davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1952-08-31
Roxboro Homes

The builder of Roxboro Home:
at Rockville, Md, not only was al
lowed to cut corners on the Original
specifications, but received price
increases as well.
AS a result, the Veterans Admin
istratiop was asked to make q
house-to-house survey of the prof.
ect with a view to requiring the
builder to make justified correc-
tiOnS.
It was estimated the builder
saved from $400 to $500 a house
by making substitutions for ma
terials and workmanship origin
ally specified. The builder appar-
emily filed amended plans and
specifications covering the cheaper
construction, although the amend
ments could not be found in the
VAS files.
The committee surveyed the
first 20 houses completed of ap-
proximately 60 in the project.
The findings include:
The houses have asbestos
shingle siding and asphalt tile
roofs. The builder submitted plans
and specifications to the VA to
secure a certificate Of reasonable
value. and constructed q model
home according to the plans.
Prospective purchasers were
shown the home and told they
could buy one like it. Nevertheless,
there were many deviations from
the original plan.
The builder explained he had
filed the substitute specifications.
While these could not be located
at the VA. a copy of an acknow-
Judgement was found, indicating
that some sort of amended plans
has been forwarded to the VA.
II the builder did file the full
changes the VA should have cut
the prices Of the homes to make
allowances for the cheaper mater
ials. Instead Of reducig the price.
however, the VA granted a series
Of increases. z,
There is no contention that
Evening star., 1952-08-31

Ia circumstance whereby the seller
can withhold completion Of con-
struction except for a few minor
details and subject the purchaser
to pressure by continuing delay of
delivery.
This practice has been wide
spread throughout the Washing
ton Metropolitan Area, particu-
larly in those instances where the
purchaser had a firm commitment
on the total sales price and the
Veterans Administration subse-
quently granted price increase
to the builder or seller. Some
builders. upon securing a price in
crease from the Veterans Admin
istration, refuse completion and
delivery to the holders of con-
tracts with firm sales prices and
resort to various questionable de-
vices in an effort to intimidate
the purchaser and cause him to
break the contract.
In each instance, where a pur-
chaser abandons his contract, the
seller is then able to resell the
property, taking advantage Of the
price increase granted by the
Veterans Administration.
g.. None of the contracts exam
ined required the builder to notify
the purchaser of deviations or
alterations being made in the
house after the contract was
signed. .
Powerless Under Contract.
Investigations of the committee
disclose that most veterans closing
a purchase and occupying a new
home make an inspection Of the
property and submit to the builder
"a list Of items which are to be
corrected. The builder or. his
sales agent invariably assures the
home owner that these items viii
be corrected promptly; however,
most of the contracts examined
contain a clause which states that
any agreements not specifically
made part of the contract are not
binding on the seller.
In many instances. the builder
fails to make the corrections
which were agreed to verbally at
the time of the closing and the
purchaser finds himself powerless
under his contract to force the
builder to complete the house in
accordance with the verbal ar
rangement. In many cases these
items are minor in nature; how
ever. failure on the part of the
builder to make certain minor
corrections creates a yery Seriorls
Evening star., 1952-08-31
Civil Service Ratings,
Attractive Pay Urqed

2. The Congress. the Vet
erans' Administration and the
Civil Service Commission should
support a program which will
provide adequate civil service
ratings and appropriations suf-
ficient to attract competent pro-
fessional employees in the fields
of appraisal. land planning and
architectural design. The Vet
erans' Administration should
intensity supervision Of its ap-
praisal and compliance inspec-
ton systems.
3. The Veterans Administra-
Evening star., 1952-08-31
Excerpts From House Investigation Veterans ouno

The special House Committee
Investigating peterGns' housing
cited the tolloUing example of
confusion In construction deuia-
tionS in the Washington area:
Evening star., 1952-08-31
Ban Gift Acceptance

