davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-06-26

"7as made chairman of the COM
| n.ittee, with Rufus S. LuSk. presi
dent of the Operative Builders Asso-
citation of the District of Columbia.
and Horace w. Peaslee. chairman of
the committee on the National Capital
| of the American Institute of Archi-
tects, serving under him. This COM
mittee co-operated with Gertrude Nor
rison Fisher, engaged by The Star to
direct the demonstration.
Builders were invited to submit
suitable sites with the understanding
that the sites would be chosen &C.
cording to their desirability for the
purposes of the demonstration. There
were more than 80 sites offered by as
many builders and, after a week of
inspection on the part of the super
visory committee. the nine sites were
chosen. They were chosen. not ac-
cOrding to who submitted them, but
according to their desirability for the
purpose for which they were intended.
Nine Architects Named.
Immediately the sites were chosen
the local chapter of the American In
stitute of Architects. through a spe-
cial committee, named the nine archi-
tects who were to design the houses.
They were Robert Beresford, Victor
Mindeleff, j. Wilmer Smith, Gilbert
l.. Rodier, Percy c. Adams. Ward
Brown. Louis Justement, Delos Smith
and w. Fl. 1. Fleming. At the same
time the names of the owners of the
sites chosen were announced as w. c.
and A. N. Miller, Cafritz Construction
Co. Stambaugh Construction Co..
Walter DUNCAN, Walter Vaughn. c.
II. Small. l.. E. Breuninger & Sons.
Hedges & Middleton and Ruby Lee
Minar.
A conference was Immediately
called and the architects and builders
held a conference, one among the
many that preceded the actual COM
pletion of the model homes plans. At
these conferences both the builders
and the architects were in accord
that the demonstration should really
reflect to the public the result Of the
combined experience of years Of train
ing and the very best and very latest
development of the construction in
dustry, so that the houses would not
only be INTELLECTUALLY attractive, but
would be practical as well.
Most Useful Designs Taken.
The houses are not intended to be
the most beautiful produced, but
rather q combination of practicability
in the interior design that will tend to
make easier and more comfortable
living conditions and at the same time
an architecturally attractive exterior
that will, IL used as the basis for other
developments, serve to start the resi-
Dental appearance of the city further
toward the ideal
The architects commissioned to de-
sign the houses also agreed to submit
their plans to an architects advisory
council for suggestion and approval.
This council, composed also of mem
bers of the American Institute Of
Architects, was composed of MIR.
Peaslee, Albert I. Harris, municipal
architect; Henri de Sibour. Fred J.,
CONTINUED on Thirty,second PageJ
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-06-26
SIX OF MODEL HOMES ARE READY:
TWO FURNISHED FOR INSPECTION
Three Remaining Houses i'm The Stars Demonstra
ton Are Nearing Completion and Will Be
Open for Those Who Care to See Progress.

Six of the nine ideal home prof.
ects fostered by The Star in the
better homes demonstration are COM
pleted and will be open to the public
tomorrow. All six of these model
homes will be open for inspection
from 10 am. to 10 pm. tomorrow
and thereafter until the close of the
exhibit.
Two of the six houses will be fully
furnished and the four others will be
completely equipped with interior
fixtures and decorations by the lat
ter part of next week. The remain
ing three of the nine model resi-
dences will be ready within a short
while. Two of the uncompleted ones
are the largest houses in the plan,
and the other undertaking was held
back for some time, owing to sewer
age connections.
The six projects that have been
fully completed will give the gen.
eral public an opportunity to study
houses of vastly varied types and
styles. Every effort has been put
forth to encourage those interested
in visiting these homes. Competent
men will be in charge of each prof.
ect to explain their structural and
architectural features fully.
Six Projects Completed.
The six projects fully completed
The colonial detached model house
at Thirteenth street and Alaska ave
nue., erected by l.. T.. Breuninger
& Sons, and designed by Victor
Mindeleff. This house will also be
completely furnished by w. b.
Moses G. Sons for inspection tomor-
row.
The Virginia model home. in Lee
Heights, Va, erected by Ruby Lee
Minar and designed by Ward Brown.
The Maryland detached model
home at Wynnewood Park. near Sill
yer Spring, Md. designed by Percy
baugh Construction Co. This house
has been furnished by the House &
Hermann Co.
The semi detached group at Thlr-
teenth and Upshur streets northeast.
built by Walter Vaughn and designed
by w. II. l. Fleming.
The model row house group at
West Virginia avenue and Queen
street northeast, erected by c. II.
Small and designed by j. Wilmer
Smith.
The model row house group at Fifth
and Decatur streets, designed by
Louis Justement, and erected by the
Cafritz Construction Co.
Three Others Progressing.
The three other model homes that
are not quite fully completed will also
be interesting projects to visit. as
they are near enough completed to
give an adequate idea of what they
will finally be, and also offer an OPP
portunity for interested persons to
gain first hand knowledge of good
residential construction beneath the
surface Of the wall paper, the plaster,
etc.
These three houses. which will be
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-06-26
Differences to Be Noted.

