davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1920-10-17

number of New York families that have
bought little homes in the little COM
munity just over the Palisades, op-
posite 125th Street
Bogota Living Place for New Workers
Mr.. Stabler found Bogota to be all
that Mr.. Hitchcock had represented it
to be, an attractive living place, popu-
lated by business men who had many
friends Yho would like to buy home
IN Bogota if financial arrangements
could be made
According to the arrangements made
by Mr. Hitchcock with the Metropoh-
tan Life Insurance Company it will
advance from $4,000 to S4,5O0 on each
Of the tifty-six houses which are prac-
tically completed AS they may be
purchased for $780, $500, $3.50 and
SO 300, and as these builders have
agreed to take back second mortgage,
Mr.. Hitchcock says that buyer will
be able to secure any new house for
sale in the little town on a cash
payment of $4,000. In fact, he says,
less than that amount will be ac-
cepted if a buyer will agree to make
up the difference between the initial
payment and $4,000 during the first
year.
The loan made by the Metrouolitan
will permit the builders to start erect
ing additional homes, if not in Bogota,
elsewhere, as it will release sub
stantial amount of their money for
reinvestment.
The second or purchase money mort
cages, which the builders have agreed
to take from home buyers, will also
be taken off their hands by the Realty
New-York tribune., 1920-10-17

1921 buildings. containing 21,517
apartments At the same rate of con-
struction 64,551 apartments would have
been built in 1917, 1918 and 1919. In
the first two of these years. however,
only 800 tenements, containing 16,947
apartments, were constructed, and i'll
1919 there were completed only 80
tenements, containing ,481 apartments,
making a total of 1923 new apart
ments for the three years. With these
construction figures it is, however,
necessary to consider the number of
houses destroyed. In 1919 only 1,481
859 were destroyed, leaving us after
d years outcry for increased housing
facilities with 37S less apartments than
we had at the beginning of the year.
Ninety Flats Built This Year
"In the first six months of 1920 about
ninety houses, containing 2,171 apart
9G4 apartments were demolished or
converted for non residential uses.
leaving a net gain of only POT apart
ments. In July plans for only one
apartment and one dwelling were filed
in the Borough of Manhattan, as
against plans for five theaters, 115
garages and three loft buildings.
Rapidly increasing rents have an
noyed the rich, have forced the mod
erately we'll to do to accept q lower
standard of living and have caused un-
told suffering to the poor. The rent
legislation of last spring did some
thing temporarily to ameliorate the
condition of those who had homes. But
there will be no relief for New York
until the Legislature sees clearly that
it is dealing not with rent problem,
but with housing shortage. Although
New-York tribune., 1920-10-17

Finance Corporation, which has been
organized with capital Of $4,000
by Mr.. Hitchcock for the purpose of
giving further financial aid to builders
that home construction may not be in
terrupted or delayed.
Mortgage Deadlock Broken
The Metropolitan's decision to help
housing in Bogota has broken what was
virtually a deadlock in the mortgage
market in Bergen County. Reports
from New Jersey say that the financial
support which has been extended to the
Bogota home builders has had the eff
feet of restoring confidence in real es~
tate and mortgages among private in
vestors. 1t also is reported that an
other large life insurance company has
decided to do something for real estate,
and has let it be known, particularly in
North Jersey, that it was interested in
mortgages on new homes of a character
that would bring up to $4,000 in the
current market.
Lowest Construction Cost
Mr.. Hitchcock, who is responsible for
newer Bogota, that part east of the
tracks of the West Shore Railroad,
having built there several hundred
homes, regards the acceptance by the
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
of mortgages on Bogota homes as a
recommendation of high merit because
Mr.. Stabler made a very careful ex-
animation Of the property, studied the
possibilities of the section, the con-
struction details of the dwellings and
the cost of each building. The houses
were built at cost of 4C cents cubic
New-York tribune., 1920-10-17