Would Establish CriterId,
Ban Gift Acceptance
6. Title III of the Service
mems Readjustment Act of 1914
should be amended to establish
criteria for the purpose Of
eliminating d conflict between
the personal interests of the
loan guaranty officials and the
interest of the Federal Govern
ment. This amendment should
specifically prohibit the accept
ance of gifts and gratuities by
Veterans Administration en-
ployes from persons doing busi-
ness with the Veterans Admin
istration and should limit the
outside activities of Veterans
Administration employees in
real estate activities, construc-
ton, and lending companies
when such activities tend to
conflict with the interest Of the
Government.
Z. The Inspection and In
vestigation Service should be
supported by the administrator
of veterans, affairs and the
Congress in inaugurating an in
spection program calculated to
prevent the development of
serious irregularities in the
operation of the loan guaranty
program.
8. Congress should give con-
sideration to waving the final
ity of determinations by the
administrator with regards to
payments under Title III of the
Servicemen's Readjustment Act
of 1914. Payments by the Vet
erans' Administration under
this title should be subject to
review by the General Account
ing Office.
9. The Veterans Administra-
ton should be given authority
by amendment to Title III Of
the Servicemen's Readjustment
Act Of 1914 to enforce its mini
mum standards for planning,
construction and acceptability
on all new housing sold to vet
Grams under q Veterans Ad-
ministration guaranteed loan.
Evening star., 1952-08-31
Jones Bridge Court

A typical example OF the con-
fusion caused by the Veterans
Administration approving con-
struction deviations which run
counter to the provisions of the
contract is found in a project
known as Jones Bridge Court
Chevy Chase, Md.
The project consists of II two
and three bedroom prefabricatod
houses. The sales contract used
by the seller and signed by the
purchaser incorporated a set OF
detailed plans and specifications
prepared by the manufacturer of
the prefabricated houses. These
plans and specifications contained
detailed drawings and left little
doubt as to the precise details of
the construction Of the house.
The plans and specifications
incorporated by reference in the
contract Aetween the veteran
purchasers and the seller required
6 inches Of 1-inch gravel under
the concrete slab. The concrete
slab was to be waterproofed.
The builder requested author
ization from the Veterans Ad-
miniStration to be allowed to
deviate from the plans and speci-
ficationS prepared by the manu-
facturer and made a part of the
sales contract with the veteran
purchasers. .-...
The Veterans Administration
granted verbal permission for the
deviation and later confirmed
authority for the deviation by
letter. The builder proceeded to
pour the concrete slabs on bank
run gravel, thus causing moisture
to rise through the concrete floor
and settle under parquet wood
blocks which were placed on tor
of the concrete slab.
There have been a total of nine
floors replaced in the subdivision
There have been as many as
three floors partially replaced In
one house. At the present time
there are many loose blocks and
the problem continues The
veteran home owners have filed
suit against the builder and, since
the suit has not been settled, 1t
is impossible to say what effect,
if any. the action Of the Veterans
Administration in authorizing the
deviation will have on the sales
contract between the veteran
purchasers and the builder.
It is possible that the court
will hold that deviations author
lied by the Veterans Administra-
ton do not in any way influence
the contractural relationship be-
tween the veteran purchasers and
the seller; however, it is obvious
that such action by the Veterans
Administration injects a confus-
ing element into the operation OF
the program and creates serious
resentment on the part of the
veteran home owners,
Evening star., 1952-08-31

Deterans' home purchasing pro-
cedure follo1Ds:
/. The Veterans AdminiStra-
ton should be given authority
to supervise the contractural re-
lationship between the veteran
purchaser and the seller. The
Veterans Administration should
be authorized to require that
contracts used by veteran pur-
chasers in the purchase of new
homes incorporate the plans
and specifications on which the
Veterans Administration bases
its commitment to guarantee
the loan. The Veterans Ad-
ministration should be author
ized to require protective fea-
lures in the contract relating
to closing. costs and specific per-
formance as to date of delivery.
Sales contracts should include
specific guarantees or warran-
ties for a period Of one year on
heating. plumbing, and electri-
cal fixtures. a dry basement, a
sound roof and. If septic tanks
are used, a satisfactory septic
tank. The sales contract should
stipulate that the dwelling has
been erected In accordance with
the minimum construction
standards Of the Veterans Ad-
ministration and should provide
that no deviations will be made
from the plans and specifica-
tions Incorporated IN the con-
tract except upon written agree.
ment between the Veterans Ad-
ministfation, the purchaser and
the seller.
Evening star., 1952-08-31
Sofori. Volunteers Sought

