davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington herald., 1920-12-26
CONTRACTOR MAY
CHANGE METHODS
IF RESULT ESAME
Court Holds May Use
Own Practice in Con-
structing.

Among court decisions involving
principles of building law. the re-
cent decision OF the Appellate Di-
vision of the New York Supreme
Court is Of more than ordinary i'm
portance.
One point decided in the case In
that a contractor is entitled TO Sc
lect his own construction methods
so long as he produces results con-
forming TO his contract On talis
point the opinion says:
The architect. against the pro-
test of a plaintiff "a contractor) re-
quired him TO pour the concrete con-
tinuously, both in some OF the foun-
dation slabs and in the walls. The
walls were TO be 30 feet high The
architect required him 20 pour %
feet continuously. then 10 feet con-
tinuously, and then feet. The
plaintiff AYERS that the work could
have been done equally well and
much more economically by pouring
in layers Of or , feet in thickness.
The fact that plaintiffs method
would produce work up to the spe-
cificstions is proved. not only by
expert testimony as 10 the value
of the two methods. but because.
toward the end, the plaintiff re-
fused TO follow tho architects
method in pouring the dome slab
and the work was satisfactory. The
general power Of control over the
work, which the contractor gave TO
the architect, made his right TO pre-
scribe the method of doing IL fairly
debatable, but this particular TO-
quirenent was beyond the riEhtful
exercise of that power.
1T is understood the Law 10 that
so long as a contractor produces
work which satisfies the specinca-
tions, he can, in the interest Of
| economy. choose his own methoor.
This is not only law, but common
sense. for when a contractor bids.
his estimates, which influence the
bid, are necessarily based on his
own methods OF work. so long as
those methods are not controlled BY
, the specifications"
The Washington herald., 1920-12-26
CAN'T DISPOSE OF
LOW-COST HOMES
People Hesitate When Cost of
Buying Is Little More
Than Rent.

Trying to better the conditions of
the individual Is more often than
not an ungrateful task. Take, for
instance, Toronto's experience in
respect to the housing problem.
says the Toronto Saturday Night
A year or two ago people clsmored
for houses in which to live-houses
which would be- cheap and good.
Taking advantage of the Federal
governments offer of cheap money
for housing purposes, Toronto or
ganiZed its commission, as did other
centers, and went to work. At the
moment Toronto has 236 houses
completed. or under construction,
residences that any man of moder-
ate means should be glad to occupy.
particularly as the financial ar
rangements are such that over a
twenty-year period the occupant
would, upon terms that approx
mate rental, be able to call him
self the sole proprietor. The aver
age man would imagine that a
workman would be only too eager
to pay for his home on a plan so
liberal. However, the houses go beg
ging.
Either gross stupidity or lack OF
business training has much to do
with this seeming indifference. For
instance, a woman applies for a
house. She is told that the rental
under the commissions plan will
be $31 per month including taxes,
water. etc. To which she replies
that she is only paying $50 for the
house she now occupies. The COM
missions representative does his
best to explain that more than half
the rental asked by the commission
would be an expenditure that would
eventually go back into her own
pocket in the form of a house all
her own. But in vain. She goes
her way, probably imagining that
the commission is trying to put
one over on her"
Imagine homes, comfortable,
slightly, well built, with every mod =
ern convenience. and far cheaper
than would be possible for any in
dividual to construct, going beg
ging in a community where for
years there has been a shortage OF
just such houses.
The Washington herald., 1920-12-26
Would Provide Separate
Zones For Light Industry
Should Be Given Protection from Invasion by
Heavy Industries.

Of appeals, and the board OF ap-
peals may allow such garages in
business streets where there is al
ready one garage or public stable
between two intersecting streets.
The maps should be amended so as
to place many localities in light
industry districts which are now in
business districts.
Public garages should be allowed
as a matter of course in these light
Industry districts. Probably after
the proper light industry districts
had been created, the board of ap-
peals should be relieved Of their
present work of locating or pro-
hibiting public garages in business
streets. These garage cases COM
prise a large fraction of the cal
endar OF the board OF appeals on
zoning and take UP a great deal
of it's time.
This change would be made by
amending the law so that new
garages for more than ffve cars are
prohibited in business districts, but
allowed anywhere in light industry
districts. The board of appeals
would, of course. still continue to
pass on the more difficult garage
questions. such as the extension
from one district into another, the
enlargement of existing garages
and changes of uses.
No Middle Ground.
The needle trades, for instance,
should be placed in light industry
districts. Today there is nothing
intermediate between business and
unrestricted, and il a district now
designated as business is changed
into unrestricted it is laid open to
the invasion of chemical works,
junk shops, iron foundries and
other harmful or dangerous indus
tries.
Experience has shown that the
provisions of the ordinance regard
ing both private and public garages
can be changed to advantage. To-
day a private garage accessory to
a dwelling arranged for not more
than five cars is allowed in a resi-
dence district.
The Washington herald., 1920-12-26
Cost of Lumber Not High.