picture Of Long Island City's growing
Importance, for it is the business.
financial and transit hub. Here, con-
verge the Greensboro Subway of
the lnterborough system, the Broad
Fifty-ninth Street, subway Of
the B. R. I. system-the business
elevated All these lines, part of the
two great subway and elevated sys-
tens, offer a cent fare to the other
boroughs of greater New York.
1t is due to the operation of these
three rapid transit lines more than
other one thing that Long Island Clty
has developed so rapidly
On, and Immediately adjacent to the
Plaza are the great automobile plants:
The Packard, the White, the Brewster,
the Standard Eight and the new
Ford (Hellman Motor Corporation).
Nearby are the new enormous struc-
ture of the American Chicle and the
plants OF the Ever Ready. the Sun
shine Biscuit, Loft, Repetti Tiffin and
hundreds OF manufacturers Of products
taown throughout the country.
Mighty Financial Backing
The greensboro Plaza is probably
even more conspicuous for its tir-2ncial
institutions, which have grown enor-
mously. to serve the neds of the manu-
featuring interests. The American
Trust Company, situated here, has
within the last twelve months absorbed
the old Queens County Trust Company;
the Bank Of the Manhattan Company
New-York tribune., 1920-10-17

foot, which the Metropolitan's investi-
est construction cost that has come to
the companys attention., and it has
made loans on homes in many parts of
the country in the last few months.
Mr.. Hitchcocl0v was of the opinion
that the houses will be taken up rap
idly now that financial arrangeme ent
has been completed that will permit a
family to secure a home on a compara-
lively small initial payment
What House Will Cost
A six-room dwelling selling at $3.50
can be carried on monthly payment
Of $53.75 if first payment is $4,000
This S53.75 would pay the interest on
beth the first and second mortgage in
addition to amortizing the first mort
gage 500. 1t is a condition of the Met
ropolitan Insurance Company's loan
that $40 a month be paid off the prin-
cipal in addition to the interest, which
is at 6 per cent. If it is the wish of
the buyer to have the second mortgage
remain a straight loan for three years
this can be arranged With each pay
ment toward the Metropolitan mort
gage, which could be twice a year, the
interest charge, Of course, would be
lessened accordingly
The taxes on such home would not
be more than $50 a year, the water tax
$l0 year and the insurance cost on
$1,000 $11.34 year. If the buyer were
to amortize each mortgage every month
the cost of owning this house would be
close to $50 a month.
Ihls amount will buy a family g
New-York tribune., 1920-10-17

paid back in instalments spread over a
period of fifteen years. In all it has
loaned 1929 800. 1t was probably the
most cheerful announcement made in
the real estate field in several weeks
and could not have had but an optimis-
tic effect on the public mind, which has
viewed the housing shortage with de-
SPAR. The thought that nothing was
being done to improve the supply of
housing will be altered and the cloud
of pessimism lessened
Move in Right Direction
Though this amount of money will
not satisfy to any degree the demand
for homes, the fact that the Metropoli-
tan Life Insurance Company has re-
sumed lending on small homes in this
section of the country indicates the di-
rection Of things and especially so
when it is remembered that this is the
third large loan made to small home
builders in the Metropolitan district
since the Tribune suggested to Walter
Stabler, comptroller of the Metropoli-
tan Life Insurance Company, last
spring a plan for financing small home
construction in the suburbs of the city.
The Rickert- Brown Realty Company
financial support. He told these build
ers that he would lend them s1,5oo,ooo
to continue the home building which
they had started in Arleigh. section
of Long Island City. The Penn-Brook
Realty Company soon after was ex-
tended support by Mr.. Stabler to
carrying through its building program
in the Church Avenue section OF Flat
bush.
New-York tribune., 1920-10-17

