davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1914-12-12
Gives Hints on Varnish.

Here are a few useful hints on var
nishing, given by the Painters Maga-
zine:
Clean pot, clean varnish, clean brush.
clean shop. clean overalls, these are
among the essentials.
Excessive working of the varnish
with the brush destroys the luster
more or less.
Apply the varnish while warm: let
the object to be done be warm also, if
possible; also the room. Likewise keep
up the warmth of the room until the
varnish is dry.
To procure a brilliant finish have
the surface free from dirt and grease,
dust, ETC., and let the surface be
smooth.
To avoid brush marks use a size
brush fit for the surface, small brush
only for small surface or object. and
vice versa. Working varnish too long
also produces brush marks.
A thin coat of varnish will not bear
out we'll. will not give full effect.
But if too heavy, then it will not brush
out well or level UP smooth.
Light bodied varnishes are easy to
brush out and are not likely to show
brush marks. Heavy bodied varniSh
should be worked little, if any. but
be put on in a full coat, and it will
level up itself.
The surface of the vanished work
may appear dry, but one must be care
full that it is really dry all through
before applying the next coat APP
plying a coat on not dry coat pro-
duces sweating, or loss of luster, etc.
Evening star., 1914-12-12
A CONCRETE sKYsCRAPER.
Seventeen-Story Building Claimed
Tallest of Type in World.

Buildings of the skyscraper type con-
structed of stone and steel may be
seen IN almost any town of ordinary
size in this country; but a skyscraper
built of concrete-of steel reinforced
concrete. at that's a very unusual
spectacle
Ten years ago the concrete buildings
IN this country were few and far be-
tween. with nothing approaching a sky
scraper in sight. Progress in construc-
ton of that kind proceeded under
wraps" as it were, and altitude was
subordinated to prudence. The mate
rIai was new and the whole scheme
empirical Architects, construction en-
glneers and builders all believed that
by making haste slowly, in concrete
construction, success would be more
cer,ain. In regard to the height of
suchN buildings, restraint and caution
were enforced. and progress was made
sIowly-a story at time
Not long ago six stories of concrete
was considered high building. Then
came the seven-story building. To i've
followed later by one of eight stories
Those who favored this sort of con-
suructlon We're learning all the while.
Ihey discovered that concrete walls.
noors and foundations would stand the
strain of heavy machinery and wouid
answer all the tests imposed As
their experience increased their cour-
age rose. and the eight-story building
yielded to one of ten and then one Of
twelve stories.
Now the seventeen-story skyscraper
In reinforced concrete holds the record.
II Is located on the Brooklyn, N Y.
waterfront. and is owned by the Roberf
Gair Company. 1t is the highest build
ing of its kind in the world-275 feet
from curb to roof. Twelve OF its
stories are 200 by l25 feet each, sur
SO feet each. in a clock tower.
Evening star., 1914-12-12
REALTY MARKET WANTED.
Would Remove Prejudice Against
That Kind of Investment.

Ever since there has been market
for real estate. persons who have had
to do with 1t in a professional capacity
have fully realized that its greatest
weakness as an investment is because
it was not regarded as liquid asset
by persons accustomed to quick action
with their investments. This feature
is as indisputable as the fact it firmly
establishes, that there are no forms
of employing money more securely
than the security offered by real es-
tate, says the National Real Estate
Journal.
Generally speaking. real estate is
held as an obscure asset by many per-
sons of means. Correction of this
prejudice is one of the possibilities of
ket place for real estate securities
that would have wares to offer from
which all entanglements and doubts
have been removed, and can be as
railroad or other standard bonds.
Were it possible to go to an open
market which had daily or weekly
session, where an investor might pur-
chase first mortgage. or units Of one.
in the shape of bonds, which for the
guarantee as to genuineness and safe
ty had the stamp of the real estate
board or some reputable body of ex-
perts, interest in real estate securities
would quickly broaden, and many who
now go elsewhere would invest there
in, because real estate is safer and
pays a higher return in interest than
many industrial securities and railroad
bonds.
A real estate market would doubtless
be welcomed by many persons who are
prejudiced against real estate invest
ments because of the difficulties that
surround them. These detriments
would be readily cleared were a mar
ket opened up on the plans and regu-
lations governing stock exchange busi-
ness.
Evening star., 1914-12-12
Scotch Herrings.
From the London Chronicle.


