Evening star., 1934-05-02
BY VINCENT TUTCHING.

An additional inducement to mod
ernize and improve their properties
was set before home owners Of the
metropolitan area today by the WASH
ington Board of Trade in the form OF
a 500 cash prize. suppler,enting the
81 900 already subscribed by The Star
In its Better Homes Contest.
The additional award will be put
UP as q prize for the outstanding
landscaping improvement executed In
the Capital or suburbs during the
period of the Better Homes Contest,
which continues through Septem-
ber Is.
In appropriating the sum for q
landscaping prize, the Board Of Trade
commended The Star for taking the
initiative in a movement to beautify
the homes Of the Capital and at the
same time stimulate employment In
the building trades.
Many Improved Homes.
The trade body last year conducted
the "Renovize Washington" campaign,
which produced tangible results in the
way of additional construction, re-
pairs and renovation.
"Our campaign last year." Robert
]. Cottrell, executive secretary, said.
clearly demonstrated the good that
can be accomplished by inducing
home owners to improve their resi-
dences. Under the Craftsmanship of
Arthur B. Heaton, member Of the
American Institute Of Architects, we
conducted an intensive drive through
out the Spring and Summer months,
to the end that definite increases In
home improvements and moderniza-
ton were noted by the District
building inspector.
I'VE believe the time is even more
auspicious now than it was last year
to conduct a movement Of this kind
There is more money in circulation
business is getting better, and prop
erty owners feel more inclined to in
vest money to enhance the value OF
their holdings.
THE contest idea is a laudable one
and we are happy to be able to donate
a prize to such meritorius move
ment."
Four Add Endorsements
Announcement of the Board OF
Trades prize came as four leading
civic groups added their Endorsement
to the Better Homes Contest.
The Arlington County Civic Fedora
ton, at its regular meeting in the
Lyon Park Community House last
night, Endorsed the campaign after
hearing the plan outlined by Arthur
Orr. president of the federation.
Mr.. Orr last week was named chair
man of a Central Committee of cit
liens to sponsor the contest in Ar
lington County, at a special meeting
of presidents and representatives OF
25 civic associations.
The contest" Mr.. Orr explained,
SIS being carried on primarily through
the cooperation of local civic bodies,
although The Star is seeking the in
dorsement and moral support Of gen.
eral bodies, such as civic federations
Chambers of Commerce, Board of
Trade. etc. The District Of Colum-
bia Federation of Citizens Associations
has already Endorsed the movement
as well as the Washington Chamber
of Commerce and the Washington
Board of Trade"
The federation's resolution indors-
ing the contest was proposed by Hugh
j. McGrath, chairman of the Execu-
tive Committee.
Bethesda c. c. Joins.
Meanwhile, the Bethesda Chamber
of Commerce, at its meeting last night
in the County Building, voted to sup
port the contest in that section. A
resolution proposed by William Buck
ley, treasurer. and subsequently unani-
mously carried. follows:
Whereas The Evening Star is spon-
soring a worthy civic project by the