mum standards for the protection of
health and morals. Over half the ex-
lstlng tenement houses in New York
were erected before this law was en-
acted. great part Of these still
stand, with no substantial improve
ment, as disgrace to New York
Even though all these old houses
which can temporarily be made to
serve as usable dwellings are occupied,
there is still a shortage of at least 5O,-
GOO apartments
with such a demand for decent ten
ement apartments why does not the
the speculative builder who has sup
piled houses in the past and he will an
s"er that ne cannot obtain the men,
the money or the materials. But there
seems to be sufficient labor, plenty of
capital and adequate steel brick and
mortar to construct new theaters, gar
ages and Office buildings 1t has be-
come evident that the economic law of
supply and demand does not apply to
housing. What, then, is the solution?
Governor Approves Recommendations
Governor Smith last March forward
cd to the Legislature with his approval
the recommendations of the Reconstruct
tlon commission which FORM the basis
SsA'S PciiNJ III ltSdIu 70
housing in this state. Those recon-
mendations were:
II. Require the appointment of
local housing boards in communi-
ties having a population of over
10000 and the appointment of a cen
tral state housing agency for the CO.
ordlnating of local effort. Thev
should collect and distribute informa-
ton regarding the housing situation
IN each city and town and should take
an active, as we'll as advisory part in
relieving that need.
z. The enactment of a constitutional
amendment permitting extension of
state credit on a large scale and at
low rates to aid in the construction
of moderate priced houses.
"3:: Passage of an enabling act per-
mitting cities to acquire and hold or
let adjoining vacant lands, and if
necessary to carry on housing Tha
legislation should be such as to permit
conservation of the increased land
value for the benefit of the community
creating it, AMY
New-York tribune., 1920-10-17

the law empowers the courts to limit
rentals, it is practically impossible to
prevent a landlord from making occu-
pancy so unpleasant that the tenant
is forced to move, leaving no limit to
what may be charged the new tenant.
"The overcrowding in the poorer dis
tricts is seriously threatening the
health. morals and general welfare of
the people. The congestion and lack
of decent sanitary facilities are said to
be fostering tuberculosis and other
diseases and greatly increasing the dan
ger of community epidemics.
GAS a result Of the present shortage
families are doubling up two to an
Many who had become accustomed to
better standards Of living are being
forced back into the unwholesome,
dark, old-law tanements. In spite Of
decreased immigration and increased
emigration, $4,000 old apartments that
were out of use in 1916 are now inhab-
tied.
Reconstruction Commission Investiga-
"a thorough investigat ton of charac-
terstic blocks in the congested parts
of the city was made by the various
settlements under the direction of the
housing committee of the Reconstruct
ton Commission more than year ago.
1t disclosed the fact that thousands of
apartments unfit for human habitation
were then inhabited Sixteen thousand
more of these antiquated apartments
have since been crowded by families
unable to find any other homes. These
apartments are in tenement houses
which were erected before the passage
of the law of 1901 which provided min
New-York tribune., 1920-10-17

