revival of construction may not come in 1935, it is in the immediate offing, Bodfish | reported. There is an increased de- | mand for small, one-family dwellings, | and the rental situation over the en- tire country is improved. He said the League’s survey indicates that rents have increased for each of the last 12 months. Oppose New Applications. The building and loan executives approved the bill before Congress for extension of the Home Owners’ Loan Corp,, in order that applications for refinancing now on file may be taken care of, but unanimously opposed raising the appropriation, so that new 1 applications may be received. If H.| O. L. C. is reopened on a large scale, Mr. Bodfish said, he feared many home owners who now have their | homes financed elsewhere will volun- tarily “fall down on payments,” in order to get the more favorable Gov- ernment rates that are intended to bring relief only in cases of distress. The Executive Committee of the Lquue indorsed a number of changes which, they believe, if enacted into the national housing act, would in- crease greatly the effectiveness of the (Continued on Page 3, Column $5’95°.00 IN THE DISTRICT R @ EE— Five rooms and bath: full cellar and attic: up-to-date kitchen, hardwood floors. hot-water heat. Be sure to see it. OPEN SUNDAY 1041 Taussig Place N.E. (Michigan Park) Ouf' Rhode Island Ave. to 128 noréh to Taiswig Pae™ St F.ELIOT MIDDLETON Met. 2827 205 Investment Bldg. $7,950 804 Taylor St. N.W. Real Bargain Splendid 8-room house on a lot 40x130 ft.; close in town. A ‘most convenient location. An inspection will convince you of this unusual buy. Open Saturday 3 to 6 Sunday, 10 to 6 Realty Associates, Inc. Realtors, 1506 K St. NW. Na. 1438 l | Workers in the Washington mod- | ernization pledge campaign added 139 | pledges to their list during the past | bringing the total for the drive in- augurated three weeks ago to 815. While campaign heads were unable | to furnish dollars and cents valuation of the works pledged by the home and commercial property owners, it was believed the total is approaching the $400.000 mark. The goal fixed for the drive is $6.000.000. Figures released by Joseph K. Gil- christ, who is in charge of F. H. A. activities in Washington, showed that the canvassers have interviewed 2,850 property owners. This indicates that about 30 per cent of those interviewed have actually signed pledges to carry out improvement work. A large num- ber of others who were interviewed expressed their intentiongof having modernizing work done this Spring, but refused to sign pledge cards. 60 Workers in Field. Gilchrist reported that about 60 workers were engaged in the canvass during the week. He said he is confi- dent that a larger force will be placed in the field within the next two weeks. He hopes that in a month 200 men ill be engaged in the canvass work. NEW CHARLESTON COLONIAL HOME (Built by Frank J. Wagner Co.) 4892 Chevy Chase Blvd. Chevy Chase, Md. Six beautiful rooms, tiled bath ... 2 double porches, slate roof, furred walls, weather-stripped, inclosed radiation, modern kitchen, electric _refrigeration, garage, beautiful landscaped lot 50x115 adjoining a proposed 60- acre Government park. Exceptionally Low Priced Lighted Evenings Drive out Wisconsin Ave. to Chevy Chase Boulevard, opposite Chevy Chese Golf Course, turn left to home. GOSS REALTY CO. J. S. EATON, Sales Dept. 1405 Eye St. NAv'1 1353 A-NEW FOUR BED ROOM Beautifully furnished by the P. J. Nee Co. Situated in a magnificen high elevation, adjacent to Fort Slocum Park, this new 4-| bed room home is truly a real value. Big living room, ope fireplace, bright dining room, modern kitchen, 2 tiled baths, 3d-floor bed room or club room. gas heat, rock wool and Celo-| tex insulation, detached brick] stripped, natural wood {1 throughout. Surprisingly low priced. Gas Appliances Thru Cooperation Washington Gas Light Ce. |So far no volunteer workers have | been used. | Plans were being formulated by the women's division of the Bettey Hous- | ing campaign, of which Mrs. John S. | | Bennett is head, to give a luncheon | for all members of the division. either the last week in March or the first of April During the past week J. R. Stanton, F. H. A. field man assigned to the | campaign. addressed the Probus Club, l an organization of business and pro- fessional men, at the Hay-Adams! House. The club pledged active sup- port to the campaign. James E. ‘Woodruff, who is in charge of modern- | ization credits here, addressed the | National Builders Association in the | Twelfth Street Y. M. C. A. 