Evening star. [volume], May 23, 1936, Image 29

About Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972

Image provided by: Library of Congress, Washington, DC

                
ROBERTS CITES
• LOSSOFVALUES
People’s Counsel Discusses
“City Blight” at Takoma
Park.
■pedal Dispatch to Tha Star.
TAKOMA PARK, Md.. May 23.—
*Realdents of this community continue
to show keen interest in the points
outlined In the address of William
A. Roberts, people’s counsel of the
District of Columbia, at a meeting of
the Takoma, Md.-District of Columbia
Citizens’ Association on the subject
of “City Blight.” He referred par
ticularly to the process of destruction
of values of real estate.
In the course of his remarks
^Roberts said that the normal life of
at modem residence Is set at a mini
mum of 40 years for frame buildings
and said unquestionably the build
ing could be maintained In a thor
oughly livable condition for over 100
years, yet the distressful sight of hun
dreds of millions of dollars of home
values destroyed for causes having
nothing to do with the physical de
terioration is present.
, No Longer Desirable.
The speaker pointed out as an ex
ample inai in me residential secuon
of the District which lies north of
K street and between Thirteenth
street and Connecticut avenue as far
north as Florida avenue, the old
boundary street, there are homes
which once had a sales value of at
least $50,000,000. Between 1925 and
1936 many sections of this area have
decreased in market ability until the
present sales prices are not more
than one-half of the actual obliga
tions incurred by the builders at the
earlier date. There are numerous
instances of splendid, even palatial,
homes, he said, in the vicinity of P
and Q streets which were marketed
at prices in excess of $25,000 in the
“ post-war decade for which there is
no market at the present time for as
high as $15,000. The buildings are
adaptable to residential purposes,
they are still in good condition and
thoroughly livable, but “city blight”
has destroyed their attractiveness for
people who can afford to pay the in
vestment price first mentioned. This
disastrous loss is many times the to
tal fire loss of the District during the
same period of years.
Causes Are Enumerated.
Roberts cites these as causes of de
•t ruction of values:
Invasion or threatened invasion of
■’commercial and industrial enter
prises: inactive zoning ordinances
and regulations: sales to residents
whose habits and standards of life
are not compatible with the first
owners; noise and dirt incident to
Increasing traffic; high pressure real
estate campaigns for newer areas and
lack of proper merchandising sys
tems for used homes; inefficient, ex
pensive and impracticable financing
^methods in connection with the sale
of used houses, and absence of civic
co-operation by the residents of simi
lar neighborhoods.
In the aggregate the losses from the
above causes are tremendous and con
stitute a serious national problem,
Roberts said. Cities are confronted
with requirements for tremendous in
vestments for new highways for sub
urban areas, new water mains, sewers
and police and fire facilities oy rea
son of the movement of the resident
population. Areas for which the im
provements are complete drop into
disuse, with sharp falling off of tax
values and a reduction in the revenue
of the metropolitan communities. Not
a little of the tax problems which be
set the people today are the result of
this shifting of population, which
leaves behind it uncared for, under
maintained and deteriorating sections
that once were esteemed and desired.
Two Schoob of Thought. _
Serious study of this problem, says
Roberts, has resulted in a division of
schoob of thought. Some persons
have suggested the radical step of the
common ownership of large neighbor
hood section? of the city with occupa
tion under lease so that there would
be a continuing financial interest be
tween proprietors instead of the pres
ent attitude of real estate speculators,
whose interest in a community which
they have developed disappears when
the last house b sold. While such a
radical system is directly antagonbtic
to the American theory of home own
ership, there b no doubt, he says, but
that there could be continued control
of many of the "city blight" factors
enumerated above. A second plan
which he considered utopian in its
aims, calls for co-operative agree
ments between the residents of com
munlties, under which subsidiaries
governments, controlled maintenance,
esthetic considerations, as well as the
type of occupancy, would be secured
through agreements binding the resi
dents of a given community. Both of
these methods. Roberts says, are
surgical in their nature and demand
radical changes in the trends of com
munity thought. They can have but
limited effect upon residential areas
already developed where the influence
of blight is felt. The next best step
may be found in civic communities of
the type of this organization. There
are illustrations available where such
a group, through its pride and home
ownership, its high standards ol
maintenance, has actually increased
the value of residential property.
.- • ..
Kitchen Walls in Yellow.
A kitchen seen recently has walls
painted a cool yellow with cocoa
brown woodwork. The linoleum com
bined the same brown with a lighl
tan. Glints of vermilion on the can
isters and Inside the waste basket lent
verve to the scheme.
PWVW .... — 1! - L . .
BUYS LAND NEAR LURAY
Filling Station and Cabins on
Property Purchased.
LURAY. Va., May 23 (Special).—
Harry Campbell, whose home was
sold under a deed of trust last week
for $2,425, has purchased 13 acres,
filling station and cabins on Lee High
way near Luray at auction for $705.
Campbell's former residence, con
sisting of 245 acres of land and dwell
ing house on other side of Shenandoah
River, once sold for $10,000.
