Evening Star Newspaper, April 20, 1935, Page 19

WASHINGTON, D. C, HOME MORTGAGE INSURANCE OFFICE HAS BUSIEST WEEK 440 Are Interviewed and Appraisal Fees Accepted From 50. FOUR BIG COMPANIES READY TO MAKE LOANS $600,685 in Business Uncovered So Far in Better Housing Campaign. The busiest week since the Federal Housing Administration’s mutual mortgage plan of home financing was announced, was enjoyed this week by the District of Columbia office, of which Joseph K. Gilchrist is director. Gilchrist announced today that 440 people interested in the mutual mortgage plan were interviewed by his employes during the week. A large proportion of the number an- nounced their intentions of either re- financing their homes or purchasing new homes in the near future. An - extra note of optimism was added to the report by the director's statement that a large number of those inter- viewed were interested in building homes. 50 Pay,Appraisal Fees. The director said he accepted ap- praisal fees from 50 of the applicants. These cases seemed especially promis- ing and investigation will be made immediately to see whether or not the - F. H. A. is willing to give a prelimi- nary certificate of insurance of their mortgages. Gilchrist estimated that this preliminary approval will be given | in 80 per cent of the cases. When this is done the next step is for either the applicant or, if desired, the Hous- ing Administration, to place the loan with an approved mortgagee. Gilchrist stated that the persons from whom appraisal fees were ac- cepted during the week asked for a total of approximately $280,000. Four large insurance companies, with millions of dollars in their vaults, | have requested insured mortgages from | the District, the director announced. | He said he believed there would be lit- Capital H Do, PRIVATE BUILDING | - PERMITS REDUCED | [ Chilly Week Cuts Volume to $208,605—Above 1934 April Mean. Private building construction in the District as gauged by permits issued | showed the effects of the cold weather this week as the total valuation fell | off to $208,605, the lowest figure in over a month. However, the valuation of permits issued through the office of Col. John | W. Oehmann, District building inspec- | tor, continued considerably above the average for April last year. Slightly | more than 100 permits for all types of construction were issued the past week. Included in the week's list were in tle difficulty in placing the loans. Gil- | christ estimated that at the present | time he has sufficient inquiries to place | about $500,000 worth of insured mort- gages each month for a four-month period. 1,996 Pledges Obtained. | The Washington Better Housing | Campaign heads announced that work- ers in their canvass to obtain $6,000.000 | in property modernization pledges had uncoyered approximately $600,685 in business so far in"the campaign. The workers had interviewed 6,016 resi- dential and commercial property own- | ers and obtained a total of 1996 | pledges. It was stated that 125 can- vassers, about 70 of whom work each day, are now employed in the cam- .paign. Favorable reports were received | .from contractors and building supply | merchants throughout the city. One | contractor said that he has $8,000 | in work now under way. and $20.000 _pending, directly traceable to the bet- ter housing canvass. E. R. Edmiston of Brady Bros., con- tractors, stated that the moderniza- tion program is “just beginning.” He #aid the program has put a number of contractors “back on their feet” and has put hundreds of laborers to work. 'HOUSING POSTER CONTEST EXTENDED (Preview of Exhibits Will Be Held May 2—Prizes of $25 and $15 Offered. Closing time of the poster contest for students of District high schools which is being. sponsored by the ‘Washington better housing program < has been extended through next Sat- urday, Miss Elizabeth Wheeler, in charge of the competition, announced . today. % The contest originally was scheduled | . to close this week. but greatly in- . creased interest in it and the closing of schools for Easter holidays com- -pelled the extension of time Miss Wheeler also announced that & preview of posters entered in the contest will be held at the Hamilton