Evening Star Newspaper, March 27, 1937, Page 25

PERMITS DISCLOSE GAIN IN BUILDING DURING FEBRUARY Valuations Exceed Both Jan- uary and Same Period of 1936. DISTRICT IS THIRD AMONG BIG CITIES $7,015,714 Total Is Topped Only by Those of New York and Los Angeles. BY JAMES Y. NEWTON. Building activity in the principal cities of the Nation in February, measured by the value of permits is- sued, was considerably greater than in January of this year and in Feb- ruary a year ago, the monthly survey of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, made public today by Secretary Fran- ces Perkins, showed. It marked the second time in eight years that February permit valuations have exceeded January figures, Miss Perkins said. “The increase of 33 per cent between January and February,” she stated, “was due to a gain of 48 per cent in the value of new residen- tial construction, a gain of 14 per cent in the value of new non-residential construction and a rise of 31 per cent in the value of permits issued for additions, alterations and repairs to existing buildings. The increase in activity was shared by eight of the nine geographic divisions. New Eng- land was the only section to show & decrease.” Residential Building Gain. The report stated that a decided | gain in residential construction is | shown in comparing permit values for February with the corresponding month of 1936. The value of this type of building indicated a gain of 94 per cent. There was an increase of 25 per cent in the value of new | non-residential building and a gain of 72 per cent in the value of additions, alterations and repairs. The aggre- gate value of all buildings for which permits were issued in February shows an increase of 63 per cent over Feb- suary, 1936. With public buildings included, Washington ranked third among the major cities in value of February con- struction. The total in the Capital for the month, according to the sur- vey, was $7915714, an increase of nearly $6,000,000 over the correspond- ing month of last year. This figure was exceeded only in New York City and Los Angeles, where building valua- tions reached $30,828,697 and $10,005,- 075, respectively. Public construction, Pederal and District, was responsible for more than half of the local bulld- ing figure. Increases Are Listed. Compared with February, 1936, an increase of 115 per cent is shown in she number of family-dwelling units provided in these 1,524 cities during February, 1937. | The data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics include, in addition to private construction, the number and value of buildings for which con- tracts were awarded by Federal and State governments in the cities in- cluded in the report. For February, 1937, the value of these public build- * ings amounted to $14,790,000; for Jan=- uary, 1937, to $3,351,000, and for Feb- uary, 1936, to $13,200,000. Permits were issued during February, 1937, for the following important building projects: In New Yerk City— in the Borough of the Bronx for apart- ment houses to cost nearly $1,400,000; in the Borough of Manhattan for apartment houses to cost nearly $3,- 000,000; in the Borough of Brooklyn for apartment houses to cost nearly $1,500,000; in the Borough of Queens for apartment houses to cost nearly $14,00,000 and for one-family dwellings %0 cost nearly $1,300,000; in Phila- delphia, Pa., for one-family dwellings to cost nearly $700,000; in Chicago, T, for school buildings to cost over $1,300,000; in Indianapolis, Ind., for store and mercantile buildings to cost nearly $500,000; in Bay City, Mich., for factory buildings to cost over $500,~ 000; in Detroit, Mich., for one-family dwellings to cost over $2,200,000 and for factory buildings to cost over $400,- 000; in Washington for multifamily dwellings to cost nearly $1,300,000 and for school buildings to cost $1,200,000; in Fernandina, Fla., for a pulp and paperboard mill to cost $2.000,000; in Miami for one-family dwellings to cost over $500,000; in Miami Beach for one-family dwellings to cost over $450,000; in Baltimore, Md., for one- family dwellings to cost over $500,000; in Houston for one-family dwellings to cost over $800,000; in Los Angeles for a Federal court house and post office to cost over $6,000,000 and for one-family dwellings to cost over $1,~ 800,000; in San Francisco, Calif., for one-family dwellings to cost over $550,000, and in Stockton, Calif., far & hospital building to cost nearly $500,000. rie *11,950 Sold in 1932 for $15,000 1115 Summerfield Road In the Heart of Montgomery Hills De luxe home that is an astonishing example of modernization with dis- tinctive innovations for family comfort. t, electric kitchen. floor lavatory.” Four well-proportioned bed rooms, 1'% b floored attic, cedar . imported bulbs. Rear vard fenced in. weather-strinped. Large side porch off living room. blocks from junior high schools. Key for inspection aof 9417 Second Ave. Phone Shep. 2617 Open and Lighted Saturday and Sunday Leslie D. Measell REAL ESTATE CL. 3465. 