davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The New York herald., 1922-04-09
To House $50 Families in
SO Astoria Apartments

1885 applications. at an estimated cost
of s9,739,s10.
1T is certain that the great impetus
that has been given TO home building in
Queens has been caused by tax exemp-
ton" said Commissioner Moore. but
the fact remains that the extension OF
the period for one year will bring about.
In my opinion just as remarkable results
as have the last few months. I have
this opinion as result OF the talks that
l have had with builders. They tell me
that tho prospects OF more favorable
conditions IN the material and labor
markets have encouraged them 10 lay
their plans for continued activity. They
say that they will not cease rushing
their building until the weather stops
them In the fall. They find also that
they are selling all the houses they
build because people have the money TO
spend for them. Work has been started
on at least 95 per cent. of all the appli-
cations which have been filed in this
office. I am sure that this condition will
be continued, and / expect the April
filings to be larger than were those Of
March"
The New York herald., 1922-04-09

The largest single housing project yet
launched in tho Borough OF Queers has
been started by the New York and AS
toria Land and Improvement Company,
which has filed plans for fifty five story
apartment houses to be erected in the
northerly sectiors OF Astoria on land
bounded by wolcott avenue. Lawrence
and Crescent streets. The structures
will accommodate $50 families and will
cost In the neighborhood OF s1,S0O,0 900.
The land Is owned by Congressman John
J. Kindred, and the houses have been
designed by McAvoy Smith, archi-
tects, OF Long Island City. The houses
are near the Ditmars avenue station OF
the Astoria subway extension.
Another notable housing project for
Astoria has been started by David w.
Keen, Brooklyn builder. who has filed
plans for 139 two story brick single
family houses on tract recently pur-
chased from the Rickert-Brown Realty
Company, bourded by Potter and Van
Alst avenues and Hallet street. The
139 dwellings Will cost. according to
official estimates, s695,000. These prop
critics are south OF the viaduct or the
He'll Gate railroad bridge and short
distance from the Arleigh colony Of sim
gle family houses developed by the Rick
ert-Brown Realty Company two years
ago
March was phenomenal month for
filing new building plans, according TO
Building Superintendent John w. Moore.
During the north the total applications
were 3,92f for new buildings to cost
$26,705,015. These figures do not In
clude applications for alterations and
additions. which will show an estimated
cost OF an additional s2,000,000
The totals for new buildings. both as
to number and estimated cost. for March
alone were larger than the entire totals
both for new buildings and for altera-
tions Of any year since the establish
nent OF the Building Bureau up to and
including the year 1919. In 1920 there
we're 5.13s applications, at mn estimated
cost Of s36,5o9.170. In 1921 there We're
eight months when the tax exemption
ordinance was operative. The total then
was ,901 applications. at an estimated
cost OF ss1 .663.s23
Not only has March been record
breaking month for the Queens Bureau.
but January and February were also re-
rnarkabie. In January there we're 1.07s
applications. at an estimated cost Of
.ALssS.ssos and In February thera we've
The New York herald., 1922-04-09

Proceedings looking to the removal of
the long lived Forty-second street IL"
spur nave developed an interesting sit
uation which may result in the tearing
down of the ugly old superstructure
witkant cent OF expense to the city
or to the property owners In the neigh
borhood. George McAneny. chairman OF
the Transit Commission, has voiced the
opinion that the placement OF the pillars
supporting the structure and the loca-
tOn Of the stairway In front OF the Grani
Central Station constitute entertainments
under the terms Of the franchise held by
the Manhattan Elevated Railway Com
PAM. - his opinion Is sustained by the
CORPORATION Counsel's office, authorities
declare, the railway company will find
it cheaper to demolish the spur than to
have the pillars set back to the side
walk line where they belong and to have
the stairway removed.
Pending the decision on this point the
city authorities, prodded into action by
the unceasing efforts of the Forty-second
Street Property Owners and Merchants
Association, have actually ordered the
beginning OF the condemnation proceed
sngs through which the damage due the
railroad for the tearing down OF the
spur will be fixed. The case has been
placed In the hands of Assistant Cor
poration Counsel Lamont and notices
or the proceedings have been printed
nn9 pasted up on the pillars of the
elevated structure. Edward w. For-
rest, secretary OF the association which
has led the fight against the offending
.etructure. hopes that the case may be
placed on the Supreme Court calendar
for the spring term, in which event the
rctual demolition of the structure by
next fall would not be impossible.
According to Mr.. Forrest the damage
10 the railway from tho loss of its
franchise will be borne by the property
owners In tho neighborhood affected.
This he confidently belieyea=yin- pot
The New York herald., 1922-04-09

