Evening Star Newspaper, April 17, 1937, Page 23

N HOUSING FAILURE, DECLARE EDITORS Architectural Forum Offers New Approach to Problem. INTEGRATED HOUSE FOR COST REDUCTION Form of Prefabrication Which Does Not Involve Comple- tion in Shop. Prefabricated housing has so far failed conspicuously in what it set out to do—provide mass-produced housing at low cost—in the opinion of the editors of the Architectural Forum, who in their April issue, out today, offer a wholly new approach to the problem, to take place “within the existing framework of the building industry.” “The early theoreticians of prefab- rication stand convicted of loose thinking by the results, or, rather, lack of results, which their theories have produced,” the Forum finds, and adds that “there must have been something radically wrong with a way of thinking which confidently promises to start shelling out mass-prodiced houses overnight at a price everybody could afford and which failed con- spicuously to do so0.” “It takes more than 30,000 parts to build a house—more than 500 opera- tions, 20 individual skills or trades, over 200 items of equipment and 15 or more separate contracts,” the mag- azine states, and, while prefabrication produced “an approach” when it at- tempted to standardize these parts and reduce the operations, it “jumped the track” when it tried to put its ideas into practice. Since the house is a long-term proposition, adaptable to improve- ments as they come along, manufac- turers have turned out these improve- ments in a form readily installed in old or new homes. The “biggest mis- take prefabricators made,” according to the Forum, “was to assume that manufacturers were prepared to pro- duce all the parts of a single house” and were “willing to limit their mar- ket exclusively to new houses,” when their biggest market lies in parts and improvements for homes already built. Old-House Market. Bhould the manufacturer thus limit his production to “standard sized” equipment, old houses could not use any of it, and the vast old-house im- provement market would be lost to Automohiles are more efficiently as- sembled than houses, prefabricators point out, but they have the advan- tage of mobility and are thus suscep- tible to complete shop assembly. And 80 far “there are no signs that the American people are prepared to ac- cept permanent housing in a form equally transportable and therefore susceptible to the same production scheme as automobiles. The prefabri- cated house, in the form of a truck- able unit, is still a long way off.” The “Integrated House,” Architec- tural Forum's fresh approach to cost reduction, “is the name which should be applied to the kind of pre- fabrication which does not involve the completion of the house in the| shop. But is it not the change in name, but the change in thinking implied in the new name, which is important.” Integration calls for mass-produc- | tion of parts not by any single catch- all organizations, but by the exisnng! manufacturing organizations of the bullding industry. To do this it calls first .upon the architect “to start things off by providing a basis in de- sign”"—a besic unit of measurement of which larger units are easily made up and which is easily divisible into smaller units. Then it is up to the manufacturer to produce standard parts conforming to this basic design, readily inter- changeable, so that kitchen elements, for example, manufactured by one firm, can be purchased with the as- surance that they will immediately fit flooring or wall units produced by an entirely different plant. After the architect and manufac- turer have produced their basic de- sign and their interchangeable and multi-purpose parts, it is up to the banker, states the Forum, to “encour- age integration by favoring loans on new property evidencing the inte- grated method. He may do this be- cause integration not only cuts costs and gives more for the money, but wlso constitutes protection against early obsolescence, makes it possible for the owner to keep his property up to date and to