Evening star., 1925-06-07

This week there Is DelnS neiu III
Cleveland the eighteenth annual con-
vention of the National Association
of Building Owners and Managers.
To this convention have come owners
and managers of buildings from all
sections of the United States. In a
way it is what was known among the
old time Methodists as an experience
meeting.
Owners Of apartment houses, once
buildings and business properties are
given an opportunity to discuss their
problems with those who have had
long experience as owners or man
ayers of similar properties. BESIDES
the regular convention sessions there
are apartment house SESSIONS AT
which papers are read on various sub
jects of particular interest to owners
of this type OF property. The titles
alone insure a large attendance at
these sessions, some being as follows:
THE Efficient and Economical Main
tenance of Apartment properties
and What the Renting Public Want.
Then there are the group confer
ences, where are discussed the prob
lens of specialized buildings. such as
medical buildings and garages. Such
questions as typical layouts, plumb
ing requirements, rental rates ano
garage facilities are taken up and
every one is encouraged to ask the
question which has been special
bother TO him. In this manner many
owners and managers are able to avail
themselves of the experience of some
one else, and at the same time may
be in a position to assist in solving
the problem OF others.
New Operating Devices.
There is en- exhibit Of new operating
devices where may be seen all the
very latest ideas in the efficient opera
ton of large buildings. Perhaps the
owner is in the market for an In
cineratoi'-well, here Is the very latest
The National Association Of Build
ing Owners and Managers should not
in any way be confused with the real
estate boards. The former draws its
members from owners and managers
only, while the latter are chiefly con-
cerned with real estate brokers.
The association is divided into three
sections-office buildings, apartment
houses and business property. Each
has its own committees which study
every phase OF management OF such
properties and endeavor by co-opera-
tion to assist all members in obtaining
the greatest satisfaction for the least
money. 1t is pointed out that any one
can make a building attractive and
give efficient service If there is un-
limited money at hand. But In such
an instance the tenant Is the one who
pays in the final analysis. The prob
lem Is to make the tenant comfortable
and keep him pleased at as low a rate
of overhead as is possible. In this way
the owner may charge q reasonable
rate for his apartments or Offices and
I'll max fq fr- rsY>Df1t
Comparing Operating Costs.
Many methods have been devised by
this association. Every year is pub.
lished an office building and apart.
ment house experience exchange. This
covers every phase of operation. Ia.
bles are made showing the cost of
operating a building OF a certain type
in a particular location in one city
and the relative cost of operating a
similar building in a different city is
also given. In this way the owner OF
an Office building in Washington, D.
c., can compare his operating costs
with that Of an owner of a like build
ing in Portland, Greg. From the In
formation given relative to the owner
in Portland he may get some pointers
on managing his building more ef.
ficiently or more economically.
Ihen tnere Is the insurance com
mittee which is now making a stud,
of insurance rates. This committee
has found that only IL cents out OF
every dollar paid in premiums comes
back to the owners Of first class
modern fireproof structures, for fire
loss. 1t is consequently felt that the
rates are too high and an effort IL
being made to devise some method Of
reducing them. Some owners are
now using mutual fire insurance at 9
material saving.
One of the problems which have beer
taken up by several of the local as
sociations is the removal of ashes ant
trash from apartment and bushes,
properties, as well as from privat.
| households. by the city authorities
All are taxed alike and all should b,
| given equal service. The City IL
| Buffalo the apartment owners suet
J the city In. the Supreme Court ant