Evening Star Newspaper, April 20, 1935, Page 21

REAL ESTATE. THE EVENING STAR, WASHINGTON, D. C, SATURDAY, APRIU 20, 1935..- 353 HOMES GET MOST OF BUILDING GAINS TOSUPPORTF. H. A\ INHOME BUILDING March Increase of 71 Per Must Back War on Per Cent Above Record Cent Far Exceeds Normal Seasonal Rise. Depression. of Period in 1934. B the Associated Press, NEW YORK, April 20.—Although the huilding “boom” long awaited as a key to business recovery has failed to materialize this Spring, substantial crumbs of comfort are found in the Rooms Decorated in Classic Style ‘War against the economic forces which bring unemployment, want and misery is being waged successfully by American business and private citi- zens through the better housing pro- gram, Federal Housing Administrator Residential building for the first 13 weeks of 1935 shows definite im- provement over the same period both in 1933 and 1934, but is below the level of 1932, according to an article in the April issue of the Federal Home loan Bank Review, published today. A comparison of the monthly totals of home construction for the first three months of 1935 reveals a re- fumption in March of the acceleration ghown in January and interrupted in February. Figures for March show that the average daily volume of resi- dential building contracts awarded was more than 71 per cent above the daily average in February, which is far greater than the normal seasonal increase and represents an increase of 19 per cent over March, 1934, 23 Per Cent Gain Shown. Residential building volume up to March 30 of this year is more than 23 per cent above the same period n 1934. Activity in non-residential con- struction, due to the falling off in| new governmental contracts, remained about 44 per cent below the total for the first three months of 1934. A chart accompanying the article shows that whereas industrial produc- | * tion had by February 28 reached a Jevel only 8 per cent below the 1923- 1925 figure, construction remained 76 | per_cent below that average. For over a year the cost of building| materials and labor has been prac-| tically unchanged, while housing rentals have moved steadily higher, diminishing the spread between these two factors and providing an incentive for increased residential construc- | tion. As contrasted with building costs, | all commodities during March con- | tinued the advance which began in| February, 1933. Value Figures Given. With this issue, the Review, for the benefit of home-financing institutions. | begins publication of current figures on | the number and value of one-family, two-family and combination home- and-business structures for which building permits have been issued. The | information is compiled by the Federal | Home Loan Bank Board from data | collected by the Bureau of Labor | Statistics. The value of one and two | family home construction in February showed an increase of 9 per cent. as compared with January, 1935, and was about 72 por cent greater than in February, 1934. Figures assembled by the Federal Home Loan Bank Board disclose a continued trend since 1930 toward con- struction of one and two family| dwellings, in contrast with the large | volume of apartment construction from | 1926 to 1929. This reversal may be in | part a reflection of the greater volume | of mortgage credit available to owners | of small homes, through building and | loan associations and similar institu- | tions, and the relative difficulty of | financing large apartment projects in | recent years through the traditional investment banking channels HUMPHRIES’ SALES REACH $110,000 Corner Property at Twentieth and | New York Avenue Sold to Texas 0il Co. The office of R. A. Humphries re- ported today sales of property total- ing $110,000 made during the last 60 days. The list of sales is as fol- Jows: | ‘The northwest corner of Twentieth | street and New York avenue to the Texas Oil Co. for Patrick O'Toole. and an adjacent lot to the same com- | pany for the Federal-American Co.; | 1226 North Capitol street; 66 W street: 216 Upshur street; 5407 Kansas ave- riue; property in Colmar Manor, Md.; 729 Third street northeast; 1800 Sev- enteenth street southeast, and 1326 South Capitol street Leases reported by the Humphries office include: 1717 Wisessn ave- | nue to ®e M1-Clo Cleaning and Dye- inhg Co.: 1717 North Capitol street to the Black and White Laundry Co.: W15 Eighth street southeast, to the Black and White Laundry Co. and 809 North Capitol street, to A. Swerdloff. — FARM SURVEY SHOWS SEWERAGE MAJOR NEED | | Outstanding