incorporate new im- provements. Function and Features. “The realtor must sell integration to the home-buying public, express its *~-advantages in terms the public can understand. He must sell function as (See HOUSING, Page C-1.) NEW HOMES IN Mesdowhbronk Hillage Unusual Colonial de- sign. Three bed rooms, two baths, superb club room. Ultra modern in every detail. Just @ little different. Exhibit Home East-West Highway Completely Furnished Drive out Conn. 4ve. to first trafic light beyond 'hase Circle at Chevy Fasi-West Highway, turn left. 4 blocks to house. Attractively Priced Open for Inspection KASS REALTY CO,, INC.,, Builders and Owners For Sale By Benjamin Goodrich, Phone Wis. 6187 he Foeni WITH SUNDAY MORNING EDITION ny Staf WASHINGTON, D. C, SATURDAY, APRIL 17, 1937. Building News PAGE C—1 STATE LAW PLAN Duwelling at 3421 Patterson street, purchased by Mr. and Mrs. Arthur P. Weinerth from W. S. Irvin, through the office of Phillips & Canby. The house has seven rooms and two baths. PRIVATE BUILDING DECLINES IN WEEK Permits With Valuation of $456,057 Issued—Apart- ments in List. Private building in the District dur- ing the last week dropped off about half from the record-breaking total of the previous week as the office of Building Inspector John W. Oehmann approved permits with a valuation of $456,057, representing all classifica- tions of construction. Residential construction again dom- inated the Capital building week. De- spite the fact that building valuation total fell far below the previous period the construction of one-family dwell- ings continued at a brisk pace. Fifty new homes were included in the list of permits for the week. Col. Oeh- mann approved plans for erection of six small apartments. There were no large permits ob- tained in the week. In the largest one Bolling & Gardner, 5211 Wisconsin avenue, were granted the right to build seven dwellings in the 1609 block of D street northeast, to cost $40,000. George T. Santmyers was named chitect for the project. To Build Apartments. J. B. Shapiro Co., 1420 K street, ob- tained a permit to build three small apartments in the 100 block of Nine- teenth street southeast, to cost $30,000. Seward Dobbins was listed as designer. Janice M. Blair, 1519 K street, re- celved a permit to build five dwellings in the 100 block of Hamilton street, to cost a total of $25,000. More important permits of the week are as follows: Bolling & Gardner, 5211 Wisconsin avenue, owners and builders; George T. Santmyers, architect; to erect seven 2-story brick dwellings, 1622 to 1634 D street northeast; to cost $40,000. J. B. Shapiro Co,, Inc., 1420 K street, owners and builders; Seward Dobbins, designer; to erect three 21-story brick flats, 100, 104 and 108 Nine- teenth street southeast; to cost $30,- 000 Janice M. Blair, 1519 K street, owner; George T. Santmyers, archi- tect; William H. Saunders Co., build- ers; to erect five 2-story brick dwell- ings, 127-135 Hamilton street; to cost $25,000. O. R. Scholz, 1625 K street, owner and designer; Robert O. Scholz Co., Inc, 1625 K street, builders; to erect one 3-story brick and concrete apart- ment, 3323 Sixteenth street; to cost $25,000. F. & F. Construction Co., 1624 Min- nesota avenue southeast, owners and builders; L. W. Giles, architect; to erect five 2-story brick and tile dwell- ings, 1729 and 1731 S street south- east and 1801, 1803 and 1805 Eight- eenth street southeast; to cost $25,- 000. Anna P. Joy, 342 Emerson street, owner; 8. Scott Joy, 342 Emerson street, designer and builder; to erect one 3-story brick and concrete and (8ee BUILDING, Page C-3.) NEW HOMES IN GloverPark Furnished by HILDA N. MILLER 2422 39th PL. N.W. 2418 39th PL. N.W. , Seven and eight large rooms, with 3 and 4 bed rooms, 2 tile baths, panelled recreation room, open fireplaces, built-in garages, BRYANT AIR-CONDITIONED HEAT; many other unusual fea- tures; convenient terms. Care- free comfort with modern gas appliances. Over 300 homes built in this section. Gruver has been a builder for 25 years in Wash- ington. Open Daily and Sunday to 9 P.M. Take Burleith Bus to Benton Bt. or drive out Wisconsin Ave. to Calvert, west to 39th Piace, #outh to 2428 39th Place. For sale by any broker or B. H. GRUVER Owner-Buflder Netl. 1737 Cleve. 