Oakland Tribune from Oakland, California • Page 12

LSJ I rjsO OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA, JANUARY 29, 1933 ETD GIVE EAND SALES IN IMPROVEMENTS BEGIN 11 mH in STATE IN ARE MyMgunrw' VlC(w1iwr' 1 1 imniiiii I ii mii i i i i i imumJ VO? i.ii.uilm HIII.IUL...UKI.IH. nmllWPIllMlKtl iririiinini niiniiiiiimiiini iiiiniminiiiiiin imiiijiiiwiiiiiiiiiin SHOWS ALAMEDA DEVELOPMENTS FEDERAL Hit III BANKS IN GOOD POSITION IMPETUS SfltE 1-EMTMI 4 California Lnd Tells of Large Demand From a k-to-F arm Grout) ui, Jm: -i Building Association Are Closely Examined in Seeking to Join System CHICAGO, Jan. 28. Observation of the building and loan associations admitted to membership in the Federal Home Loan Bank System to date shows that each oni is a financially strong institution, according to Ward B. Whitlock, Springfield, Illinois, president of the United States Building and Loan League, the organization which originally sponsored the home loan bank law.

The building and loan official sees this as a conclusive witness that the system is the diametric opposite of a "building and loan benefit society," a mistaken conception which has developed in some quarters because the law was passed by Congress In its general program of relief legislation. He explains that such a mistake is natural, since other agencies ol relief have served to bolster up 1 ft-. 5. -Great activity it recorded en ivSa- the western water- Alameda Air U. S.

Army I- vi, f. jjfi-j ft SB WiVyr miwuimi ni J'lBIIILDING IS MODERNIZED frc-nt of Alameda, as well at on the Ettuary. The aerial view, above, shows i (I) Location of the' Air Base, now Jn course of construction at a cost 6f. (4) The proposed Bayshor Highway (5) Proposed subway under the Estuary, connecting Alameda with the Eastbay terminal of the Oakland-San Francisco Bay Bridge. Coniferous Evergreen in Garden Beauty in Winter Proving the faith of the Califor nia farmer in California farm lands, the annual real estate sales report of California Lands Inc.

released by E. D. Woodruff, president, revealed the encouraging fact that this corporation's sales of farms for the calendar year Of 1932 totaled $1,288,798.67. Two hundred and forty-six farms were actually Sold, and that the California farmer is backing his confidence with cash was further evidenced by the fact that down payments averaged 29 per cent Commenting On his rep-ort, Woodruff said: "We feel proud Of the fact that almost 250 families have "gone back to the land." Increasing interest in farm lands is also shown by the fact that we sold sixty-one more farms in 1932 than in 1931. and the courage and faith of the farmer is further exemplified by the initial payments received amounting to over $300,000.

which represents an increase 6f almost 3ft per cent over 1931 cash payments. The average of 29.1 per cent 'down payment' 4.1 per cent over our established terms Of 25 per cent down, was increased by the many all-cash deals made, Offsetting the sales made on generous terms. "Fresno County led in number Of sales with fifty-eight and Tulare in sales volume of $190,000. Sacramento County experienced a brisk demand for hop ranches shortly after election, and this intensive interest was the means of disposing of most of our planted hops. Here we made our largest sale $125,000.

There was a revival of interest in citrus groves during the late fall, particularly in Southern California, and we sold several groves in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. "The bay counties continued with a steady volume of sales, and worth of ranches were disposed of within a sixty-mile radiuof San Francisco. cs not include $125,000 of ranch sales in Santa Clara and Monterey Counties. Our average sale was $5250 indicative of the interest of the modest 'farmer family' in a widespread return to the country districts. Our Small farm sales were so numerous in certain territories that we are considering the subdivision of larger parcels to supply the constant and increasing demand for ten and twenty afire ranches." The Real Estate Department of California Lands, is under the joint management of D.

D. Watson, Kenneth H. Smitten and Norman t. McFadden. Seeks Safeguard On Assessments Ohio Real Estate operators are preparing legislation to be submitted at the coming session of the state legislature to prevent the too ready and easy levy of special assessments, according to a resolution adopted by the Ohio Association of Real Estate Boards at their recent annual convention.