What to do with our Scotch herrings
may presently become an acute prob
lem At the beginning of the war there
were 300, 900 barrels of them ready for
export, but the outbreak OF hostiIities
closed one of the very biggest markets
Germany. The unsupported barrels
now number about ,000-"feom
which," writes a trade paper, lit will be
seen that a good many thousands of bar
rels have been shipped to such places
as Stavanger and ArchangeL" This may
be So of course. but Berlin importers
have advice from Stettin that large
quantities of Scottish herrings are
available at the present moment How
did they get to Stettin?
Herrings remind me. At the club they
charge 90 for a soused mackerel and Cd
for a soused and excellent Scottish her
ring Now in Scotland excellent her
rings are sold for one penny each, and
thousands of mackerel are thrown back
into the sea each season. The Scot
tish demand for mackerel is very small
the natives in certain areas clinging to
the old belief as to the appetite Of that
fish for the bodies of dead mariners;
and mackerel are tickle things to send
to distant markets, being quickly per
ishable. Eels are another fish seldom
eaten by Scots, but eels are hardy fell
lows. and they duly come over the bor-
der in hundredweights addressed to
BillingsgAte.
Evening star., 1914-12-12

pal Church held its third annual turkey
dinner last night in the Parish Hall.
The club is not limited to men OF St
Marks parish: any man may join, the
object of the club being to promote
good fellowship among men.
The dinner last night was one of the
most successful yet given. the attend
ance being large and the program ex-
cellent.
Mr.. David NJ Lea, the clubs presi-
dent. presided and introduced the
speakers. Canon Bratenahl spoke OF
the effects of the European war upon
the church. both at home and abroad,
especially among the heather races.
Interesting addresses were also made
by the rector, Rev. c. r. Stetson; Mr..
d. W. Gall, vice president of the club:
Messrs Henry P. Blair, Edwin Callow
and Ralph Given. its first secretary.
Between the addresses songs were
rendered by Mr.. Charles. 5. Roberts, Mr..
Edwin Tyler and Mrs d. NJ. MacLean,
with Mr.. W. b. Trott at the piano. Mr..
Raymond Otterback received much ap-
plause for the manner in which he did
some tricks-such as releasing himself
from straight jacket and siberian
chains and handouts.
The evening closed with the singing
of AUD Lang Syne" by all present.
Chanukah. the Jewish holiday. is to
be celebrated by the Ahavas Zion So
ciety of Washington tomorrow evening
A history of the Jews for the last
1000 years is to be shown in the form
of tableaux. A chorus of thirty people
will sing notable and historical songs.
Rev Percy c. webber, Protestant
Episcopal archdeacon OF Boston. will
occupy the pulpit of Christ Church.
Georgetown. tomorrow morning.
=
At Christ Church in the evening the
Ia l-N wi oh
a special sermon TO Potomac Lodge of
Masons.
st. Marks Episcopal Church has
woman's club for promoting acquaint-
ance among the women of the parish.
A number of special meetings are be-
ing arranged for the near future
Rev. J. L.. Stuart of Nanking. China.
missionary pastor of the Central Pres
byterian Church. will preach there to-
morrow morning.
Mr.. Stuart is connected with the The
illogical Seminary at N;Lnking and, 1t
is declared. has had a very wide eXpe-
rience with Chinese students. During
the early days of the republican move
ment in China, it is said, he was In
touch with some of the foremost men
in that section Of China and viii be
able to give most interesting account
of the events connected with the for
nation of the Chinese republic.
The Central Presbyterian Church has
supported Rev. Mr.. Stuart for a num-
ber of years. In the evening he will
speak at the Second Presbyterian
Church.
:: = =
Dean Wilbur of the George Wash
fngton University is to be the speaker
at the session of section b of the Chris
tian Endeavor Society of the First
Congregational Church tomorrow even.
ing at 6:4o o'clock.
y *
Mrs Florence d. Richards, president
Of the w. c. #. U. of Ohio. is to deliver
address in the II Street Christian
Church tomorrow evening.
Evening star., 1914-12-12
ACQUIRES entire BLOCK
John F. Leary Buys Property Front
ing on South Capitol
Street.