3205 Oliver St. N.W. WASHINGTON, D.. C, The Foening Htar SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 1937. Building News Large dwelling at 4815 Middlesez lane, Edgemoor, purchased by Mr. and Mrs. Milton Harris from Acacia Mutual Life Insurance Co., through Phillips & Canby, realtors. —Star Staff Photos. RENTALS TOPIC AT BOARD FORUM Property Management Is Discussed by Francis A. Murray. Addressing members of the Wash- ington Real Estate Board at its week- ly forum, Francis A. Murray, vice president of the H. G. Smithy Co. and the board, graphically outlined the functions of a property manage- ment office. He stated that “property management is not simply a question of obtaining a tenant for a piece of vacant property in order to make a commission. It ds the ability to obtain the best net income for the owner of that property after taking into con- sideration a number of factors.” “The phases of personnel are very important,” Murray said, “and before one attempts to build up a property management department he must make sure his personnel is of the proper type. All office personnel, in- cluding the manager, should be well grounded in the foundamentals of the real estate business; each man in charge of & department should be a specialist in his line; each clerk in that department should be well ac- quainted with his subject. The im- portance of this cannot be too greatly stressed as both the tenant and owner, as well as the public, will quickly lose confidence if they feel your man does not know his business. Murray stated it is the practice of property management offices to bond all employes whose duties are con- nected with collections. Among the duties of the property manager Mur- ray cited: Analysis of property for best use; analysing past and present operating statements; securing of proper tenants, obtaining credit reports on tenants if necessary; maintaining the owner’s investment, and at all times rendering courteous service to tenants. . Present at the forum were William L. Tyler, member of the Virginia Real Estate Commission; C. C. Collmus, president of the Virginia Real Estate Association; Otto Hollowell, secretary of the association, and several mem- bers of the Alexandria, Arlington and Fairfax Real Estate Board. ‘The speaker at the forum on Marck 31 will be J. Garrett Beitzell, whose topic will be “Selling Houses.” Sessions are held in the United States Chamber of Commerce Bullding at 8 o'clock each Wednesday. 8 HOUSES IN GROUP SOLD Represent Half of New Unit in 200 Block of Ingraham Street. Eight of the group of 16 English- type row houses built by the D. C. Sanitary Improvement Co. in the 200 block of Ingraham street have been sold, it was announced today by the William H. Saunders Co., which is handling the sales. ‘The houses, situated on deep lots, have six rooms, two baths and large recreation room. They were designed by Joseph Herbert, and one, at 319 Ingraham street, has been decorated by Hilda Miller. Beauliful | New Southern Exposure Studio Homes Fenest, STEEL CASEMENT WINDOWS 135 Ingraham St. N.W. Located on the highest elevation of Brightwood Park. between two wide 120-1t. boulevards. Each home is individual in Douslass struction ‘Owners-Builders ————— OPEN DAILY 10 to 9 Qut stn st. or ansas Ave, Ingraham, right leading ‘home. 156-1t. Beautitully rnished by ‘Hutchisen 1420 K St. N.W. | Atlantic Region Real Estate Convention Set for May 14, 15 First Session of National Association to Be Held in New York—Seven States Will Be Represented. The first convention of the Na- tional Association of Real Estate Boards for the Central Atlantic region, which includes Washington, will be held in New York City May 14 and 15, with the Biltmore Hotel as con- vention headquarters, it was an- nounced today. Seven States are included in the region in addition to the District. These are New York, Pennsylvania, New Jerscy, Delaware, Maryland, Vir- gina and West Virginia. Joseph W. Catharine of Brooklyn, vice president of the association for the region, will preside at all general sessions. Simultaneously with the regional convention