They will seek also to restrict the ease of Issuing bonds by raising the percentage of vote required to pass bonds. WOODEN BUILDINGS. Although there has been a marked trend toward brick and concrete and even steelframe buildings vastly predominate in the United States. In 40 important Cities 88 per cent of the buildings were of wood. 1 FOR RENT! of Approach' to Demand for Prop.

for Busineso Uie Marked lmpetua to the uoward trend in realty activity and in gen eral development of the Eastbay may be expected to be felt In the immediate future aa the direct re- ult of passage of legislation clear ing the way for early beginning of actual construction of the San Fran Cisco bay bridge, members of the Oakland Real Estate Board ware told Saturday by James H. L'Hom- medleu, president A new era In Eastbay develop ment began When Governor Rolph affixed his signature -to the bay bridge legislation," IHommedieu laid. "Its first direct influence will be evident In Increased employ ment Jobs will be created for a few (core men, then a few hundred fend finally several thousand. The major portion Of the vast sumi of money the structure will cost will Jd Into payrolls, The" rebuilding tf our Industrial payroll is the first and most essential step toward prosperity. DEMAND FOB LAND.

"History of all such enterprises teaches us that soon after it has actually begun, its influence will felt in realty activity and land values along the routes of traffic which will lead to the bridge. Thlk influence Will be widely felt in this instance because of the fact that the continental end of the bridge will be reached by three major arteries leading through the city and the land development ef fect of the project will be spread over a large area. "Reports to the realty board from member offices show that resi dential property in the vicinity of these traffic routes has already felt the influence or we linage project, being reflected in a few sales, sev-J h.oMin tmifer nftsntintinn a great deal of Inquiry and in sev- eral instances of property being withdrawn from the market orjn- nhaneement In value and usefulness of property which will be directly affected by the bridge." AVOID V. 'Unm. th.

for Affieial action bv city and county author lties to prevent unsound exploits-1 tlon of the fiasioay Dy irresponsioio suDdlviaers. ne canca bivbuuuii vj i nroiecta have SSLffSlS? mu.lh,no "con! 7 Jr auuoivision and "In both Alameda County ana Lonu-a I Oakland ana uerKeiey, np sm, "The planning commissions and other authorities should set Up ef- fecttve safeguards to prevent the unround Promotion enterprises and i land exploitation oi uTeaponwuie character wmcn is certain in tne near xuiure bi enterprise which is now definitely assurea-- InstrucUon has been given to tne city plan committee to use thli phase of lt work under imme- dlate consideration ana mane mo nroner recommendations to the proper city and county authorities, RaisinGrowers Of California Aided by Firm A campaign stimulating the sale of raisins, Central California's most important produce, is being launched by the Safeway Stores, accordBg to announcement by R. W. Doe, vice- president of that organization. Officials of the Safeway concern commented with optimism on the tfcio ffnr Um uuvillfl If I vnn.fu.

riin f.m.r rii- Roatea Feel ertr I I I By GEORGt? C. ROEDING, A Winter like the one we are now having brings a realization of the advantage of using coniferous evergreens in the garden. The sturdy firs, spruces, Junipers and cedars are hot harmed in the least by weather that ruins some of our most cherished broadleaf evergreens. We are too prone to overlook the worth of the conifers. They vary so little with the changing seasons that we take their endur ing beauty for granted much as we do the hills, and the ocean.

They are the most enduring of trees and money spent for the better varieties is a lasting investment, not an expense. RANGE OF COLOR. Conifers are sometimes said to be uninteresting and monotonous in color and form. This is not true. The' modern nursery offers such varied assortment of varieties that there is a color range from light golden-greens through various shades of blue and age greens to bronzy Winter tints and dark bottle-greens.

There Is likewise a great variation in form. Prostrate Junipers sprawl flat on the ground, and Italian cypresses are like tapers their shapely slenderness. Between these two extremes may be found plants of every size and form, from miniature Japanese cypresses for the rock garden to rapid growing Sequoias which in their wild state attain a height of over 300 feet There seems to be a general Im- pression that conifers are slow A modernization and improvement program, aggregating several thousand dollars, is under way at the Medical Building Nineteenth and Franklin Streets, under the di- rection of Ray F. Wilson, the build ing manager. "The improvements comprise painting and redecorating, rearrangement of some of the office suites, and the installation of a new type of electric lighting fixtures," states Wilson.

"Since the Medical Building is unexcelled for its particular purpose, the improvements will serve to further emphasize its advantages. Among such improvements may be mentioned a medical-dental surgery and hospital located in the building. This surgery is compact, yet so efficiently des-signed, that operations of major character can be conducted in emergencies. Ita purpose is to provide supplementary facilities for minor operations, so that these may be conducted in close proximity to the doctors office. X-ray laboratories and specialized dental laboratories are also conveniently located in the building.