needs of the farm home, as indicated by 17.981 cases investigated by the department of agricultural extension of Purdue Uni- wversity, are principally sewerage, paint ®nd screening, according to a report received by the Federal Housing Ad- ministration. + Of the farms investigated the fol- lowing percentage table was formu- lated: Ninety-five per cent were found to be in need of a safe method of sewage disposal; 55 per cent were in need of new paint: 41 per cent required more adequate screening: 31 per cent. miscellaneous repairs and replace ments; 28 per cent, foundation re- pairs; 25 per cent, more closet space and 14 per cent, kitchen sinks. The purposes of the Purdue inves- tigation were to promote sound and attractive building and to protect the farm home from unnecessary de- preciation; to develop conditions which promote health and comfort; the pro- vision of conveniences which wili end needless drugery, and to encourage a suitable setting for the farm home. In Chevy Chase, -, Detached brick house, 6 rooms. Large living room with, open fireplace. Hot- water heat, slate roof, de- tached garage on paved alley. Porch and good rear vard. Convenient to transporta- tion. Rented at $70 per month. Can be bought at very reasonable price with substantial cash payment. TOLEDO GUARANTY CORPORATION 1026 Woodward Building National The upper photograph shows a living room furnished with eighteenth century English and French mahogany pieces. while the lower bed room photo illustrates an attractive use of satinwood furniture which is Sheraton in design. The satinwood is used in combination with the bone-white finished bed. The rooms were decorated by Woodward & Lothrop. James A. Moffett stated in a recent address. - Mr. Moffett first cited many evi- dences of improved business through- out the country, especially in the in- dustries_benefiting directly from the better housing program, which he called “a mighty force in bringing back good times.” “But the better housing program is not a force that moves by itself, automatically,” Mr. Moffett said. “It is not & Government subsidized pro- cedure. It is purely and simply a co- operative movement between the citi- zens and industries of this country for which the Government supplies only the plan. “Waging Another War.” “The working out of the plan rests with private initiative. And private initiative, realizing both the selfish and patriotic benefits of the better housing progrem, has already created a record for hard work that can stand comparison with our country’s united effort in the last war. “We are in reality waging another war. It is a war against the eco- nomic forces that bring unemploy- ment, want and misery. One of the greatest weapons in our war is the better housing program, and I am happy to be a citizen of a country which has shown such a magnificent effort in wielding that weapon. It has made me proud of the name ‘America’ to see the way in which our citizens have answered this call to the colors.” Appeals to Private Industry. Mr. Moffett stated that the better housing program can be made in- creasingly successful only by individ- ual collective work of three chief fas tors—the private citizen, industry and the credit resources of the country. Upon the amount of labor and co: operation they display, he said, de- pends the amount of success. | “In this endeavor,” he continued, | “private industry plays an increas- | ingly important role. Every business | firm in the country should be solidly behind this program. Industry can | help in several ways: One is by a vertising the program by every con- ceivable method: another is by con- tributing to the funds of local bet- ter housing campaigns: another is by co-operating in exhibitions. Since | every business firm will profit direct- | ly or indirectly, every business firm | Air Conditioning Two Washington Churches Make Plans to Install Cooling Systems. BY LAWRENCE TUCKER. Two of ‘Washington's fine churches | have decided to provide air-condi- tioned comfort for their congrega- tions this Summer. Last year the | All Soul's Church at Sixteenth and Harvard streets completed an eiabo- rate installation. This installation was the first among the churches of Washington and one of the few in the country. The First Church of Christ Scien- tist has been considering the problem ! of combating Summer heat, for some | time, and recently decided to proceed | |is another factor which must be | coped with in congested halls. | The Black Hole of Calcutta is often | | erroneously pointed to