A resident Of Chingford. Eng.
land. has advertised for 80 per-
sons willing to make . 9,O00-mile
overland trek to South Africa.
Evening star., 1952-08-31
Summary of Investigations
In Area Developments

A partial tert OF the sub
committees summary OF its in
Uestigdtion into some veterans'
housing Developments in this
area fOllODS:
Evening star., 1952-08-31
Criticisms Of Contracts,
In Washington Area NJ

The committees criticism of
sales contracts in the Wasting-
ton area:
An examination of the sales
contracts being used by many
sellers in the Washington Metro
politan Area revealed that in most
instances the contracts are made
|quate to protect the interest Of the
purchaser. ..
A study Of the sales contracts
reveals the following inadequacies
which are typical of the sales con-
tracts generally used throughout
the Washington Metropolitan
Area:
1. There is no description Of the
property which the veteran agrees
to purchase. Plans and specifi-
cations are not incorporated by
reference into the contract. In
many instances no reference is
made to the sample house which
was shown the veteran at the time
of the sale. In many instances
the contract Is so indefinite that it
actually fails to indicate that the
veteran will receive a house. The
veteran purchaser has absolutely
no protection under the typical
sales contract being used If he
later discovers that he has been
subjected to a Misrepresentation
or that the builder has deviated
from the plans and specifications
on file with the Veterans Admin
iStration or has deviated from the
model house which was shown the
veteran.
Closing Costs Problem.
2. Most contracts examined are
very inadequate with reference to
specific closing costs
3. Most of the contracts ex-
amined failed to provide specific
information concerning the agree
ment on streets, sidewalks and
sewers.
4. Most of the contracts do not
contain guarantees on heating and
plumbing fixtures and guarantees
for a dry basement. although the
certificates Of reasonable value is
sued by the Veterans Administra-
|tion are conditioned on the builder
guaranteeing the heating and
plumbing fixtures for one year and
guaranteeing a dry basement. In
some instances the builder or seller
gives the veteran purchaser a
guaranty in the form Of a sep
arate letter.
If such a guaranty is made it
is desirable that the guaranty be
incorporated in the sales contract
In some instances, sellers resort to
evasion, such as guaranteeing to
the Veterans Administration or to
the lending agency that the base
ment will be dry and that plumb
ling and heating fixtures will re.
main serviceable for a period oi
one year. When the veteran at
tempts to invoke such a guaranty
he finds that he has no legal basis
for doing so. In some instances
the builder guarantees the heating
and plumbing fixtures and a dry
basement to the lending agency
when the lending agency. in fact
is composed Of virtually identically
the same interests as the build.
ling company.
/ Delivery Date Omitted.
i 5. The committee has not seer
a contract in general use IN the
larger subdivisions in the Wash.
i ington Metropolitan Area which
i specifies a delivery date. Ths
i contracts provide that the pur.
! chaser will forfeit his rights If h,
does not close within 80 days from
the date Of notice by the seller tc
II the purchaser of completion o.
.lconstruction. Omission Of q spe'
cific performance date establishes
Evening star., 1952-08-31
Committee Findings
On Other Projects

The committees report pent
into details also on the Ror-
boro Homes and the Lane
Manor project, in the same
general style as the abope sec
tion on Templeton Knobs.
!C,i1,, N, nri,nfi0ne fnIIo,b.
Evening star., 1952-08-31
league Recommended Revisions

A special House committees
recommendations for revision OF
DeterGns' home purchasing pro-
cedure follo1Ds.
Evening star., 1952-08-31

which scandalized the operation
of the Loan Guaranty Division
in the Veterans Administration
regional Office, San Diego, Calf.
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1952-09-11
Use
Increases by
7O-Percent

