Evening Star Newspaper, November 23, 1935, Page 19

R PARIS NEGLECTS NOBLE BUILDINGS Architectural Glories Are| Allowed to Gather Dust and Dirt BY JAMES WALDO FAWCETT. Paris badly needs to be rebuilt. Once, half a century ago, the grand- est as well as the gayest of capitals, its beauty has faded and its attrac- tion declined. An American visitor recently summarized its condition in the bitter remark: “This town nee(i,si a fire!” | But a thorough renovation probably | would serve just as well. There still are many noble monuments of archi- tecture which should be preserved, the | general design of the city should be | protected and, if feasible, the ancient charm of independence and variety of style which long have distinguished the skyline should be retained un- spoiled. Emphasis, however, must be laid on the word “thorough.” Mere touch- ing up here and there would not be enough. There are hundreds of acres of squalid slums which should be replaced with decent housing for the EAL ESTATE. masses, literally thousands of wretched | tenements which should be supplanted | with modern apartments, scores of abandoned hotels, stores and other useless structures which should be eliminated in the interests of in- | creased public health and convenience. | Meanwhile, the celebrated Cathedral of Notre Dame, precious to the whole | world for its historical connotations, wants dusting; the Louvre, bursting with art treasures prodigiously valu- able, requires repairs; the Opera House, sheltering all the grand tradi- | tions of French music, begs for a bath. Across the Seine, the Chamber of Deputies meets in the sordid wreck of the old Bourbon Palace, constructed between 1722 and 1777 and con- sistently neglected ever since. Dirty, Dark Buildings. The tragedy of the city's degrada- tion, it seems, has been that of the national and local governments’ re- fusal to set a style worthy of being followed by the people. Administrative buildings as a class are decrepit, dirty and dark. Little wonder is it, then, that less important edifices, large and wmall alike, are shabby and mean in &ppearance. But it is not Paris alone that mani- Ifsts carelessness and disregard. The rule prevails throughout the entire country. France is a generation be- hind England and Germany, Holland and Denmark in architectural de- velopment. Napoleon III, it is indi- cated, was the last great builder. Since his time, there has been no progress. Indeed, there has been only steady retrogression. The average French family today exists in less healtLful quarters than those of its ancestors. Urban communities are crowded and unsanitary, and the peasantry share their homes with their live stock—men, women, chil- dren, horses, cattle, dogs, cats and poultry under one roof. | Poverty is the explanation. The people are not less self-respecting | than their continental neighbors. But | they are handicapped by the devo-| tion of national resources to national defense. Universal fear of Germany— a kind of mass-madness—dictates the use of too large a fraction of the nation’s wealth for arms and arma- ment. Prance has the “revenge com- plex” now as it had from 1870 to | 1914, and the price it must pay for | the luxury brings penury into the life of every individual citizen. High Cost of Politics. Coincident with military expenses are the inordinate costs of politics. | Lacking responsible party organiza- tions and depending upon the acci- dents of independent leadership, the people are at the mercy of a horde of bosses. “France,” said an eminent French journalist to a group of Americans, “probably is the worst- governed country in the world. We are taxed and exploited—for nothing.” But the stranger, arriving in Paris from Brussels, does not comprehend immediately the causes of the trouble which he feels in the air. He comes | into the Gare du Nord through a wilderness of shabby suburbs, he finds the station itself a ramshackle barn of a place, he rides to his hotel in a prehistoric taxicab through an | endless succession of sordid streets lined with mercantile establishments | which he would not enter on a wager. Only in the Avenue Champs-Elysees, the Rue de Rivoli and the Boulevards | Capucines, des Italiens and Mont- | marte can he discover any approxi- mation of an ordinary main street in an American town like Cleveland or | Detrot. | Only Two New Buildings. Certainly, there are spots where “modern improvements” may be de- tected. But they are merely the ex- ceptions which prove the rule. Last July there were but two new building enterprises in all the neighborhood of the Madeleine—one a small apart- ment house; the other a small com- | mercial structure. The longer an American remains in Paris, the more he will