Evening star., 1939-01-06
Building Contratts
Soar Above 1887
In Fifth District
November Total Shows
Rise Of go Per Cent
Over Year Ago
By EDWARD c. STONE.


Building contracts awarded in
the Fifth Federal Reserve District
in November were valued at $50 $685.
900 in comparison with S19,433, 900 in
the same month in 1887. gain of
80 per cent, according to the monthly
review of the Richmond Reserve
Bank which has just reached WASH
ington. Contract awards were also
8 per cent ahead of the previous
month in 1888.
The value of building permits in 81
cities in the fifth district was placed
at $6,729179 This was an increase
of per cent ever the same month
year ago and a seasonal decrease
of 20 per cent from October, 1888
Twenty-one of the 81 cities reported
increases in valuation figures, the
report said. The contract figures
were the highest for any month
since June, 1887, and the second
highest since June, 1880.
Nine contracts Of a half million
dollars or more each were awarded
in the fifth district in November,
the largest being s1,5OO00o for con-
struction of eight apartment houses
at Arlington, Va, and the second a
$1,250000 project for a hospital in
Washington Most of the large pro-
jects were for public buildings or
public works, the only large indus
trial contract awarded being one
for a tobacco manufacturing plant
at Durham, N. c., costing $500000
d. c. Employment Shows Gain.
The Richmond report states that
the number of people on District of
Columbia pay rolls showed Gain Of
16 per cent over october and there
was gain of l per cent IN the
amount of pay roll.
Registrations of new automobiles
in Washington in November scored
a % per cent rise over the previous
month, 2,123 comparing with l,74l
For the II months. the decrease over
the previous year was reduced to Al
per cent against drop in the whole
district of as per cent.
Sales in 80 department stores in
the fifth district were valued at
S10,185559 in November, o. Ner
cent from the like month in 1887.
At the same time sales of 1873 whole
sale firms were valued at Sl1 1853 900,
almost exactly the same figure as in
the previous year and down per
cent from October, 1888, the review
said.
Singer on Metropolitan Board.
Russell E. Singer, general man
ager of the American Automobile
Association, has been elected a di-
rector of the National Metropolitan
Bank. it was announced today by
Executive Vice President c. F. ia
cobsen.
Mr.. Singer is a very widely known
business man, has lived in Washing
ton for 20 years and is a native of
Pennsylvania. He came here during
the World War, entered the Govern
ment service, later was connected
with the United States Chamber of
Commerce until he Joined the A. A.
A. staff in 1924. Mr.. Singer was a
department manager and assistant
secretary before his selection as
general manager.
Mr.. Singer is particularly optimis-
tic on the future of Washington.
oif ic
portance as travel objective, he
says. This will be especially true in
1899, not only because the New York
World Fair will bring host O. pCo-
pie East, but because of the rapidly
growing number OF people coming
here every year from abroad. The
great interest developing in the ma
tional parks in the East is also be-
coming more and more important to
Washington business, he says.
Gas Dividends Declared.
Directors of the Washington Gas
Light Co. have declared the regular
quarterly dividend of S11212 on the
$3.50 accumulative preferred stock,
payable February 10 to stockholders
VI ISCOlu OdIludl O1.
The directors also declared a
dividend of 37l2 cents per share on
the common stock, payable February
l to shareholders of record January
IA, The last previous dividend was
80 cents a share. If continued
permanently the 712-cent increase
would raise the annual basis from
fn
statement has been made regarding
future dividend action.
Directors of the John H. wilkins
Co. have declared 4 per cent semi
annual dividend on the outstanding
preferred stock and a dividend of
Sl.50 per share on the outstanding
common stock, both dividends being
payable on January 16.
Hoffman Heads Insurance Firm.
Stockholders of the Firemen's In
surance Co. of Washington and
Georgetown, at the 102nd annual
meeting, reelected all officers and
directors. William H. Hoffman con-
tinues as president, with Edward c.
Baltz, vice president; A. w. Howard,
NASS ~ SoASASAll anu SCSl an.
Fitzpatrick, jr., and V. NJ Hoffman,
assistant secretaries.
Directors are Edward C. Baltz,
Millard T. Dixon, Raymond K.
Espey, Leroy Gaddis, Park A. Gale
her, William M. Hoffman, j. Logan
Hopkins, A. w. Howard, c. H. Kin
die, John H. Snyder, S. S. Symons,
Albert w Walker and James M
Woodward.
Agents Celebrate Fine Year.
Members of the Vernon w. Holle-
man General Agency of the Home
Life Insurance Co. of New York
held New Year breakfast at the
Lafayette Hotel Tuesday to cele-
brate the excellent 1888 results. The
agency showed a substantial increase
in production over 1887 and finished
L.