All-time reading records broke
with a bang last year in Rockvillel
The annual report figures just re-
leased by the Rockville Public Lii
brary for it's fiscal year July /,
1851 through June 30, 1852 show
that an unprecedented number Of
books were borrowed from the Lii
brary last year. In fact, the num-
Der of books lent in each month of
last year exceeded the number lent
in any month of any previous year
except for December, when appar-
emily books could not compete with
Santa Claus.
Even in that month, however,
the number bf books lent was 1887,
greater than every month but one
of the previous year. The largest
monthly circulation was in Feb
ruary when 2445 boks were lent,
in contrast to the previous years
record of 1887. The years total
circulation of 25,251 books shows
"a 70 &c increase over the preced-
ing years 1880.
There is one inevitable conclu-
sion which must be drawn from
the figures: Adults in Rockville
are reading more in all fields, but
they'd better look to their laurels
Rockville children seem to
want to outstrip their eldersl The
Library report of year ago shows
that children borrowed 45O3 books.
In the past year, the number more
than doubled, reaching 1896.
The tremendous increase in child
ren's reading is attributable, ac-
cording to Mrs. Miller, librarian,
both to increased local population
and to the success Of the Child
ren's Story Hours and Summer
Reading Clubs. The Library held
81 regularly scheduled Story Hours
Continued on Page q
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1952-09-11
Carnival Profits
Said to Be Over
$4,000 This Year

The recent carnival of the Rock
vile Volunteer Fire Department.
Will show a net profit of approxi-
mately $4,000, despite "the worst
weather encountered in the II
wears the carnival has been heidi
Marbery Gates, Department pre-
sident, said today.
Mr.. Gates said the Department
wishes to express its thanks to the
many people who worked on the
grounds and at the stands and to
the general public that turned out
bad weather Notwithstanding.
Proceeds will be used for operat-
ing expenses Of the Department for
the coming year. The Rockville
Volunteer Fire Department is one
Of the few which does not receive
tax money for maintenance and
operations.
Winners of tire cars which were
0iven away were jaime Foster, a
Missourian who was visiting in
Twinbrook and Who won the Chew
rolet; Robert F. Cunliffe, Rock
crest. winner of the Dodge; Mrs.
+. Bolton of Silver Spring, who
vas winner Of the Pontiac, and
Conlon Crowley of Kensington, who
won the Ford.
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1952-09-11
5 Day Week
For Police
Urged Here

The County Council this week
received a new proposal for a study
of the advisability of fve-day
week for county policemen. The
proposal came without warming
from Councilman Harold Ham
mond. He urged the study be under
taken as soon as possible.
Some council members voiced
displeasure at Mr.. Hammond's re-
quest at the councils open session.
They pointed out the council had
agreed during last June's budget
session to have the new director of
public safety undertake such a
study as one of his first assign
ments. The director has not been
appointed as yet. Councilmen in
dicated they felt the proposal was
unnecessary under these circum-
stances.
Mr.. Hammond urged that the
study, however, be undertaken by
the county personnel board so the
director would have information
with which to work. He said the
tudy should encompass wage and
hour scales throughout the country.
The councilman added he felt the
personnel board also should study
what effect the present six-day
week has had on the high rate of
turnover in police ranks. Mr.. Ham
mond said he would like the study
aimed at the advisability for FIVE
day week being initiated within
two years.
The program he suggested con-
sists of two phases.
Police would be put on 512 day
week next Spring. This would cost
the county only about $4,000 this
fiscal year, he said.
The following spring, Mr.. Ham
mond suggested the police be put
on five-day week.
Some council members said Mr..
Hammond was urging a study be
made with conclusions already laid
out for the personnel board.
The county personnel board came
under fire this week from Mrs.
Kathryn j. Lawlor. Mrs. I.awlor
said the board had pre-decided the
fve-day week question last spring
when it came up with a strong
negative reaction to the program.
The councilwoman said she based
her accusation on the boards gen.
eral attitude on police questions.
The council took no action of Mr..
Hammond's suggestion. They in
Heated, however, the matter would
be discussed at future meeting.
The council announced Tuesday
CONTINUED on Page q
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1952-09-11
Mems Fellowship
Group to Meet
Sunday Morning

The Grace Methodist Church
Mems Fellowship meeting time has
been changed to 9:15 am. on Sun
day morning in order to enable
members to complete their before
meeting-actIvities, according to an
announcement made this week by
Kenneth H. Barncord.
Mr.. Barncord said that at the
meeting to be held this Sunday,
September Ia, the latest news re-
port from Associated News Ser
vice will be read by Robert s.
Ward while coffee and doughnuts
are served.
After the breakfast discussion,
the Sunday School class will be
taught by DR.. Grant Hagen.
Fall attendance of the group is
on the increase, Mr.. Barncord said,
and full turnout is expected this
week.
Confdentially, he pointed out,
the competition between the "Drips
and the Drops" boils down to this:
The Drops hold the lead. over the
Drips in equality if not in quaint
ity." ed. Note: From this state
ment it would appear that Mr..
Barncord is member Of the
Drops).
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1952-09-11
High School PTA
To Hold First
Meeting Tuesday