Among the deeds placed on record
during the last week was one transfer
ring the ownership of an entire square
of ground fronting on South Capitol
street, between I and K streets south
west. The square is triangular in shape
and is bounded on the west by the
James Creek canal.
The property formerly was utilized by
the Allegheny Company as coal yard
and has been acquired by John F. Leary.
The sale was negotiated by Joseph L.
Weller. The property was transferred
subject to a trust Of $4,000.
Mr.. Leary formerly leased portion OF
the property from the coal company.
He has erected several buildings which
utilize most of the South Capitol street
front The purchase Of the land and the
erection of the buildings represent an
outlay Of about $4,000. 1t is stated
Evening star., 1914-12-12
OPERATION
INVOLVES $125,0OO
Fourteen Residences to Be Erected
by John M. Henderson on
Upton Street.

Announcement was made today of a
building operation soon to be started
on Upton street, east Of Connecticut
avenue, which will involve approxi-
mately $125.000.
John NJ Henderson. builder. has ac-
ouired from the Newlands Company a
piece of land fronting $50 feet on the
south side of Upton street which he
proposes to subdivide into fourteen
twenty fve-foot lots. The sale was
negotiated by Thomas ]. Fisher & Co.
Mr.. Henderson has had plans pre-
pared by F. r. White & Co. for i'm
proving the property by the erection
Of a row of fourteen three-story resi-
dences to contain eight rooms and
three baths each. The lots will be
about 40 feet deep. Everything is in
readiness to start building within a
few days. 1t is reported.
The Upton street property is in what
is known as Fernwood Heights. and is
just across Connecticut avenue from
the bureau of standards.
Evening star., 1914-12-12
To Build Three Houses.

permit has been issued to William
Moreland to erect three two-story
dwellings at 1501-03-05 Harvard street
northwest. Plans for the work have
been prepared by Dom Deming.
architects. and the building contract
has been awarded to the Upton -Smoot
Construction Company. Two of the
houses are to contain six rooms and
the other seven rooms. The designs
for the fronts are to be different. but
each house will have a large front
porch. The cost of the houses Is stated
i'll the permit at $4,000.
Evening star., 1914-12-12
BUILDERS SHOULD NOT ABUSE
FRIGHT" TO UTILIZE STREETS
Should Prevent lndiscriminate Dumping Of
Building Material, Declares President
of American Civic Association

Dor. save as his neiehbor is either .
convenience or a profit.
Established by Legal Decisions.
There is no lack OF legal decisions TO
establish the ownership of the public
highways by the whole public and,
save in certain rare cases. to estab-
lish the further position that the pub-
lie so owns the highways only I'm an
easement" for the uses of hirhways-
and not to divert TO any Other ussa
The once-serious encroachments unon
the highways of wire-carrying poles.
Tor instance, are no longer so sertous
even though the poles are Yet in ugly
evidence In many communities he
cause the private business organiza-
tions owning the poles now fully
realize that they are in fact tres
paSsers. without any finally defensible
right to conduct business for privat.
proht on public property. They ara
being ordered off. reasonably. In many
communities. and they go off. or un-
DER. more or less cheerfully
Just SO is this mistaken right" 4,
occupy in building operations any part
OF the highway for other than highway
purposes.
Cites New York Practice.
There is no actual right, as the city
OF New York. for instance. has shown.
in the complete exclusion from :he
streets of any occupation by building
operations. save as the highway prop
erly serves as an approach to the loca-
tion Of such operations.
But custom and complaisance will
probably continue for a time to sane
tion the use of one-third to one-half
of the highway along building opera
tions for the purposes of the builder
1t is here that the designing or su-
q " rnh nNf .snp Il
ice to his community. He can, either
by the insertion of a suitable clause in
the contract with the builder or by his
personal insistence. reduce to a mini
mum the intrusion on the street sur
face and provide for such cleaning
up shall make the surroundings
less unsightly. He can see that the
builder plays fair with the community.
Says Carelessness Is Costly.
He can also see to il, by means which
occur to him. that the careless team
ster does not dump sand. stone. brick
and other building materials in the
street at his convenience. but rather
that he does such work upon the basis
that the dumping is permitted intru-
sion, to be made as little of an tmposi-
ton as possible. Such action Will al
ways be in the interest of the client or
the builder; for one the other pays
for the bricks broken, the sand and
lime and cement wasted, the lumber
damaged by careless placing and
handling.
This good citizen-architect can also
influence favorably the length of time
during which this private use of the
highway continues. I have seen debris
and mortar boxes left in the street in
front of buildings for many weeks aft
er the apparent necessity for such in
trusion has passed. and ! have also
seen the disorder of building reduced
to a minimum in amount and continued
for the shortest practicable space OF
time-the latter case, 1 am glad to say.
under the enlightened handling ot q
member of the institute.
Evening star., 1914-12-12