In the last few years, however. Plain
field has undergone a transformation
and the spirit of enterprise has mani
tested itself. To-day many New York
business men are taking advantage of
the opportunity to acquire some of the
desirable building sites on the market
and in constructing their homes they
have found in Plainfeld models worthy
OF duplication.
The Plainfield Chamber Of Commerce
Us now determined to carry its message
Of opportunity to hundreds of home
seekers in the vicinity of New York. and
welcomes inquiries about the city. In
connection with its campaign 1t has con-
tracted for a booth at the "Own Your
Own Home" exposition which will be
held in New York at the sixty-ninth
The New York herald., 1922-04-09
May Not Cost City a Cent
to Move Unsightly l. Spur

amount to much because OF the fact
that the spur has been operated at a
loss for the last three years. In March,
1921. Mr.. Forrest declares, representa-
tives of the company testified before
Public Service Commissioner Barrett
that the operation OF the spur was cost
ing the company $4,000 year.
I'm view of the loud cry OF poverty
raised by Frank Hedley, president OF
Interborough," said Mr.. Forrest, 1T
seems rather inconsistent that the trac-
tion interests should continue to lose
$4,000 a year on the chance that the
court will award them big damages for
an obsolete structure. The railroad
company claims. OF course. to have paid
something over 100000 for easements
along the way. but In the meantime they
have had the use of the spur for many
years. The actual cost OF tearing down
the structure will be met by the city.
but this, I understand, will be more
than offset by the price received for the
salvaging of the material In the old
spur. Until the damages have been
fixed. however, the city will not vest
title in the structure. This course VIII
isrmit 1t to withdraw in case the amount
settled upon In the condemnation pro-
ceeding is excessive
So certain are property holders In the
neighborhood that the spur IL soon to
rass into the realm of "Reminiscences that
property values are already beginning
TO jump in the block between Third and
Lexington avenues, which has long dwolt
in the shadow cast by the sinister o. |
traction intruder. Real estate specu-
lators. always on the alert for oppor-
tunities of the kind, are said 10 be
silently slipping from one property
owner TO another. endeavoring to get
options on available sites. But the prop
crty owners in this block. which has
fardly known an important structural
Improvement In the last forty years, nrc
also alive to the changing situation. One
rtar,anr, Ihna.if thai Geor2a Ehrah xncaufly
The New York herald., 1922-04-09

Regiment Armory from April % to 80.
Representatives of the chamber will be
in constant attendance at the exposition
ond in booth 22 there will be an ex-
hibit of scenes illustrative Of Plainfield's
beauty.
The thriving Jersey town has been
dominated by spirit of enterprise
ever since 1898, when railroad promot-
era first visited the place and sought
financial assistance in the construction
of a railroad to connect with Elizabeth
port and thence by ferry with New York
city. At that time the village of Scotch
Plains nearby was larger than Plain
field and was offered the same oppor-
tunity to obtain railroad facilities.
Scotch Plains. however. did not respond.
and the early progressiveness of Plain
fields citizens resulted In the construc-
The New York herald., 1922-04-09

Painfeld Starts Vigorous Campaign to Swell Ranks Of
Its Home Owners--A1akes It's Strongest Bid for Metro
poltanites Who Are Tired of Flat Dwelng--E1ires
New York Expert to Devise Zonng Plan

