The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-27
LOS ANGELES IS HAVING PAUSE IN
 UNHEALTHY BOOM
Since Jan. 1, 1921, Total Of 3948 New Sub
 Divisions Opened

LOS ANGELES, July 26.--Los An geles is pausing to catch up with her stride.
 To to the home-keepnig customer the foregoing statement is merely curious news item, but to those who have watched the growth of the wonder city of the Pacific coast, it is significant of forced adjustment.
 The boom is over. The pace was too fast. The returning tide, temporarily, equals the oncoming flood. While it lasted it was glorious gam | ble. Speculation seemed almost fool proof for a time. Fortunes were made in lots. A man might buy house, and before he could move in transfer it at a handsome profit. These transferances crowded upon each others heels in the escrow departments of the banks and trust companies and caused a conges- ton from which they are just beginning to emerge.
 Intemperate real estate subdivision | finally killed the goose that laid the golden eggs. The bean fields, the truck gardens, and the orange groves began to be encroached upon, with corresponding increase in the cost of local produce. From January 1921 to date 3,948 new subdivisions have been opened in Los Angeles county.
 Developed Novel Forms
 During it's later stages the fervid ac- tivity in real estate developed novel forms. One of the first departures from the thrifty own-your-own-hOme idea was the buy-your-own duplex or double. With two or three thousand to operate l nsA hxRxT lok for around $2,OOO and have built 6 double bungalow for say $S,OOO. Then he could live in one side and rent the other for enough to carry the invest ment.
 But as land became higher priced the duplex gave way to the bungalow court. In cOntravention of all sane fire hazard, but permitted by ordinance, this mon strous income proposition has flourish ed At first 100 or more feet of front age were devoted to the courts. With mounting values this frontage was squeezed more and more until 'now lots 50x150 are made to carry four, six, eight, and even twelve separate apart ments.
 More recently the own-your-own-- apartment or office type of building has come to grace the skyline. Always the idea has been to crowd more in come units on the parcel. Many of these structures represent the last word in luxury.
 Meanwhile the appeal to the small home-loving wage-earner went on. Lots were offered on the Ford plan-$3.7 down and $3.75 per week. Protected by absolutely no building restrictions, crackerbOx homes sprang up. The cheaper land such as arroya beds lent itself to this exploitation. With the re- turn of normal rainfall, absent for sev- eral years, the floor danger to such homes will be great.
 The stucco type of construction, run ming to the supposed Spanish models, has been the overwhelming favorite. When the rains come again the perma- hence of some of the more poorly con- structed edifices will be severely tested.
 Reckless School Provision
 One excellent incident of the bound less optimism has been the almost reck. less provision for schools. Within the past three years the voters of Los An geles have bonded the city for over $50,. 1 100000 for the schools. Of this amount i about $35, 100000 is now available for building expansion. Already provided with 200 elementary schools, 12 junior high schools, and 19 senior high schools, the program for the next tLree years calls for eight new senior high schools, ten junior high schools, anl no ele- mentary schools.
 To even stabilize her population at the present estimated figure of 1,050,OOO is a task calling for all that Los An geles has of honest inducement and abil- ity to fulfill. To do this she needs more water and more manufacturing. The water will be brought in time from the distant Colorado River. Manufacturing must be more carefully fostcred by the various civic organizations.
 So Los Angeles is marking time. Bankers report business 20 per cent be- low normal. It will do her no harm. The lure of her climate is still as strong as before.