Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-09-07
BUILDING REGARDED
SECOND INDUSTRY
Speaker Declares ConStruc.
ton in District Only Sur.
passed by Government.

Building Is the largest private In
dustry in Washington, being surpassed
only by the Federal Government, L. T.
Breuninger of the arm Of L. e. Breu-
ringer 81 Sons, local realtors and build
ers, declared in radio address over
Station WRC Thursday evening. He
spoke of the romance of building,
citing instances to show how this In
dustry has captured the imagination
and services Of the youth Of the coun-
try.
Describing the opportunities for the
builder In Washington, Mr.. Breuninger
here in the past nine years equaled the
size Of the city of Syracuse or New
Haven. He spoke, in part, as follows
ITO have part In the development
Of Washington into the most beautiful
capital of the world-and President
Hoover says it will be-is indeed a
privilege In itself. To build buildings
which shall aid to the beauty of the
city is to be commended, and 1t brings
to the builder q satisfaction which re-
mains long after the cost is forgotten.
Washington offers many opportuni-
ties for the builder. AS the Capital OF
been making rapid forward strides since
the war. The growth of Its population
and the extensive Government build
ing program, which has already been
started, have resulted in large expendi-
lures for building construction. Some
clever chap has calculated that 1t takes
100000 worth of buildings to sup
ply the needs of every 100 new peo-
pie who come here to live. This is
something to think about.
During the past nine years the total
volume of private building, which OF
course does not include the Federal
Government program, has been 1920
100000 or an average Of $47,000,000 a
year. During this time approximately
1900 houses and individual apart
ments were built. This provided new
homes for $4,000 persons. In other
words, in nine years there has been
enough residential construction here to
build a city the size of Syracuse OF
New Haven
But what has been produced by all
, this expenditure Of money? Remember
building is quite a permanent thing
i It does not readily wear out. nor can
IL be iunked at the end of q year or
two. Even in the United States-this
fastest country of fast age-the aver
age life OF q home, or business build
ing, Is close to 40 years. Therefore.
when q mistake is made in the archi-
tectural beauty of structure, it
usually stands for a long time, and
the owners of such a building suffer for
many year because of the mistake, or
ignorance, of the builder or architect.
But those who have lived in Wash
ington for the past 10 years have no.
ticed the rapid strides in home design.
The public taste has improved and
there is q demand for attractive homes.
The day Of long rows Of homes Of the
same design, where finding ones front
door on dark night was no small
task. and the use of chart and &
compass almost necessity. is fast dis
appearing. The builder, who has the
best interests of Washington at hearr,
Is trying to build along more artistic
lines.
But aside from this private enter
prise. there is another program of
building in Washington-ttat under
taken by the Federal Government. 1t
Is the greatest Capital building program
ever undertaken by any nation. Close
to $200,000,00 will be spent here by
the Government during the next eight
or ten years. The buildings which you
now see going up at Fourteenth and E
streets, at the foot Of Eleventh street
and in the grounds of the Department
Of Agriculture are but the start. The
entire south side Of Pennsylvania
avenue, from the Capitol to the Treas
ury Building, ultimately will be de-
veloped.
ANY one interested in the growth OF
washington would do we'll to take a
few hours OF and 60 to the Corcoran
Art Gallery and see there the models
Of these new buildings, as we'll as the
perspective drawings and paintings,
showing how the Mall. the Lincoln Me-
mortal Bridge and the Union Station
Plaza will look within a few years
Only then will you realize just how
beautiful and magnificent is the plan
for this World Capital that is now be-
ing carried into effect right before
your eyes.
Now. such building program is 90