nice, comfortable little home, well
planned and constructed on a terraccd
plot forty feet wide, twenty nine min
utcs from Manhattan. 1t will have
six large rooms, three on the living
floor and three on the sleeping floor,
with roomy attic.
Stepping from the porch, which could
be inclosed in winter time, one is in
the living room, and directly opposite
an open fireplace. The floors are of
oak, parqueted, and the trim. doors
and mantelplece are of chestnut. There
are electric base plugs and places for
electric fixtures on each side of the
mantel and on the side walls.
AT the right is the entrance to the
dining room, and on the left is the way
to large kitchen, equipped with gas
cooking stove. This room may be
reached from the outside by a door and
vestlbule IN the rear and a side door,
wnlch .i also leads to the cellar. The
Kitchen IS connected with the dining
room by pantry at the rear of the
house. The shelving and furniture of
this room are of pine.
The dining room is large room,
with paneled walls. At the rear is y
coy breakfast porch.
Inc stairway to the upper floors is a!
the left Of the living room and close
to the entrance door. The sleeping rooms
are well proportioned, two being in tho
front and one and a bathroom in the
rear. The bathroom is = generous sized
room, with modern plumbing and bath
hxtures, among which is a pedestal
washbasn. Entrance to the attic is bv
d stairway from one Of the front he'd
rooms.
26 Cotes on the Hillside
The description is of house on the
north side of Maplewood Avenue and
"ests of Palisades Avenue. a wide
macadam throughfare and one of the
ine streets of the section. The house
IS one OF twentyslx new homes in the
block, which have been built by Michael
BROS. d Christlansen, Inc. The street
is on hillside, which makes a nice SET
ting. The building overlooks the valley
and the Passaic River The Metropol-
tan Life Insurance Company has loaned
S97 900 on these homes, which are of
different types and thefore arranged
httle different from the one described.
The other thirty houses are on Wal
nut and Beechwood avenues and have
been erected by Ferdinand Johnson,
Albin Bloml.vest and Gustaf Svahn'
johnson and Blomkvest are building
twenty-four houses, on which the Met.
ropolltan Life will loan S96 OOO. Mr.
Swain has built six houses, on which
! ne has been given $4,000 by Mr.. Stab
ler'S cOmpanV
New-York tribune., 1920-10-17
By D. f. McAvoy
President, Queensboro Plaza .Asso-
ciHtiOn

u
citation
The tremendous growth of Long ISL
and City exhibited by the establish
ment Of an unprecedented number of
new industrial plants, since January
l, 1920, and the expansion Of its bank
ing facilities, indicated by the entrance
during the last two years of the larger
Manhattan financial institutions into
the local field by merger and bv the
usual expansion of the business of
local Independent trust companies and
saving institutions, emphasizes anew
the permanent Importance of this COM
munity as the industrial center of New
York.
Of additional advantage is the oper-
alton of the Brooklyn Rapid Transit
Broadway-59th Street Subway, which is
the third great rapid transit line now
operating to the remainder Of New
York. This having opened only as re-
Gently as August OF this wear is hay
ing marked effect. in that it affords
a direct crosstown and downtown route
without change from Long Island Citv
to Manhattan and downtown through
Broadway.
Business Hub of Tomorrow
The Greensboro Plaza, at the
eastern end of the Fifty ninth Street
5r1dge, presents the most convincing
New-York tribune., 1920-10-17
No Abatement
In Demand for
Private Homes
Sales Reported Yesterday
Show Bulk of Trading
of Houses in Harlem
and Heights Section