The residence Mt 1855 Connecticut
avenue recently built by william A.
Hill has been sold to Claude Il. Miller
for q confederation reported to have
been about 100000. The sale was ne
sotiated by Moore 4 Hill, Inc, real es-
tate brokers'.
The house occupies = lot 26.5 by 12O
feet and from the rear windows an
excellent view may be obtained OF
Rock Creek valley. The front is Of
tapestry brick construction. with lime
stone trimming. On the first noOr there
Evening star., 1914-12-12

dining room. buffers pantry and tiled
kitchen.
A living room II by IS feet, paneled
and finished in mahogany two bed
rooms and sleeping porch, bath and
shower are ON the second floor. while
on the third floor are located three bed
rooms and bath, two servants' rooms
and bath and rear porch. A servants
room and bath also are located in tie
cellar. where there In . large furnace
room and laundry.
Evening star., 1914-12-12

Architects, as have discovered in
my crisscross Improvement journeys in
this fair land of America, are more
than average good citizens. For rea-
sons inherent in their profession. they
are likely to be thinking of the COM
munity as a whole. as well as of their
own regulations and of their relations
to their clients. says J. Horace Nc
Farland. president of the American
Civic Association. in the Journal of the
American Institute of Architects.
But there is an opportunity for archi-
tects further to increase the effective
ness of their citizenship-an oppor-
tunity which I should like to present
for their consideration.
Through a curious and yet compre-
hensible point of view, it has come to
be understood that. in conducting
building operations along a street or
highway. the builder or contractor
may use. for an indefinite time, either
one-third or one-half of the highway
surface. both for working room and
for the storage Of materials. Indeed,
some cities have actually granted
such rights" in formal ordinance.
overlooking entirely their actual
powers, which in no case legally extend
to the diversion of what Is the prop
erty of all for the benefit of one or
OF few.
Rights of the Builder.
Building is a business. So is print
ing, or the selling of dry goods or
hardware, or the provision OF facilities
for obtaining the expert advice Of the
lawyer, the doctor or the architect.
The builder has no inherent right not
possessed by any other business man.
What would be the general feeling.
however. If the printer should calmly
assume that for his own convenience in
conducting his business he might store
boxes of incoming material or ma
chinery for an indefinite period on the
street upon which his premises front?
How would the public take 1t If the
dry goods man moved his shipping de-
partment out to the common property,
third of the highway. even occasion
ally, for his draughting tables?
Conflicts With Constitution.
Yet every business man in this
American democracy certainly has as
full a right to use the street as any
other business man, both in law and
in equity. It ought to become. and
believe will become, automatic that no
one man or organization has right
in any civilization to do that which. If
all did It, would make life and business
more difficult or more unpleasant
realize that this view, which is the
truly Christian and. therefore, the
truly democratic view, conflicts with
some interpretations of the federal
Constitution-that sacred document SO
constantly cited by those who wish to
defend their assumed inherent right
to do whatever they wish. SO long as
they do it on their own property: But
in very many ways the growing tend
ency Of constitutional construction Is
to narrow the rights" of the selfish
man who cares nothing for his neigh
Evening star., 1914-12-12
Impressionable.

From Judge
First yegg-Handsome Hal has brok-
en- away from many a copper, but
they've landed him at last
Second yegg-Overpowered him, Ell?
First yegg-Not exactly. The de-
partment sent a handsome policewom.
an after him. and he couldn't resist
her.
Evening star., 1914-12-12
Fireplaces for Winter Garden.