764 8pecial Dispatch to The Star. MINNEAPOLIS, April 17.—Thanks to gradually accelerating rises in build- ing material and labor costs during the last 12 months, the average Ameri- can family finds it must pay $4,360, or 9 per cent more, in the Spring of 1937 to build the same house which could have been completed for $4,000 at average material and wage levels of 1936. The identical house would have cost $3920 at average residential building cost levels of 1936; at 1926-29 “boom” levels its cost would have been $4,818, according to a study by Northwestern National Life Insur- ance Co. of Minneapolis. Home construction costs which in 1935 were 80.1 per cent of the 1926-29 average and 83.0 per cent of 1936 had climbed by March, 1937, to 90.5 per cent of boom-time costs, the study shows. In 3 of the 16 cities tabulated in the report —namely, Minneapolis, San Francisco and Seattle—residential con- struction costs are already above the 1926-29 levels for those cities. Over the past year the sharpest rises in home building costs have occurred in Boston, Atlanta, Detroit and Pitts- burgh, where March, 1937, levels are 15.6 per cent, 14.2 per cent, 11.8 per cent and 11.2 per cent, respectively, above the averages of 1936, though in Home Building Cost This Year 9 Per Cent Higher Than Last Gradually Accelerating Rise in Cost of Material and Labor Blamed for Boost. all four cities costs are still below the 1926-29 figures. Both materials and labor have par- ticipated in the rise, the survey states, Price increases on various common items of lumber have ranged from 7 per cent to 18 per cent. Plumbing fix- tures are up approximately 10 per cent from a year ago. Iron and steel items have advanced sharply in recent months. In April, 1936, average hourly wage | rates paid common labor in the con- struction industry topped by a fraction of a cent the 1926-29 average of 55 cents; as of April 1, 1937, the average rate was 61.2 cents per hour, a further rise in the past 12 months of approxi- mately 11 per cent. Average hourly wages paid skilled construction labor have not yet reached the 1926-29 average of $1.33, but have risen from $1.13 a year ago to $1.26 as of April 1, 1937, a gamn cf 111 per cent. Numerous wage in- crease demands are now being negn- tiated between unions and building contractors, with new scales expected to take effect May 1 or June 1 n many areas. The sharpest boost in skilled labor earnings occurred be- tween December, 1936, and January, 1937, when the average wage paid rose from $1.18 to $1.24. Meanwhile, build- ing trades employment is running bet- ter than 40 per cent above the same period last year, according to the re- port. REAL ESTATE BOARD | TO FORM BALL LEAGUE | Formation of a soft ball league by members of the Washington Real Estate Board was announced by Louis H. Towbes, president of the league. Among the firms which will be repre- sented in the league are Cafritz Co., Louis H. Towbes, captain; Boss & Phelps, William C. Wedding, captain; Shannon & Luchs Co., A. Jasper Moore, captain; District, Lawyers and Washington Title Insurance Cos., E. Spencer Fitzgerald, captain, and Thos. J. Pisher & Co., Edward R. Carr, captain. According to tentative plans the first game in the series will be played on Saturday, April 24, at 2 pm. Ralph Hisle of Cafritz Co. is arrang- ing for the playing fields, Wallace Luchs of Shannon & Luchs is arrang- ing the schedule of games and Towbes will procure playing equipment. Charles J. Rush, executive secretary of the board, is treasurer of the league. Games will be played each Saturday afternoon and it is planned that the season will close with the champion- ship game at the annual outing of the Washington Real Estate Board in June, Towbes said. BRADBURY 1221 45th PL S < ‘open. fireplace, side modera Eitchen, Sullt-in e s ngulathd aed b atts = s finted on o large detsched ‘lov with bigh_sievation. Price $7,950, on Terms To Reach: Cross Pa. Adve. (S.K.) .M;‘. continue I, hill to Alabama Ave., u’g on_Alabamg to i5th Pl., le T"block to howse. PAUL P.