"The huge basement has been set aside for garage accommodations exclusively for tenants. Cars are serviced, washed and polished if desired. The elevators run to the garage floor, giving private and convenient service at all times." CHAIN STORE STATISTICS. Retail chain stores do 21V, per cent of the total retail store business in the United States, according to a summary of retail distribution by chains made public by the Census Bureau. There are 7046 chain store organizations In all, operating 159,828 units, or about 10 per cent of all the stores in the country.

OFFICES financial institutions. SOUND INSTITUTIONS "Only tne sound institutions are participating' in the Home Loan Bank System today and thousands equally sound ane waiting to use the facilities of the regional banits when their applications are ap proved and the temporary barrier raised by State laws has been elim inated." said Whitlock. "There is no place at all In the system for membership of any institution which may have gotten itself into trouble with unsound credit practices and now as a last resort tries to save the day by borrowing money. "The practical home financiers governing this system and ita units have acted on the theory that a weak institution which tries to solve Its problems by going deeper Into debt eventually becomes a distinct liability on the financial community. By its policies of strict examination for participating as sociations, the system is retailing Its funds through those which have been tried and proved sound, and is thus seeing to it that the home financing done in 1933 and the years to come will be by sound in stitutions.

No more neipiui contribution to future stability in the home mortgage field could be made. ENCOURAGE LOANS. "In addition to its fundamental purpose of expanding home-owner credit, the new System is designed to encourage the loaning activities of the sound Institutions. Therefore it Is unthinkable that a credit institution with the permanent responsibility of the Home Loan Bank System try to perpetuate any of the weak units In the financial structure by giving them a temporary blanket for the mistakes which may now be resulting from past unsound practices. "The very fact that a building and loan association is permitted to use the facilities of Its regional Home Loan Bank witnesses to Its soundness.

CREDIT ECONOMY. "The ldoa that there Is some weakness about an Institution which uses credit is entirely erroneous and out of line with our present credit economy. Quite the contrary, any association which belongs to the System has demonstrated its strength. As a. matter of fact the building and loan associations, rather than getting a dole, are putting substantial amount of their own money into the Home Loan Banks when they become members, by buying capital stock equal to one per cent of their assets.

Their participation in the credit facilities of the System in this instance is a major effort to be of greater serv ice to the community, to have funds for making loans, which have been lacking in the past two years be cause savers did not have mucn money to invest, and because those who had saved in many instances were forced to fall back upon their rainy day funds. Inability of these associations to make new loans in the depression period was in no way a reflection on their financial soundness, as the investigations of the Federal Home Loan Bank System have Land Transactions Up 2 Per Cent A statewide survey of the number of documents recorded last month affecting real estate, showed a two per cent gain for the state as a whole in comparison with the pre ceding month, according to a survey prrgared by the California Land Title Association. The survey showed Nevada Coun ty leading all other counties in the state with a 218 per cent gain. Alpine County was second with a 100 per cent increase; Placer, 92 per cent, and Kings, 79 per cent. DOMESTIC LIGHTING.

According to a report issued by the Statistical Research Department of the National Electric Light Association in 1931, 70 per cent of the existing homes in the United States were served with electricity. Declaring that the purchase of a 12,000 acre ranch in Long Valley, Mono County, "would be in the best interests of the city," the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce re cently urged the City Council to complete the transaction. The land has been offered to the city for $850,000. It would provide a res ervoir site and the city could secure additional water resources from streams flowing through the property. U.

S. to Aid States in Better Housing Work States and cities are moving to proved by the New York State Alameda Yacht Harbor (2) The port; (3; Benton Field the Many Important developments are takln, pUc. Alam4(U whU(lt otners are projected, it is, pointed out Alameda city officials. Con. structlon work on the new United states Army Air Base is proceeding MpMIjr.

the cost of the entire work beIn budgeted at $2,800,000. An. other project, of equal importance and magnitude, is the Supply Base on Government Island. hlch is now cum' Plon. The many building com prised in this proect will house the headquarters, of the Coast Guard, tn Bureau T.ftili 1 Ctj Tor.

vmi 1Vi ln.oun?.." Peln lvn OX Aiameaa city otiiciais to a proposed BA Hand a prosed suoway unaer tne icstuarv. connect. mg Alameda with the Eastbay term Minal of the Oakland-San Francisco Bay Bridge. In this conn-tinn ninh vm n. M.