Residents OF Plainfield, N. j.. devoted
to plan to expand a city of beautiful
homes are to-day breathing easier than
they did few weeks ago. The fear that
the residential sections OF the city would
be further developed without the guiding
hand Of modern laws and restrictions
has been allayed by the adoption by the
city government of new code of build
ing regulations and by an appropriation
of $4,000 to engage Herbert Swan of the
New York city zoning committee to
make preliminary survey for the adop-
tion of coming ordinance.
The Chamber of Commerce of the
Plainfelds Is an enthusiastic hacker OF
the zoning plan, and the organization
has appointed a special committee to CO.
operate with Mr.. Swan and the city gov
ernmenT in drawing UP tho zoning or
dinancc. Plainfield, like many other
suburban cities. is now being seriously
considered by hundreds of New York
business men as a future committing
home. and during the past year all pre-
vious building records have been
eclpsed Plans filed at the Office of the
building inspector SO far this spring in
dicate that Plainfield will be the scene
of even greater activity during 1922.
With a Mayor and city government
who are doing everything in their power
to add attractive features to an already
modern city. Plainheld--long known as
the Queen City of New Jersey-has been
summing up its attractive features dur
ing the past few weeks, and is now pre-
pared through Its Chamber OF Com
merce, to launch vigorous advertising
campaign in Greater New York, where
Plainfield citizens believe there are hun
dreds of business men who would vel
come an opportunity to locate a home
in a committing district with excep-
tional advantages.
Situated in the lee OF the famous
Watching Mountains, twenty-four miles
southwest of New York. on the Central
Railroad of New Jersey, Plainfield be-
1ieves its climatic, educational. moral
and social conditions are of such high
standards that the man with family to
bring up and educate will find It a most
agreeable place in which to locate. Sur
rounding Plainfiefd are many beautiful
short automobile drives into the noun
tain districts and the superior type of
residences can only be truly appreciated
by persons who have taken the time to
explore the city and its environs.
For long time some of the native
citizens unfortunately maintained an
imaginary Chinese Wall around the city.
The New York herald., 1922-04-09
OLD ESTATE IN NOROTON
SOLD TO DEVELOPERS

Minor ID. Randall OF Culver & Co. has
sold part Of the Weed property at Moro
ton. Conn. consisting OF forty acres. 10
a syndicate composed Of Roger Selden
and Charles u. Hoyt OF South Norwaik.
George Grant. Richard H. Golden and
Edward Hine OF Bridgeport. Tho prop
erty extends from the Post road and
Near Water lane to Noroton Bay, with
about 1900 feet frontage on the bay.
The consideration was about 100000.
This property has been held by the
Weed family for many generations, In
fact from the time OF the early settlers.
Fifteen houses will be built by the new
owners.
The New York herald., 1922-04-09

commuters enjoy over commuters 10
other centers who are forced to ust
the crowded subways.
Just recently former Mayor Frank
McNinch OF Charlotte. n. c., came to
New York as a member of the executive
staff of Community Service. In select
ing a place of residence he picked
Plainfield. At a recent Chamber of
Commerce dinner he told the following
story OF how he came to settle in the
Queen City:
II was impressed with the hearty
welcome extended to me as a newcomer
to your city, and I know that hundreds
OF others would be sufficiently i'm
pressed by such demonstration of
hospitality to come and live with you.
If you have never left your native
city for home elsewhere you don't
know what II means to receive the
The New York herald., 1922-04-09

Gus. have a total OF 100 miles OF paved
streets. and the sewer system In both
communities is complete.
For the New York commuter there
are four conveniently located local sta
tions within the limits OF the city and
the forty-three minute train service 20
New York. including ferryboat service, Is
an advantage which the city's 5000
The New York herald., 1922-04-09
AT THE JUNCTION OF CRESCENT AVENUE ,
AND NNATCHUNG AVENUE.

hearty welcome that my family and
myself had from you. I want to be one
OF you and TO help in spreading the
good name OF Plainfield everywhere. SO
that homeseekers will be directed here
to live.
with MY family. including four chill
dren in their formative years. I am
The New York herald., 1922-04-09
TO AUCTION FLUSHING LOTS.

A tract OF nlnety-three lots owned
by the estate Of the late ]. M. Cool
idge In the heart of Flushing and
Whitestone, l.. T.. will be sold at auc-
tion Saturday afternoon. April q, by
James g. Archer Of Jamaica. The
properties are near the handsome Flush
ing High School and the Old Country
Club section OF Flushing. They are
reached by the Long Island Railroad
and by buses and surface car lines
from, Jamaicas and Long island CitN :,
The New York herald., 1922-04-09
Owners Troubles Abroad.