-STONE A. S. LORD et 5 B NE Daketa Ave. NOrth 7471 ONLY 1 LEFT New Five-Room and Sun Solarium BRICK BUNGALOW PRICED FOR QUICK SALE On Convenient Terms 5001 Westway Circle Open Daily, 10 to 9 TO REACH: Out Wisconsin Ave.. turn left on Ellicott 8t. Cross Western Ave. and continue on Le Roy Pl. 2 blocks, turn left on Bayard Bivd. to house. Baker Realty Co., Inc. 1420 K 8t. N.W. DL 1311 OPEN—$11,950 Best 4-Bedroom, 2, Bath Buy in Chevy Chase 5471 3lst St. N.W. Detached brick home, 7 large rooms, 1st floor lavatory and 2 tile baths on second floor. 2-car brick garage on large level lot, excellent, convenient location just off Ne- brasks Ave. at top of hill, near bus, school and store. Brodie & Golbert, Inc. 1707 Eye St. N.W. NA. 8875 MASSACHUSETTS PARK 2919 Woodland Drive A new stone residence in this fine residential section. Con- tains 10 rooms, 4 baths, 2 lavatories. Air conditioned. OPEN SATURDAY AND SUNDAY H.L. RUST COMPANY, 1001 15th St. N.W. 1S STUDIED BY REALTY BOARDS Neighborhood Improvement Act Effective for Pro- tection. DEALS WITH MANY PROBLEMS OF DAY Gradual Elimination of Undesir- able Uses of Property Strong Feature. A suggested State neighborhood im- provement act, an enabling statute through which property owners of a neighborhood might act together ef- fectively to improve the character of the neighborhood or to protect it from undesirable change, has been prepared by the National Association of Real Estate Boards and has just been placed in the hands of member boards of the association over the country for study and action. The proposed act, the drafting of which follows study and conferences carried on for more than two years, has been prepared as an aid in one Attractive home at 301 Bradle; from Marvin M. Wire. Y boulevard, Bethesda, purchased by Mr. and Mrs. T. H. Sweeney The sale was made by Realty Associates. of the most difficult problems of pres- MARGH BUILDING ON RISE IN EAST 37 States Show Big Gain Over Last Year and Last Month. March construction in 37 States east of the Rocky Mountains totaled $231,245,900, according to the F. W. Dodge Corp. In February the figure was $188,257,300, while for March, 1936, the total was only $198,761,900. Of the figure for March, this year, $90, 167,600 represented residential build- ing; $88,601,500 went for non-residen- tial building and $52,476,800 went into heavy civil engineering projects. The March residential total was Saul’s Addition Imposing Corner 1502 Emerson N.W. 8 Rms., Bath, Garage Lot 73 Ft. Wide Beldom has a home been offered in this highly desirable subdivision west of 14th St. so convenient to downtown. at the ed room home with oil burner, hot- water heat. electricity. finished at- tic. screens. weather-strips. garage. One could sell off a lot adjoining and have a real bargain in the home, o FTODerty Is assessed ot Price Only $8,950 Open Sunday 2 to 6 L. T. Gravatte 729 15th Realtor NA. 0753 about 65 per cent ahead of the total of $55,220,600 reported in this class for March, 1936. Residential building gains over March of last year were shown in each of the major geographic districts with- out exception. The most important in- creases occurred in the Chicago terri- tory (Northern Illinofs, Indiana, Southeastern Wisconsin, Iowa); in Southern Michigan; in New England; in the Southeast; and in the Pitts- burgh territory (Ohio, Western Penn- sylvania, Kentucky, West Virginia.) Non-residential building gains over a year ago where they occuried, were largely in private as from public jobs. Losses in total non- residential building from March, 1936, were eoncentrated in the Southeast, Southern Michigan, the St. Louis ter- ritory, and Texas. AfiFasc‘i;lating Group If you want to see how happily designing genius has capitalized radiant nature, drive into the 3000-3106 block of Foxhall Road, Wesley Heights, and see in a captivatingly pic- turesque