as an example | of asphyxiation from carbon dioxide, or body poisons of one kind or an- | other. On the contrary it was the | building up of heat and moisture from the bodies of the imprisoned people that caused their deaths. The air was so completely saturated with water vapor, and of such a high tem- | perature that it ceased to allow their bodies’ cooling systems to function. ‘The pores could not give off moisture, heat was not evaporated from the skin, and as a result life could not exist. The heat given off from the body while exercising is obviously much greater than when it is at rest. To remove this great source of discom- fort the Recreation Bowling Alleys at 918 G street contracted a short time ago for the installation of a cooling | system for the relief of patrons. This | installation is the first of its kind in with the installation of an air-con- ditioning plant. - Work already has | been started in the building at Eighteenth and Columbia road and should be completed before the first hot, weather arrives in Washington. Wherever large numbers of people are gathered, such as in churches, theaters, department stores, and other closely congregating groups, there is| always the problem of the removal of CORNER BRICK CHEVY CHASE, D. C. West of Cond. Avenue 4122 Military Rd. N.W. heat and moisture from the occupied space. Regardless of the ouuldei weather conditions, the people them- | selves give off tremendous amounts | of heat and moisture, which tends to | make air conditions uncomfortable. | In closely packed areas there is| scarcely any need for heat to be provided from the building heating plant. Almost the only function per- formed by this plant is to temper the | incoming air when the outside tem- | peratures are extremely low. In the | Summer this body heat must be re- | moved or the temperature will build | up to such a point that it will be stifiing. The moisture given off from | the body in the process of breathing' 1730 Flow Overlooking the Indian Beautiful Surroundings in HIGHLAND VIEW of Sligo Park Near New Eastern Suburban High School 2 Blocks from 16th St. Bus Line Only $8,950 3 Large Bedrooms. 2 Full-tiled Baths. 2 Covered Porches. 2-Car Garage. Maid’s room in basement. Master Bedroom and WILL CONSIDER TRADE meces- and in first. eondition, Wil y little eash in trade It l“l".” 4 Bedrooms—2 Baths ‘Wide frontage. convenient to street cars: has living room. dining receptign hall and kitchen 15h floor: Jedsc0ms. 2 baths on 2na; recommended. _economical heating system: electricity. wood " floors: bullt-in fined neignborh: Value in A ref eighborhood that you cannot afford to overiook. Newly Conditioned $8,950 Open Sunday L. T. GRAVATTE 729 15th Realtor Nat.0™%3 er Avenue Spring Golf Course and Slag Roof. Rock Wool Insulation. Quiet May Oil Burner. Heated Recreation Room. Chicken house and yard. Bath on First Floor. OPEN SUNDAY 2 TO 5 P.M. Inspection Other Days by Appointment g, 0 B4 Jom yafio st 23 Col oad ark and direct e: across Si turn -right into Franklin Avenue MOS S| Tower Bldg. Metro. 1776 | should be on its toes in promoting the city, and is a valuable addition | the plan.” to the rapidly mounting list of pleasant spots where we can forget the ravages of Summer heat. Boilers on Main Deck. A strangely designed vessel recently i ! entered the London docks. Her boiler | State transportation systems of room was situated on the main deck, | Yugoslavia report a marked ‘business with the idea of vaoiding some of the | increase in the last yvear. ' dangers of the stokehold. A Lovely New Home 3236 Livingston St., Chevy Chase % Insulated % Venetian Blinds % Wood-Burning Fireplace % Breakfast Room % Indirect Lighting in Kitchen % Oxford Kitchen Cabinets % Two Colorful Baths % Variegated Slate Roof % Detached Garage, Large Lot % Bronze Screens % Weather-Stripped & Caulked % Three Large Bedrooms $11,950 While it Lasts Open Daily and Sunday Qut, Milita to 33rd St turn 1 Rd. Livingston’ St.—or to Military Rd.. east to 3ird St., morth When you go out Easter Sunday See the comforts and conveniences of a new home, by ting at 1421 Juniper St. N.