davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The sun., 1919-04-13
BOOM SPREADING
THROUGHOUT WEST
Pacific Coast Will Soon Feel
It's Influence; Building
Outlook Cheerful.

Activity in the purchasing Of I'M
proved real estate by speculators and
investors and Of houses by homo seek
ers Is not confined to the Metropolitan
districts, according to Joseph p. Day,
who last week returned from a flying
trip to San Francisco. where he sold
at public auction more than 500 lots IN
development known as Berkeley Thou
sand Oaks, located beyond Berkeley on
the Oakland side Of San Francisco
Mr.. Day. OH his way to and from tho
coast, conferred with some of tho most
astute real estate and business men
between Chicago and San Francisco and
found the prevailing sentiment to be
one OF very great optimism. In speak
Ing yesterday Of conditions as he found
them Mr.. Day said;
81 found the Western people very
optimistic, but learned that when there
Is n big real estate boom under way
or any other kind of boom for that mat
ter, II takes = little time for the wave
to hit the West. .Nthoulh the middle
West Is experiencing a. boom now, Il
has not yet reached California and the
western states, but IS gaining momen-
tum.
san Francisco is about getting over
its reaction from the boom during the
worlds fair We are going TO hear
from California in a very positive wnv
soon, especially in connection with In
dustrial DEVELOPMENT, There viii also NJ
a large aronut Of new house building
and DEALINGS n fnrr- iIrfa much ~
which Will DC accounted for by the de-
m1nds and activities of IA" returning
soldiers who originally enlisted from
the middle and far West aud also the
Northwest and the Southwest. Just nv
each State supplies its quota TO the army
and navy so also Will this returnEng
population be widely distributed. The
demand for real estate. for housing
facilities and Tor farms will be similarly
extended over wide area and many
States.
In ono respect the West Is akin
to the East. That Is I'm r"4urd to the
flow Of new business into the Offices ~
architects, Although much OF this work
has OF course not yet reached the con.
tract stage. II In most encoura cling 20
know that the building and lending In
terests have at last awakened to the
true condition Of affairs and have de-
termined upon accepting as final the
prices Mt which materials at present are
fixed. This means that vacant lots wfll
soon hold the centre OF the stage and
that building will be resumed in 4
gradually ascending wide scale, esps-
cially with n view 70 solving tho psr-
picking housing problem by adding 10
the present INADEQUATE supply Of urban
and suburban dwellings and apartment
houses, which are badly needed.
"Whcn the Fifth Liberty Loan II out
~ the way building and permanent loans
for real estate and building operation.
undoubtedly Will be made more freely.
The sun., 1919-04-13
Natural Charms Of
Westminster Are
Enhanced by the
Romantic Tradi-
tons to Which 1t
Is Heir

A clever but somewhat cynical writer
once remarked. Love /your neighbor,
but be careful in choosing your neigh
borhood." In this epigram he laid down
one of the most important Of the rules
which should govern the man or woman
who wishes to buy or build a suburban
home. Fortunately for New Workers.
however, the city has numerous delight
full suburban communities and the home
seeker Is more apt to suffer from an
embarrassment of possibilities rather
than from a scarcity of localities In
which to search.
As a part of its campaign to aid those
In search of homes THE SUN will. IN
addition to publishing photographs and
plans of attractive. moderate priced
suburban houses. discuss the various
residential communities near the city
and point out the attractions offered by
each.
In considering the claims of the vari-
Gus territories adjacent to New York,
westchester county is probably entitled
TO first Consideration because of the
wide choice 1t offers and the many
natural advantages with which 1t Is
blessed Washed on one side by the
waters of Long Island Sound and on
another by the majestic Hudson, 1t has
within its confines wide diversity of
surface including lovely hills, beautl-
fully shaped valleys and gently rolling
plains. Its foliage is extremely varied
and its rich soil well suited for agricul-
tural pursuits.
In Westchester there are prosperous
small cities such as Mount Vernon, New
Rochelle, White Plains and Yonkers
where schools, shops. markets and other
conveniences Of urban life are available.
There are also attractive villages like
Larchmont Pelham. Scarsdale, Tafry-
town, Mamaroneck anu scores of others,
each having its own peculiar charm and
individuality. Five railroads with 121
miles of right of way. together with
excellent roads. make almost every part
of the country easily accessible.
From the eveptful September after
noon in 1904 when Henry Hudson
brought the Half Moon to anchor oppo-
site the spot where the city of Yonkers
now stands said leaned over the rail
to gaze at The beautiful scenery along
the riveps bank Westchester county
has fgared prominently in the history
OF tSe nation.
There is not an acre of land In the
county which is not rich in historic as
ISOLATION. legend and tradition. 1t was
here that many a sanguinary battle was
fought between the Indians and the
early settlers and where later Wash
ington's ragged but gallant little army
rallied after the disastrous rout on Long
Island.
The sun., 1919-04-13