'The | organization likewise pledged support. Secures $1,986 Loan. Gilchrist announced that Jacob Love, 1355 Eighth street northeast, nad secured the first actual loan of | | TODAY .. |l See the Sensational | New 1935 || STUDIO HOMES Model Furnished Home 218 Emerson St. N.W. Open Daily 9 AM. to 9 P.M. Beautiful! New! Complete! Studio Living Room...beamed ceiling Italian fireplace . . . step-up Dining Room...3 fine bed rooms...recreation room with fireplace...deep lot... garage. . .fine location. THIS IS AN ELECTRIC KITCHEN HEALTH HOME only 8,850 DRIVE OUT NOW Out Georgia Ave. to Emerson t. N.W. and right to home. OWNER-BUILDER 1508 K St. N.W. NAt. 4886 Open Daily and Sunday 9 AM. to 9 PM. DRIVE OUT TODAY! Drive out 16th St. or Kansas Ave. to Madison St. and turn right to house. ooley Bros. " BUILOERS OF JETTER HONES® Tower Bldg. National 9240 the recent campaign. Love secured an F. H. A. insured loan from a finan- cial institution of $1,986, which he | will use to make over his three-story home ito three apartments. A breakdown of the 815 pledges | obtained shows the following work: Carpentry, 167; concrete, 19; flooring, 59; electrical, 47; automatic heat, 33; heating, 95: painting. 244: plastering, | 50; masonry, 25; roofing, 109; paper- hanging, 150; landscaping, 9; weather- | stripping, 26; insulating, 33: miscel- | laneous, 75; plumbing, 55; alteration, 32, and additions, 21. —_— Rent Control Protest Talked. ‘The southeastern group conference | of the Upited States Building and ' Loan League, which met here this| week, referred to committee a pro- | posal that it go on record as opposed | to the creation of a rent control commission for Washington as pro- posed in a bill now pending in Con- gress. H. E. Doyle, president of the Washington Real Estate Beard, intro- | duced the proposal to the conference near the end of the session. ofnothor (BEITZELLOffeling N Beautifully Furnished Home in 16th Street Heights 1347 Rittenhouse St. N.W. 'HE most remarkable value at this price that you'll find any- where'. . . 6 rooms . . . 2 fireplaces . . front and rear stairways . . . parquetry floors . . . 2 beautiful baths . . . modern kitchen . . . ce- dar storage closets . . . beamed ceiling recreation room with pan- eled walls, bar and fireplace . weather-stripped and screened . .. large lot . . . high elevation. for only $8,950 Open 9 AM. to 9 PM. Drive out 16th St. NW.. on Sheridan St.. to'14th St., to Ritten- house St.. and left to homes. turn_ right Tower Bldg. Wonderful Opportunity DI. 3100 ALL BRICK Rosedale Park Bethesda, Md. 4503 Maple Ave. A beautiful bungalow with 5 generous rooms, slate roof, open fireplace, insulated attic over entire house, electric kitchen, wonderful bath and moderh in every respect. Convenient to schools, trans- portation and stores. Can Be Purchased on Terms. A Marvelous Value. Open Saturday Afternoon and All Day Sunday Phillips & Canby, Inc. Na. 4600 Investment Bldg. ‘SCOTCH’ TAYLOR FARM ‘ NEAR RAPIDAN IS SOLD‘ ON F. H. A. RADIO HOUR director 425-Acre Estate Is Famous for “What Home Means to Me” Will | Brick Construction of All Buildings. Special Dispatch to The Star. CULPEPER, Va., March 2.—The farm near Rapidan known for ghe past | half century as the “Scotch” Taylor place, and remarkable for the number, variety and fashion of its numerous brick buildings—every house on the place from residence to barns being constructed after the fashion of Tay- lor's native Scotland—was purchased this week by M. W. Carter of Orange. The new owner has announced his | intention of beginning immediate im- provements and of making this his permanent home. William J. Taylor purchased this 425-acre estate about 60 years ago, and it was he who had the buildings erected. He died a few years later. Rock Hill. a Madison County estate | recently purchased by Mr. Carter, has | been sold. | —_—— Yellow Brightens Room. If a floor is painted a medium | chrome yellow, it will, by reflection, | give white or cream painted walls a | charming, sunshiny effect. In a room | following this decorative scheme, cur- | tains of transparent yellow gauze will help to carry out the impression | of sunshine coming into the room. | | Wanted ‘ Sale Listings Have buyers waiting for reasonably priced homes and investments. Harry B. Pitts Co. 1015 15th St. N.W. Met. 0100 BEAUTIFUL NEW COLONIAL HOMES JUST COMPLETED IN CHEVY CHASE, D. C. BUILT BY STUART & STEPHENS 6134 30th STREET 9,500 Astounding value, all-brick Colonial, 6 rooms and finished third floor; breakfast nook; electric refrigeration; beauti- ful bath with shower; slate roof; furred walls, deep lot, garage. From Chevy Chase Circle drive east on Rittenhouse St. to 30th St. and home. 5428 30th PLACE $10,750 All-brick Colonial, slate roof, copper gutters and spouting; 6 lovely rooms; finished