The Richard Montgomery High
School Parent Teacher Association
will hold its first meeting of the
ear at 8 pm. on Tuesday, Sep
'ember 10th in the high school
afeteria. 1t will be an apportun-
~ for parents to get acquainted
With new and old teachers and all
he new pupils 9th graders) par
nts will be made especially well
'ome.
Since the High Schools new
100000 addition is still incomplete
nd will not be completed for some
weeks yet, it still is an inspiration
% parents to know and see their
ak money being spent for the I'M
Mediate benefit of their children in
he midst of their city of Rockville,
I PTA spokesman said.
A special award, for the 7th
'rade home room having the larg-
st representation of parents at
his meeting, will be presented to
he winning home room teacher
he same evening.
This Is also the first meeting for
lie, new administrative group con-
listing of Frank L. Beisser,, pre-
sident, Mrs. c. L. Bride, vice pre-
'ident, Mr.. Day Mullinix, treasurer,
md Mrs. G. L. Russell, secretary.
An all out attendance is desired
for this first meeting.
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1952-09-11

One game was PLAYED Sunday,
between Redland and Gaithersburg
at Gaithersburg, with Redland
shutting out Gaithersburg 80. II
was a scoreless game until the fifth
inning. Redland scored two runs
in that inning and added the last
run in the seventh. Beall for Cal
thershurg got a double which was
the DIV extra base hit iHorgttnc
the only extra base hit. HottinGer
pitching for Gaithersburg allowed
only five hits, and Cline for Red
land allowed only seven. Cline
was the winner, Hottinger the
loser.
All other game were rained out
Friday night ut the agriculture
Center rained out game between
Dayton and Colesville will be play
ed, game time $3.50 pm. Sunday,
September ID Gaithersburg will be
at Burtonsville, Beallsvie at Rock
vile, Germantown at Dayton.
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1952-09-11
Training Program
For Teachers
Suggested Here

An on thc-job training program
to prepare regular college gradu-
yates for teaching in elementary
schools may be put into operation
this year in Montgomery County.
The program was proposed Tues
day by State Schools Superintend-
ent Thomas G. Pullen, Jr., at the
county Board of Education meet
ing. DR.. Pullen sees the expert
mental program as possible solu-
ton to the county's problem of
obtaining grade school teachers.
Under board terms of the pro-
teaching courses or experience
would go to work in county schools
under close supervision.
At the same time, he explained,
they would take extension courses
either through the University of
Maryland at College Park or
through state normal schools.
DR.. Pullen said the plan would
offer potential teachers a chance to
earn while they are learning.
The county school officials have
been concerned by their inabil-
ity to obtain sufficient teachers
through the state normal schools.
This year 300 new teachers were
hired and many of them were not
CONTINUED on Page q
Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1952-09-11
Council Names
Three BuiLdinq
Inspectors

Three new building inspectors -
two from the Upper County - at
annual salaries of $1,000, were APP
pointed Tuesday by the County
Council.
Named to the posts with the De
partment of Inspection and Ii
censes were Charles Butler, OF
Poolesville; Judson M. Beavers, OF
Rockville, and John M. Faulconer,
of Silver Spring.
Mrs. Helen B. Murphy, of Wash
ington Grove, was named clerical
assistant with the Department of
Public Libraries at yearly salary
of $500. Miss Grace M. Berry,
of Rockville, was named a clerk
typist with the Finance Depart
ment at a salary of $2,289.
Others added to the county pay
roll this week were Mrs. Mary A.
Dulaney, Of Garrett Park, profess
sional assistant with Library De-
partment, $3,513, and Mrs. Mar
garet E. Teeter, same position, at
a salary of 1928.
The county still is accepting APP
plications for a number of posi-
tions. Information can be obtained
at the personnel office, at the court
house in Rockville.