Lumber which in 1894 was sold
at $50. sold last year at $40 and to-
day at s54. This does not look like
a reduction of from 80 to 40 per
cent" said a witness in Chicago be-
fore the U. S. Senate Committee on
Reconstruction and Production. The
is made again and again.
as here, that lumber prices should
fall to prewar levels ana no arten-
tion is given to the question OF the
enormous increase in cost of pro-
duction over prewar years. or to
the fact that 1914 was a slump"
year in lumber prices, according to
the Lumber Bulletin.
Cost of production Is predicated
now very largely upon labor costs,
and wages have not decreased as
yet in most sections. Operators are
extremely loath to reduce wages.
Mill prices OF lumber in most
regions are today but little higher
than they were at the end OF the
war: in many regions they are
lower. In many sections they have
dropped to or below the cost of
production. Rather than operate
under further price reductions,
which means a net lo&s, many mills
are closed down.
The Washington herald., 1920-12-26

Experience with the operation OF
the building zone ordinance for four
years past has proved that 1t was
remarkably adapted to the needs
of New York City, but, as was in
evitable, actual practice has shown
that 1t can be improved. says Ed
ward NJ. Bassett, in the New York
Times.
The use map shows three kinds of
districts-residentia business and
unrestricted. A fourth kind should
be added between business and un-
restricted, called light industry"
In light industry districts all
kinds of business and uses should
be allowed excepting such as pro-
duce fumes, smoke, noise, or are
otherwise OF a nuisance character,
or which are subject to great fire
risk or other hazards.
Protects Light Industry.
In Cleveland a wise man deveI-
oped a large area for light indus
try, placing restrictions in deeds
against heavy industry. 1t turned
out that many light industries
sought this locality because nui-
sance industries were prohibited. 1t
lS
locality of Cleveland.
Most OF the lower part of Man
haitian is unrestricted on the use
map. Large built-up areas in all
of the boroughs are similarly un-
restricted. Their main protect on
against nuisances or heavy indus
tries is the fact that they are built
up and that land values are high.
Most of these areas should be placed
in the light industry district and
new heavy industries should be eX-
cluded.
The heavy industry districts
should be along the waterfronts and
railroads, and wherever already pre-
empted.
Would Regulate Garages.
The present law recognizes that
public garages may go in certain
parts of business streets, but should
be excluded from others. Conse-
quently the judgment regarding the
placing of them is left to the board
The Washington herald., 1920-12-26
RISK COMPANIES
AIDREAL ESTATE
Savings Banks Also Help by
Investing in Mort.
cages.

Reports from life insurance COM
panies and savings banks received
at the headquarters of the New
York State Association of Real Es-
tate Boards in Utica, N. Y, indicate
that the housing aid rendered by
these corporations has been consid-
erably increased within the last few
months.
Savings banks of New York, crit
icised some months ago by realtors
and property owners for making
small mortgage loans, are now do
ing their part to relieve the housing
crisis" said John d. White, presi-
dent Of the State Realty Board. T
am informed by one of the leading
bankers of the State that the saw
ings banks outside of New York
City have loaned on real estate
mortgages up to within so per cent
Of their investing power. And we
have here the report of the life in
surance companies that their in
vestments in bonds and mortgages
now amount to close to 80 per cent
OF their investment funds. II the
ftre insurance companies, with their
vast resources, would do their part,
additional millions would be avail
able for home building and financ-
ing"
Charles A. Miller. president of the
Savings Bank of Utica, stated that
his bank had increased its mortgage
loans in 1920 nearly 800 per cent
over the loans of 1919. I'm 1918 we
loaned ss33.s0o," said Mr.. Miller,
"and so far this year our mortgage
loans aggregate s1,s9s,15o. 1t is
our intention. and am sure it Is
the intention of all savings banks,
to continue to do all we can to care
for the housing situation. both To-
cally and in all parts Of the State
The Washington herald., 1920-12-26
BUILDING ALLOW
EBB, AND HOUSE
SHORTAGE GREAT
Spring, However, May
Bring Long Looked For
Relief.