Aiameaa, states: "This subway is not included in the bridge plans. we feal th.t wiT h. proposed subway and Bayshore Highway should be Included in the stata Hirhurav ttrnffram Vnim 1sni o-- w- wO a vwt tnuc 0I traffic on the highway, as well the subway, are favorad illiB 18 named i sxupTaisai lmer Willard White, senior member of th Yfirmof White. rrea woon, nas been named chairman of the Aooralsal Division of the Oakland Real Estate Board dent of the board. Other members of the division are: William W.

Bradley, Emll Fritsch, Henry A. Hickok. Reginald W. Kit-trelle, William B. Kyle, Daniel W.

La Fortune, F. Bruce Maiden, James J. Mctlroy. Washincton B. Mel.

Frank Flint Porter, James O. Stafford, Robert E. Stewart, Fred T. Wood. Other members of the board ff" aaaej lnJ? as var- "vision's pro- ram era developed.

"Vu wtl have naa. xtnod experience as ap- re now pursuing a course oi study which comDrises various memoes of valuation of Drooertv nioniocrs oi the boards appraisal division. Many mw' lnlB rup intena iu uio uuiciat examinations and apply for membership in the institute and establish a local chapter. The institute was instigated by the National Association of Real Estate Boards. Hickok Will Head City Plan Board Henry A Hickok.

manatm- tt thm office of Coldwell. Cornwall Banker, is chairman of the City Plan Committee of the Oakland neai Estate Board for 1933, appointed yesterday by James H. L'Hommedieu, president of the organization. Other members of the committee are: Zura E. Bells, George J.

Dugan, Richard A. Fenelon, Edward B. Field, Leslie C. Halt Revision of various phases of the city's toning ordinance' is to be considered by the committee as one of ita first official duties. In cooperation with the realty board's Bay Bridge Committee, intensive study la to be given to the subject of bridge approaches and the traffi arteries leading from them through the city.

In cooperation with the board's committee on subdivisions, the city plan committee will advocate stringent control of urban residential subdivisions by city and county authorities for the purpose of preventing unsound exploitation as a result of the tranabay bridge. DEVELOPMENTS IN ALAMEDA new In a is In or ate in rier men the is to President California Nursery growing. This is an error. There are both slow growing and rapid growing types. In this variation in rate of growth lies much of the value of the conifers.

There are many places in the garden thnt slow growing plants are wanted, and too many of the broadleaf evergreens, especially the more tender ones, are of very vigorous growth. Junipers, oriental thuyas, dwarf pines and similar conifers are ideal for these situations. When a rapid growing screen is wanted, what can equal in rapid growth our native Monterey pines? PLANTING ADVICE. Coniferous evergreens are not difficult to establish In the garden if a few simple rules are followed. Most plants are supplied by nurseries with a ball of earth around the roots and with this ball wrapped in burlap.

In handling the trees be careful not to break this ball or cause the roots of the tree to become loose. Always put one hand under the ball when lifting the tree. Do not attempt to lift it by the top. When planting do not remove the burlap but fold it down at the top and cover it with earth two or three inches deep. Be generous with the water sup ply if drainage conditions are good.

A thorough soaking once in ten days or two weeks is the best method of irrigating. Cultivate the surface of the soli thoroughly after each Irrigation to prevent baking and cracking of the soil. Staking the trees to prevent loosening by strong winds is essential. Housing Board entailing the expenditure of $59,000,000 and calling for a loan of approximately from the Reconstruction Finance Corporation, for which application has already been made. Other New York projects of about equal amount are taking shape, and probably will be presented to the corporation with applications for loans.

INDUSTRIAL RECOVERY This situation, the engineers assert, indicates the large possibilities for industrial recovery inherent in the housing aspects of the Emergency Act. Congress, it is pointed out, imposed no limit on the funds which might be allotted to these and other self-liquidating projects. The Legislatures of Illinois and Ohio are now in session, and, it is believed, will pass legislation creating regulatory bodies to meet the requirements of the Emergency Act, The movement for legislative action in Illinois is directed by Alfred K. Stern, director of special activities of the Julius Rosenwald fund. In Cleveland, architects have prepared plans for projects based on a survey by the Committee on City Plan of the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce, headed by Abram Garfield, president of the Cleveland Chapter of the American Institute of Architects.

In Cincinnati a hous- ing project is being developed. New State Highway Report Is Published Earl Lee Kelly, director of public works, has distributed to the members of the fiftieth session of the California Legislature, copies of the Eighth' Biennial Report of the Division of Highways which has just been published? The report covers the activities of the division for the biennial period from July 1, 1930, to June 30, 1932, and was submitted to the director of public works by C. H. Purcell, state highway engineer and chief of the division of highways. The report Includes a comprehensive record of the progress of state highway location, -construction, maintenance and accounting.

