Evening star., 1934-10-06
OWNERS OF HOMES
CHECK CH|MNEYS
Approach of Winter Brings
Increasing Requests
to r. H. A.

Following record breaking Autumn
rains in many sections OF the country
and with Winter storms Just around
the corner, thousands of home owners
throughout the country are making a
sharp check k-up of their chimneys
it is indicated by hundreds of letters
received by the Federal Housing Ad-
miniStratiOn.
While inquiries have from the be-
ginning of the better housing program
run heavily to questions regarding
leaky roofs the approach of Winter
has brought substantial increase in
requests for information regarding
chimney repairs.
Whether we'll or badly constructed,
such fiueS, neglected. over a period of
years, lead to moldy and leaky
roofing about them, to damaged in
terror walls and damp Easements, in
which heating and plumbing appar-
atuS ruStS and rapidly deteriorateS,
making work for the plumber and
interior decorator as we'll as the
mason and roof repair man-and
added expense for the home owner.
Many Seek Data on Loans.
Many property owners, writing for
further information on the Federal
Housing Administration moderniza-
ton credit plan, seek information on
loans running from S100 to 5000 for
the repair Of chimneys and roofs.
Others want loans as high as S400
and $500 for such improvements,
stressing the point that chimneyS
have cracked and need rebuilding,
caves are pulling away from the
dwelling, cutters and doWnSpOuts need
replacement and that they wish
to re-roof with patented flreproof
shingles and tiles carrying guarantees
of long service.
With the approach of Winter there
Is a leSSening demand from the Mid
lie and Far West for funds with which
existing water supplies may be aug
mented. The appeals for loans for
the modernization of irrigation mc-
chinery, such as improved pumping
apparatus, has dropped sharply in re-
cent weeks, the drought in many Sec
tions having relaxed its grip. There
continue, however, many inquiries re-
garding the application of such loans
to the deepening of existing wells,
many of which failed during the dry
period of the Summer
Farmers of the Midwest in steadily
increasing numbers are taking advan-
tage of the opportunities offered them
through the modernization credit ma
chinery. Homes, barns and other
units of the homestead are rapidly
hniYo in nrdor of flor in in
stances. five years of enforced neglect.
Concrete feed lots and Silos are re-
ceiving special attention as the partial
failure of crops makes conservation of
feed imperative
More Wives Inquiring.
State headquarters of the various
better housing campaign committees
report a growing number of inquiries
concerning modernization projects
from farmers wives. Manufacturers
of various types of farm equipment
such as are eligible under the terms
of the Federal housing act are adding
TO their sales forces and are reporting
improved trade as the farmer comes
into fuller appreciation Of just what
can be done under the measure.
This surge forward is more notice
able in the Northern tier of States,
where Winter comes more swiftly,
grows more severe and lasts longer
than elsewhere, manufacturers report.
In % of the 48 States of the Union
a mean temperature of 80 dcgl ees
holds for upward of five months of
each year and the property owners of
these States are reported rushing
through long-neglected repairs and
improvements.