davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The New York herald., 1921-11-27

as two room apartments. retaining al
most the identical original structural ar
rangements, ask at least $50 floor.
and as a rule more than that, and there
are comparatively few who to-day Will
pay that much for two rooms unfur-
nished.
These prices are also asked by many
who have leased private dwellings OF the
English basement and high stoop type
and who are renting the floors without
making any alterations. In some cases
the top floors Of these latter houses. con-
sisting of two hall bedrooms, large front
room and bath, are to-day being offered
for $125 month, with an exceptional
one at 800. There are n few two room
apartments for SIS on the market. new
and desirable In most ways except that
they are small, at least not large enough
for more than one person without crowd
ing.
During the last year the apartment
with a minimum of two separate bed
rooms, living room, kitchen and bath
which could be rented for from s1,s00 TO
S2,500 has been in great demand, and
there have been very few OF them on
the market. Even at this time the per-
son looking for an $500 year apart
ment which could comfortably accommo-
date family OF three or four finds II
difficult to meet the requirements,
though few can be found The big
gest need to-day In the high class resi-
Dental section Is for housekeeping
apartments of two large rooms for 800
n month, three rooms--that is, living
room, two bedrooms, kitchenette and
bath-for 1925 and $3.50 a month and
five or six rooms for from $3.50 to s175
month.
"The family Of mother and father. two
children and a maid who have been
looking for an apartment In the desir-
able part of the East Side residential
section for not more than s2,500 have
been up against IT, and they are not
finding Il an easy matter these days.
Last August an agent who had un-
usual means for locating apartments for
rent combed almost the entire Park ave-
nue. section for weeks for a client who
wanted an apartment with four bed
rooms--living room. dining room. bath
and kitchen-for $4,000 and could To-
cate only two. and these were in old
style buildings, spacious. clean. airy and
comfortable but dull looking. Occa-
slonally person comes into real
estate Office and is shown an apartment
In the location and of the size and price
desired, but refuses to take II because he
will not walk up moro than two flights
Of stairs, notwithstanding the fact that
all members of the family are healthy
and active. He simply Is peeved be-
cause he cannot get a $4,000 apartment
for $4,000 and takes it out on the
broker and also on himself by waiting
for an impossibility.
Most persons who are looking for
apartments who have always been used
to living In high class elevator houses
and who for one reason or another de-
sire change can be satisfied: II In
simply q case with them of finding the
The New York herald., 1921-11-27

apartment best suited to their whims.
Many are giving up seven or eight
room apartment for one of five rooms.
six rooms and two baths for $500,
describes in brief what many of
the well to do have been seeking, and
there are a number of these on the
market. Occasionally a client with an
income running deeply into the thou
sands asks for q five room apartment
in new elevator apartment house for
S2.400. and while now and then such
an apartment appears they are few and
far between. There are plenty OF apart
ments to-day of two and three rooms
In exclusive, small elevator apartment
houses. which can be rented for $l5O
month and up good share of these
are MISUNDERSTANDING. Now and then -
client makes direct call for one Of
these, but the demand is slight
'1n general, prices OF the small lower
priced apartments have dropped about
10 per cent. from the quotations of a
year ago. and many of the owners OF
the larger apartments have made much
more substantial reductions, ranging in
some cases as high as 25 per cent Nine
out OF ten property owners are anxious
to meet the tenant half way, and are
putting their asking prices much nearer
the lowest amounts they will take than
they did year ago. But the average
person looking for an apartment seems
to believe that the bottom OF the mar
lSet has not been reached and IL holding
Off for a while longer.
I'm the last two weeks the market for
furnished apartments has showed re-
newed signs OF activity. though II is, ia
general, dun to-day. The average call
for two room furnished apartment Is
for one not more than 800 a month,
and this refers to requests for locations
In the Park avenue section. There are
plenty in the market, but most OF them
at that figure are not moro than passa-
bic, being small and with ordinary fur
niture. About S135 a month Is the min
imum price for high class two room
apartments. For two very we'll fur
nished large rooms. kitchen and bath In
modern apartment house to-day one,
unless he Is particularly lucky. will have
TO pay at least $3.50 month, and that
figure Is low.
"As Is usually the case at this time
OF the year, many OF the tenants OF
large apartments are planning TO go
away for the season and want TO rent
their apartments furnished. II the
apartment Is In modern building and
has two master bedrooms and a maids
room the owner Is asking $500, while the
public Is offering $500. Those renting
first class apartments OF seven rooms
and three baths want around $500
month. and there Is little demand for
these at that price.
Nine out OF ten owners OF furnished
apartments want to rent for a year. be-
cause when they return to New York
next spring they will go to their country
homes. and so wish TO have their apart
mcnts bringing In money during the
summer. About tho same proportion Of
The New York herald., 1921-11-27
Banker Sells MontcIair PI.ce.