Hotel May 2, at which time the win- ners will receive the prizes of $25 and $15 to be awarded for first and second places. All students enrolled in the public, ‘private and parochial high schools of the city are eligible to enter. The Judges include Clifford K. Berryman of The Star, Herndon Davis of the “ Post, and Edward C. Bowen of the Treasury Department. FIRM IS ORGANIZED -~BALTIMORE, April 20 —Clarence Heeter Small, George Uriah Small and Helen Elizabeth McGarvey, all «-of Washington, have incorporated the ;. H. Small Construction Co. of - Hyattsville, Md,, to deal in real estate, :The capital stock consists of 25 shares - common stock, no par value. New Detached Brick 522 Underwood St. N.W. .. 6 Rooms—2 Baths Individual in character and de- sign, 2 stories and cellar, 3 bed- rooms and 2 baths on 2nd fi.; “hot - water heat, electricity, isereens, weather strips, modern zthealth kitchen, electric refrig.; open fireplace; caulked and in- | sulated; many new innovations - that complete the modern home. “Garage. Open Sunday L. T. GRAVATTE 929 15th St. Realter Na. 0753 | ter, | brick dwelling, 6439 Barnaby street; permits for 22 one-family dwellings and four multi-family flats. Largest Permit $32,000. The largest permit of the week was granted to the Webster Construction Co., 1327 Allison street, for the erec- | tion of four 2-story brick flats, which will be located in the 900 block of Quincy street. The cost was esti- | mated at $32,000. A. B. Garden, 2014 Nichols avenue southeast, obtained a permit to erect three $5,000 brick dwellings in the 1700 block of Minnesota avenue south- east. The more important permits issued during the week are as follows: ‘Webster Construction Co., 1327 Al- lison street, owners and builders; George T. Santmyers, architect; to erect four 2-story brick flats, 901-09 | Quincy street: to cost $32.000. A. B. Garden, 2014 Nichols avenue, | southeast, owner and builder; L. W. Giles, architect; to erect three 2-story | brick dwellings, 1724-26-28 Minnesota avenue southeast; to cost $5,000 each. Jacobson Brothers, 1616 K street, owners and builders; George S. White, designer; to erect two 2-story brick dwellings, 1327 and 1323 Somerset place; to cost $7,000 each. Dr. and Mrs. S. C. Carson, 1111 Co- lumbia road, owners; C. B. White, de- signer; E. A. Pessagno Co., 1517 H street, builders; to erect one 2-story | brick and tile dwelling, 1325 Girard street northeast; to cost $12,000. Claude G. Johnson, 416 Shepherd | street, owner and builder; H. P. Bax- architect; to erect one 2-story to cost $7,800. W. C. & A. N. Miller, 1119 Seven- teenth street, owners and builders: Edward Spano, designer; to erect one 2-story brick dwelling, 4211 Forty- ninth street; to cost $7,200. Alfred E. Wild, 205 Tenth street northeast, owner; John E. W. Sohl, architect; Moore & Warther, 1024 Ver- mont avenue, builders; to erect brick garage, 6100 Twenty-ninth street; to cost $7,000. W. C. & A. N. Miller, 1119 Seven- teenth street, owners and builders; Edward Spano, designer; to erect one | 2-story brick-and-frame dwelling, 4835 Van Ness street; to cost $7,000. Alfred E. Wild, 205 Tenth street northeast, owner; John E. W. Sohl, architect; Moore & Warther, 1024 Ver- mont avenue, builder; to erect one 2-story brick-and-tile dwelling, 6100 Twenty-ninth street; to cost $7,000. W. C. & A. N. Miller, 1119 Seven- teenth street, owners and builders; Edward Spano, designer; to erect one 2-story brick-and-frame dwelling, 4219 Forty-ninth street; to cost $6,800. W. C. & A. N. Miller, 1119 Seven- teenth street, owners and builders; ge 5, Column 2.)