deplore the | atmosphere of frustration. Each eve- | ning tens of thousands of people sit in the cafes or on the sidewalks in front of them, talking or simply staring in stolid ennui at the pas- sersby. The spectacle is discouraging. BSo much needs to be done, yet nobody is doing it. A conviction of futility appears to dominate the picture. An inquiry about what is likely to happen to the country brings three different responses. One Frenchman says, “Fascismo”; another, “Communism”; & third, “Nothing.” But a nation dies if it does not build. That is an axiom of history, known to France as well as it is known to America. | LIS RN S A Costa Rican Coffee, Coffee is Costa Rica’s chief croj P e B et iiend Bl B A bath. Boyts by J. Charles Shapiro, builder, THE EVENING STAR, WASHINGTON Cape Cod Colonial Home in Edgemoor through the office of Realty Associates, Uncle Sam | By the Associated Press. | Uncle Sam is going to school to | learn how to become a landlord. ! Announcing this week that the Na- | tional Association of Housing Officials | expects to start training prospective managess for P. W. A. and Resettle- | ment Administration homes within | | three weeks, Donald Slesinger, sociai | science professor, said he expected 70 | to attend. The “course” will be for four ['months, with half the pupils candi- | dates for jobs as manager of P. W. A slum clearance developments, and the other half for the Resettlement Ad- | ministration staff, Slesinger, who is on leave as dean | of the Division of Social Sciences and | professor of law at the Univergity of | Chicago, said more than 1,000 experi- enced real estate men had applied, and that another session would follow. Funds for the school, which will charge no tuition, were furnished by the Rockefeller Foundation. Experienced Faculty. { The faculty of seven, chosen because of its experience in managing large apartments, will have its lectures sup- plemented by conferences with officials $5,750 SIX ROOMS—SEMI-DETACHED Built-in Garage This home is in new condition t within walking distance of schools, to Attemlr éi{tssos To Learn to Be Good Landlor« churche for return of the | of the two Government agencies. “ 1 | ditions continuously attractive.” Secretary Iekes promised that 3 , D. C, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1635, L This new Cape Cod Colonial home at 4812 North lane, Edgemoor, Md., has been sold to Mr. and Mrs. J. E. The structure has five Tooms and —Star Staff Photo. | said, “differ from private apartments | | because of tke long period necessary investment. avoid undue obsolescence the neighbor- | hood must be kept up by stimulating | home building has been confined to | community morale and making con- | two kinds of structures—first, homes | CONCRETE HOUSE WILL BE SHOWN New Method of Low-Cost Housing Brings Added Benefits. A new method of building low-cost homes entirely of concrete will be demonstrated this week in New Orleans when the International Ce- ment Corp. formally opens a model house which, from foundation to attic, is cast as & unit in one piece of re- inforced concrete. The purpose of this latest housing demonstration, according to Charles L. Hogan, president of the carpora- possible to build individually designed residence structures out of concrete at & cost no greater than a good frame building. In this, the Nation's newest dem- onstration h advanced housing, foundations, ide walls, Joad-bear- ing partitions and floors were cast integrally into a solid, rigid, one-piece or monolithic structure, the minimum useful life of which is fixed by under- writers at 100 years. This method of home building, now made available at the cost of ordinary construction, eliminates sagging and unequal set- tlement, thereby preventing sticking doors and windows, werped floorg and plaster cracks. There are no crevices to gather moisture and no danger of damage by decay or termites. In addition, the house is completely fire- proof, making possible a substantial | saving in insurance costs. ing public details of this new method of concrete construction, Charles L. Hogan, president of International Ce- To | ment Corp., said: “Until now, the use of concrete in | | built especially for the wealthy who | { The first P. W. A. development to be | could afford the added advantages of uates would be given preference when @ntirely occupied will be the $2.875,000 | concrete construction; and, second, managers for the six P. W. A. projects Techwood development at are chosen. The others are slated to | which President Roosevelt will dedi- bers to a standardized design. take charge of subsistence homestead cate on November 29, communities taken over by the Re- settlement Administration. “All of those to be