Since the basement is a fruitful pro-
Queer of fires, it is we'll to apply meas
ures of fire stopping above this sec.
ton of the house. Unquestionably
the best way of doing this is to con-
truct the first floor of materials which
have high value as fireproofing. A
concrete floor slab serves this purpose
most excellently. *
II the cost Of this is beyond the
means Of the home builder. effective
results may be obtained by ceiling the
under side of the first-fioor joists. For
this purpose plaster board may be
used or else plaster on metal lath.
Conclusive evidence has shown that
when these materials are properly ap-
piled they will resist fire for a long
time-much longer than is necessary
for the fire, lshters to get on:the job
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-06-26
INTEREST IN MODEL
HOMES IS GREAT.
People Sending Inquiries
From Other Cities-Expect-
ed to Start Movement.
BY GERTRUDE MORRISON
FISHER,
Director Star Model Home.

II.
That Washingtonians are great
home-builders and home-lovers needs
no demonstration. Yet every new sign
of this fact is a tremendously ex-
hilarating thing. The interest shown
in the nine model homes sponsored
by The Star is a manifestation of this
truth. From a hundred miles around
Washington folks have been sending
in letters asking questions about 1t,
seeking information-with their own
homes in mind. OF course that means
only one thing, that in the course of
time Washington and adjoining States
will have more beautiful, more con-
venient. more inviting homes.
The. enterprise attracting so much
nine houses, the best that present day
art Of material making, of masonry
and joinery and architectural inspira-
ton can produce for the particular
sum of money each must necessarily
sell for-all this to the end that these
houses will stand long for inspection.
testifying in wordless eloquence of
what can be done by way of house
making in the National Capital.
Doors Open Tomorrow.
Some Of these houses are finished
and tomorrow morning their doors
Will be thrown open to all those who
wish to come and see. These houses
grown there. but he who is Interested
need not await the completion of
those still In the process of construc-
ton and still surrounded by the de-
bris Of building to see that something
extraordinary is afoot. There is an
air of fine proportion. there is a look
of harmony, a balance in the. setting
OF each house, both as relates to it's
own immediate surroundings and the
other houses in the vicinity
Undoubtedly these houses, will in
spire a myriad of questions. They
are objects of a lively and increasing
interest. He who sees them will be
impressed according to the tissue of
his spirit and the nature of his inter-
est. Many will wish to know the cost,
the size Of the lot, or lots, the rela-
tionship of the materials used to other
materials, and whether the builders
and architects. for any consideration
whatsoever, would build perfect du-
plicate of any one Of them anywhere
else.
To all these questions there will be
fuu answers from the proper sources.
It will be made known to them that
wish to hear - what houses such as
any one of these are worth; what
materials they are made of and why;
the amount of ground each one takes
with it, and the reasons why a greater
amount would be unnecessary and
smaller amount unfortunate.
Standing behind the nine houses in
the nine selected parcels of ground is
Continued on Thirty-second Pagel
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-06-26
DEMONSTRATION HOMES POINT
WAY TO INDIVIDUAL OWNERSHIP
Exhibition Drawing to Close So Far as Erection of
Houses Is Concerned-Benefits Are
Pointed Out.

