Evening star., 1915-06-26
MOVEMENT TO ORGANIZE
MANAGERS OF BUILDINGS
William J. Kehoe Promoting Plan to
Form Association in
This City.
Objects Of Body Explained-Tells Of
Capital Invested in
Structures.

Millions of dollars are invested In
Office buildings, apartments and hotels
in this city and yet the building man.
ayers of Washington have no organiza-
ton to look out for their welfare and
to promote economies. Practically
every other line of business in the city
has its Observation-Disclosures in
which the capital invested cannot be-
gin to compare with that invested in
office buildings, apartments and hotels
Merchants engaged in various lines of
retail trade have their organizations;
the builders have theirs, and so do the
realty men, painters, jewelers.. laundry
men-in fact, the men engaged in almost
every line of trade except that of build
ing management. 1t is time Washing
ton followed the example of other
cities and organized a building man
ayers association
Soon to Call Meetings.
Such was the statement made today
by William ]. Kehoe, chairman of the
buildings committee of the Chamber of
Commerce, who is taking an active part
in a movement to bring about the for
nation of an organization of building
| managers and owners in this city. Mr.
Kehoe has written letters to all of the
hotel, apartment and cMce building
managers and owners of Washington
requesting their views on the proposi-
tion. Already number of answers
have been received and in a few days
Mr. Kehoe expects to call meeting of
| these men in the rooms of the Chamber
of Commerce.
'The object of forming in Washing
ton an organization of owners and
managers of buildings is mainly to
promote and maintain a fair and equi-
table system of taxation in large
buildings, as we'll as to inform owners
of buildings of the many channels
through which economies can be
brought about by safeguarding repairs
and looking after the purchase of sup
plies" said Mr.. kehoe.
Objects of Organization.
"In Cleveland the organization of
owners saved $4,000 in one year In
taxes alone. The tax commissioners
had raised the rates on a number of
properties, but when the injustice of
some of their assessments were point
ed out to them by representatives of
the Building Managers Association re-
ductions were made. Another object of
| the organization is to keep a record OF
sales and leases, the cost of elevator
and janitor service and also to have a
| committee on appraisals and rental
credit bureau.
"In other cities a secretary Is en-
ployed to keep close watch on every
thing pertaining to the cost and the
efficiency of the management of large
| buildings, where there are oftentimes
| many leaks, extravaganza, damages
and thefts.
Many Millions Invested.
"Just how many millions Of dollars
are invested in large office buildings,
apartments and hotels in Washington
1 cannot say offhand, but the figure is
we'll in excess of $2O.Ooo,ooo, I am sure.
Take the intersection Of 18th and H
streets, for instance. Each of the four
corners is improved by costly buildings:
This is but one of the many groups of
big buildings to be found in Washing
ton. 1t Is time the managers of these
big structures should form an organ
ization to look out for their welfare.
An efficient organization of these man
ayers might also do considerable work
in advancing public matters and aid
greatly in the growth and develop
ment of the city"