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a * $ S REAL ESTATE WASHINGTON, D. C.. pc fuming J&Jaf SATURDAY, MAY 11, 1946. RADIO AND COMICS g I -------—___ * l D. C. Building Permits Showiharp Decline During Past Week Building permits issued during the last week by tBe District Build ing Inspection Department totaled $485,169, a drop of $873,786 from the previous week's total. Included we*e projects for con struction of 52 dwelling units. Per mits for projects to cost $5,000 or more went to: Dan Pollin, 931 Longfellow street N.W., owner and builder; Berla and Abel, 1636 Connecticut avenue N.W., architect; 11 3-story brick and cinder block dwellings. 4001-3-5-9 11-4013-17-19-21-25-27 E street S.E.; to cost $88,000. Thompson’s Dairy, 2012 Eleventh Street N.W., owner; William P. Lips comb Co.. Woodward Building, builder; William D. McCormick, 121 127 South Negley avenue, Pittsburgh, architect; one 4-story steel, concrete commercial dairy, 2004-08 Eleventh street N.W.; to cost $80,000. , Syndicated Construction Corp., 100 Southern avenue S.E., owner and builder; Charles E. Campbell, same address, architect, to erect 12 2-story brick and cinder block dwellings, 724 to 756 Upsal street S.E.; to cost $72,000. Dan Pollin, 931 Longfellow street N.W., owner anckbuilder; Berla and Abel, 1636 Connecticut avenue N.W., architect; 8 two-story brick and cin der block dwellings; 4016-18-20-24 26-28, 4032-34 E street S.E.; to cost $64,000. Louis Richman, 931 Longfellow street N.W., owner and builder; Ber^a & Abel, 1636 Connecticut ave ~~ (Continued on Page B^2., Col73jT First Aid For Houses By Roger 0. Whitman Two Reams in Basement for Rent. Question — We have built two rooms in our basement to rent out. What can be done to cement floors, without making a wooden floor? I intend to have linoleum in kitchen and bathroom and rug in living room. What else could be done to keep floors warm and dry? It will not be hot-water heated. The basement doesn’t seem damp, al though people say it will be damp. Answer—I do not consider a basement suitable for living quar ters. No matter what you may do to keep the place dry, there is always the possibility of dampness developing. Moreover, there will be little if any sunshine or fresh air. A basement may be all right for a rumpus room for grownups, to be used occasionally, but not for living and sleeping rooms. Asphalt tile, laid by a flooring contractor, would be more suitable than linoleum. Leather Repairs. Question—There is a small tear in the seat of my leather arm chair. I would like to repair it myself. Can you tell me how to do it? Answer—For an almost invisible repair a piece of soft leather or stout fabric should be cemented in place on the underside of the torn spot, the edges being carefully at tached. But I do not think you would be able to do this. The next best thing is to get a small piece of matching leather and cement it over the tear. Use a nitro-cellulose cement. Filling Cellar Floor Cracks. Question—There are a couple of cracks in my cellar floor that I want to fill myself. What mixture should I use? Answer—Widen and deepen the cracks with a hammer and cold chisel, keeping the sides of the groove straight. Brush out all (SetT FIRST~AID, Page B^3.» For Sale or Rent LISTINGS SOLICITED | Prompt and Efficient Service I | Appraisals—Insurance | Wm. M. Throckmorton | Invest. Bldg. Realtor Dl. 6092 1 COMPLETE REAL ESTATE SERVICE In Maryland and District of Colombia J. NOBLE ROAZ Realtor 7X10 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda, Md. Wisconsin 7500 SPECIALIZING IN GlLOANS See Us Before You Build or Buy I Builders: See our plan for con j struction loans in Montgomery and Prince Georres Counties. W. Ernest Offutt 152* K Street N.W. Republic 3X61 Enprjjtlfing in Ural Select the time for a consulta tion of your Real Estate pro blems—whether it’s Listing, Purchasing, (properties for rent are practically nil at pre sent) Re-financing, Property Management, Insurance — our advice for the asking. Phone Mr. Hill for Appointment—ME. 4100 Wa. A. Bill—Paul flannan r Wage Board Denies P. C. Home Builders' Plea for Pav Chanaes But Says Way Is Open For New Appeal to Fix Altered Rate Schedule By Robert J. Lewis The Wage Adjustment Board, In an opinion issued today, refused to grant a renewed request of District home builders that they be per mitted to pay “up to” wage rates established in a recent