Inc model homes demonstration
sponsored by The Star is rapidly draw
ing TO completion so far as the
erection of the houses is concerned.
In undertaking this project The
Star did so with two purposes in mind.
One. to encourage hoine ownership
In the National Capital on the part
OF that large number OF citizens who
are of moderate means. and, secondly,
to bring about the Identification of
Washington through the betterment
OF It's residential structures, partic-
ularly the small houses.
AT the outset it was realized that
there are thousands of people in the
District of Columbia who would be-
come permanent and substantial citi-
zens through the medium of home
owning if they received some en-
enlargement in this direction. Many
who desired to buy a home the cost
of which meant an investment Of
lifetime savings hesitated because of
their lack Of knowledge about what
to look for in well designed and well
constructed house. The demonstration,
therefore, was partly to indicate to
these people through actual houses of
various types the very best that could
be expected in popular style houses
in the District ranging from row to
QetacneU structures.
Houses of Moderate Cost.
Houses of comparatively moderate
cost naturally form the bulk of homes
in Washington and will continue to be
the largest group erected in the
future. These residences, therefore,
win more or less mold the architec-
tural development of the city, and in
accordance with their standards of
beauty the city will reflect it's own
attractiveness. The Star by this
demonstration endeavored to bring
about a greater realization among
those engaged in and responsible for
the development of the city and the
public of the importance ~ creating
beautiful residences of moderate size
and cost as we'll as houses of more
pretentious size, and set standard
that might serve as a guide to the
Identification of the Nationals Capitals
residential sections.
Architects, builders and public Of
f1cials quickly seized upon the prof.
ect as means by which they could
cooperate and work together for the
betterment of their own community.
AS a result OF the demonstration, archi-
tects, builders and officials combined
in measure that has been hereto
fore unknown in architectural and
building construction circles.
Pet Schemes Sidetracked.
Every builder and every architect
threw away his personal ideas and
pet schemes, set aside his pride to
make q group study of the entire
undertaking SO that the experience of
all those who are taking part in the
undertaking might be utilized on
every project.
A body, termed the supervisory
committee, was formed to be the head
of the undertaking. This committee
was composed Of three men, one
public official, one an architect and
one a builder. Former Engineer
Commissioner Raymond A. Wheeler
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-06-26
FIRE PROTECTION
IN MODEL HOMES
Every Precaution and limo
walton Provided for Houses
as Result of Study.

Every preoaution and. innovation
has been provided to make the houses
erected as part Of The Stars model
homes demonstration as near fireproof
as possible. Thorough study of fire
prevention methods and materials has
been made.
There is no such thing as an abso-
lutely fireproof building, for almost all
| materials are harmed to some degree
by fire and smoke. But buildings can
be made nearly f1reproof. 1t is pos
sible through giving rigorous attention
to the laws Of f1reproof1ng to avoid
general conf1agrations, such as have
devastated great areas Of many large
cities.
When these laws are applied to the
building of small homes there are
complications that come from consid-
Grafton of cost. Much can be done to
confine fires once they have started.
so that they may be extinguished be-
fore they advance far through walls,
floors and partitions.
Outside Walls Obviously Safer.
1t is obvious that outside walls Of
masonry are much more fireproof than
those Of wood. In districts where
building Is congested and homes must
to build walls of any other material
than masonry, and roofs must be fire.
PROCEED as well.
The advantages of outside walls of
masonry are not limited to congested
areas. They certainly stand first from
the f1reproofing point of view under
any conditions, but even where the
outside walls of houses are Of this
type, there are the inner partitions
of wood, which should be so devised
that fire cannot gain much Roadway
in them. If the outer walls are of
wood, protective measures are neces.
sary here also.
/ Unstopped spaces between Wooden
joists and studs serve as flues
within which fires that have started
from defective wiring or other causes
often extend widely before they are
found. Smoke Is carried up these
fiues to the attic, often without it's
being seen until too late to stop q de-
structive conflagration. Obviously, It
is worth while to stop off these places.
Something may be done in this way
by mailing blocks across the, beam
ends where they bear on walls and by
introducing at critical points in the
wall some uncomfortable materials,
such as mineral wool, plaster, con-
crete or brick masonry. IS
Strips Of Metal Lath.
One of the best methods is to bend
in strips of metal lath at these points
so as to form loops or baskets, within
which the incombustible material may
be carried. The cross blocking or
bridging between studs serves not
only to brace the construction and
thus to make such walls much more
rigid. but is an effective method of
stopping the upward progress Of Ere.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-06-26
P0RCHES ADD COMFORT.