will be the second quarter- ly meeting of the year of the asso- ciation’s board of directors. The governing councils and executive com- mittees of the association’s various specialized divisions and institutes will also hold national meetings. These include: The American Institute of Real Estate Appraisers, the Institute of Real Estate Management, the Brok- ers’ Division, the Land Developers and Home Builders’ Division, the National Mortgage Board, Industrial Property Division, the States’ Council and the Realtor Secretaries’ Council. Principal speaker at the closing ban- quet of the two-day convention will be Paul E. Stark, Madison, Wis,, presi- dent of the association, who will talk on what should be done in guiding the recovery movement for a sound and steady real estate advance. Mr. Stark will also be a speaker on the general business program and will emphasize the association's business affairs, Armstrong to Speak. Robert H. Armstrong, president of the New York chapter of the associa- tion, will speak on “Hell-Bent for Sales and Recovery.” will use as his subject “Servicing the Borrower.” General sessions meetings will be beld in the mornings, and the prob- NEW HOMES GloverPark FURNISHED EXHIBIT 2422 39th PL. N.W. 3 and 4 bed room types with 2 tile baths, panelled recrea- tion room, open fireplaces, built-in garages; BRYANT AIR - CONDITIONED = HEAT; many other unusual features; convenient terms. Open Daily & Sunday to Take Burleigh Bus to Benton St. or drive out Wisconsin Ave. to Calvert, west to 39th Place, south to 2422 39th Place. For sale by any broker or B. H. GRUVER Owner-Bullder Netl. 1737 Cleve. 7649 Only 1 Left Now Showing % % % FASTEST SELLING HOMES IN CITY—TODAY'S OUT- STANDING HOME VALUES Exhibit Home 5020 3rd St. N.W. FURNISHED EE this beautiful new home with 6 rooms, 2 tiled baths, basement recreation room, ‘every late feature and convenience, modern kitchen with every modern built-in feature, big landscaped let, built-in garage. SEE THIS TODAY! Open Daily and Sunday to 9 P.M. J. G. Le Roy Kemp, 5 plaete e N SROTUIT RN R ta x on y Kemp, Darien, Conn, | (See CONVENTION, Page G-2) lems of the one-man real estate office will be discussed in the afternoons. The appraisers’ group will have two sessions, a general group session and a banquet. Frank M. McCurdy, Brooklyn, regional vice president of the Appraisers’ Institute, will preside over all meetings. Speakers so far announced are Charles J. Pladwell, New York City, who will speak on demonstration appraisals, and John J. Berry, Newark, who will speak on condemnation appraising. The hosts for the banquet will be the presidents of the Philadelphia, New Jersey and New York City ghapters of the insti- tute; Philip W. Kniskern, Philadel- phia; Edward J. Maier, Newark, and John R. Hoyt, New York City. E. L.| Ostendorf, Cleveland, president of the praisers, will be principal speaker. | His subject is “Appraisal Standards.” | Presiding over the brokers’ meetings will be Donald T. Pomeroy, Syra- cuse, N. Y, vice chairman of the Brokers’ Division for the Central At- lantic region. Kenneth S. Keyes, Miami, Fla., chairman of the division, will also be a speaker. J. W. Markeim, Camden, N. J., re- | gional vice president of the Institute | of Real Estate Management, will pre- | side over the property managers’ ses- | sions. The institute president, Harry | A. Taylor of East Orange, N. J., will | be a principal speaker. Home Builders’ Grfoup. Charles S. Wanless, Springfield, Ill., as chairman of the Land Develop- ers and Home Builders’ Division, will preside over the home builders’ group meetings. Wanless is also vice presi- dent of the association for the Great Lakes region. 3 A speaker on this program is Ken- neth K.*Stowell, formerly editor of Architectural Forum, who will talk on BEAUTIFUL NEW CORNER BRICK ® HOME ° 307 Bradley Blvd. ~—Bethesda— This ocenter-hall home has large living room, dining room, kitchen and den on first floor; second floor, 3 lovely bedrooms, 2 baths; automatic gas heat, furred walls; weather stripping, screens; on paved streets. These are just a few high lights in the many features embodied in this home. The Price is well in keeping with the surrounding property Open and Lighted daily and Sun- day for your Convenience. TO REACH™ Drive out Connec- ticut Ave. to Ch. Ch. Club, turn west, cross Wis. _ Ave. about 2 blocks to home. GOSS REALTY COMPANY 1405 Eye St. N.W. NA. 1353 5 Bethesda Branch Wis. 2553 American Institute of Real Estate Ap- | Pose. Home of Cape Cod design at 1701 Flower avenue, Highland View, of Sligo