Percy r. Johnston, president OF tbs
Chemical National Bank. has sold To
+. r. Eaton of Montclair his proportv
at 175 South Mountain avenue. Mont
clair. The residence Is Of Spanish arcnI-
lecture and stucco construction. contain
ing thirteen rooms. four baths. a pslrn
room and large living room finished
in mahogany. The place includes an
acre and one-half of developed grounds
with formal gardens and three-car ra-
rage. This property was valued "A
sSo'ooo. The sale was negotiated By the
Frank Hughes Company.
The New York herald., 1921-11-27

reveals the willingness OF a certain class
or tenant to assume the role of profiteer
This builder planned to scrap two old
buildings to provide for a larger i'm
provement. One of the houses Is va
cant The other is occupied by tailor
VINO had previously requested the owner
to relieve him of an existing lease. which
had nineteen months to run.
AS soon as the word was passed that
the owner proposed reimproving the site
this tenant declined to have the lea
cancelled and demanded $4,000 for pos
session The owner informed the tena nt
that since he believed the lease so VAL
liable he (the owner) would abandon the
Improvement and permit the tenant to
renew for an additional FIVE years. A
panic stricken tailor is now running
around town pleading with lawyers to
show him legal loophole through which
he can escape from his lease.
The New York herald., 1921-11-27
SECOND FLOOR PL

should have the walls and the woodwork
painted in old ivory. The floors should
be Of oak. The service portion should be
finished in hard pine painted and en-
amelled. with the walls painted a san
itary cream or buff tint that permits
them to be washed The chambers and
baths should be painted white or old
ivory, with the chair coverings and cur
tains adding the desired touch of color to
carry out the owners individual scheme
of decoration. The finish of the princi-
pal rooms OF the first floor is of fine
Colonial detail that affords an opportu-
nifty for either simple or elaborate deco
ration, as the owner may desire.
The house is of frame construction.
The exterior may be covered with wide,
old fashioned clapboards or with shingles
laid about ten inches to the weather.
painted a chalk white. The roof Is of
shingles and the blinds should be tinted
an emerald green.
The New York herald., 1921-11-27
PARK AVE. ZONE RENTS DOWN 10 F

A food of light has been thrown on the
renting situation in the high class apart
ment house districts of the city
by a real estate expert who has
made for THE NEW YFRK HERALD a care.
full survey of that section of Manhattan
from the "Forties" to Eighty-seventf
street between Fifth and Lexington ave-
nues and on some of the cross streets
beyond Lexington avenue. This inves-
tigator, who prefers that his identity be
concealed, finds that there are several
thousand apartments to rent in that par
ticular district and that the rents range
from s75 a month for two room suites
up to more than $4,000 a year for
twenty room suites. There are. how
ever, very few of the former to be had
at such low figure.
Generally speaking. the investigator
finds that the prices of small lower priced
apartments have dropped about 10 per
cent. below the quotations of one year
ago. While his Investigations have been
confined to the high class East Side resi-
Dental section, many OF the conclusions
will apply to the best portions of the
upper West Side. the Washington Square
district and a large part of the West
Forties. between Fifth and Sixth avenues.
On the West Side and In the Washing
ton Square sections, however, the rentals
are a trifie lower.
The great want. the investigator finds,
is for a supply OF apartments to rent
from 500 to $3.50 a month.
Most persons are aware that there are
many apartments to let this season, and
they are conscious that the reasons for
the oversupply are principally due to
the rent laws, which minimize moving
about from one place to another. and the
general business depression, which is the
handmaiden OF the buyers strike. What
most persons do not understand. how
ever. according to THE NEW YORK HER
AIDS investigator, is what sort of apart
ment can be had to-day for the person
who Is naturally seeking the minimum
pi Ice. In an effort to assist this class OF
home seeker the investigator says:
"A large number of the people who are
looking fer apartments In the Park ave-
nue. section want two room apartments
that is. a living room, bedroom, Kitchen
cite ana bath--for price not exceeding
500. Now, what kind of apartment
can one get for that price? One thing
certain Is that there are many OF them
on the market The average one OF that
size consists OF medium sized living
room. a bedroom about 8 by 10, mod
ern bath and a small closotlikc room
with little gas range or electric grill,
sometimes with a sink, In which meals
can be cooked. These apartments are
as rule In remodelled non-elevator
houses from one TO four flights up.
Most persons looking for these two
room apartments want both OF the
rooms to be large, the bedroom must
have ample space for two beds But that
sort OF apartment under SIPS or $50
IL not often found. though there are q
few which now and then appear on the
market Most Of the owners or lcssecs
of buildings who within the last few
years undertook the making over OF pri-
vats dwellings into apartment houses and
who planned entire floors to be rented
The New York herald., 1921-11-27