in New York city in recent years has
been so strongly toward just such over
burdening Of this main source Of revenue
that the taxing powers OF the city and
State have been compelled to seek other
sources of revenue.
1t Is unfortunate that our Legislative
processes In New York do not conduce to
the intelligent investigation of this mos,
important of all subjects of legislation
for the entire system 30 far as State and
municipality. taxpayers and tax spenders
are concerned is In such a tumble. such a
state Of confusion and inequality that II
ought to have thorough revision from the
foundation to the top.
1t Is too much to expect from a single
session Of the Legislature anything more
than temporary repairs to such q system,
and Senator Davenport and his associ-
ates are deserving OF great credit in
having, with such q vast number Of bills
Of all sorts sent to them for considera-
ton. been able to bridge tho emergency
with a measure that will at the least be
effective in producing the required re-
suits
Many differences OF detail still remain
for the committees adjustment, differ
ences as to which there Is something to
be said on both sides, and there is
precious lltCle tltuo ietI III tno t0W Gay .
that remain Of this session of tip Legis-
laturo for the satisfactory adjustment of
these differences But the prospect is
fair for the presentation OF tax bill BY
the Davenport-Judson Joint committee
that will to some extent relieve the bur-
dens of real estate and will provide a
revenue sufficient TO keep the wheels Of
government turning for another year.
both municipal and State.
But while the title of the committee
that has been considering these meas
ures Is the Committee on Taxation and
Retrenchment," the last part of the
title. the part the taxpayers are most
vitality interested in, has received little
II any consideration 1t is only fair TO
add that this is through no fault Of the
committee. II has had no time 10 spend
on anything but workable plan OF OBJ
tanning the funds with which to support
the government.
The retrenchment part OF It's duties
ought to have an entire years considera-
ton, freed from the distractions of a
full session Of the. Legislature. In the
scope OF this part OF it's duties Is en-
braced the whole subject of economy In
the costs OF government Until the tax
payers insist upon adequate attention
being given to this subject they can ex-
pect no relief from excessive taxation.
The sun., 1919-04-13

Of the room as he wanted Il to look.
After a prolonged and unsuccessful
search for craftsman who would I'M
dertake the task he decided to do (:
himself or at least to superintend the
operation He drew his plans. then went
and hired a carpenter by the day to put
them into execution. The room was soon
panelled from floor to ceiling in a series
Of geometrical designs. each piece of
which was laboriously beveled by hand,
then nailed into place. The effect Is en-
trancing.
To properly complete the work of pam
cling the drawing room the wood was
painted white. but to give It that lovely
look Of age Mr.. Hurlbut once again took
a hand In tho proceedings With white
lead as a basis he added @ touch Of
black. q bit Of yellow ochre, a suspicion
Of vermillion with some burnt sienna and
a few other colors besides The result
was the mellowness OF age so essential
in room of the Georgian period.
|. Upon this becoming background Mr..
Hurlbut hung sconces with triple brack-
cts for candles. the emily illumination
provided except table lights. The soft
glow of the "talow dips combined with
tho freight from the CRATES give Just
the finishing touch of antiquity TO the
appearance of the room
Other Interior Features.
The woodwork In the dining room Is
simple, but in excellent taste. Flat pi-
lasters form an attractive decoration
either side the double doors in the draw
Ing room. and the same application is
repeated on the dining room side The
single doors are well proportioned and
divided into three sets OF two panels
each. Fluted pilasters ending with
carved rosettes at the corners frame The
opt nings
Mr.. Hurlbut Is a collector of an
antiques. in addition to having had
many rare treasures bequeathed to him,
all OF which go to make his home very
attractive. He has some very old and
handsome silver which was left to him
by his grandfather, William Hurlhut.
for many years United States Minister
10 Peru. lie has kept the key OF color
and harmony very simple. so az to pre-
serve the fine dignity Of the Colonial
architecture. The result Is that the visit
tor In leaving the street leaves the pres
cnt behind, and the moment he enters
Is transported back TO the days when
New York was young and fashion CEN
tired in this section.
Through the faith of those who have
followed Mr.. Hurlbut's example IN maxi
Ing home here as we'll as the older
residents who Loyalty remained even
when the march of progress passed them
by, old Chelsea Village Is again coming
into its own.
The sun., 1919-04-13