Joseph P. Day sold for Dr. Richards
451-3 West Fifty-scventh Street, two
four-story dwellings,, 16.sx1oO.5 each to
Mary Haran; also 455 West Fifty sew
enth Street, adjoining, a similar struc-
ture, to Mary +. Smith. These proper
ties were to have been offered by Mr..
Day on his special salesday on Friday.
Marion Ryan sold to Adolph Stcig
the fourstory dwelling at so West
Ihirty-third Street, 25x100.2
Estelle S. Hartman sold to Edward
McBrearty the four story dwelling at
1o4 West Seventy ninth Street, 146x
76.8.
The Phelps Stokes Estates, Inc, sold
to the 166 West Seventy third Street
Corporation the four story dwelling at
1866 West Seventy Street, 19.8X
1922
William B. Self transferred to the
Wilton Holding Company the four
story dwelling at 308 West Seventy
second Street, 186x5S.11, which he ac-
quired a few months ago.
John Hasselberger Sold to Moritz
Wakdman 437 East Eighty-e eighth
Street, a three-story dwelling. 22x100.
The Duross Company sold 259 West
Eleventh Street, three-story dwelling,
203x7O, adjoining the northwest cor
ner of Fourth Avenue for St. Johns
Will improve the property for his own
occupancy. The church owned the
property since 1877.
Sale in Harlem Section
Patrick f. Clancy sold to Ellen Hag-
gerty the three story dwelling a. 1l9
East 11Sth Street, 20x100.
Loretta Gallagher sold 26 West
10th Street, three-story dwelling,
i5x1OO
James W. Conlon sold to Dominick
strazlan, 329 East 10th Street, a
four-story dwelling, 2Oxlo0.
Rachel Cohn sold to Mary Sludioz
the three-story dwelling 1870 Went
122d Street, 19x10O.
Alexander Henschel sold for Julia
Peabody 1875 West 18th Street. a
four-story dwelling with extension,
18x1C011, to John R. Caldwell, who
after making extensive alterations to
the house will occupy Henschel also
sold for Mary A. WitAerbee, 256 West
12lst STREE, a three-story dwelling,
lSxl00 to a client of A. Kane & Co.
Charles Chabnsl.y sold to Hyman
FrinsteiN the three-story dwelling 81
West llSth St"eet, 20,100
EllcIle ~ hcinl SO4V - w luutiu <.
Terry the three-story dwelling 1884
Lexington Avenue, 19x75.
Murphy G Murphy sold the three
story dwelling POI East 126th Street,
l7.GXl30, for George Hurlinann to
Matthew Egan.
Charles l.. Linsley sold to the Wells
Holding Company the three-story
dwelling 227 West 129th Street, 16.Sx
100.
Buying on Heights
Wanna c. Stephens sold to the Mon
sterrat Progressive Society the three
story dwelling POI West 18th Street,
19X100,
Lizzie Van Boskerck sold for Sill
0C0 TO Patrick Higgins the three
story dwelling pa Wadsworth Ave
nue., 23Sx95.
W. J. Huston & Son sold for Mrs.
B. Ficger % Bradhurst Avenue, a two
story dwelling, PINT. The buyer Will
occupy after extensive alterations
Herman Walthauser sold to Will
lam Il. Thompson the three-story
dwelling 24o West 1924 Street
l6.lOX9911.
Philip A. Marrangolla sold to Aaron
Weiss the three-story dwelling 554
West l65th Street. I6y10S.
William j. Van Pelt sold to Theofila
Fernhcimer the three-story dwelling
o43 West l49th Street, 16.SXlOO.
New-York tribune., 1920-10-17
City Has Less
Flats Now Than
Two Years Ago
Those Demolished for Busi-
ness Use Greatly Exceed
Structures Erected in
Similar Period of Time

The percentage of apartment va
cancies has declined from SO in 1916
to 03 in 1920, according to an article
in the current issue of Better Times
by Clarence 5. Stein, secretary of the
housing committee OF the Reconstruct
ton Commission of the State of New
York
According to the statistics of va
cant apartments compiled by the Tene-
ment House Department in March, 1916,
53,54l of the apartments in the city
were vacant. This enabled the tenant
to move if satisfactory treatment was
not received from his landlord In
April, 1920, a similar census revealed
only 3,541 vacancies in a total of al
most 100000 apartments, and Of these
all but 43S were in buildings more than
twenty years old-old-law tenements
erected before the restrictive legisla-
ton of 1901 was enacted
From 1914 to 1916, inclusive, there
were erected annually on the avera1
New-York tribune., 1920-10-17

has merged with the old Bank of Long
island and brings its $3.50, 600 re-
sources to the service of Long Island
City business men. The Corn Exchange
Bank has had Headquarters on the
plaza for twenty years. The Title
Guarantee and Trust Company is now
building new five story structure on
the Bridge Plaza, and the Frst Mort
gage Guarantee COMPANY has recently
move into larger quarters nearby.
Indicative of Long Island City's un-
usual and steady growth, is the phe-
nomenal inareasc of the resources of
the Long Island City Savings Bank -
from S8,000,000 in 1914 to nearly S2O.-
100000 in 1920. Three million dollars
OF this increase has accumulated since
January l.
In order to provide more adequate
New-York tribune., 1920-10-17
Fontainebleau To Be Duplicated at
Br0nxville at Cost of $4,000,O00