selected are | trained in private management,” | Slesinger said, “but we want to em- phasize the point of public responsi- bility. “These developments have all been carefully planned, but the ultimate success of Government slum clearance efforts depends on good management.” Control for 60 Years. As an example, Slesinger said ten- ants must be convinced that rents are due the Government just as promptly as to private landlords. | Except for five or six cities, where the developments are expected to be turned over to municipal housing au- | thorities, P. W. A. expects to retain | the properties for the 60 years neces- sary to get back 55 per cent of its in- vestment (45 per cent represents the Federal donation). “P, W. A. developments,” Slesinger Biggest Hops Buyer. Tiled Bath Dining Alcove | Basement Garage To Inspect—Drive out Leonardstown Pike 7 miles to Clinton, Md. See sign on right side of road. A planned and 25 minutes from downtown Washington. Atianta, | low-cost homes erected in large num- | great middle range of homes costing, say, $4.000 to $10,000 each, where in- dividuality and architectural design | | are vitally important. seldom used all- | America now leads the world in the | concrete construction because costs purchase of hops grown in Germany. OPEN SUNDAY A New Electric Kitchen Health Home in “Bradmon” | were high. restricted community, T8 15 A dflem HEAITH HOME Features— 6 Spacious Rooms Ock Floors Hot-water Heat Cop| Water Pipes Large Porch Full Dry Basement Laundry Space Price $7,150 HARRY F. BRADLEY—Builder Clinton, Maryland SUGAR-BUILT HOMES Now Completed and Open for Inspection 5006 THIRD STREET N.W. BARGAIN PRICED FURNISHED—MODERN DON'T MISS 1936 DECORATIONS hrough including stove and shadesi ores and car and bus line. 714 Roxboro Pl. N.W. Between Rittenhouse and Sheridan Qpen 10 to 6 Harry Wardman, Inc., 1312 K 6,950 Other New Homes Now Available Di. 3830 6 ond 8 larg rooms. 2 complete baths. nificent recreation room. Built-in garage. Spacious lot. BUILT BY MAX SUGAR TO INSPECT—Out S5th St. to Farragut and right to 3rd St. Open and Heated Daily and Sunday Until 9 P.M. and houses. Overlooking Mass. Ave. Close to the Cathedral PRICFD RIGHT 1936 kitchen. Mog- BEITZELL] Realtor ‘Tower Bldg. DIst. 3100 tion, is to demonstrate that it is now | ing or other kitchen process should be In mak- | Home Modernization New Devices for Kitchen Will Ease Burden of Housewife—Stoves Are Splendidly Equipped Now. BY LAWRENCE CROLIUS. The average housewife spends near- ly three-quarters of her time in the kitehen, and yet the kitchen is usually one of the »aost poorly arranged and poorly equipped rooms in the house. ‘The use of antiquated equipment and lack of proper planning in the plac- ing of the various devices tend to add many hours of useless work and hun- dreds of tiring steps to the already overburdened kitchen engineer. ‘There are two main things to re- member if you are considering the re- arranging of your old kitchen. First, all the equipment related to each cook- grouped together; second, make a pro- duction line out of your kitchen and give it the efficiency of an automobile manufacturing plant — eliminating needless steps and operations. Your food should take a continuous route— from the refrigerator or bins, to sink and preparation unit, to stove, to serv- ing dishes, to dining room with a min- | imum of steps to the homemaker, Cabinets Important. Are the cupboards, cabinets, and working surfaces in good condition? Factory-made ones are usually easily installed and are available in a wide range of sizes, styles and color com- binations. They can be obtained for either portable or permanent installa- tion. Be sure that the shelves are shal- low as it is particularly uncomfortable to have to reach in to a deep, cavern- like shelf and fumble for some condi- | ments. The working surfaces should also be the right height for your build, | and you should be able to reach all | parts of the upper cupboards from the floor or a small, sturdy ladder. | Do you have plenty of light in your | kitchen? A new window with a better supply of natural light may be needed. | UNUSUAL | i ~this house priced under $10,~ 009, but with appointments of a $15,000 one; semi-detached— brick—built - in garage—FOUR BEDROOMS—extra lavatory in space large enough for a second bath—up to the minute—new storage hot-water heater—a lo- cation that cannot be duplicated for convenience and desirability —JUST COME AND SEE IT. 5717 Colorado Ave. N.W. Open for Inspection Sunday, 2:00 to 6:00 COMPIANY \ Realtors 721 Tenth Street N.W. NAtional 0765 After 5:00 Call ADams 2763 Northampton St. $10, 950 Between Nebraska Avenue and Rock Creek Ford Road New detached brick home on top of a