The closing days of the year nnd
activity in the building situation
at q low ebb. and the general hous-
ing shortage is no less alarming
than II was a year ago" says a
statement issued by 8. w. Straus,
president of D. w. Straus and Co.
The period has witnessed prog
ress toward stabilization, and. with
the coming OF more seasonable
weather in the spring, the long
awaited activities may be inaugu-
rated winch will in the course ot
time. it is hoped. restore normal
housing conditions.
Labor and transportation condt-
tions are improving. These are fac
tors of great potential signincance
in an analysis of building tenden-
cies. With their continual improve
ment will come a more stabilized
market for materials which will ex-
ert an encouraging influence upon
capital Previous to the war in
come from improved property in
many localities and instances was
too low and IL is noted that a more
favorable and apparently permanent
readjustment OF income from i'm
proved real estate investments is
taking place.
Conditions Favorable
Thus, while construction Is at a
low ebb at this time, fundamental
conditions are favorable for the re-
sumption Of building on a large
scale. 1t should be borne in mind
that lasting improvement can be
brought about in the housing situa-
tion only as these basic conditions
/. are favorable. Unfair agitation and
overdrastic legislative restriction,
tend to divert capital from build
ing investments to other channels
| and thus have a harmful effect on
the housing situation. The law of
| supply and demand is the final de-
termining factor in the situation
and every rightful influence. there
fore, that will encourage more
building. should be exerted.
Particular impetus should be
given to home building and home
The Washington herald., 1920-12-26

Should Make
Personal Trip
To Properties

In order 10 accurately describe
the property. les Iteration and
surroundings, 10 avoid errors,
exaEEeratfon and the Possibility
Of uninteationally causing in
cesvenience to the prospective
purchaser or Neharres of bad
fsith. the broker Offering it
should, ~ possible, make n per-
sensi exanisstion Of the prop
erty before presenting II 10 the
customer.
This is paragraph = section
ii, of the rigid code Of ethics
mapped out by the National As
seciation Of Real ESTATE Boards
for all reealtors TO follow.
Anotaer paragraph Of this code will
be printed in this section next week.
The Washington herald., 1920-12-26

ownership which constitutes one Of
the most substantial exemplifca-
tions OF thrift. With the present
manifestations Of underlying unrest
in Europe added importance 10 at
taehed to the sentIpent toward
widespread home Ownership in this
country, and as this fact becomes
more generally recognized there Is
increased likelihood that one OF the
outstanding features OF the ensuing
year will be a large amount OF
home construction.
Against High Interest.
The well defined sentiment
against a too high interest rate
for first mortgages on improved
real estate which now is making
itself felt will prove a very helpful
factor. As is the case in all other
lines of industry. efforts to attract
capital at exorbitant rates OF in
terest must be viewed with dis
trust. Abnormally high interest
rates paid by any corporation nec-
essarily tends not only to weaken
the financial structure but to en-
courage practices of profteering
Conditions OF this kind would II
continued exert a harmful influence
on the building industry.
while adverse tendencies may
manifest, themselves temporarily
here and there, the general situs-
, tion is becoming stabilized, and this
will become more pronounced as al
interests show a greater willing
ness TO be fair and just in their
practices, and as the spirit of har-
mony grows and the principles OF
orally applied"
The Penn's Grove record., 1920-03-12
Sir Oliver Kin to Senator

While in Washington on his lecture
tour, Sir Oliver Lodge, the eminent
English scientist and spiritualist, call
ed on Senator Henry Cabot Lodge, OF
Mass, and found that the American
Senator had a striking resemblance to
the English family of Lodges and ex-
hibited other family traits. The two
distinguished men discovered that they
belonged to the same family. The
American branch settled in Massa-
chusetts in the 18th century.
Sir Oliver says he can see ghosts
and speak with the dead. Senator
Henry would scare the American peo-
pie with the ghost of King George III
while he is, knowingly or ~ignorantly,
working to keep alive the old game of
hide and seek diplomacy, to make null
and void the greatest result to be
gained by the World war.
That is to abandon our moral VIC
tory for political eXpediency.
The Penn's Grove record., 1920-03-12
3.5 Beer Knocked Silly