board de cision rather than the rates set. The board reaffirmed its earlier decision that a single rate be paid for each classification of work on the grounds that multiple rates “have never been recognized his torically in the construction industry as a whole.” To approve multiple rates, the board said, would be “to take an action without precedent in the his tory of the board,” and one that “would tend to create unstabilized conditions in the construction in dustry in the Washington, D. C., area.” The decision, written by Chairman Arthur D. Hill, jr„ also ruled that a home builder’s supplementary re quest, filed in connection with their fight on the new wage scale, was “not properly before” the board. Way Open for Similar Request. It added, however, that the way was open for the filing of a similar1 request. Submitted by home builders subse quent to a hearing April 23 on the industry’s petition for reconsidera tion of the wage schedule, the sup plementary request proposed amend ments which would have changed specific rates and added certain classifications of workers not con tained in the schedule. Chief effect of the supplementary request, had it been approved, would have been to permit home builders to classify workers on the job and pay specific rates based on varying degrees of experience and efficiency beyond those allowed in the wage schedule. Henry Hits “Straitjacket." Commenting on today's decision, Ernest F. Henry, executive director! of the Home Builders Association of Metropolitan Washington and at torney representing the builders, said: “We haven’t as yet had an oppor tunity to study the decision, but it appears on its face that we have been denied, in both the original decision and in the one today, everything that we have asked for, and, instead, have been confined to a straitjacket which will cost the veterans close to a 10 per cent in crease in t,he price of housing. “We’ve not, of course, decided what further steps to take, but it would appear to be a matter of choosing between a direct appeal! to the National Wage Stabilization Board or filing a completely new pe tition before the Wage Adjustment Board, or both. “In any event, it will cause further delay, w^ich is to be regretted." Builders Sought Higher Rates. The controversial new set of wage rates wa$ approved by the board February 27 in response to a re quest January 14 by'home builders for permission to pay higher wages. Home builders, under a board de cision October 3, 1942, were allowed to pay acording to the so-called “B” scale, which was somewhat lower than the “A” scale for commercial and Government building. During the war, however, in order to retain workers as the labor sup ply dwindled, many were forced to pay higher rates. A recent investigation bv the Wage Stabilization Board’s Philadelphia Regional Office disclosed 50 local builders and contractors illegally had paid higher rates than those'con tained in the "B" scale. Such violators were faced with dis allowance of overscale pay rolls in (See WAGE BOARD .Page B~-2J~ 1st TRUST MONEY TO LOAN All Types Lowest Interest Rotes Quick Service Frank S. Phillips 927 15th St. 01. 1411 HOME LOANS - For Refinancing Purchasing Remodeling I • • Lowest Interest Cost computed each month on unpaid balance. • Easy monthly oayments that in : I u d e interest, taxes and insur ance costs. • No commissions and no renewal I fees—liberal pre payment privi leges. • Payments by mail made easy. We Specialize in C. 1. Home Loans to Veterans District 2370 FIRST KDflML Sflvmos ADD LOAD ASSOCIATIOD Conveniently Located: 610 13th St. N.W. (Bet. FAG) (No Breach Often) 1 ! 105 APARTMENTS PROPOSED—Architect’s sketch of proposed 105-unit, seven-building apartment project to occupy a seven atre site at 1201-49 Valley avenue S.E., for which a $560,000 building permit has been applied for by Jack Pollin, 2414 Thirty ninth street N.W. Berla & Abel, 1636 Connecticut avenue N.W., is the architect.. Real Estate Shop Talk Capt. Ivan Bickelhaupt, IT. S. N. R., deputy director of the Civilian Production Administration’s Con struction Bureau, will address a Capt. Biclcelhaupt. luncheon meet ing of the Wash ington Building Congress at 12:30 p.m. Monday at the Mayflower Hotel. Hie construc tion bureau han dles all appeals from the CPA district con struction offices' decisions oh non-housing ap p 1 i c a t ions, as well as applica tions for au monzation