Park, which was sold by Moss Realty Co. for L. F. Robertson, to Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Church. LAUD INVESTMENT INHOME FINANGING Federal Home Loan Bankers Praise Method of Safe- guarding Funds. The investment of $146,525,300 by the Home Owners' Loan Corp. to augment the home-financing funds of 1,060 savings and loan associations was termed “one of the soundest in- vestments ever made by the United States Government” by unanimous de- cision of the presidents of the 12 Federal Home Loan Banks in session here this week. In accordance with a 1935 act of Congress, & fund of $300,000,000 was provided the corporation to use to in- crease the resources available in qual ified thrift and home-financing in- stitutions which are members of the Federal Home Loan Bank System. As of March 24, a total of $146,525,300 | had already been used for this pur- The bank presidents expressed their opinion that the safety of not one dollar of this Home Owners’ Loan Corp. investment would ever be im- paired, pointing to the care taken in the examinations of the condition of each association receiving these funds and the co-operative supervision ex- ercised by the Federal Home Loan Bank System in its operation. It was reported by the presidents that all of these associations had made substantial progress in putting these funds to work in financing new home development in their local communi- ties. . Attention was called to the fact that the Government was receiving substantial dividends from these as- 6143 30th St. N.W. This unusually fine new brick home is located in Chevy Chase, D. C., one of the city’s most outstanding residentiai sections. There are 6 rooms, 2 baths, recreation - room and ultra modern kitechen. It is doubly insulated. The large rear porch overlooks & long yard. TO REACH: e t Conn. Ave. to Nebraska Ave.. ot Count forutan ave. left on Utah to SOth Street, right % block to house. PAUL P. STONE & A. S. LORD Realtors Developers Bullders 4025 8. Daketa Ave. NE. NOrth 7471 6600 Wis. Ave. I_E;aauty and gas heat, detached garage. LESLIE D. 3205 Oliver St. N.W. Distinction Characterize This Beautiful New Colonial in Chevy Chase, D. C. 5515 30th Street N.W. 4 bed rooms, 2 baths, spacious living room with Colonial fireplace, dining room, sun porch, finished attic, a "’dream kitchen” with breakfast nook, screened by Woodward & Lothrop. Maid’s room and bath, recessed *radiation, metal weather- stripped and caulked. Rock wool insulation, slate roof, automatic High elevation, near school and transportation. Open Daily to 9 P.M. MEASELL sociations, $2,341,498 being the amount credited from this source up to last | January 1. This is at an average rate of 3.45 per cent per year. Prior to this allocation of funds, the United States Treasury had in- vested $49,300,000 in Federal savings | and loan associations, under con- gressional authorization. Of this amount, it was reported at the bank presidents’ meeting, $1,090,300 has already been retired. Dividends to- | taling $2,119,803 had been received by the Treasury up to January 1. REALTY TRANSACTIONS IN FAUQUIER LISTED | Cooper Property in Remington Is Purchased by Mrs. Payne. Sharp Tract Sold. Special Dispatch to The Star. WARRENTON. Va., March 27—A | number of real estate transactions were reported here and in nearby sections of Fauquier County during the week. Mrs. F. H. Payne purchased from Mr. and Mrs, Maxie Cooper improved prop- erty on Jefferson street, Remington. Mr. and Mrs. Fred W. Sharp sold to PFred W. Sharp, jr., a tract of approxi- mately 50 acres of the Old Tavern property on The Plains-Marshall road, where the new owner will erect a home. Mr. and Mrs. Ray Larcombe rented a cottage on Winchester street, Warren- ton, which until recently was occupied by Dr. and Mrs. J. Frank Folkk. J. E. Coons has leased & new store, erected by Dr. M. B. Hiden, on Court House square. 2 New Detached Homes One All Brick and One Stone Jverlooking Beautiful Government Park 4808-4812 ELLICOTT STREET N.W. Open Daily Until 9 P.M. Each_house contains 6 large rooms, which includes full size bed rooms with large closets and 2 complete tile baths with shower. Beautiful modern kitchen, spacious living room with open fireplace. large dining room with plenty of ‘wall space. Automatic heat and refrigeration. _ Copper and downspouts, slate roof, po . tached garage on rear of each loi. Both have furred walls and are completely insulated with rock wool. TO REACH—Out Mass. Ave. to “Westmorel Cirele. turn righ o St. Right Ellieott one-halt bleck fo sar sign. A. S. GARDINER Member Washington Real Estate Board 1510 K Street NA. 0334 One of 4 New Homes with a Charming Atmosphere— in the Heart of Rock Creek Park! 1805 Parkside Drive FURNISHED—DRAPED Have beautiful Rock Creek Park for your front yard! Enjoy the matchless splendor from any window! Live in @ home you can be proud of! 8 large rooms—4 bed rooms, 3 baths. Bed rooms large enough for twin beds. G. E. all-steel kitchen. First-floor den with lavatory. Tiled recreation room. Standard Oil oir-conditioned. 