Evening star., 1935-01-26
BUILDING OWNERS
OUTLINE PROGRAM
Sterilization Seen Neces'
sary in Renting Field.
Progress Reported.

Three major 0DJectlVeS were SCI dS
the goal of the National Association
of Building Owners and Managers in
1895 at the recent presidents con-
ference of the association in Chicago.
In the current issue of SkyScraper
MANAGEMENT, the official publication
of the national association, President
Frank S. Slosson clearly states these
objectives:
I'VE have" declared Slosson, three
definite objectiveS for l935-Stabiliza-
ton, taxation and labor.
I'VE must recognize the fact that
rentals have been reduced 25 per
cent to rs per cent, with an average
delinquency of II per cent most of it
apparently uncollectable. In addition,
our last vacancy report shows per-
centage of 1892. We must stabilize
our industry, both locally and ma
tionally, If we are to overcome these
conditions.
Those cities which have installed
stabilization machinery are in splen-
did shape, compared to those which
do not have local fair trade practices.
One of our major objectiveS in 1885
is the expansion Of Stabilization plans
to all member cities.
"On taxation we must be on the
alert to guard our interest. The
vast expenditures of city, State and
Federal Government are a cause of
concern to all of us. Proper valuation
for tax purposes and Federal allow
ances for depreciation and obso-
leScence in connection with income
it,1, TO
ters which demand our attention in
1885.
Labor Is Problem.
Labor, too, is a problem. Our
experience during the past six months
with overlapping codes, necessitating
our presenting briefs at AZ area hear
ingS in 20 cities, shows the vital
necessity of constant watchfulness.
1t will be recalled that Keith S.
McHugh, deputy administrator, in
reply to a question asked on July 2
by Lee T. Smith, industry adviser, re-
piled on July 5:
at is our opinion, therefore, that
a member of your industry having
been directed by the administration
to follow a specific course of action
to comply with the N. l. R. A, the
status Of such member who has
complied with these directions, name
ly. asserting to and complying with
the modified P. R. A, is just as strong
as if code had been approved for
your industry, and said member was
complying with such code
THE policing of these overlapping
codes and other labor problems is our
third objective during 1885"
In order to obtain bird's-eye view
of the outlook for 1885 in various sec
tionS of the country which would be
reflected in the ability of the asSocia-
Mclaughlin, editor of the paper, OBJ
tanned from industry leaders an ex-
preston of their views.
c. M. Turley gives us an insight
into the picture in st. Louis when he
states:
Occupancy during the year 1884
has shown some contraction, although
the losses to Office buildings have been
very much less than in the previous
three years.
Optimism Shown.
Will III lIlC
closing month of 1884 indicated that
budget allowance for Office rent was
still in the homeopathic class. but
strong desire was evidenced by tenants
to tie up leases for longer than simply
from year to year. This evidenced a
feeling on the part of the tenant that
1885 and future years would probably
show an increase in rental and desire
on their part to get under the wire
for as long period as possible"
Speaking of the Boston situation,
w. H. Ballard finds the lessons of the
depression will be helpful in 1885. He
says: THE experiences of the last four
years have given us all an opportunity
to realize how little we know about
the business of building management
II am sure that the lessons we have
learned will make it possible for us to
go forward through the year 1885
with courage to meet and solve
great many of the difficult problems
which our buildings have to meet. I
think the greatest lesson that has
been learned is that while real estate
and rental values do not huctuate as
quickly and as easily as merchandise
values, we must with real estate, as
with merchandise, realize that real
estate values are very largely subject
to the laws of supply and demand
I'm 1885, and in the years to come,
think we all have a wonderful oppor-
tunity to plan and build now better
buildings and offer to our prospective
tenants greater convenience and more
service than We have vet bnpn able To
offer, and all at no more rental than
they have been accustomed to pay
ing"