On February Sd, U. S. District
Court Judge D. j. Rellstab, at Tren-
ton, heard the case of ~Feigenspan
(alias U. S. Brewers Association
against the United States of America.
That is the 18th Prohibition Amend
ment and the half of n half per
cent. law enacted by Congress. The
decision was given on Tuesday. The
amendment was upheld as constitu-
tional and the superior power of Con-
gress to enact laws to enforce it e
all States which fail to enact enforce
ment laws or laws contrary thereto
was conceded to Congress.
The police power to enforce the war
time prohibition law was held constl-
t~utional, also.
Elihu Root, the famous criminal
lawyer who has sold his superior tai
ents to all high bidders from Boss
Tweed of New York fame to the brew
ers and distillers, has had his legal
opinions and influence knocked silly:
It is no more than any man we'll
informed in government expected.
Bv the time the U. S. Supreme
Court gets rid of the liquor question,
the executive and legislature OF New
Jersey will appear as political bunco
steerers on the liquor traffic. But
then it is good to get their money into
circulation among the lawyers and pol
iticians.
The Penn's Grove record., 1920-03-12
Going Up to Bring 1t Down

With the apparent approval of At
torney General Palmer, we are get
ting all the sugar we want at 20 cents
a pound. This is the high cost of liv-
ing "reduced."-Woodbury Constitu-
ton.
Attorney General Palmer has as
much to do with the increased cost of
sugar as he has with the cost of candy,
whiskey, tobacco and other articles,
which are regulated by the supply and
demand.
A reporter of the Record went into
a confectionery store recently and
asked the price of fudge. The reply
was, Fudge is go cents a pound. We
use to sell it for 10 and 20 cents"
But most people do not buy fudge.
They want candy in a box for $1.25 to
$1.75 9. pound.
There is no kick in paying 10 to 10
cents for a cigar, when two for five
cents use to be the most popular
price.
No kick or the high cost of luxu-
ries. 1t is all On the necessities.
Money was never so abundant, be-
cause the dollar crop WAS made by the
Government, the greatest ever IN the
history of the world. With abrndant
money in hand to pay f)r what one
wants why kick Oh the high prices OF
necessities.
The Penn's Grove record., 1920-03-12
A Mistake Somewhere

Governor Edwards last week caused
to be introduced by Assemblyman
George in the House a bill to abolish
sixty-one departments, boards and
bureaus in the State government adj
ministered by 428 persons and to sub
stitute for them a State Board of Pub
lie Affairs. 1t would consist of five
members, each to receive $500 a
year.
Governor Edwards has been in office
two months and has found such prof
legacy and inefficiency in the State
government as this. How can it be
after Walter E. Edge waged his cam
paign for Governor on the platform of
Economy and Efficiency"
After three years of Edges Econ
omy and (in) Efficiency" the legisla-
tors are amazed at the expenses
growing expenses of New jerseys
State Government and are looking
around for new revenues.
P. T. Barnum, the great Snowman,
forty years ago said: "The Ameri-
can people like to be humbugged." He
showed a white-washed elephant and
got we'll paid for it.
efficiency and Economy" Walter
E. Edge beat Barnum to a FRAGILE.
The Penn's Grove record., 1920-03-12

No. 444. Makes it unnecessary that
ice be weighed at the time of sale, I'M
less the purchaser so requests.
No. 400. Amends the law so that
no person can drive, owe public roads,
an automobile which weighs more than
$4,000 pounds.
No. 463. Fixes a standard weight
for bread sold OF offered for sale.
No. 469. Permits the State Vehicle
Commissioner to appoint county engi-
neers as special inspectors, without
pay.
No. 472. Authorizes boards of
chosen freeholders to raise money for
the repair of county roads by the is
sue of short-term obligations.
No. Alta. Authorizes motion pic
lures, baseball and other amusements
on Sunday, for which an admission fee
may be charged.
No. 48O. Allows sheriff's expenses
for hiring an auto, for his meals and
lodging and for counsel.
No. 493. Changes the date of the
annual meeting in school districts
from the fourth Tuesday to the second
Tuesday in the same month.
No. 499. Amends the Walsh act by
providing that a voter must be a citi-
zen for two years instead of six
months.
No. SOC. Makes guilty of a misde-
meanor any person who shall e the
badge or insignia of the American Lee
gion when he is not a member of that
organization.
No. sos. Provides for the payment
of motor license fees on a HORSEPOWER
rrating at $1.00 per horsepower.
Rating of said automobile in accord
ance with National Automobile Cham
Der of Commerce Inc. formula.
No. 511. Provides for fees for me
tor vehicle licenses according to the
gross weight and carrying capacity of
such vehicles.
No. 514. Makes overseers of the
poor the legal guardian of any child
that may be placed in his care.
No. SIG. Provides a minimum wage
for school teachers of $40 per month,
for those holding temporary certifi-
Gates, and a minimum of 500 per
month for permanent teachers.
The Penn's Grove record., 1920-03-12
NEW INTERNATIONAL MORALITY
President Wilson's Last Message For
The Peace Treaty Without
Killing Reservations

