Evening star., 1934-04-21

metropolitan area.
Such a form of providing
projects would make possible
homes which would otherwise b
Machinery for the administrations
plan, it is understood, will be SUBJ
mitted for approval of Congress
shortly. Under it, billion and a half
dollars would be made available to
home owners of the Nation, in loans
from 5000 to $4,000 for property i'm
provements. Federal funds would not
be put up for the loans, but the
Government would guarantee them.
Would Spur Movement.
Coupled with the inducements of
The Stars $1,000 in local prizes for
better and more beautiful communi-
ties, and provision for widespread
employment in the building trades,
this development would automatically
speed up the movement which is al
ready gaining momentum in every
section of the Capital and nearby
suburbs.
Entrants in The Stars contest be-
come eligible for any one of IA
capital prizes, ranging from S25 to
$3.50 in each of two classes, which this
newspaper has donated to encourage
this movement for better and more
comfortable homes in the community.
With the great burden OF campaign
work being borne by civic groups who
have Fundamentally stepped in line
behind The Star in this competition,
the drive will continue through Sep
tember Is. Every home owner in
Washington and the nearby suburbs
of Maryland and Virginia is eligible
to compete.
Results, Not Costs, Count.
The amount of money spent will not
be a point of consideration in making
the final selections for the city-wide
prizes These selections will be made
by the Silver Star Model Homes Com
mittee sitting as a judging committee
to pass on the community winners
chosen by judges in each civic asso-
cations boundaries.
The awards will be made on the
basis of results, with Improvements
as to comfort, convenience, utility and
beauty figuring in the rating.
1t is accepted generally that there
are few occupations so fascinating as
restoring a home when it needs re-
pairs; remodeling it to provide extra
advantages and attractivenesS, or
renewing it when the old and out
moded features need replacing.
Perhaps it is a recreation room in
the attic or a play room in the base
ment that is wanted. The house may
need repainting, or a new roof; may
be a new color scheme in the living
room, with new curtains and wall
covering, will be desired.
New dormers and a slightly different
roof-line make unbelievable changes.
Sometimes the architect will advise
removal of the dormers altogether.
Perhaps the bath room or the laun-
dry could be modernized and brought
up to date, paying great dividends
in added convenience.
Air Conditioning Suggested.
Another suggested project is repair
or renewal of the heating system,
with insulation, air conditioning. au-
tomato firing. to go along with it.
The space problem is often an acute
one. and there crops up here the
opportunity of adding an extra room
or two.
There are a thousand different ways
in which the home can be made
more livable, more comfortable place,
and at the same time raise the stand
ards Of community appearance.
In taking the initiative in this
home modernization movement, The
Star Is motivated by desire only
to improve the appearance OF the
Capital City and to increase employ
ment. Primarily a campaign which
rests with the citizens themselves, the
plan has already demonstrated itself
to be q popular idea in the Capital,
and Is destined to succeed, this news
paper believes.
The total of $1,000 in prizes in The
Stars contest will be distributed in
two groups, as follows:
For homes valued at $4,000 and
less, first prize, $3.50; second prize.
500; third prize, $50, and four honor
able mention prizes of S25 each.
For homes valued at more than
$4,000, first prize, $3.50; second prize.
500; third prize. $50, and four honor
able mention prizes of S25 each.
Entries must be made on Better
Homes Contest blanks and accom-
panied by snapshots or photographs
of the subject to be improved. Later
a similar photo. taken from the same
angle as the first, must be submitted
to show the contrast of before and
after" remodeling. Entries should be
filed with the Better Homes Contest
editor of The Star. or with the presl-
dent of each citizens association.