_ ESTIMATOR AND OFFICE MANAGER In Home Builders’ Office Waverly Taylor, Inc. 1522 K Street N.W. 5918 2nd PL NW. $8,950 Just Completed Six splendid rooms, all-brick detached home. Spacious porch and breakfast room, knotty pine recreation room with wood-burning fireplace. Be sure to see this house, Drive out to Peabody street, turn right to Second place. Open Today and Week Days Open Sunday, 16 fo Dark Realty Associates, Inc. Realtors National 1438 BULDING METHOD SHFTS ARE URGED Harvard Teacher Would Change Basements, Abol- ish Plaster. Changes in building materials and methods are urged in a report to the American Institute of Architects by | Charles W. Killam, professor of archi- | tecture in Harvard University, | “In the case of small, cheap houses we spend too much money on base- ments,” Prof. Killam declares. “With | modern insulating materials it ought to be possible to build on piers and insulate the first floor over an air space. In the case of these small houses T am not convinced that steel is to be largely used as a surface ma- terial or even for joists, doors and windows. “There is a domestic quality about wood to which we have become accus- tomed. If repairs or changes are neces- sary in a steel or concrete structure, they are not easily managed in small villages. The local carpenter or the | handv householder himself can do much with wood. Would Abolish Plaster. | | thousands of Americans, yet few know | Public business, and its importance its meaning. A vast audience listens ‘Was demonstrated by to the speakers of the National Radio | WOrks designed for its proper drain- Forum each Monday evening, but per- |ing long before the Roman republic haps not one person in a score under- | Was organized, 509 B.C. “I would abolish plaster, however, | |and would experiment with plywood, not only as a surface material, but ' as an integral part of floor and roof | | construction, somewhat as the battle- | deck floor now uses the steel plate as an integral part of the floor joist. ‘We waste too much money on paint. | We should find some coating which will be more durable and protective than paint. “In the case of large buildings we may . question whether our require- ments for fireproofing are not too severe in certain types of buildings under modern conditions. We got the habit of requiring 2. 3 or 4 inches of protection for steel when the fire-re- | sisting building was the exception ; rather than the rule, when it had a large amount of combustible finish and furniture, when it was sur- rounded by large areas of more or | |less combustible buildings and was | therefore subject to conflagration | hazard. | | “These conditions have changed in‘ | many cases. Office buildings, hotels, | apartments, schools, hospitals and some other buildings are not full of combustible merchandise. Wooden | doors, sashes, partitions, floors and | even furniture have been replaced in | large part by incombustible materials. Many schools and hospitals are in grounds large enough to eliminate danger from conflagration. Fire Rule Revision Possible. “Many office buildings, hotels and | apartment buildings are in areas en- | tirely built up with fire-resisting | buildings with a very small amount of | combustible contents. These facts | suggest the possibility of open-minded revision of our fire-proofing regula- ont Column 8.) PARK MODEL HOME IN FOXALL Detached and Overlooking Beautiful Foundry Park See this delightful home of 7 rooms and 2 baths. furnishe * in exquisite taste by W. B. Moses © Sons. With a beautifully wooded park ad- joining your rear garden, a first floor study paneled in knotty pine and an extra basement living room, you can really live in comfort. Every modern convenience, including gas " heat, gas refrigerator and illuminated gas range. 1417 44TH STREET Drive out Que Street to Wisconsin Ave- nue, north one block to Reservoir Road, west to 44th Sureet and turn left three blocks to the model home, open 9:30 A. M. to 9:30 P. M. daily. e WAVERLY TAYLOR S5 1522 K Street National 1040 omes That Figured ) L SATURDAY, APRIL in Week’s Real Star TRy q 20, 1935. <« “Forum” of Radio Fame Takes FARM LAND DEMAND Name From Roman Institution Origin Lost in Antiquity but Probably | It Began in Natural Desire to Discuss Problem BY JAMES WALDO FAWCETT. | GAINS IN FIVE STATES Many Buying Through Federal | Bank at Baltimore, President Reports. | Special Dispatch to The Star. BALTIMORE, April 20.