Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-12-28
STUDIES OF coming
MADE BY BUILDERS
Work Has Resulted in Major
Changes Being Recommend
ed to Authorities.

Outstanding in the work of the Op-
erative Builders Association during 1925
wore technical studies of coming prob
lens, resulting in recommendations &c
District authorities for major changes
lns the code: apartment vacancy and
housing surveys, made as guides to new
construction: recommendations concern
ing administration of the building de-
paftmentS of the District government
and cooperation with The Star in the
annual model homes program
Major attention has been directed BY
the association to coming matters, and
Rufus S. Lusk, the executive secretary
OF the organization. was sent on a tour
or nine cities to make study of coming
administration and effects in those
places as the basis of suggestions for
changes in the local code.
The association has recommended
SpecI1caIy that the zoning Office have
proper StaH to carry on its work and
that a coming board of adjustment
should be created. The proposals have
been Endorsed in principle by several
trade and civic organizations and by
the coming advisory committee.
Not Passed Yet.
At the request of the association the
Zoning Commission granted a hearing
on the amendment to permit the in
stallation Cf garages in apartment
houses without the present necessity of
obtaining consents of adjoining prop
ertY owners. In first commercial areas
this plan was adopted, but owing to q
clerical error it has not been passed as
yet, for apartment houses.
The association now is endeavoring
to;,get hearing to permit the erection
OF. 9O-foot buildings in the 60-foot
height area by having the building
cover less ground and thus increasing
but, slightly the bulk of buildings upon
the lot. This would give far more de-
sirable buildings from the standpoint
OF the builder. investor and renter, and
would also afford more light and air to
surrounding property. 1t is commended.
The statistical work of the association.
In reference to building, is beginning to
be-known outside of Washington. In the
recent survey Of vacant apartments the
Department of Commerce observed the
mechanics of gathering the information
with the view of using its best points
tor establishing a standard system to be
used in other cities.
- Ask Reorganization.
District authorities were petitioned
TO reorgani2e the departments so as to
facilitate the transaction Of business at
the District Building. This NAV not
De possible in the present building, but
co-ordinating committee consisting of
the, various department heads has been
appointed to work out plans for the
proper placing of departments in the
new Municipal Center, it is stated.
In cooperation with The Star a model
home demonstration was given last
Spring, in which six homes of various
types in different parts of the city
were built by members of the associa-
ton. This demonstration was success
from the standpoint of exemplifying
better architecture and awakening the
interest OF thousands of people in home
ownership.
The officers of the association are:
Monroe Warren, president; Waverly
Taylor, vice president, and Rufus S.
Lusk, executive secretary.
Members Of the association are: Beer
q Scholz, l. E. Breuninger & Sons,
Cafritz Construction Co., Cooley
Brothers, j. z. Douglas Co., Walter A.
DUNCAN, Goldsmith & Keller, Kennedy
Bros. Co.. Harry A. Kite, Inc; w. c. &
A. N. Miller, North Washington Realty
Ce.s Inc; William S. Phillips g. Co.,
H.L, Rust Co., B. F. Saul Co., Shannon
q 44chs Construction Co., Shapiro Con-
struction Co., Waverly Taylor, Inc;
Charles M. Wallingsford, wardman
Corporation. NJ & r. B. Warren and
W. Walter Vaughn.