hill. Convenient location. Good construction. Excellent arrange- ment. 6 Rooms—2 Baths Worthy of Your Inspection Open Daily and Sunday TS 15 AN L&M HEALTH HOM! J. Wesley Buchanan, Inc. 916 15th St. MEL. 1143 REAL ESTATE. If your cabinets will allow sufficient | room, cove lighting about the edge of the room just below the ceiling will be well worth the installation cost. New Sinks Ease Burden. The new sinks will almost make dish washing a pleasure. They come in complete units combining sink, either one or two drain boards, back splash board, and storage cabinets underneath. Numerous efficient elec- tric dishwashers are on the market that do much to lighten one of the | most tedious chores in the kitchen, They will give you cleaner dishes with less work and worry. Stoves have taken on an entirely new outlook on life. They have been re-styled in the mondern manner, and contain conveniences heretofore ava able on only the most expensive de- vices. Refrigerators are no longer the leaky ice-fed boxes of 20 years ago. Electricailly lighted, constantly cold, supplying frozen special delicacies, and chilled water, they are adequately roomy, easy to clean and beautifully designed. For further details concerning prod- ucts mentioned in this column send stamped, self-addressed envelope to The Home Modernization Editor, Evening Star Building. borhood, near all minutes from downtown. matic heat, well for. 1224 14th St. N.W. DO YOU VALUE LOCATION? See Our Exhibit Homes at 1307 Sheridan St. N.W. 1319 Sheridan St. N.W. Drive Out 13th St. to Sheridan St. N.W, 7 and 8 Rooms—2 Baths Location is one of the most desirable in Washing- ton, West of Georgia Avenue. conveniences, fully finished club rooms, large breakfas: room, most modern kitchen, electric refrigeration, auto- insulated, stripped, screened. All improvements in and paid No extra assessments, 8,950 7 ’ AND UP Possession With Deposits WAPLE & JAMES, Inc. Owners and Builders . An excellent neigh- Only a few Roomy porches, beauti- caulked, weather- DI. 3347 w House Group : in Battery £ ONE OF A GROUP OF THREE 400 Battery Lane LOT CONTAINS OVER 12,000 SQ. FT. UST COMPLETED! Park, Md. This beautiful and spacicus home is a true master- piece of the builder's and designer’s art A home of permanency that Is planned for the most comfortable living at Open—Sunday, 10-9 Daily, 2-9 To Reach® Wis. Ave. to Bank of Bethesda. Left six blocks on Georgetown Rd. to Glen- brook Rd, Left at Sign to Houses. tion fine minimum cost rooms kitchen and breakfast room, heat, strips, Venetian blinds and many other There are 7 fine 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, beautiful in addi- a large finished attic. Modern oil garage, insulation, screens, weather features. Don’t fail to come out for an early inspection! FLOYD E. DAVIS CO. 733 12th Realtors Nat. 0352 g That Delightful Section Between Conn. Ave.and Rock Creek Park—Distinguished for Its Beautiful Homes—W ooded, Rolling Landscapes. 5,950 - 46,950 Drive Out Sunday—Inspect REAL Values BRANWILL PARK A sensibly restricted community of individually designed, de- tached homes—among the nllilfi hills between Sligo Park and the Indian Spring Golf Course—within 25 minutes’ drive from down- town, via beautiful 16th Streef—on 16th Street bus line. Con. venient to elementary and high schools, parks, temnis courts, REALTY playgrounds, golf courses, ete. MOSSW Tower Building Metro. 1776 Eves., Shepherd 1871 or 3742 4845 Linnean Ave. N.W. Six Rooms—Recreation Room—T wo Baths Never before has the public been offered a value equal to this distinguished home, that in architectural design and appointments is completely individual; built under the strictest super- vision, its structural details and refinements are the best obtainable. All rooms are spacious; screened and weatherstripped; furred walls and hollow tile drainage. Oil-burner, electric health kitchen with electric refrigeration; built-in garage. Lot T0-ft. frontage, beautifully landscaped. Any one that is acquainted with the Forest Hills section and the prevailing prices for land and its attractive homes will know that this is truly a remarkable opportunity. Drive out Connm, Ave. to Ellicott St. right 1 block to Linnean Ave. and right Open Today—Sunday and Afternoons Daily L. T. GRAVATTE mrwemenarws Price Only $14,950 37,450—Term . 3218 39th Street N.W. First Offering of a Cr:up%olnz"lzre';‘ OPEN TODAY AND DAILY 10TO® FRANK S. PHILLIPS : Fine Ho Cren e TOR sunoer - 729 15th St. NW. DIRECTIONS - Avemue i River'Soring, dries up i , drive u; ‘olesville Road -tz kah’: (1 “dblock ~beyond Siigo then right on Franklin 3 Ddlocks to BRANWILL GOSS REALTY CO. 1405 Eye St. N.W. NAtL 1353 J. 8. Eaten, Sales Dept. OWNER 927 15th Street National 0753