some OF the most beautiful estates in
Westchester.
White Plains II connected with many
events which will live long IN Ameri-
can history. It was here that the wings
Of Westchester county met to elect dele
gates to the Continental Congress. 1t
Is also linked In history with tho name
Of Washington. Like its sister cities,
New Rochelle and Mount Vernon. White
Plains boasts Of we'll paved streets,
modern stores. schools and other institu-
lions. It's Court House is a notable
speciman Of architecture.
Because 81 the high altitude OF White
Plains and its inviEorating air a number
of State institutions and convalescent
homes are located on it's outskirts. as
we'll as the fashionable GedRey Farms
Hotel and country club and countless
handsome suburban residences.
Yonkers derived its name from the
Dutch word Jonkheer, meaning young
gentleman or noblemAn. a common ap-
The sun., 1919-04-13

Through the reservation runs the
Bronx River. and it's pools are now be-
ing used by thousands OF bathers in the
summer. and its frozen surface provides
opportunity for healthful sport in winter.
The Parkway Commission has already
beautifled much of the reservation by
means Of skilful landscape gardening
and has caused thousands OF unsightly
signs and billboards to be removed.
Westchester county has an area Of 500
square miles and a population OF about
$4,000. II has s55 miles of improved
roads outside OF those in Its cities and
villages, The total assessed value OF It's
real estate is s440,25e,2is, making II one
OF the wealthiest counties in the country
Mount Vernon, which is prosperous
and attractive type of progressive Amer
lean city, contains excellent schools,
churches, banks and other institutions,
as well as attractive residential sec
ttons. 1t is only thirteen miles from
Forty-second street. on the New York,
The sun., 1919-04-13

pellation for the heir OF Dutch fam
ily., 1t was near Yonkers that many
Of the famous Dutch PATRON families
had their estates and where earlier some
OF the largest Indian villages were To-
Gated. 1t also figured prominently in
Revolutionary history.
Blessed with a beautiful site on the
Hudson and easy of access to New York
by both land and water, Yonkers is to-
day n thriving little city with a num-
Der of handsome public buildings. well
paved streets and other modern i'm
provements. as well as countless beauti-
full homes. Yorkers is on the Putnam
Division OF the New York Central Rail
road fourteen and a half miles from
Forty-second street.
Among the beautiful villages IN West
chester county IS Larchmont. famous
for Its yacht club. It's beautiful location
on Long Island Sound, its exquisite
vistas and fine residences. Larchmont
Is on the line of the New York. New
The sun., 1919-04-13

the best quarter OF Chelsea are parcels
of big estates, the original owners OF
which have long since passed away.
Many OF the old settlers In the region
owned farms, while others had their
summer homes on the bank of the Hud-
son. while they lived In New York, then
some distance away. One Of the orig
inal landowners whose vast estate is
still intact was Clement c. Moore, son
OF Bishop Moore. founder of the Cen
eral Theological Seminary at Ninth
avenue and Twenty-third street. and
author of that famous children's classic
"a Visit OF st. Nicholas" lie lived
for many years nj the corner of Ninth
avenue and TwGnty-third street, his
property running down TO the river. A
picture of the old place still hangy with
other relies OF those bygone days In the
real estate Office of James n. Wellss
Sons. l9I Ninth avenue. "a thiA trim
The sun., 1919-04-13
A TYPICAL CHELSEA VILLAGE HOUSE
AT 422 WEST 22ss ST. NOW THE HOME or
WILLIAM j. HuRLBuT, PLAYWRIGHT.