of all non-housing proj ects to cost over $1,000,000. Edward M. Synan, manager of CPA's District Construction Office, yesterday attended a conference of CPA district office managers for Region 2, comprising the District and five States, called by Regional Director Ralph A. Parker at his office in the Empire State Building, New York City. The real estate firm of George H. Williams Co. has opened an office at 921 Twelfth street N.W its seventh in the District area! it announced today. A total of 139 builders composing the directorate of the National As sociation of Home Buiiders will meet here in a four-day session begin ning Monday, it announced, to dis cuss material shortages. The announcement said Housing Administrator Wilson W. Wyatt, Civilian n-oduction Administrator John D. Small, OPA Administrator Paul Porter and other officials will meet with the group. Housing Administrator Wyatt this week announced appointment of Capt. E. A. Verpillot, U. S. N. R of New York City, as deputy ex pediter in charge of the Office of Production and Supply. i || FENCES CONTINENTAL CHAIN LINK WOOD IRON Sold and tree ted b» ABCO SUPPLY COMPANY EX. 2641 111 9th St. N.W. FEATURES* of our HOME LOANS ♦CURRENT INTEREST RATES ♦LOW MONTHLY PAYMENTS , Including taxes and insurance if desired. ♦NO COMMISSIONS—NO RENEWALS ♦PROMPT SERVICE From appUcatf on w closing OHEVYPHASE \ BUILDING & LOAN I ASSOCIATION . IM) Wisconsin Abo Chevy Chase. Mi. Wl. 24it ★ Residential ★ Apartment ★ Commercial ! ★ F. H. A. ★ Cl Lew Interest Rates Loins Reasonable 3-25 Tears Payable Monthly. Quarterly. | Semi-Annually Wyatt, Bradley to Talk On Veterans' Housing Housing* Administrator Wilson W. Wyatt, Veterans Administrator Omar N. Bradley and other officials will address a “Town Meeting on Housing for Veterans” at a luncheon at noon next Saturday in the Hotel Statler. Announcing the speakers, the Combined Veterans Committee on Housing for Veterans, which is sponsoring the sessions, said Mr. Wyatt’s speech will be carried to the Nation on a network broadcast. Other speakers will be Maj. Gen. Graves B. Erskine, Maj. Gen. U. S. Grant, 3d; Brig. Gen. Gordon R. Young, District engineer commis sioner and chairman of the District Veterans Emergency Housing Com mittee; Oscar Chapman, Assistant Secretary of the Interior, and Boris Shishkin, American Federation of Labor economist. In a second part of the program to follow the luncheon, panel dis cussions will be held on “Buildipg of Homes,” “Purchasing of Existing JHomes” and “Temporary Housing and Rentals.” ASSUMES FHA POST—James A. Hewitt, new director of the Federal Housing Administra tion’s District Insuring Office, 734 Fifteenth street N.W., who assumed his duties this week. He succeeded Walter C. Cox, who this week was elected vice ' president of the H. G. Smithy Co., real estate dealers, at 811 Fifteenth street N.W. —Star Staff Photo. Value of District Construction Doubles Total for T945 Period The dollar volume of District ; building operations, comprising new i construction and repairs, has shown ;an almost steady upswing in the first four months of this year, on I the basis of building permits granted, records of the- District building inspections department dis closed today. On the same basis, construction projected for the first four months of this year is more than double that for the similar four-month period last year. For the first four months this year, the total 'stood at $13,509,069, in contrast to $6,636,686 for the similar period in 1945. Permits granted last month, total ing $4,731,207, were almost twice the ■ National Mortgage INVESTMENT COUP 1312 N Y AVC.N.W - NA9833J Imposing Petworth Corner For Doctor or Dentist—8 Rooms, 2 Baths 4431 3rd St. \.W. Near N. H. Ave. Above Grant Circle Known at time of Ms construction u t "Lifetime" home and recognised as •* WBrrior duality and workmanship, this attractive and outstanding ?"rn*r Brick home with a new roof; has a large living roam, dining room, kitchen and gunroom on 1st floor; 4 bedrooms and !.» baths on 2nd floor; hot water heat, electric refrigerator, detached garage. Open Today and Sunday to 6 P.M. Price $16,750—Possession Quickly L. T. Gravatte 729 15th St. N.W. Raaltor NA. 0753 total of $2,695,403 for the same month last year. Monthly figures on permits grant ed for the first quarter of last year, in contrast to figures for the similar months this year, are: -. . _ 1945. 