work to form the most interesting mo-
tifs In the general composition of much
Of our domestic architecture.
In many cases the intrepid designer
shows his ingenuity and courageous dis
regard of too close adherence to estab-
lished precedent by producing for his
client a most pleasing design, the prin-
cipal constituent elements Of which are
taken from this particular style. It Is
this license, based on the perfect knowl-
edge of the exact effect that will be pro-
duced by certain correct combination OF
voids and solids, materials and archi-
tectural detail, enriched by delicate
mouldings or decorative detail and col
ors, that gives rare charm and quality to
some houses.
In the simple country house shown
above, for example, there are few OBJ
vtous evidences Of close adherence TO
precedent in any detail, with the possible
exception of the front entrance motif.
However, the effect achieved Is the re-
suit Of many preliminary studies to OBJ
tain the correct proportions. fenestration,
color scheme and setting.
The plan is Of the most modern elon-
gated type which Is best suited to carry
out the low roof lines used so much to-
day in our present style Of domestic
architecture. While we may have grown
tired of the old fashioned square house
and prefer the lines Of an extended
front, this type In general Is better than
the square or rectangle formerly used.
1t insures moro privacy within the house
and better outlook over the grounds.
The portion toward the street is ar
ranged to contain the less important
parts Of the house and acts as a screen.
in way, to the more important living
portion at the rear, which will be most
attractive IL a proper scheme of garden
ing is carried out The accompanying
plan and design is one of the most prac-
tical that can be devised for a small
house. 1t has been developed after a
very careful study Of several different
schemes. each OF which had been care
fully worked out.
The entrance han is 10x20 feet, and
The New York herald., 1921-11-27
Housing Deadlock Broken
by Exemption, Says Report

prospective home builders. Where In
years past the chief selling point fea-
tured by the agents was the possibility
of speculative profits through a rise in
land values, now the advantage adver-
tised Is the opportunity to build home
and to secure the exemption.
"Of the provisions for $1,000 families
already referred to 22.704 are In one and
two family houses. representing COM
plete reversal OF the old ratios Of such
houses to tenement apartments. There
have been a number Of suburban plot
tage developments of an attractive type.
Thousands have been seeking escape
from the tenements, locating mostly
near lines of the newer subway extern
sions. From a social point of view It Is
tha healthiest movement in housing
that has taken place here In some
years,
The New York herald., 1921-11-27