Last Monday President Woodrow
Wilson sent a letter to Senator Hitch
cock, who is the Democratic leader in
the Senate making a strong plea for
the ratification of the Peace Treaty
with article ten, which insures that
each nation in the League of Nations
shall insure the territorial integrity of
the other.
In other words, the nations of the
earth shall respect the rights of their
boundaries and not make wars, nor po-
litical intrigues for the territory of
the other, the same as individuals in
nations respect the boundaries and
property rights of their neighbors.
The Penn's Grove record., 1920-03-12
SENATE

No. PAL. Prohibits compulsory vac
cination of school children as condition
for attendance of classes by pupils or
teacher.
No. 253, by Mr.. Allen. Makes gull
ty of misdemeanor prisoners who es-
cape from sheriff.
No. 260. Prohibits sale of agricul-
tural seeds other than those selected
for seed purposes.
No. 265. Requires freeholders to
furnish to county school superin-
tendents telephone services, postage
and printing.
No. 270. Provides for a fine of $40
for failure of residents of town, vii
lagos, cities, to register dogs.
The Penn's Grove record., 1920-03-12

We VT always at your service
with the best for your money
The Penn's Grove record., 1920-03-12
SUBSCRIPTION RATES

One might think all the men elect
ed to the Legislature never pay taxes
and have no consideration as to where
the money comes from. The raising
of Judges and other salaries has be-
come a craze with each succeeding
legislature. They get $1,000 a month.
When will it end ?
The Penn's Grove record., 1920-03-12

He that builds before he counts the
cost. acts fo~olishly; and he that counts
before he builds, finds that he did not
count wisely.-Benjamin Franklin.
The Penn's Grove record., 1920-03-12

ton of the treaty which contains the
covenant of the league of nations, and
l have been struck by the fact that
practically every so-called reservation
was in effect a rather sweeping multi
fication of the terms of the treaty
itself. l hear of reservationists and
mild reservationists, but l cannot un-
derstand the difference between a null
lifier and a mild nullifer. Our re-
sponsibility as a nation in this turning
point of history is an overwhelming
one, and if | had the opportunity l
would beg every one concerned to
consider the matter in the light of
what it is possible to accomplish for
humanity rather than in the light of
special nation interest."-Woodrow
wilson.
The Penn's Grove record., 1920-03-12

Every mar who took part in the war
at home or abroad, every mother who
wants peace forever on earth, every
reasonable man. who believing in his
own democratic government, every one
who wants the world governed by an
appeal to reason and not to arms
should seriously consider this last mes
sage of President Wilson's and learn
the lesson of International Morality.
All who are Indifferent to the rati-
fication of the Peace Treaty without
killing reservations, and do not COM
prehend what President Wilson is
writing about, should cut this out and
wear it under their hat band. In time
it may trickle thru the cracks in the
Uranium and they will see a new po-
litical world in the making-Peace on
Earth, Good Will to All Men, governed
by the Moral Rules of Reason.
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1920-10-29
ASHES OF LOVE SUICIDES
IN WEIRD MARRIAGE PACT

OF the girls father. who performed
a marriage ceremony over the ashes.
Marriage contracted In this world
will carry over TO the next. accord.
ing 10 the Buddhist faith. Suicide Of
young women and men together II
not uncommon. In the hope Of happy
marriage in the world 20 come.
The father OF tho young woman.
whose name was Akio omino. and
the brother OF the young man.
Miteko Yamakane. will erect a joint
monument 10 the memory OF the I'M
happy couple.