1940. January -$ 871,540 $1,708,950 February- 598,343 3,158,140 March - 1,471,700 4,860.760 Yearly figures on permits granted for the last five years are as follows: 1941, $49,905,710; 1942, $30,832,350; 1943, $19,278,051; 1944, $11,971,027; 1945, $20,200,213. Of the total dollar volume in per mits issued in April, this year, $2, 238,280 was for new buildings of all kinds, and $2,492,927 was for repairs. --- We will bay deferred purchase money sec ond trust notes se cured on improved property. COLUMBIA MORTGAGE COMPANY tie Woodward Bids ——-1_If* 79*6 , Gadgets Plenty of Outlets Provided in Electric Strip for Baseboards By Hilson Munsey Most houses today have an In adequate number of electrical out lets, with floor lamps now used in preference to ceiling lights and kitchens almost completely electri fied. Consequently the floor is fre quently draped with electric cords that are a danger in many ways. This condition can be rectified with the installation of a baseboard strip that provides outlets every few inches. Made of metal, these strips can be placed in various posi tions. A shallow baseboard can be used and the strip placed on fop and then regular quarter-round molding as a finish for the base board. It can also be placed in the center of the baseboard by using two narrow pieces of board and then the quarter round on top. It can be inset in the plaster wall or placed on the chair rail. Special sections are made for corners so that cabinets or counters can be equipped. These strips are so constructed that there is a con tinuous flow of current; each section does not need a separate connec tion .with the supply lines. Ceiling Ventilation. Unless the kitchen is supplied with some method of drawing off the fumes of cooking and the grease that always accompanies it the entire house will probably be filled wttfr the odor. The appropriate plaice for the exit of fumes is in the ceiling because the heat from the (See GODGETS, Page B-3.) .. Specialized Service For Over a Quarter of a Century In kIUdi Ane homes, holiness and investment pronertics. This service Includes my personal inspection and appraisal of your property and an : active, experienced selling organi zation to dispose of it promptly, efficiently and proAtabiy. LISTING URGENTLY NEEDED | IN D. C., NEARBY MD. & VA. LoT.Gravatte j 73» 15th St. Realtor NA. 0753 ifte ftiwtt for a Home Site by making prompt selection while j still available in this matchless residential* devel- J opment of ours: j Sixteenth Street Woods All sales records ore being broken— Construction of Homes already begun— So action HOW means much. j It s Shepherd Park's best section; very high elevation overlooking the city; close neighbor to Rock Creek Park. ! Rigidly restricted for residences—but with schools, churches, stores, movies, Hot Shoppe closeby—and exceptionally good transportation facilities. * Prices remain at the BARGAIN level. Beginning at $2,750 Sites 50 to 100 ft. front—varying depths Straight out 16th'Street to two blocks north of , Kalmia Rd. Representative on the property Sunday. Shapiro “BUT WORD FOR THE BEST IN HOME SITES” j _1106 Vermont Ave. ME. 1717 ARLINGTON HOKE OWNERS List Your Property With An Active Organization WE GIVE YOU QUICK RESULTS MANNAS REALTY CO. % 2S18 Wilson Bird., GL. 2714 or OX. 2784 The V/eek's Housing Picture Applications for rental dwelling units totaling 2,371 were filed-with the District War Housing Center, 1400 Pennsylvania avenue N.W., dur ing the week ending last Wednesday, including 2,104 for houses and apart ments and 267 for rooms. This was 26 fewer than for the previous week. To fill the need, 78 apartments! were listed with the center, in addi-j tion to 520 rooms. This was the lowest number of apartments listed since weekly records have been maintained, starting March 3. Of the total number of applicants, 2,066 were veterans and servicemen, as against 305 nonveterans. To give an idea of new housing on the way, 68 priority applications for 390 dwelling units were approved during the week ending May 3 by the Federal Housing Administration’s District Construction Office, of which 25.9 per cent were for units to sell for $7,500 and less or rerft for $60 a month and less. Since January 15 a total of 767 applications for 11,234 units were approved, of which 30 per cent were to sell for $7,500 and less or rent ' for $60 a month and less. Conditions facing applicants for rental units during the week were indicated as follows: Veterans and service- Civil , . men. Ians. Total. Just arrived 54(1 68 til 4 Separated from lamily 505 51 OKI Unreasonable distance to commute . 