Statistics tending to show the efficacy
of the New York city tax exemption or
dInance as a spur to building are given
in the annual report of the board of
trustees of the City Club of New York,
Just issued. The report, after laying
claim for the City Club to a dominant
part In the agitation which forced the
passage of the permssive law, declares
that the measure has surpassed all ex-
pectatons as an agency for solving the
housing shortage. AS a result of the
enactment. the report asserts, construc-
tlon in the greater city this year is
more than four times the volume of last
year and has swung into pace that
should provide homes for $4,000 by jan
uary l. The part of the report bearing
on this subject reads:
Persistent and long continued effort
was necessary before the Board of AL
dermen and the Board of Estimate
could be persuaded to take intelligent
and effective action under the perrnis-
sve law, passed largely through City
Club efforts to allow a temporary ex-
emption from local taxation of newly
constructed dwellings.
"In the ordinance as passed exemption
is limited to building values equivalent
10 5000 for each family accommodated
and not to exceed 81 900 for each living
room. There being doubt In the minds
OF some builders whether In so restrict
ing the exemption the local authorities
had complied with the terms Of the stat
ute. the club took the matter up with
Senator Lockwood and Gov. Miller and
the act was so amended as to clearly
validate the ordinance.
among all the rent and housing
measures OF the past two years this Is
- 81.
securing an increased supply OF dwell
ing accommodations. From start to
finish II was primarily City Club plan.
Tho results flowing from It have sur
nosscd expectations In spite of uncer-
tain conditions in the building industry
fn seven months houses have been
riaoned to accommodate 3S, 900 families
At this rate Of progress 10000 persons
v1Il be provided for In one year. This
f. about equivalent TO three years nor
NAL growth OF population.
"The present rate OF building is more
tnan four times tnat OF last year. AS
against housing contracts actually
awarded for the entire twelve months
or last year, amounting to ssl.650, 200,
there have been awarded during ten
months OF this year-lncluding only
seven months under tax exemption--con-
tracts amounting to s195.933,400. Last
month alone contracts we're made ag-
gregatIng 1895, 1000. Tho figures for
floor space are still more impressive.
For the year 1920 the total contracted
for was 151i2.c00 square feet. For the
first ton months Of 1921 tho total was
Al .GgS, 500 square feet. It IS evident. there
fore, that the deadlock has been broken.
IAN Incidental result has been the
creation of an active market for vacant
tots where none had existed. Lots have
been auctioned off by the thousands to
The New York herald., 1921-11-27

has been planned and proportioned so as
to emphasize the Colonial influence in
the interior Of the structure. This idea
Is carried out in the low panelled vain
scot around the hall and up the stairs
and in the simple Colonial handrail and
delicately turned balusters gracefully
ramped at the landing. At tho ceiling
there is a simple cornice with dentils
to enrich It, all painted ivory white. I'm
der the stairs is toilet room and at the
opposite end are closets for coats. From
the hall direct entrance is obtained
to the dining room and living room,
The New York herald., 1921-11-27
J. ID. Rockefeller. Jr.. Rent. House.

j. ID. ROclse feIIer, Jr., Rents House.
VIM. A. White & Sons leased for John
D. Rockefeller. Jr., TO Margaret and
Gladys A. Marshall the four story and
basement house at 90 West Fifty-fourth
street. J. Romaine Brown & Co. repre-
sented the lessees. The same brokers
leased to Roland r. Conklin a dwelling
et II East Eighty-third street for n term
of years. in the latter transaction CO.
operating with Harris Vought & Co.
Miss c. III. Thomas leased to Mrs.
Charles w. Hogan OF Greenwich, Conn,
for Frederick Il. Bright his twelve room
apartment at AZ Park avenue. fur
nished for the season.
J. Arthur Fischer leased a furnished
apartment In 104-106 Yves. Fortieth
street to Herman Feinberg; also unfur-
rished apartments to George White
Stallings and David Wagner.
The New York herald., 1921-11-27
EXPECT LARGE CROWD
AT JERSEY CONVENTION

1t is expected that more than ooo
delegates will attsnd the fifth annual
convention OF the New Jersey state
League OF Real Estate Boards to be held
IN the Robert Treat Hotel. Newark. on
December 8, and 10. Inclusive Many
questions OF vital Importance to realtors
in New Jersey are coming to the front
this year and these problems will be
taken up for discussion. The committee
In charge of the convention Is as fol-
lows:
DR.. Charles F. Kraemer. chair, man.
newark; Louis Schlesinger. Newark I:
Charles c. Zurich, Newark; Raymond
Connolly. South Orange Frank II. Tay-
lor. East Orange; Edward Blau, New
ark; Fred l.. Dalzell. Maplewood W. r.
Cramer, Camden: Thomas 3. Williams.
Atlantic City. and Ewing T. Corson,
Ocean CITY
The New York herald., 1921-11-27
NEW FLAT IN ATLANTIC CITY.