third floor room; 2 baths; finely modern and well-equipped kitchen; furnished breakfast alcove; large, covered rear porch off dining room; ga- rage. Drive out Connecticut Avenue to Military Road, east to 30th Place and north to house. BOTH OPEN TODAY, 2 TO 6 SUNDAY, 10 TO 6 BOSS & PHELPS OWEN YOUNG TO SPEAK Be Subject of Address Over N. B. C. March 3. Through the Federal Housing Ad- ministration broadcast, one of a series of 26, donated by the General Electric Co. to the Better Housing program, Owen D. Young will speak from New York over the National Broadcasting Co. at 12:15 pm. March 3 on “What Home Means to Me.” Owing to the nature of this program and the reputation enjoyed by the guest speakers, it should be of un- usual interest to each home owner. Emily Post. Otis Skinner, Surg. Gen Cumming, Kathleen Norris and others have each voiced their opinions on | this program during the past month. DISTRESS SHOWS NEED CONTINUES HEREFORK.0.L.C. Almost 1,900 Homes Saved, but Scores Are Believed in Danger. $2,000,000,000 MORE ASKED OF CONGRESS Seay Claims New Fund Would Provide No Competition for Private Lenders. Nearly 1,900 homes in Washington have been saved from foreclosure dur- ing the 20 months the Home Owners’ Loan Corp. has been in operation, yet a comparatively large number of dis- tress cases among District home own- ers remain, inquiries at local head- quarters of the corporation reveal. Providing funds are supplied by Congress to take care of additional applications, much cash could be put to good use in Washington without | resultant competition with private | home financing institutions, in the | opinion of William M. Seay, acting of the District H. O. L. C. Two Billions Sought. Under the bill introduced in Cor | gress by Representative Steagall, Dem. | ocrat, of Alabama, and Senator | Fletcher, Democrat, of Florida, for ex- | tension of H. O. L. C., the corporation would receive $1,500,000,000, which approximately would take care of ap- plications for refinancing home mort- gages that were sent in before the “no more applicat. sign was hung out by the corporation November 15. However, the House Banking and Cur- rency Committee tacked an additional $500,000,000 onto the bill this week, and there is a possibility the ante may bg raised even higher before Congress gives final approval. It is supposed that the various H. I0 L. C. State offices would accept new applications if the figure in the bill is raised above $1,500.000,000. The principal home financing associations of the count including the United States Building & Loan League, have " (Continued on Page 2, Column 5.) We Believe These New Detached Brick Homes Are Outstanding Values Inspect—Judge for Yourself—Prompt Attention Given to Trades All Open Daily Until 9 P.M. B Chevy Chase—Center-Hall Plan 6121 32nd Place N.W. Just off Rittenhouse . _ A beautiful home. with 3 living room and master bed room. Comparable with anv in Chevy Chase priced much higher. Evers room is large and bright Two beautiful baths. all-electric Kitchen. electric_refrigeration. oil heat. large Tecreation room in basement, 2-.car brick garage. Priced to sell quickly. @ Chevy Chase 6113 32nd Place N.W. Just completed. All-brick, large front porch across entire house. @ large rooms and two beautiful baths. Finished attic, in reality a club room or extra bed room. All-electric kitchen. Recreation room in basement, Oil heat. . Extra large lot. brick garage. o_inspect -t ve two homes. drive east on Ritten] to d Place. thence on Military Road th Ave. to circle— 3ind Place half block. or =] Beautiful Argyle Park— Restricted—Convenient 1727 Varnum St.—Center-Hall Plan Companion home sold this week. This beautiful home situated on 195-1t lot. contains 1 real bed rooms and is priced exceptionally low for this splendid neighborhood. Large living room Wwith concrete Dorch opening off one end. The large irees overshadowing make this_a delighiful spot. De luxe kitchen, electric refrigerator, breakfast alcove. General Electric oil furnace. Heated recreation room. Two-car brick garage. An outstanding value. Drive out 16th St. to Varnum: turn west block and half and inspect a really beautiful 1106 Vt. Ave. e M ET ZLER ==Dist. 8600 Sunday and Nights, AD. 0620 Realtors. Wardman is Offering A QUALITY HOUSE In One of Washington’s Finest Locations 8 Rooms—4 Bed Rooms Inspect Our Furnished House at 5626 13th St. N.W. $10,500~512,500 SOME OF THE FEATURES o Recreation Room e Delco Oil Burner e New Bath Rooms e New Floors o New Mantels e New Hall Effect Drive Out Today OPEN DAILY AND SUNDAY TILL 9 P.M. HARRY WARDMAN, Inc., Agent 1512K Street N.W. DIstrict 3830 “Life Is Worth Living In @ Wardman Home”