Evening star., 1941-04-05
SHOP TALK
News About Builders
And Real Estote
Personalities
Personalities

The Washington Building Con-
gress, which held its fourth annual
dinner at the Mayfiower Thursday
night, has made amazing progress
since it was organized four years
ago. In point of membership and
influence it Is one of the largest
and most powerful busineSs-civic Or
eanizations in the Capital. It's
membership list Of nearly 900 boasts
many of Washington's biggest
names.
The first congress banquet was
held at the Cosmos Club III 1888.
Naturally, it was a comparatively
small affair 1t was hard for one
to realize that this infant" organi-
zation was giving the huge dinner
the other night. Approximately 725
persons were in attendance, includ-
ing leading men in national and
District affairs. The attendance
wasn't far below the number at the
Board OF Trade dinner, and con-
gress leaders say they will have
thousand at next years celebration.
All branches of the Washington
building industry are represented in
the congress. There are bankers,
architects. contractors, building ma
terials men, labor representatives,
Government representatives and
some home builders. During the
next year a big effort will be made
TO enlist more home builders IN the
organization, whose membership has
doubled with each passing year
-Four men are generally given
credit for the success, particularly
in the early days, OF the congress.
These men are Architects Arthur B.
Heaton and Theodore I. Coe, Con-
tractor James Reuben Skinker and
Materials Man Hector M. airing.
Mr.. Skinker is now president, Mr.
airing Is chairman OF the Board of
Governors and Mr., Heaton is vice
president. These men dreamed and
planned the congress well, but it's
doubtful II they thought the organ
ization would have the rapid growth
and quick success it has attained.
A great deal Of credit for success
OF the congress also should 60 to
Mrs. Gertrude Cleary, the "execu-
tive oflcer" of the group, and one
OF the three women present at
Thursdays dinner. Since the or
eanization was started Mrs. Cleary
has been the office force" publicity
agent, editor Of the publication, sec
retary and general handy man"
Her efforts TO put the organization
ION the map" have been untiring.
She is well liked by all in the build
ing industry.
Among those who worked hard in
planning the dinner were Claude w.
Owen, chairman of the dinner COM
mlttee and POSTMASTER at the affair;
H. A. Johns, ticket committee chair
man; James A. Cassidy, who ar
ranged an attractive entertainment
program: P. Y. K. Howat, publicity
chairman; Leon Chatelain and A. w.
Lee.
It's getting close to cherry blossom
time, and Donal Chamberlin, vice
president and treasurer of the Ken
neoy- -Chamberlin Development Co.,
has issued his annual invitation to
the public to visit Kenwood and
enjoy the beauty of the Towering
trees in that suburban community.
Last year some 10000 persons ac-
cepted Mr., Chamberlins invitation
and thousands of others tried to.
He has been promised that the police
will have the traffic situation we'll in
hand this wear so KenUood will he
able to take care of all visitors.
There are more than 1000 jap
aneSe cherry trees lining the miles
OF streets in Kenwood. Department
Of Agriculture experts have prom
ised" Mr.. Chamberlin the Kenwood
blossoms this year will follow very
close on the heels Of the trees at the
Tidal Basin. They should be at their
best in the next 10 days or two
weeks.
Something OF sales record has
been set in the last two months by
Boss & Phelps, realtors. George D.
Miller, director of sales, reports that
property sales made by his organi-
zation in February and March total
Se9S,220 in value. House sales make
up most OF this total.
Here's another huge housing de-
velopment for the Washington area.
Charles T. Wills, Inc, of New York
City, announces that plans are being
completed for the erection of 1000