New York landlords undoubtedly be-
lieve they are the most abused set OF
property owners In the world. Perhaps
they are. but Judging by recent reports
from Europe there are worse places to
own real estate than In little old New
York.
In italy. for Instance. a captain OF the
Fascist while attempting to occupy a
dwelling in Florence was attacked by
his own men. who turned out to defend
the domicile rights OF the old tenants.
This Is only one phase of the nationwide
conflict between landlord and tenant In
Italy. Tenants are defying the courts.
the Crown and tho world, and have re-
cruited a small private army 60 prevent
being ousted. Whenever the landlord
tries TO raise the rent they demo1ish the
building, or else eject the tenant who
submits to increase.
Vienna, Austria, In stirred up. over B
new lodging and building law which cer-
tain political parties are trying 70 put
into effect. The proposed regulation not
only forbids landlords giving eviction
notice to tenants, but does not allow
them TO raise rents. Moreover. II would
authorize the city OF Vienna 70 levy fam
tastically high taxes, so that persons
now paying 10000 crowns would be OBJ
llged to pay 100. 900 crowns TO the town
treasury This tax would be paid by the
tenant The lowest tax would be 100
per cent on a rent amounting TO 5000
kronen a year. and II would increase on
n surtax basis to 1000 per cent of the
rent paid. Rents arc now limited by
Jaw, and Il Is claimed that private inves-
tors would have TO get 500 times the
legal rate OF rent in order TO make II
profitable for them TO build homes,
German landlords received afother
lolt rocently dunn Tho Reichstag through
The New York herald., 1922-04-09
EnR rlAI -nAlEII IIlf.S

ton Of the railroad which Is responsible
for the Queen City's development to-day.
Plainfield's school system. its library,
its churches, civic organizations. golf
clubs, recreational facilities, police and
fire departments, are unexcelled in any
Suburban city adjacent to New York.
The city OF Plainfeld and the borough
of North PiainHeld. which are contigu-
The New York herald., 1922-04-09

They were on lower Broadway, walk
ing north and gazing intently upon the
improvements on both sides of the thor
oughfare One was obviously New
Yorker and the other a foreigner, pre-
sumably English.
There's the finest Office building In
the world" the New Yorker said proud
". pointing to a certain well known
landmark. Remarkable specimen OF
architecture, isn't it?'
Quite" agreed the other. Shifting
his gaze. the visitor inquired. What ~
that ugly structure opposite, PRISON.
NO" answered the New Yorker. half
apologetlcally, that is the old Federal
BuildIng--it Is to be razed soon" And.
as IL TO take his companions mind of
the monstrosity he had just seen he
pointed to the Municipal Building. say
ing, There stands as fine an office
building as has ever been erected by a
municipality"
a few moments, and then allowed his
glance TO wander over other improve
ments In the vicinity. He paid particu-
lar attention to the Astor Building and
the 'half-portion' relic OF the once ia
nous Astor House; also to several OF
the smaller structures on Park Row
After a few moments silent inspec-
tion and reflection. the visitor turned
TO the New Yorker and said. I'VE have
no improvements at home that compare
with your fine office buildings in size.
ccst or splendor. but neither have we
any buildings quite as ugly as some 4
have seen here to-day"
Promoting Home Ownership.
In Africa young men are compelled TO
remain single until they are 26 years Of
age. and cannot marry then II they do
not own their homes" II the United
States ever passes a law compelling men
10 own their homes before they take OUT
marriage licenses. many young woman
wilI have to give her intended" a
house In exchange for the engagement
ring II she hopes TO marry at all.
Spite Fence Legislation.
Introduction OF conflicting bills to
control the erection OF spite fences pro-
v.ded one OF che amusing incidents OF
the recent legislative session at Albany.
Tswn bills Eers-A s-Autroduccds each aiming
The New York herald., 1922-04-09
$500. 900 store Rental on B,wny.

Iichard i. Leo rented In the Hilton
building. 1891 Broadway, the northerly
store. 20 feet wide, to the Bouton's, Inc.
aggregate rental of 100000. Boutou's.
lca cream .,s...
The New York herald., 1922-04-09

satisfied with Plainfield's schools.
churches and moral atmosphere. You
have nearly everything that home city
needs, and the only other thing you
need Is to let the outside world know
K by advertising. A welcome to othess
like that extended to me will bring rs-
suits"
The New York herald., 1922-04-09

the extension OF the rent limitation laws
until April I. 1926. As result the real
estate investor has disappeared from the
German market entirely. and sales of
residence properties as well as business
buildings are recorded only when land
lord makes an unusual sacrifice. A
feature OF the new law bitterly opposed
by landlords provides for the establish
mcnt OF tenants councils empowered to
send representatives from each house to
participate in tho adjustment OF rents
and other matters.
The New York herald., 1922-04-09
List Undesirable Tenants.