than there are places to fill. However,
each day sees fresh operations going for
ward that indicate new opportunities for
those looking for housekeeping floors OF
small kitchenette suites.
Happily Chelsea was spared the evil
days that befell Greenwich Village, for
here property never deprecated TO the
extent II did in the vicinity OF Christie
pher Park and the region south of IT,
As rule, the Chelsea houses require
little alteration, except where top
floor--a favorite scheme by the way
with the owners or lease holders--is
made over into studio apartments and
rented The Advantage OF this plan II
obvious, since the income from the suites
on the top floor will practically carry
the house, leaving the owner merely the
expense of heating the house, a COM
paratively small item when taken alone.
Ths xTsstsr majority OF the houses In
The sun., 1919-04-13

noted throughout the country. In addi-
ton to these show places are. countless
simpler and less pretentious but never
theless attractive homes to be found.
A feature of Westminster which tends
to make suburban life enjoyable is the
number Of clubs OF all kinds within its
borders. There are country. golf. ten
mis-. hunting. riding, yachting and canoe
ing clubs without number. In some
parts of the county small streams
abound and there IS excellent hunting
for small game.
When tho new Bronx Parkway Reser-
walton now under construction Is COM
pleted there will be a magnificent boule-
ward running through the centre OF
Westchester county for fifteen miles from
the city to Kensico Lake A great deal
OF work has already been accomplished
on this project and much wooded and
meadow land has been restored to q
natural and wholesome condition
The sun., 1919-04-13
TAX REFORM BILLS
NOT OUT OF WOODS
Situation at Albany However
Gives Hope Of Some Relief
for Realty.
BY JOHN l.. PARISH,

Secretary Of the Neto York. Board OF
Title Underwriters.
Tax legislation at Albany is not yet
cut OF the woods On Tuesday and
Wednesday the Davenport-Judson Joint
committee sat in receipt OF advice and
Information from representatives OF the
taxpayers-and Of some tax eaters-and
to listen to more or less acceptable criti-
clsrn of it's bills. There was no room for
doubt about the widespread extent or the
interest which has been aroused through
out the State in the general problem, TOT
the hearings ON both days were thronged.
1t would seem as II every city OF i'm
portance In the State had Its Board OF
Trade, Chamber OF Commerce or Heal
Estate Exchange. all OF them organized
ana incorporated civic bodies, represent
Ing the business, Industrial and invest
n1ent interests of the respective COM
munities, and that each of them had at
some time since the Misrepresentation
bills were reported, on March IS. met
and considered and taken action upon
the proposed bills In every instance the
sction WAS favorable. generally without
qualification.
1t was evident however, that the
organizations referred TO had not at the
the Lockwood bill, which in fuller
measure incorporates the sentiments OF
the real estate people from this enc OF
the State The essential difference be-
tween the two bills is that the lockwood
b.ll includes a restriction upon the rate
nf taxation that can be levied on real
property.
Both bills provide for a personal in
come tax Of per cent. on all incomes
over $1,000 in the case of bachelors and
$1,000 for married folk, with an addi-
tlonal exemption Of $3.50 for dependent
children under 10 years of age.
This income tax was resolved upon by
the committee as a means OF RELIEF from
the burden that real property would have
had to bear in the immediate future,
owing to tho serious loss OF revenue that
will ensue from the failure OF the liquor
tax--the direct effect of prohibition.
There are people who seem to think
that real estate can bear any burden OF
taxation that the tax eaters care to I'M
pose. But this Is a serious error. Real
estate may be conceded to be the best
and most productive source or municipal
revenue, but there Is point at which
taxation of real estate operates to attack
and reduce Its capital value.
Statesmen in the exercise or their
proper function OF providing for the sup
port of the Government by taxation are
compelled TO take this fact into consd-
Grafton. When any form of taxation be-
gins 20 seriously impair the capital value
OF the subject OF such taxation II oper-
stss 70 defeat itself.
Il % bsesnss the fsudsndW &C taSat1ou
The sun., 1919-04-13
Quaint Red Brick
Houses S ellin g
R y-~De-
m and Greater
Than the Supply
HARRIET sIssoN GILLESPIE.