—Increas- ing demand for farm land in the five-State area served by the Federal | Land Bank of Baltimore is reported by Charles S. Jackson, president of tration of justice, for the assemblies the bank. The word “forum” is familiar to |Of the people and for other kinds of | pe pointed out that many former stands why that program bears the name it does. Research, however, discloses fasci- nating facts of architectural, civic | inevitable physical or material mani- | The forum |festation of orderly governmental | = idea is of unlimited antiquity: its | business, permanently housed. Struc- | and social significance. origin is lost in the shadows of the remotest period of civilization. Prob- ably it began in the natural instinct of men to talk over their problems. In any case it had become an institu- tion among the Greeks in primitive times. The agora of Athens was the actual center of the Attic democracy. But it was at Rome that the forum received its final name, attained its | Comitium and had for its distinguish- highest development and was accorded | ing characteristics a series of elevated its greatest celebrity. The word seems | platforms from which orators ad- to have had a geographical connota- |dressed the people. tion at first; later it is thought by philologists to have been connected |of the ships of the Antiates called with “foris” and so to have denoted ‘any place out of doors.” Specifically, it referred to a place in the valley of | (Continued on Page 4, Column 5.) or the Tiber—a low -lying swamp marsh filled in by Romulus and Ta- tius, legendary sovereigns of the Ro- man and Sabine settlements in the eighth century B.C. It was set apart for the adminis- 3412 BUNKER HILL ROAD N. A splendid situation, one square from Rhode Island Ave, at 34th St. High elevation, attractive en- vironment. Large living room across entire front. Fine rooms, all good sized; bath, extra lavatory. Complete in every detail, including screens and weather stripping; garage. Attrac- tive lot profuse with flowers and shrubbery. Must be seen to be ap- preciated. Beuonnbles‘,7 50 Terms Open Sunday, 3 to 6 P.M. HARRY B. PITTS CO. 1015 15th St. NW. Met. 0100 EASTER SHOWING of a Delightful New Home Built by J. B. Tiffey 3336 Tennyson St. NW. in beautiful Chevy Chase, D. C. YOU'LL love this charming new cen- ter-hall-plan home in this lovely six beautiful room. in colored tile . . . 8 ern knfh'b'; with every location . . . 2 tiled baths delizhtful, moder: built-in feature . . . big, base reation room . . pletely landscaped and a detached sa- rage. Drive Out Now! ris t Ct ecticut Ave. N.W. o Brenry Chase Cirele, Tight ‘on West- ern An. fo Tennyson Sireet to home. Tower Bldg. DL 3100 | | farmers who had drifted into other lines of work during the last decade are now returning to the soil. some of them purchasing farms throura the Federal Land Bank. The gistrict includes Maryland Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Caro- linia, and the District of Columbia. engineering With the passing of centuries the forum came to be surrounded by pub- lic edifices of different kinds—the OPEN UNTIL SOLD rt 3608 5o Ordway St. N.W. In Beautiful Clereland Park Near Cars, Bus, Schools, Stores. A brick home—8 sunshine rooms— 2 baths—elec. refrig. Nice vard, sarage. Brodie & Colbert, Inc, 1307 Eye St. Natl. 8833 tures to shelter all the normal offices of a municipality and a nation were raised in succession, and these, in line with the Roman concept, were interspersed with temples, shrines, memorials and wther semi-public es- tablishments. But the central area was kept clear for centuries. It was known as the The stands lat- | terly were adorned with the beaks | “rostra.” Gladiatorial games sometimes were Realters 2119 PLYMOUTH CIRCLE Authentically Colonial ‘ A HOME of charm—em- bodying the fine Early American qualities of com- fort, hospitality and beauty. All the comfort of old- fashioned planning—yet with every present-day living con- venience. Modern gas appliances through co-operation of The Washington Gas Light Company. [ MATCHING the sylvan beauty of Rock Creek which surrounds it—where en- croachment can never mar—is building a community different in every respect from anything that exists today. Of Rock Creek Park Estates Dedicated entirely to the reproduction of historic Colonial homes and others true in character to the period of the Original Thirteem Colonies. Entrance, north end of Beach Drive thru the Park, or 16th Street, west at Kalmia Road THE COLONIAL VILLAGE, INC. EDSON W. BRIGGS, President OFFICE: 1603 KALMIA ROAD N.W. PHONE GE. 9806 Building News Estate Transactions