To guide and protect real estate brok-
ers and owners In the renting and leas-
Ing Of property the st. Louis Real Estate
Exchange Is preparing a list of undesir-
able tenants located In the city OF ST.
Louis. Mo.
Tenants who have been sued for rent
dispossessed or who have moved without
giving notice are to comprise the list.
and the facts are to be provided by mem
bers of tho Real Estate Exchange In
asking assistance of the membership of
flcers Of the exchange stressed the point
that the proposed list of undesirable ten
ants is not to be blacklist, and the
members are not pledged to govern their
actions by the reports.
Housing I'm American Tropics.
Tropical America has been coming 70
the United States more and more for
building materials. housing plans and
even "Readicut' houses. declared o. c.
Gould In Architecture aud building.
There are several reasons. Advertis-
ing matter regarding factory built
houses has gone 10 every corner and
the makers have not been averse to or
ders from abroad In the region dis
cussed the number of Americans dis
posed TO turn TO their native land In
purchasing Is increasing. Large Amer
lean sugar enterprises, fruit companies
and other concerns have had to provide
houses for their employees. Latin and
other natives, partly with a desire TO
build with less liability to earthquake
damage. are turning to new methods OF
construction, and are initiating Ameri-
can huAAl1nG~
The New York herald., 1922-04-09
New York, Trysting Place
Of Beauty and Ugliness
BY THE ODD PARAGRAPHER.

to affect pending litigation and each OPP
rosed or supported by counsel on either
side. Amendment after amendment was
submitted and adopted or rejected.
When one of the bills finally passed
and became law, the situation was
found to be practically unchanged. The
old law required that n man must prove
that fence which interferes with his
light and air was erected maliciously and
with intent to injure. and the new law
has not modified this provision.
The New York herald., 1922-04-09
Promoting Home Ownership.
Spite renee LegisIation.

Introduction OF conflicting bills to
control the erection OF spite fences pro-
v.ded one Of che amusing Incidents OF
the recent legislative session at Albany.
T,wnz bills Eera-Anxod oduccds each aiming
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-01-29
PENN STATE CUNTS
FACE A BUSY WEEK

STATE COLLEGE, PA, Jan. 2S.-
Both the varsity and freshman bas-
ketball teams head for the western
part OF the State next week OH
trips that embrace so-called CRU
cial contests" with ancient rivals.
Particularly is this true of the Penn
State varsity who must meet the
University of Pittsburgh and Wash
!ngton and Jefferson on successive
nights. The freshmen have n three
game trip meeting Kiski, Pitt Fresh
men and West Virginia Freshmen.
All told, it promises to be an event.
full week for the cage teams.
With an entirely new combination
from last years champion quintet.
Coach Hermann's five has managed
to como through the preliminary
games in good shape, but the Pitt
contest on Friday night will be a
real test. The Panthers have their
best team in several years and were
only nosed out by Penn in an eXcit-
ing contest several weeks ago.
Since then, Andy Kerr's men have
shown steady Improvement, and for
the first time in several years, Penn
State will not be the favorite when
the two teams meet. N
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-01-29
RICHMOND BOY WINS
FAME AS A GYMNAsT
w. P. Ashbrook Is Stellar
Member of Springfield
College Team.
Especial to The Times Disatch.l

ISpcciai TO 'Inc Times Dtgatch.l
SPRINGFIELD, MASS. Jan. 2S.-
W. r. Ashbrook, Of 1901 Buchanan
Street. South Richmond. is making
good at Springfield (Mass.) College
az member OF the colleges star
heavy gymnas,ic team. which is
breaking all records by travelling
5000 miles to give twenty-five ex-
hibitIons this winter Ashbrook,
though only sophomore. has gained
position as one of ten regulars OH
the team. Last year he made the
second team rs a freshman.
A feature OF the work Of the
Springfield heavy gymnasts is the
participation by every member OF the
team in each OF the events on the
program, Each is an all around gym
mast who can perform equally well
on the horizontal and parallel bars,
the tumbling mat, the flying rings
and the other stunts in their roper
toire.
Ashbrook has been q member OF
the college second football team for
two years. He won positions on the
freshman swimming and baseball
teams last year and also wasmanager
OF the freshman track team. Other
college activities In which he has
figured prominently are the Interna-
tional Literature Society and the ad-
vert!sing committee OF the sophomore
class, of which he is chairman. He
formerly attended the Richmond
High School