Other sales yesterday consisted of
two town dwelling houses and lots,
one bringing $2,400 and the other
$2,100.
Skimping False Economy
The most pertinent advice that can
be given for painting work of any
kind is that skimping is false economy.
This advice applies to materials and
'workmanship alike, in every detail.
. I ,.JU .... It >.L I. < ..*
Insurance -Executive Also
Sees Evidence of Business
Revival on Tour.
Evidence of a business revival
throughout the country, together with
a growing demand for Insured home
mortgages, was reported by Elbert 8.
Brigham, vice president of the Na
tional Life Insurance Co., of Mont
pelier, Vt., at a conference here with
officials of the Federal Housing Ad
ministration. This company holds in
its vaults the first mortgage Insured
oy the Federal Houslpg Administra
tion.
Brigham has Just completed a 6,
000-mile tour of the country in com
pany with Fred A. Howland, presi
dent of the company, for the purpose
of starting an aggressive campaign
to acquire home mortgages insured by
the Housing Administration for the
company's investment portfolio.
Evidence Of Revival.
‘‘Everywhere on our tour there was
an evidence of a revival of business
and a general feeling of optimism,”
Brigham said. "We found our agen
cies enthusiastic over the improve
ment.”
Brigham said that his company
takes great pride in the fact that it
holds in its vaults “F.H.A. Insured
Mortgage No. I," which is evidence
of its belief in the value of this type
of investment.
“We have already made commit
ments for 1,860 of these loans aggre
gating $9,025,622,” Brigham said.
"These loans extend as far west as
Salt Lake City and aa far south as
Texas.”
“The National Life Insurance Co.
was one of the first to become eligi
ble as mortagee In connection with
these loans, and the company has
made connection with forty-six other
approved mortgages to buy Insured
loans and has also taken them up
through the National’s own regular
mortgage loan agencies In various
parts of the country. The Insurance
feature provides that In case of fore
closure the property may be turned
over to the Federal Housing Admin
istration for three per cent deben
tures, covering the unpaid principal
of the loan plus unpaid interest dur
ing the foreclosure period. The Na
tional Life Insurance Co.’s experi
ence has been that the delinquency
in these loans Is practically negligi
ble, and it consider* these mortgages
very desirable as part of company’s
regular Investment portfolio.”
Brigham is well known in Washing
ton for his championship of farmers'
interests during his term in Congress.
He is chairman of the investment
committee of his company In addition
to being vice president.
WOOD SUBSTITUTES
Composition May Be Used Where
Inflammables Are Barred.
Where Inflammable materials are
prohibited, the charm of wood panel
ing may still be obtained by using one
of the compositions that simulate
woods of various kinds. Everything
from the simplest perpendicular pine!
paneling to the most Intricate linen
fold carving of the Elizabethan period
may be had. So accurate is the effect
that only careful Inspection would dis
close that the material is not actually
wood.
Another development is wood veneer
so thin that it is mounted on cloth and
is put up like wallpaper. This comes
in many types of wood, and used with
skeleton wood frame paneling, gives
very satisfactory results. It can also
be used without the skeleton frame If
wood plank effect is wanted.
New Face Brick Offered.
A new light, cellular face brick con
tains 65 holes. Made from deaerated
clay, it is offered in standard and 3};x
5xl2-lnch (105 holes) sizes, Is said to
afford efficient insulation.
Advance Showing
of
ADAMSON’S
4 NEW DETACHED
CORNER HOME
I at
4001 Warren
Street N.W.
I Finest ond highest elevation in
j Washington. We suggest you
* inspect this house todoy.
Open Daily to 6 P.M.
! To reach: Drive out Mass. Ave.. turn
right on Wisconsin Ave. to War
ren St. and left to our oven sign.
z:BAKER
REALTY CO.. INC.
• 1420 K St. N.W. Dl. 1311
BP
mm
6400-6420-6424
31st Street N.W.
Surrounded by Trees!
See These Features!
k Quality Construction
★ Furred Walls
★ Rock Wool Insolation
★ Copper Gutters and Down
spouts
★ Copper Water Pipes
k Buckingham Slate Roof
f ^dlODEM 'l*
J. Wesley Buchanan,
INCORPORATED !
916 15th St. N.W. Met. 1143
A DELIGHTFUL HEW HOME
IN
CHEVY CHASE, D. C.
6380 31st Place N.W.
6 rooms, 2 baths, detached brick on a pretty wooded
lot 50x142. Excellent residential section, garage. A
real value at the price.
Price OPEN DAILY
*11,950 AND SUNDAY
ll'>*”-<rTMB^cicMORTOW
1101 Clifton St. N.W.
FACING CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL GROUNDS.
Attractive corner brown brick home of 11 rooms and 2 bath*, screened I
i double rear porches, space for double aaraie; deep landscaped lot. well above t
Street level. Home entirely paneled and decorated <recently) throusbout. Basement i
fitted for rental as apartment, doctor's office or conversion Into recreation rooms. ■
FOR SALE BY OWNER AT ATTRACTIVE FIGURE
Inspection Saturday afternoon or all day Sunday
House on Fulton Street Sold
This residence at 3919 Fulton street was recently purchased by Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Folson
from David T. Maloney, builder. The house containing 6 rooms, 2 baths, was purchased through
the office of L. T. Gravatte, realtor. —Star Staff Photo.