The historic palace of Fontaineblcau,
home of Frances l and many other
famous rulers OF France. including
Napolean /, is TO be reproduced in
Bronxville, in nearby Westchester.
The seventeen acres known as the
Moore estate, Immediately adjoining
the Lawrence Park Country Club and
golf links, on the south and west, have
been purchased by Walter Russell
artist builder, as the site of this in
terestlng structure, which will be used
and occupied as an apartment house
operated on the cooperative plan.
Plans for the building have been
prepared by Carrere & Hastings. 1t
will be erected by Fred 7. Ley e. Co.,
at cost, according to Mr. Russell of
$4,0O0,000. These builders have erect
ed approximately $11,000,000 worth of
cooperative apartment houses devei-
oped in the last two years by Mr.. Rus
New-York tribune., 1920-10-17

sell, who was instrumental in trans
forming West Sixty-seventh Street
into one Of New York's foremost art
and literary colonies, by the ccnstruc-
ton of studio and apartment build
ings erected and sold on the coopera
tive basis.
menting on the project Mr.. Russell
yesterday said:
"The plans for the development with
q structure that will be unique in
apartment house building have been
several years in the making. The COM
pletion of these represents the best
efforts Of the architects. and all others
associated with me in the project. The
building will be erected and ownef on
strictly cooperative basis, so that
each subscriber shall receive the full
benefits OF his investment
The fact that little brook flows
New-York tribune., 1920-10-17

through a portion of the tract lends
additional interest to the development
of. the property along lines never
dreamed of before by builders of
apartment houses.
"Bronxville was started by artists
and literary men, and had the good
fortune to be one of the first ol those
who appreciated the great natural
beauty of the location. which abounds
in hills and dales, rocky eminences and
a wealth of forestry. There is no part
of Westchester more beautiful or ac-
ccssible.
"While the building will contain SIM
pleX and duplex apartments varying
greatly in size, one entire wing of the
building will be devoted to studios and
studio apartments. There will be an
imposing ballroom, large art gallery,
great dining hall and complete hotel
service
New-York tribune., 1920-10-17
n QAEEN}
/6DQO R2DUN
| 'AHIELD1lW
ZCnN2D
\ XI.L.LrL III

quarters for its 10000 depos'ors tns
institution has just completed sirue-
ture on the greensboro Plaza that >
conceded to be the most up 70 da'e
and complete of as kind n ne STATE
of New York SO grea' was ia, nam.
Der OF depositors 10 be IA. 1.eo -
many as / 800 within an hour sad
half that the banks former QUART 'ets
were inadequate 10 accpa'a date Us
customers
Since the armistice wAs .ignea ihs
Long Island City Savings haas mas
loaned money on l 800 houses. "neie
1900 families and II 900 incisidas's
live These loans have amounted 70
nearly $4,000 900. at time when tAs
greatest need Of the City OF New forx
has been housing accommodations iof
its people.
New-York tribune., 1920-10-17
Invests III BROOKLYN Flat

The Mclnerney Klnck Realty Com
pany sold the three-story store apart
ment on the west side of Flatbush
Avenue, forty feet north of Ditmas
Avenue, 2Ox9O ''''"'
Inc klngsway Building Corporation
SOLD 1906 Avenue R, cottage and
garage, "a 2oxloo, to Rose E. Connell, held
New-York tribune., 1920-10-17
Buying in Mamaroneck

Varlan & Stilwell sold the Miller
homestead on Railroad Avenue, Mamar-
oneck, to Burton Langworthy; the resi-
dence of NJ. A. Young on Beach Avenue
70 oharles a. knudson and the cottage
o. % helle "A. Cohen on Palmer Avenue to
George kosenau. The same broker
sold plot of eight lots on Orienta
Point to Joseph Dimond, who intends
erecting two COTTAGES