Many winter gardens include fire.
places where the blazing of logs and
the glowing of embers create center
of interest to brighten, If possible, even
the fascination of so beautiful a spot
The lighting of a winter garden may
be contrived in any number of de-
lightful and unusual ways, for the sur
roundings demand a treatment wholly
Evening star., 1914-12-12
Irish Compliment.
rom the Boston Transcript.

From the Boston Transcript.
AN sure, me lady, If yer feet were
as big as yer heart. it wouldn't be my
corns I should like ye to be steppin'
on"
Evening star., 1914-12-12

The annual depreciation was found
to be: Cheap frame tenements, s to
10 per cent: ordinary frame residences.
to 3 per cent: cheap brick tenements
and ONCE buildings. to 3 per cent;
cheap brick or stone residences, 1 to q
per cent: better class frame residences,
l to 2 per cent; better class brick and
stone residences to IN per cent;
good brick and stone Office buildings,
! per cent. and steel skeleton build.
ings, unknown.
Evening star., 1914-12-12

den be improvised from a veranda the
bare walls of the building may be
screened with trellises, upon which
English ivy may be trained.
To shade the garden from the too
insistent sun by day and to draw over
the glass at night there may be dra-
peries of soft but somewhat heavy silk,
hung in straight folds and drawn by
cords over the paneS, or else shirred
and arranged to be raised and lowered
like window shades.
Bay Trees in Corners.
In the angles and corners of the win
ter garden there may be tall bay trees
of standard or of pyramid shape, or
perhaps trimmed or clipped in fantas-
tic and grotesque forms, reminiscent of
old English gardens. Palms or ferns
may also be used. and all of these large
and tall growing plants may be grown
in jardinieres or flower boxes there
may grow the flowers which will make
the spot radiant with brightness and
fragrant with perfume
Bits of antique marble may be used
in the form of benches, seats or stat
uary of different kinds placed amid the
foliage and flowers, and if veritable
antiques are not to be had one may
easily obtain copies in marble or some
form of artificial stone which possess
every detail of the decorative value of
the originals.
Evening star., 1914-12-12
Her Part.

From Judge.
shes fond of acting, isn't she:''
Yes. indeed. She plays the mischief
with q fellow!'
Evening star., 1914-12-12
A Lost Article
IsNever Hopelessly Lost

unless 1t has lodged in some
very obscure place where 1t
cannot be found.
When a lost article is found
a Lost ad in The Star 10 sure
to secure its return to the
owner. Star Lost ads ind the
finder.
Evening star., 1914-12-12
TRANSFORM THE VERANDA
INTO A WINTER GARDEN
When Inclosed With Glass, Heated and
Beautifed With Plants, Porch Becomes
Tropical Oasis.

Imagine, amid the ice and snow OF
winter, the most delightfully."- tropical
Of oases-a spot bathed in sunshine.
where, with bay trees. palms and ferns
as a background. grow lilies. hya-
cinths, orchids and fresias. and all this
wealth of floral magnificence as set
ting for fountain. with goldfish
swimming in it's basin!
Then picture all this luxury as an
intimate part of the home, among the
flowers, a tea table or the larger table
which holds the reading lamp, and
there will be understood the possibil-
tiles of a winter garden" more wide
ly known. perhaps. as a conservatory
or sun room," says a writer in the
New York Tribune.
And yet, with all of it's splendor and
beauty. a winter garden Is usually not
difficult to arrange. The veranda of a
country house may be inclosed with
panels of glass and adapted to form
the most wonderful of gardens; or, If
the home be a city residence, much
may be accomplished within struc-
ture built upon an extension" or even
upon the fiat roof, which most city
residences possess, the one thing most
necessary being an abundance of air
and sunshine.
Floored With Paving Bricks.
Wherever the winter garden be
placed it may be paved or f1oored with
"quarries" or paving brick of dull red.
gray, dark green or brown, and upon
the floor there may be laid the softest
of oriental rugs, unless fur rugs be
preferred by reason of their luxury
and warmth. The piers or columns
which support the roof may be hidden
beneath growing vines, and if the gar
Evening star., 1914-12-12
COMPUTES WEAR AND TEAR
Realty Board Finds Life of Steel
Skeleton Is Unknown.

An estimate of the physical deprecia-
tion of buildings, II kept in repair.
made recently by committee Of the
New York real estate board is as fol-