31 7 38 Eviction 217 85 302! Present housing inade Quate- 707 04 801 Totals - 2,060 305 2,371 Taft Hotel Building Ownership Transferred The four-story Taft Hotel, north east comer of Eighth and G streets N.W., has been purchased by Eman uel Baskin, furrier, from Joseph A. Wilner, tailor, at 801 G street N.W., it was announced today by Leo M. Bernstein & Co., 1415 K street N.W., which handled the sale. Formerly known as the Legal Building, the structure once housed j the Bureau of Mines and later served as offices for patent attor ! neys. Boy Scouts Win Honors Moie than 40 Boy Scouts will be ad vanced in rank at a “Court of Honor” of the Western District, National Capital Area Council of Scouts, at 7:45 o’clock tonight at Woodrow Wilson High School. Col. A. T. Pagter will preside. I MONEY TO LOAN I 1 1st Deed of Trust Only §| I Minimum Inter**! Rat** | 1 G. CALVERT BOWfE 1 j§ Hibb* Bldg. 725 15th St. RE. 4134 | gj Correspondent—The Mutual Lite ■ ® Insurance Company ol New Tori B Homeowner Advised To Confine Self to Minimum Additions By WADSWORTH W. WOOD. The present conditions surround ing building materials and the skilled labor field have made it im perative that the average home builder confine himself to a mini mum house. Terraces, breeze-ways, outdoor dining areas, tool houses, guest cottages and other refine ments, must—for the greater num ber—be left for future construction, when the building situation eases. However, there are homeowners who are finding it possible to finish small additions to their homes by. using local labor of a more-or-less skilled kind, and used material or readily obtainable new material such as cement block, brick, wall board and some of the varieties of plywood. Unfinished attics and basement recreation rooms are areas that appeal to the man with an urge to do something himself to ward finishing his home. There is a certain procedure to be followed by any amateur mechanic or builder who has decided to em bark on a home improvement pro gram. He should tackle the simplest of jobs. When one or two minor operations have been completed he will be ready to go on to larger projects. The procedure that must be followed is: First, lay out the job to be done so that the material will be at hand, and, second, do not attempt any thing that involves skill beyond ability. In other words, if a man has de cided to build a small terrace on one side of his house, he must be capable of leveling off the ground, setting up the plain rectangular forms in level shape, estimating the fiumber of brick needed to pave the surface of the terrace or the amount of concrete he has to order if it is to be concrete surfaced. If the homeow'ner wants to erect a pergola or a trellis, he should lay out the job in rough drawing form, drive stakes at the locations of the posts or columns, measure for strips and boards, and comb the market for the required material. Local labor should be lured to dig the postholes. (Releaaed by the Bell Syndicate. Inc.) a MORTGAGE LOANS Favorable Rate FIRST DEED OF TRUST ONLY GEORGE I. GORGER 64S Indiana Ate. N.W. .Nat l ASM | L Planning to Build ONE House? j Or o HUNDRED houses! Or an apartment house!'"' An office building or shopping center! We know we have the loan plan to meet your needs. Bring in the blueprints! H. G. Smithy Company 811 lfitlt St. N.W. HA. 5903 Mortgage » Representative—Travelers Insurance Co. PROPERTY MANAGEMENT—SALES—LOANS—INSURANCE WALKER A DUNLOP'S PRE-PAYMENT HOME LOAN PLAN Pre-Payment Plan . . . enables you to make fMJ additional payments when extra funds are available . . . thereby assuring lower payments if illness occurs or as protection against low ered income. Pays off loan quicker... to own your home sooner. /«jr Lowest Monthly Payments ... as low as $5.56 per $1,000 of loan. This plan lowers the cost of financing (or refinancing) . . . and each monthly payment reduces the mortgage. Home loans made to ex-servicemen under Gl Bill of Rights. /3/ N° red tape in financing or refinancing. No commission charges. No appraisal fees. COME IN TO SEE US PERSONALLY—Or Write WJMR&mNMm 1200 Fifteenth Street N.W. District 0222 Proptrtj Management—Insurance—Construction and Reflnaneing Loam