Upper left: New home at 5625 Mooreland lane, Edgemoor, Md., which_was sold for Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Billings by the Stroup Realty Co. Upper right: Dwelling located at 7115 Eighth street, containing six rooms and two baths, built and sold by L. E. Breuninger & Sons to Misses Lida Q., Mary V. and Mabel R. Godfrey. Below: Dr. and Mrs. David L. Maxwell purchased this attractive house at 4700 Linnean avenue, Forest Hills, from Adam P. Ruth through the office of Boss & Phleps, realtors. —Star Staff Photos. | CASH PLAN EFFECTED Assessed Valuation and Tax Rate Reduced at Paterson. Special Dispatch o The Star. PATERSON, N. J., April 20 —Belief by taxpayers and municipal bond men that a city's operation on a cash basis entails a greater tax burden was dis- spelled here today when the Board of Finance, in adopting Paterson’s pay- as-you-go budget and tax ordinance, announced # reduction in both the assessed valuation and the tax rate. Assessed valuation declined from $187,604,482 in 1934 to $182,214,869 for | this year. The tax rate will be re- duced from 3.91 in 1934 to about 3.76 in 1935 when struck by the Passiac County Board of Taxation. ! PAGE B—1 BULDINGINDLSTRY HAS BEST AR N LAST 4 VEARS Construction Upsweep Gains Momentum Under Spur of F.H. A, $500,000 MARK HIT BY SIX LARGE CITIES | Atlanta Reports $2,158,877 Total in Permits as Against $9,075 in 1934. Preliminary reports from leading | cities in practically every section of | the country indicate that March was the banner month for the past four years in modernization work and new residential construction, the two types of building activity fostered by the | Federal Housing Administration. Six cities went over the half million mark last month in the construction of one to four family dwellings. At- | lanta, Ga., with permits for 627 resi- | dential structures valued at $2,156,877, against three valued at $9,075 in March of last year, led the list. The others were New York, 352 structures valued at $1,424,300, against 65 valued at $293,250 for the same month last year; Washington, 145 structures valued at $883,410, against 42 valued at $298,775: Los Angeles, 229 structures valued at $862,813, against 142 valued at $515.- 543; Detroit, 92 structures valued at $536.080. against 30 valued at $165.- 800; Philadelphia, 124 structures valued at $508,000, against 97 valued at $387,900. Other Cities Show Gain. Among other cities which showed startling gains in value of this type of residential construction last month over March, 1934, are the following: St. Louis, $334,200, against $114,500; Cincinnati, $278,800, against $126,000: Osakland, $218.200, against $46.010: San Francisco, $205,000. against $149.- 425; San_Diego, $198,893, against '$60,840; Newton, Mass., $194,500, against $80,000; Austin, Tex., $155- 739, against $38,805; Miami, $152,025, against $45.750; Louisville, $147,950, against $12,750; Denver, $119,250, against $73,700; Pittsburgh, $107.300, against $33,000: University City, Mo., $107,000, against $50.000; Dallas, $101.- 300, against $39.050: Baltimore, $92.000, against $11,000; Tulsa. $90.900, (Continued on Page 2, Column 7.) ODAY ... wjthout fail visit this outstanding new home which has every modern feature in- eluding Large living room with attracti; and Venetian blinds; step-up di breakfast room with bus fireplace ng room: -in china closets: breakfast porch, Electric Kitchen, complete with range and refrigerator, lovely Oxford cabinets, and black inlaid tile drainboard with mirror_background: completely pan- eled recreation room with real wood-burn- ing fireplace and flagstone floor: 3 master bed rooms with large closets; 2 beautifully tiled baths; front and rear stairways: screened sleeping porch; large landscaped lot; detached brick garage. 618 ONEIDA A TIFFEY BUILT HOME.. Open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily Out 7th St. N.W. and right on Oneida to the homes. TOWER BLDG. DI. 3100 5505 30th Place Chevy Chase, D. C. Splendid Rooms BETTER YOU MAY MISS THIS s 15 AN A{cm HEALTH HOME Tile Baths PEA nmxcs INCLUDE 1 ONAL VALUE. To reack property, drive out Military Road to 30th Place Nat. 0843 Paul T. Stone, Inc. 918 15th St. + Bullders—Developers