MAJESTIC TREES |
Surround This Distinctive New Brick Home
3841 HARRISON ST. N.W.
This delightful home neoring completion contoins 4 bed rooms, 2 boths on
2nd floor, lorge living room, dining room, specious modern kitchen, 1st floor
lav., bulit-in garage, large recreation room, moid's room end bath, attic i
with cedar closet, lorge screened porch, gas heat and refrigeration.
®This home is located in the most desirable section
of Chevy Chose, D. C , convenient to oil schools and
shopping districts, churches, etc.
Drive out Saturday or Sunday and inspect while you
still have time to select your own wall decorations
and fixtures- Drive out Conn. Ave. to Harrison St., |
turn left Hi blocks to property.
R. BATES WARREN
v 1108 16th St. ^NAt/9453j
I W THAT WILL SURPRISE YOU
WITH THEIR MANY FEATURES
ONLY $6,750 and $6,950
Built by Eli Busada
- /
t-o j i iujLi i j.Li.
Think of it! Semi-detached all-brick
homes in a high, healthful location at
such low prices as these. Convenient to
schools, churches, stores and transporta
tion. Six rooms and tiled bath with
shower . . . three bedrooms . . . full-size
basement. Concrete porch. Deep lots to
alley.
OPEN TODAY AND DAILY
TO REACH: Oat Pa. An.
S.E. ta "O" street to house.
RANDLE & GARVIN
2515 Pa. Ats. S.E. Lincoln 4869
——
106 East Oxford St.
Chevy Chase, Md., Only— *11,950
A fully detached home of stone and stucco construction In one of the
prettiest blocks of all this exclusive suburb, and so perfectly reflnlshea
you would take it to be brand-new. Has six larxe rooms, a library, two
pretty baths, bit stone fireplace, bright kitchen with latest modern equip
ment. big pantry, breakfast nook, large attic maid's room in basement,
and is situated on a big lot with abundance of pretty shrubbery, fine old
shade trees and a two-car garage.
The price has been made extremely low for this fine home, and we predict
a quick sale, therefore we suggest that you see it this evening or surely
no later than tomorrow.
OPEN TODAY AND SUNDAY *
Drive out Conn. Ave. to Oxford St.
fin front of Chevy Chase Club) and turn
east one and a half squares to house.
TZ RMHOOKERMr
t
THIS NEW HOME IN
• BARNABY WOODS •
CLAUDE G. JOHNSON, BUILDER
§AW3
CONTRACTORS A ENGINEERS
E. J. FEBREY & CO.
Eli. 1898
NEW PLANTS
INSTALLED
Any Site. All Work Guaranteed.
CALL NATIONAL 8680
kkkkkkkkkkLkkk l
|| 5717 Colo. Aye. N.W.
Furnished by Hutchison's, Inc.
6612 BARNABY ST., CHEVY CHASE, D. C.
Offers a REFRESHING CHANGE
from the commonplace and is created in harmony with the newer trends of
SMART, COMFORTABLE HOME LIFE, which command correct treat
ment of interiors and appointments.
> 3 and 4 Bed Rooms • Fascinating Vanity Rooms
Studies of Knotty Pine • Towering White Oaks
Screened Living Porches • Vermont Flagstone Walks
“Picture Book Kitchens” • Exceptional Environments
On Display Daily and Sunday 10 A.M. to 9 P.M. “•
j
„ _ _ . .. To Inspect—Out Conn. Ave. to
Harvey P. Baxter, Arch,tect Zsm&ikeeau Nebraska Ave.. turn right uni
Weaver Bros., Inc., Financing 1 ^ „ Barnaby Su, Then tirn right! *° ,
EDW. H. JONES & CO., INC.
5520 Conn. Ave. SALES CLeveland 2300
w_
VACANT
Lorge semi-detached home con
taining 8 rooms (4 bedrooms),
built-in tub and shower. Lorge
kitchen and pantry with elec,
refrigerator. Built-in garage
and other desirable features.
House just been reconditioned.
Open Daily and Sunday
Until 9 P.M.
Harry B. Pitts Co.
1019 15th St. N W. Metro. 0)00
I
A Good Home
1 !,:
Merits Your Attention in
BnmkM?
_ _
4/Ub cooper Lane
"A Community of Distinctive Small Homes"
Individually Designed, Incorporating the Most Recent
Innovations in Home Construction, and Featuring the
Newest Oil Burning Air Conditioning Equipment.
| Price, $9,250-Federal Housing Financing
Lr\. x r , n .■ » Drive out Wisconsin Ave. to River Ri.,
Open for Inspection Daily West on River Ri. Vi mile to homes. Two
and Sunday Until 9 P.M. blocks beyond 46th and Fessenden Sts,
COOPER LIGHTBOWN & SONS
Builders and Owners
___■>