Ground has just been broken for ono
OF the largest Boardwalk apartments in
the Ambassador and Ritz-Carlton sec
ton OF Atlantic City. 1t will be
situated at California avenue and the
boardwalk. and is owned by Henry
Shaw. retired merchant OF Atlanta,
Ga. Frank Larson, formerly with War
rem & Wetmorc OF this city. and archi-
tect on the ground for the Ambassador
and Ritz-Carlton hotels. will supervise
tho construction.
The building will be four stories and
or brick. There will be sixteen apart
ments OF four and five rooms, with all
the latest conveniences.
The New York herald., 1921-11-27
FVF%S1 FLISJF< f1L|%|.
License in Design, However. Shoule
Be Kept Within Artistic Bounds
Must Be Based on a Perfect Sense
of Proportion as Well as Knowl-
edge Of Proper Grouping Effects
FIRST FLOOR PLAN.
ny A. RAYMOND ELLIS. A. I. A.

Modern psychology has shown that
the average person responds to his
mental and physical environment with
out being conscious of the fact. Thus
if the weather is bleak or his social con-
tacts drab his spirit says before he is
aware of any change in his mood. If his
power Of analysis or introspection had
been more highly developed his depres-
sion would not have taken him una
wares. Or, better still. it might never
have developed, for ability to distinguish
causes often helps one to sidestep eff
fects.
1t is the application of this principle
to the mental reactions Of everyday life
which enables us to estimate the tre-
mendous effect that good architecture
must have on society. 1t is not carry
ing the point too far to maintain that
every man however uncultured his ar
tistic instinct may be, is emotionally
influenced by structural beauty. He
may not be able to define his sensations
be they agreeable or disagreeable, or to
trace them to their proper sources, but
they are there none the less, and the
cumulative effect Of these emotions plays
r big part in the synthesis of his char
acter, and ultimately In the welfare OF
the nation and civilization as whole.
There is, however, something more
TO be desired than nero subconscious
response. The next higher step Is in
telligent or articulate appreciation and
this is more likely to prevail in commu-
mites or localities where architectural
standards are a matter of tradition
Such is the case in New England, where
the publics attention need hardly be
called to the beauties Of the Colonial.
At the same time there is much still
to be learned from a study of the eigh-
teenth century American house and it is
for that very reason that architects and
their clients turn more frequently to
that style for inspiration and suggestion
In examining these old houses that have
been permitted to stand as they were
built, without alteration or addition, the
close observer will find many features
and details that are used in our modern
The New York herald., 1921-11-27
ARCHITECTS INSPECT SHIP.

AS an evidence OF It's purpose to en-
courage all the arts and crafts connected
with architecture a large delegation OF
members Of the Architectural League OF
New York. headed by Howard Greeniey.
the president, visited the French Line
steamship Paris, queen of the French
fleet, last Wednesday. The members ex-
pressed much interest In the great ship
wherein naval and land architecture
overlap. A more intimate relationship
Is being encouraged by the organization
between the followers OF the various arts
and crafts and the architects, whose
houses show beneficial results in the
handling of materials from both points
of view.
The New York herald., 1921-11-27

may be replaced with screens during the
summer The north end is given UP to
the service portion. which contains the
service stairs, kitchen 12.Sx13.6 feet
and pantry 6.9x10 feet. with a refrig-
orator iced from the rear porch.
The second floor is planned for the
convenience and comfort of both guest
and owner. The owners chamber is
15x17.6 feet and contains two large
closets. plenty of wall space for furni-
ture, twin BEDS and has it's own bath
room. The north chamber is also con-
nected with this. so that it may be used
The New York herald., 1921-11-27

by the owned en- suite. Two large
chambers at the south end may be used
as guest or family chambers and the
bathroom is placed off the passageway,
so that by closing the door to the hall the
privacy of this part Is maintained. The
finish is whitewood painted old ivory.
In the attic there are two large, COM
Portable chambers and one bathroom for
maids, besides n storage and trunk room.
The interior OF the house should be
finished In light colors to bring out the
delicate detail of the Colonial trim. The
hall, den, dining room and living room
The New York herald., 1921-11-27

and a recessed entrance to the den gives
to this room additional privacy that will
be found very desirable feature. The
den Is 1ox13 feet, and is so placed that
it answers the purpose of den. library
or reception room, with plenty Of well
balanced wall space. The dining room.
15x15 feet. and the living room, 15x27
feet. occupy the entire east side and.
opening into each other. repeat the CO.
lonial detail used in the hall. Each has
a fireplace and simple Colonial mantel.
The piazza. at the south end, 12.6x24
feet is enclosed with glazed sash. which