New York is home" hungry. Ask
any honest real estate dealer and he
will tell you that. An army of home
seekers Is travelling up and down the
length and breadth OF Manhattan in q
vain effort to md a place to lay its
head All It asks is an humble abiding
place that savors even ever 90 little OF
the old fashioned place We once called
home: not a bivouao OF the gas log
variety, but Just a wee corner in the
great city that provides few crumbs
OF comfort But each year 1t seems
as II living conditions grow more COM
plex and each moving day finds the
struggle for a peg on which TO hang
ones coat and hat grow in intensity
and earnestness
might add too that each season
there arises keener resentment against
the wretched man who sold his birth
right for a mess of pottage-the un-
speakable creature responsible for the
brownstone house. for he alone is to
blame for a good share Of the present
tflhls tnat DeSet tne weary diOneSeeKer
In New York. AS one contemplates
block after block OF these dwellings
which can be remodelled only at enor-
nous expense and in any case are a
nightmare with their high stoops, high
ceilings and lily proportioned rooms. 1t
is enough to make angels weep.
Brick House Popular I'm village.
1t Is a perfectly obvious situation to
every one who IL at all familiar with
the subject that II instead of having
perpetrated that mid-Victorlan atrocity
there had been built houses of the type
now so popular in Chelsea Village there
would be homes aplenty for all the Man
hattanites who want them.
On the other hand. the cheerful opti-
mistio looking brick houses IN Chelsea,
such as post-dated the quaint. dormered
Dutch houses in Greenwich Village, with
their hospitable. white Colonial door
ways, and many small paned windows
simply beg for recognition, and
they get II, for as Greenwich Village
filled up and ran over with those who
came to storm the citadel OF home. so is
Chelsea now the Mecca for the weary
pilgrims who seek n place in which TO
rest. The result Is the cosey brick
houses 60 off like hot cakes. and there
,sss-mnre ,appucstionA oh many more
The sun., 1919-04-13
OFFERS NORTH SHORE ESTATE
l.. j. Robinson to Sell His Prop
erty on Waterfront.

The fact that Lester ]. Robinson has
decided to dispose of his beautiful coun.
try estate at Centreport Harbor. on the
north shore Of Long Island, should prove
OF considerable interest to persons inter-
ested in owning an elegant piece OF
waterfront property. The property ID
beautifully located. right at the water s
edge. and consists of two acres Of finely
developed shade trees. shrubbery, &C.
over 500 feet of waterfront, on an ele-
walton OF 40 feet directly facing the
harbor. Mr.. Robinson erected only a
few years back a very modern and
ccmmodious dwelling Of Colonial de-
sign. Containing eight master bedrooms.
baths. servants quarters, garage, stable.
&C. He has now placed the entire prop
Lerty on ths maxkst
The sun., 1919-04-13
BUYS LAND FOR HEALTH FARM.
j. W. samuel Acquires 355 Acres
at Chappaqua.

]. W. Samuel Inc. health culturist.
has purchased ass acres on the edge OF
the village of Chappaqua. Westchester
county. from George NacKay. The
property will be used as n retreat for
men who need rest and regeneration It
will be an extension OF the health clubs
now operated on the roof OF AZ Broad
way and at ca Madison avenue. A nine
hole golf course will he part Of its facili-
ties, Henry Ives Cobb, the architect.
will draw plans necessary to adapt the
property to the purposes Of its new
oWnars.
The sun., 1919-04-13
Old Chelsea Village Coming Into It's Own
Again; Now an Oasis for Weary + lone Seekers
Colony of Artists
and Writers Has
Grown Up in Old
Fashioned Home
District

has acted as agent for property owners
in this region for several generations.
One Of the most interesting houses be-
longing TO the Clement c. Moore estate
is now the home OF William j. Hurlbut.
tho playwright. who was the pioneer IN
the little colony OF artistic and literary
felix who set the fashion for Chelsea as
an old fashioned home centre. Mr.. Hurl-
butts house at aga West Twenty-second
street is easily distinguishable from the
rest of the houses in the block by a pair
OF handsome wrought iron lamps that
flank the steps, which go to show that at
some time in It's gay career II must have
been the home OF Hts Honor the
Mayor"
An Attractive Exterior.
The house is OF the usual three story
brick variety. but instead of the dormers
In the roof to be seen in the older Dutch
houses further south the roof slopes low
to the front, leaving a row of what In
Uld New England days were termed Tie
on your stomach" windows. The roof at
the back admits OF full sized windows.
- particular feature of which the house
boasts is typical Colonisl doorway
with old fashioned side and top lights.
1t is such a hospitablc looking door--a
characteristic common to old Chelsea
entrances-and the big brass knocker in
the centre adds emphasis to the symbol.
The fenestration remains the same. but
the fact that, as In all these old houses
tho windows are brought TO the front OF
the building gives a close up honey
aspect to the facade which is one OF its
chief charms.
The most important change in the In
terior arrangement OF the rooms was
made on the third floor. where the old
partitions were torn out and an entire
new floor plan introduced to accommo-
date two studio suites which Mr. Hurl-
hut rents to friends. From an archltec-
tural standpoint the rehabilitation Of the
drawing room presented the most inter-
esting problem, and the delightful man
ner in which II has been solved will ap-
peal to all who have any such project in
view.