Visitors to the model house at
Wynnewood Park, Md, near Silver
Spring, will see typical Maryland
suburban home.
The manner in which the upstairs
back porches have been inclosed SO
as to become a part of the house and
yet remain a part of the general beau.
tiful architectural effect is worthy of
particular note. These porches give
ample opportunity for fresh air at
night and protect the sleepers from
the ratp. and NiQds .''.'.-'..'.'...
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-06-26

Georgian
Virginia
Tirtyffh
s.
Heights Semi detached Thirteenth
Maryland model house WynneMO0d Park Silver
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-06-26
BY COL. JOHN w. OEHMANN.

BY COL. JOHN w. OEHMANN.
Building Inspector of the District of Columbia
1t is sign Of healthy growth when
a community will organize and foster
q movement to carry out a scheme of
instructive home construction on a
ing thousands Of dollars, such as The
Stars demonstration. 1t takes more
than an advertising scheme to con-
summate such an undertaking by a
group of individuals all interested in
building construction, but from di.
ametrfcally opposite directions, the
one concerned mainly with altruistic
attachments and safe construction
while the other strives to guarantee
beauty and safety. but not overlook
ing the all-important item of financ-
ing. Safe construction Is necessary
and more easily attained than indi-
vidualistic beauty and design.
Such Is tho motive behind The
Stars model home development, not
concerned nor restricted to any one
neighborhood or with any particular
type of house. All the usual types
Of dwellings are involved, and the diff.
ferent types and styles are most in
tereSting and show patient study and
splendid architectural qualifications
in their accomplishment.
The completely detached type Of
the roomy, restful home, the semi
detached and the familiar and reliable
row houses are all represented.
Differences to Be Noted.
But what difference is to be noted
in their general appearance and in
terror arrangements. Infinite care in
design Is evident throughout, careful
selection and combinations Of the
various building materials make for
general harmony. and finally the fact
that the mechanics had even entered
into the spirit, for there is everywhere.
Indications Of greater care and more
precise attention to the little things
that make the whole perfect. Not
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-06-26

zone trouble with this country is
that the ideas Of so many people
explode, notes the Aitamont Times.
Evening star., 1926-12-18
CAPITAL HOLDING SIXTH PLACE
IN CONSTRUCTION FOR YEAR
Eleven Months Show Total of $60, ,652, 800,
Slightly Under Figure for
Same Period of 1925

100000, 900, or about on the same level
as last year, will account for more
than 6 per cent of the Nations total
building. Gains of considerable con-
sequence also are indicated in De-
troit. San Francisco, Newark, Pitts
burgh. Milwaukee, Seattle, Albany
and Buffalo.
Many of the suburbs of the larger
cities have. made remarkable records.
Yonkers and Mount Vernon, n. Y,
are included among the Is leading
building cities. The latter led the
country in point of increase, with a
gain of 1O1 per cent. Notwithstand-
ing various disturbing factors in Flor
ida, Miami occupies eleventh place
| among the building cities of the Ma
| ton, based on the years records
! so far.
About one-half of the building opera
tlons OF the country have taken place
IN the 70 principal building centers.
Ihese 20 cities, as a group, have a
loss for the year of per cent.
The figures reported from the entire
country indicate that the curve of de-
cine is much sharper now than it has
been for any time during the year In
4S1 cities reporting, November permits
were $301 ,6O1 $50, compared with $751;
048,7S5 in November last year and
with $405, ,212,8 1874 in October this year.
The loss from last November was IA
per cent and from October 81 per cent.
Evening star., 1926-12-18
BIC DELEGATION
WILL co TO MIAMI
Largest Capital Representa-
tion Expected to Attend
Real Estate Convention.