2-car built-in, heated garage. _Screened porch. Priced Right! Convenient Terms! Open, Lighted, Heated Daily Until 9 P.M. THIS IS8 AN ELECTRIC KITCHEN HTALTH HOME TO REACH: Drive out 18th Street N.W. fo Road, left on Kelmia Road to Beach Brive, ety oy B ks’ Drice Paul T. Stone, Inc. Develepers—Archioets—Builders RAndolph 1744 NAdl. 0856 Kalmia OPTIMISTIC PICTURE FOR REALTY IN U. S. Analyst for Toledo Property | Owners and Dealers Sees Shortage in Housing. Special Dispatch to The Star. TOLEDO, March 27.—An optimis- tic picture of real estate development in American cities in the next five years was painted here by Roy 8.| Wenzlick, St. Louis, real estate analyst, for 500 Toledo realtors and property owners. Shortage of housing everywhere has given the impetus to return of values | to residential property, he said. | Although building is getting under | way, now, many cities like Toledo have | only about a tenth of the number of | homes now building, as in normnl; building years, he said. ‘ ‘Wenzlick said money-making oppor- tunities now are in residential prop- erties, duplexes and four-family apart- ments. He claimed they should be | held until prices reach a peak and then | funds switched to mortgages. He said | all indexes point to a peak in the cur- 1 rent boom about 1942. | | | i | | | New Bungalows Which Com- bine Individuality With Distinction § Left Out of 15 5-ROOM BRICK e — 4408-4416 BECK ST. S.E. Featuring Full Basement Large Attic Electric Ice Box Full Screened Electric Cooking Range H.-W. H.. American Ideal Bofter Hardweod Floors Open and Heated Daily and Sunday To Inspect—Drive out Pa. Ave. to Alabama Ave. left on Alabama Ave. to Beck St. turn right on Beck St. JOSEPH C. ZIRKLE Owner and Builder—DI. 8888 PAGE C—1 LABOR SHORTAGE INBUILDING TRADE FEAREDBY FORUM Lack of Apprenticeship Training Is Cited by Magazine. UNIONS CANNOT TAKE YOUTHS NOW, IS CLAIM Material Men Moved to Action to Prevent Rise in Cost of Building. The present widespread lack of ap- prenticeship training is heading the building industry straight for a labor shortage, in the opinion of the Archie= tectural Forum, which surveys the po= tential shortage and points out that 90 per cent of the labor unions are not considering taking on any apprentices. “Gradually all the signs,” intangible and local though they are, “have be gun to point to the possibiiity of & shortage,” the Forum says. “Four months ago the National Association of Building Trades Employers re= ported a rash of building labor short= ages all over the country . .. of brick= layers in Duluth, of bricklayers and iron workers in Kansas City, of all trades in Des Moines, of scattered trades in a scattered 17 cities.” A recent survey in Kentucky re- vealed that ‘“in every community | building tradesmen are all employed and there is an acute shortage of this kind of labor.” New Jersey reported that every building contractor was loaded with work and that labor would have to be imported to meet the de- mand. Throughout the country, the magazine says, “the pinch has come " (See LABOR, Page C-2.) BEAUTIFULLY RECONDITIONED 4421 FESSENDEN ST. N.W 87,750 half block from direct tr tion to city. Schools o section nearby. A bargair business OPEN TODAY AND SUNDAY 10 TO DARK BOSS & PHELPS Realtors 6200 Broad Branch Road Chevy Chase, D. C. Reduced to $12,750 for quick sale Center-hall brick Colonial, four bed rooms, two baths, built-in garage. Splendid location, near schools and bus. SEE THIS TODAY Edw. H. Jones & Co. INC. 5520 Connecticut Avenue Cleveland 2300 Monroe Warren TO REACH Drive out to the 2100 block of Wis- consin - Ave. N.W. Turn west on W Pl one block to homes. L] with Brick Car Lines. vrineipal Spacious Rooms, After your include taxes, insurance, interest and,payment en 4 SOLD Per Mo. A New Group of 10 All-Brick Homes 3530 to 3550 W PL. N.W. Faurnished Exhibit Home 3548 W Place N » WHY PAY HIGH RENT When You Can Own Your OWN HOME? Automatic Heat. Garage. High Elevation. es. Schools, Churches. m payment' your monthly payments Phone EARLE M. DAWSON, Sales, EMerson 5744