-W. in Shepherd Park All-brick construction Furred and insulated Living room with fireplace 3 large bed rooms 2 tiled baths Large, shaded porch 0il burner - Detached garage “This is an Electric Kitchen Health Home” 25 PBreuninger S Sons 1515 K Street N.W. National 2040 “Washington’s Oldest Established Builders” persistent gains home construction has been showing lately over 1934. ‘With March figures now available, it appears that residential construc- tion in the first quarter of.the year was roughly 20 per cent more than in the first three months of 1934, March more than made up for a dis- appointing Pebruary. ‘The total for the past quarter, how- ever, was but little more than a fourth of the volume for that part of 1930. ‘The factors deterring home build- ing are variously described as the prospective owner's feeling of inse- curity over his job, reduced incomes and greater reductions in rents than building costs. Rents have been creeping up of late, and with incomes also improving building analysts say the time should come when large numbers of families will find it more desirable to build than to rent. | For February, however, the monthly index of rents compiled by the Na- | tional Industrial Conference Board was only 7.5 per cent ahove the de- pression low. Building costs have | shown little change for several months, | although they have risen substan- | tially from the depression low. The plentitude of idle funds, as in- dicated by record low interest rates in the New York money market, should expedite the recovery movement. The severe losses suffered by mortgage holders during the depression, how- ever, have made investors wary, and it may take time to divert a large flow of private investment money into con- struction once more. FOREST Beautiful Interiors Combined with Modern, Lasting Construction Make T hese Homes a Real Value at $8,950 Exhibit Home 2457 39th Place FURNISHED by P. J. NEE CO. MODERN GAS APPLIANCES THROUGH THE CO-OPERA- TION OF THE WASHINGTON GAS LIGHT COMPANY. 7 rooms, one and two baths, beautiful recreation rooms, solariums or breakfast rooms, kitchens equipped with Oxford cabinets, Westinghouse refrigerators and Quality gas ranges. Some have first floor lavatory. Kitchen and bath room wall cov- erings of Sanitas. Insulated with Rock Wool, caulked. weather- stripped and screened with stainless aluminum wire screens. Reasonable Cash Payment Terms Like Rent Open Daily and Sunday 9AM.to9P.M. ooley Bros. "sUILDERS OF :m- womes” Drive out Wisconsin Ave. to Calvert St.. turn lefi to 39th Place and houses. Tower Building NAtional 9240 2739 Chesapeake Street N.W. Charming Colonial home in a quiet woodland setting. Well built and properly equipped for comfortable 1iving. Center hall plan: living room 141.x27. large dining room. excellent kitchen and pantry, equipped with General Electric Refrigeration, breakfast room, 4 bed rooms of good size and 2 baths, complete bath with tiled floor in basement, porcelain laundry trays. Paneled recreation room, 2-car built-in garage. Electrol ofl burner with booster, furred walls and heavy slate roof for Winter snugness. Insulated 3d floor, cross-ventilation for all rooms: many trees; very large stone- floored porch: park-like, wooded surroundings for cool, Summer comfort. Within a 4-mile radiys ., of the White House for year-round convenience. Drive out Conn. Ave.'to Albemarle St.. turn right three blocks to Linnean Ave.. left to Chesapeake. MARLOW-BEECH CORP. 907 15th St. NW. ME. 1170 ~ Country Club Grove Presents lts First Furnished MODEL Home 25 In'dividynlly Distinctive Homes Built and Sold Your inspection ine vited — Open Sunday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., daily thereafter, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m, Tastefully furnished by Hutchison’s, Inc. Ezquisitely draped and decorated by Ltgom. Unusually large living room with wood-burning fireplace Large dining room The loveliness of this Country Club Grove exhibit home {s en- hanced by ‘the fresh charm of the Virginia hills as Spring brings the foliage and flowers into bloom, Ideally situated on & large, wooded plot with picturesque rippling stream at the rear. It is of Colonial type, with a spacious floor plan in center-hall 'ment, giving exceptional roominess and convenience. We suggest a visit Easter afternoon. One will find other fine homes under construction, too, as low as $7,950. To reach the MODEL HOME—Drive along Canal Road across Chain Bridge and straight ahead 1 mile to Country Club Grove—turn left at Forest Lane. Efficiency kitchen with Leonard refrigerator, Magic Chef Gas range. Oxford cabinets 3 Large, bright bedrooms,. each with generous closets Tiled bath with Standard fixtures Knetty pine club room with wood-burning fireplace Large front, side and rear porches Built-in garage Landscaped terrace and'lawn \Ils — - Fepean ana gm0 Virginin Gardens Development Corporation Owners and Builders 1420 K Street National 8949 W. S. Hoge, Agent