Indications are that the Washington
Real Estate Board will have the
largest delegation at the Midwinter
meeting of the. National Association
of Real Estate Boards in Miami next
month that it has ever sent to any
gathering of the National Association
So far approximately 40 members
and their wives will leave Washington
Saturday, January s, by special cars
The arrangements are being ham
died by a committee consisting of
Theodore NJ. Judd, chairman; Waverly
w. Taylor, jr.; Karl +. FARRELL, Percy
RI. Russell, Clarence +. DOnohoe, w.
c. Miller and II. Clifford Bangs. In
formation may be gained from any
member of this committee or James
p. Schick, executive secretary of the
board. Hotel arrangements and travel
accommodations will be taken care of
by Mr.. Schick. and the committee. The
convention will take place January
II to IA, and the following is the
official program:
Tuesday January 1880 am,
board of directors meeting;fs pm,
entertainment.
Wednesday, January 12-10 am,
general business session; pm, eight
divisional conferences; s pm. enter
tainment.
Thursday, January 1910 am,
general business session; pm, eight
divisional sessions; 8 pm, entertain
ment.
Friday, January 14-9 am, general
business session; IL am, trip to Miami
Beach for luncheon party; 2 pm, gen
eral sightseeing trips in and around
Miami; 7:30 pm, annual banquet.
The divisional meetings, which will
take place Wednesday and Thursday
will deal with every phase of the real
estate industry in detail and a number
of important matters will be taken up
at the January business session each
day.
Besides the social activities incident
to the convention itself, a number of
post-convention trips have been
planned which will take some of the
local delegates to South and Central
American countries. Cuba and on an
inspection trip of Florida.
Evening star., 1926-12-18

S2.410.576.7s1 S2,477.433. .O95
Evening star., 1926-12-18

Washington is running sixth in com
parison with other cities throughout
the country in building construction
for the II months Of the year. With
total of $50, ,652 $50 for the period from
January l to November 80 of this year,
there is a decline of $685. shown
from last years figure. However,
with the squirt evidenced during the
first part of this month. construction
activities here probably will be
slightly ahead of the peak record of
last year.
New York City, Chicago, Detroit,
Philadelphia and Los Angeles are the
only cities which are ahead of Wash
ington. Baltimore, the nearest large
city, is $20,000,000 behind the Capital
thus far.
A loss of approximately $500, 900 900
in building operations throughout the
United States for the year 1926 as
compared with 1925 is indicated from
reports of building permits issued in
the leading cities and towns of the
country and made public yesterday.
These reports, made to S. w. Strauss
& Co by the various building depart
ments revealed losses in the aggre.
gate of approximately 5 per cent.
While the reports for the current
month are not yet complete, it was
pointed out that there is nothing in
the situation to show that they would
appreciably change the years build
ing losses as now Indicated and it is
expected that the Nations 12 months
building program will approximate
Sc 200, ,000, 900, as compared with
Sc, 500 600, 900 last year.
While the loss in building opera
tions thus runs into a large amount
in the aggregate, the slowing down
processes now at work are not of suf-
ficient consequence to prove a dis
turbing factor, it was said. In many
of the larger cities, the Straus' figures
show activities slightly ahead of last
year. Building operations in the five
boroughs of Greater New York are
expected to exceed 81 900, 900, ,0O0
which means that about one-siXth of
all the building of the United States
is now within the confines of New
York City. Chicago, where building
operations will this year run close to
Evening star., 1926-12-18

on the third % feet and 10 per GEN.
on the back % feet.
If the improvements on ground
being appraised do not produce In
come equal TO the fair rate Of interest
on the ground. then the value OF the
improvements are worth nothing. lie
stressed, however, that all rules are
subject to the common sense re-.
which must necessarily take in all
sp, 'ial circumstances affecting par
tiCu: lr property
In speaking of the value of improve
ments that usually represent the
reproduction cost less Il fair depre-
citation from the time built. fair
depreciation is largely a matter uf
opinion and consequently varies.
In appraising apartments 1t IS
properly arrived at by multiplying the
income received by six or six and one
half. Mr.. Beale stressed. however. that
| regardless of all rules and regulations.
appraisals are, after all, a matter of
opinion, in which it is hard to prove
| whether a person is right or wrong.
He stressed, however, the necessity
| that appraisers be honest in their
| opinions after careful examination.
| In order to properly carry out ap-
| praisal functions he urged that
| appraisers keep in touch with develop
ment, the trend of the market, trend
| Of the neighborhood and sales, and
| all development which affects the real
| estate situation. He advocated the
| exchange of opinions and consulta-
| tions between real estate men in order
| that a roundabout study of general
| locations might be arrived at and
| form basis of a general topic.