environment a group of homes—each of distinetive type, differing in expression— but all of the same fundamental quality that distinguishes Mil- ler-built homes. Everyone has an individual conception of aon ideal hame, and you will marvel with what completeness one or the other of the homes in this group will interpret that ideal for YOU. Wesley Heights is a Miller- controlled community, which insures against the invasion of any deteriorating influences— definitely safetying investment for all time. Prices range from $26,500 to $32,500 ond our office will assist in the financing details it desired. Drive out Massachusetts Avenue into Cathedral Avenue, following the signs to these homes on Fozhall Road. W.C. & A N. Miller 1119 17th St. DI. 4464 IN THE HEART OF SILVER SPRING DIRECTIONS. right on Sligo Ave. two bl 1108 16th ST. NEW 10-POINT BRICK BUNGALOWS CHESAPEAKE AVE. Point 11: Large Trees FINISHED AND EQUIPPED LIKE A HOME TWICE THE PRICE Out Georgia Ave. to Sligo Ave. (first street past B. & O. vieduct), %ckl to CMla,Mflkc Ave. R. BATES WARREN 10 Points §large rooms. ull tiled bath’ Full bssement kitehen. d 2nd screened. Lot 52x97, Convenient to _stores, schools, churches and transportation. Bear right to houses. NAT. 9452 Announcing a Pre-Showing of a Group of New 4-Bedroom Homes Built by Monroe Warren GRASSLANDS 42nd and Yuma Sts. N.W. {kifi 15 A;{ ELECTRIC KITCHEN ML HoME Open Daily and Sunday Out Wisc. Ave. to Yuma St., lefe on Yuma two blocks to homes. distinguished | 3919 McKinley Street Chevy Chase, D. C. TODAY’S BEST VALUE AT $7,950 Six bright, cheerful rooms, complete bath, porch. Southern exposure, about two blocks west of Conn. Ave. Completely re- conditioned. SEE THIS TODAY EDW. H. JONES & CO,, INC. Cleveland 2300 ent-day city growth and land use, that of stopping “blight,” especially —Star Staff Photos. | in home areas, and of bringing blighted X areas into better use. It would give PHOTOGRAPH MURALS |® mesns through which residential neighborhoods that now lack any protection to insure their continuance A new form of wall decoration that (See STATE, Page C-2.) is increasing in popularity with the g home owner who wants something === == = different is the photo mural. These murals may be .made from small| O Thotogcasie ne of the Sometimes photographs of Summer( . homes or favorite vacation spots may Blggest New be used for the murals. Game rooms, | V l particularly, lend themselves to this H decoration. ome atues In This Fast Growing Northwest Section Gallatin St. N.W. Three bed rooms, 2 baths. House is 25 feet wide, has a living room entire width of house with fireplace, a master bed room entive width of house with private bath and 2 closets, and many other attractive features well worth seeing. 10,250 Open Daily and Sunday to 9 P.M. Wm. H. Saunders Co., Inc. Serving Washington for Over 50 Years 1519 K St. N DI. 1015 HIGHWOOD Chevy Chase, D. C. Community of Fine De d Home: Quality of M Exhibit Home 3353 Runnymede Place N.W. No where in this section are you able the values being offered in Highwood. Open Daily and Sunday Reflecting the kki This Is An Electric Kitchen Health Home zaattorn G. F. MIKKELSON & SON suniaers Milton F. Schwab, Sales Curdis Millwork & Lumber by W. T. Galliher & Bro. 4 New Detached Homes 3 Different Designs Just off 16th St. at Concord All Overlooking Rock Creek Park , 1608 Concord Ave. COMPLETELY FURNISHED BY HILDA MILLER 6 rooms, 2 baths. De luxe kitchen, breakfast nook, recreation room, open fireplace, finished attic, lavatory on first floor, automatic heat, large front porch, facing Rock Creek Park. View, will never be blocked. All homes furred walls—copper pipes and flashing—weather-stripped, caulked, ed—Rock wool insulotion—Best of material and workmanship obtainable. Drive stroight out 16th St.—Just past Enjoy inspecting a real home. Built by Frank DuBose Phillips Open Daily and Sunday, 10 A.M. to 9 P.M. METZLER—REALTOR 1108 Vermont Ave. Sunday and nights—Ad. 0620. o i 1 Gl T \ scr Modern gas appliances throughout. Nicholson to houses. Dist. 8600.