An extensive improvement program is under way at the Medical Building, 19th and Franklin Streets, to be spread over a period of time. Ray Wilson, building manager, states the improvements will be accomplished without inconvenience to tenants. CURTAIN STORE IS REOPENED Announcement was made last week of the reopening of The Curtain Store by J. E. Maurehan at 2028 Broadway.

The original store was opened In this city 10 years ago Four-t ind Franklin Streets. Larger arters were later a -lished a 520 Thir-t Street, where The Curtain Store became one of the city's retail organizations. J. E. MAUERHAN.

Maurehan has had a wide experience in the drapery "business, at one time traveling the district west of Denver for New York and Philadelphia curtain and drapery shops. A complete stock of curtains, draperies and drapery materials is on display in the new store, and a staff of competent decorators has been organized to render an interior decorating service in the home. A custom Upholstering Department, specializing in the newest designs of comfortable living room furniture, will be a feature of the New Curtain Store. Large Delegation for Bldg. tLoan Congress When the S.

S. Carinthia sails from NeW York on May 26, she will carry a large American delega tion which will Join representatives from all parts of the world for the fourth International Congress of Building Associations. This impor- tant affair wlu be held in London from June 6 to 9 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the founding of the first building and loan associ- atlon in England. It will over-shadow in Importance the last congress held in Philadelphia in 1931 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the first building and loan In America, at Philadel phia, Pa. At that convention, about 150 delegates from foreign countries attended.

1 lng the past 14 months Safeway has fW American Insti-sponsored nine major campaigns to tute of Real Estate Appraisers. The the stamuzation of western industries. Facta and figures show gratifying results, and consumption has been increased through the stores from two to nine times, according to Doe. The raisin campaign is organize-' tion-wide and features the advertising of dried, fruit, with emphasis on raisins, in the leading western newspapers. Julia Lee Wright, director of the Safeway Stores Homemakers' Bureau, will publish some new ideas on the use of raisins In modern cookery.

In 1932, Safeway purchased S.200,-000 pounds of San Joaquin Valley fruit, it is stated. Through the means of the "Buy More Raisins'' campaign, it Is hoped to greatly in crease this volume during the cur. rent season. OPERATORS WARNED. expedite low cost housing and slum clearance with the aid of the Re construction Finance Corporation, according to the American Engineering Council.

A national move ment to encourage state action is gaining ground, and the disbursement by the corporation of hundreds of millions of dollars to pro mote self-liquidating enterprises of this character seems assured, says statement by the council, which cooperating with the corporation an effort to accelerate the granting of loans involving the field of engineering. New York, by a.Stato Housing Board, is the first to comply with the provisions of the emergency relief and construction act under which the corporation can make loans to "corporations formed wholly for the purpose of providing houses for families of low incomes, reconstruction of slum areas, which are regulated by state or municipal law as to rent, charges. capital structure, rate of return, and areas and methods of operation." FINANCING BARRIER The non-existence of an appropri local regulatory authority, save New York State, is the chief bar to the financing with Federal assistance of a huge housing program employing large numbers of and a vast amount of materials, engineers declare. Concerted effort by engineers, architects, the buildjng industry and civic groups gradually surmounting this difficulty, and the release of funds, soon begin, is expected to acquire a momentum which will powerfully influence business revival. Ohio, Illinois, Massachusetts, Indiana and Pennsylvania have organized committees to bring about legislative action which will enable private building corporations to borrow from the corporation.

Chicago, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Boston and Washington, D. in addition to New York City, are centers of this activity. The first loans for housing and slum clearance will undoubtedly be made in New York. In addition to projects already tentatively ap- 1 THE TRIBUNE TOWER Oakland's tallest office Building, the outstanding structure of the great Eastbay offers you hiqh class office space with an abundance of light and fresh air For' Inspection see the Building Manager, A. J.

Slaght THE TRIBUNE TOWER "Unless you can sell your land by telling the truth about it, you must atop operations forthwith," was the warning issued by Deputy Real tate Commissioner Kelly of Sacra mento to 100 out-of-State lot sales-men and oil land operatora. Contractors have begun work on den State Highway traffic through The bridge is to be I catcd Just south of the city over the Stanislaus River and about two blocks east of the present concrete bridge which was erected in 1916. Its construction will eliminate two dangerous railroad crossings, -r.