The Brooklyn Daily Eagle from Brooklyn, New York • Page 26

1 4. rilE BROOKLYN DAILY EAGLE. NEW YORK. SATURDAY. SEPTEMBER 26.

190S. ANNUAL REALTY REVIEW. assistant, one plan clerk, on filing clerk, VANDERVEER PARK DETACHED HOUSE SOLD Firm's Confidence in Brooklyn Development Justified by Sales at Latest Offering. BLACKWELL'S ISLAND BRIDGE GIVES FURTHER REALTY STIMULUS Elaborate Plans for Celebrating Its Completion in December Will Accomplish Beneficial Results in Concentrating Public Attention Upon Long Island Need for Aggressive Measures to Offset New Jersey's Transit Betterments and the Active Campaign to Be Prosecuted There. Resumption of Larger Trading and Important Improvement Work in Many Sections Shown.

mtnl II 1 VSStT, 11 direct and rapid access to the new sections of Queens." Owners Seek Release From Harassing Ruling3 of Tenement House Department. To the non-official mind, nothing would seem more reasonable than that the protest of the architects, builders and real estate owners against petty and annoying rulings and interpretations of the tenement house law should be heeded. The men and organizations who are back of the effort to nave the tenement house department amalgamated with the building bureau, and who have united in a petition to the Charter Revision Commission to that end. all declars that they are in no sense enemies of the tenement house law, as enacted. When that law was put on the statute books Its object, as declared by its framcrs, was to prevent the erection of unsanitary dwellings, insufficiently provided with air shafts, fire escapes, windows and light shafts.

In which from three to fifty families might be hived. Its provisions, when fairly interpreted, apply without undue harshness to conditions in certain quarters of Manhattan, especially the congested districts on the lower and upper East Side, but under rulings of exaggerated severity in petty details they embarrass, disgust, disheaten and discourago owners, of property in John C. Giles, Broker Has Sold for John G. Thegode the Detached Two-Family House at the Southwest Corner of Avenue and East Thirty-first Street, Flatbush, to Mrs. A.

Hosch, at a Reported Consideration of $10,000. Eagle's Yearly Reft Estate Number to Be Published on October 18. Its Features. The Brooklyn Dally Eaglets annual real estate review will, this year, be published on Sunday, October 18. In addition to those features which last year made this special number of the Eagle so valuable to the real estate profession and to Investors generally, the number will contain articles upon a variety of topics connected with realty affairs.

It will, in the first place, contain an analytical review of the real estate situation during 1908 with a prediction as to the future progress and activity of the market In all sections of Brooklyn and Long Island. Leading realty experts and authorities will also comment upon the mortgage and building situations, and brokers, builders and operators will discuss mearket conditions in their respective localities. There will also be descriptions of those suburban developments exercising an Influence upon the general situation and the transit Improvements of the present and future will be described, and tbolr effect upon real estate considered. In addition to these features there will be articles telling at length of the work and aims of the different organizations of realty men and taxpayers and the Tor-rens law and other reforms will be treated critically. In short, the Eagle Real Estate Review this year will constitute a complete, accurate and valuable discussion of the real estate situation in all Its phases, with the latest Information obtainable.

As such It will receive the attention of home seekers, investors and probable investors in Brooklyn and Long Island properties throughout the country. The number will be profusely Illustrated with views of important properties sold, new buildings, pictures showing the progress achieved In transit and other Improvements; leading suburban properties and the portraits of prominent figures In the real estate world generally. The Eagle's Real Estate Review this year Is sure to sustain Its previous reputation as the most valuable and authoritative treatment of real estate conditions in Brooklyn and Long Island that is published. N. Y.

EXCHANGE MEETS. Leading Members Debate Question How Sale of Kenl Estate Can Best Be Promoted. More than, 300 members of the New Jersey-New York Real Estate Exchange met during the week at the exchange headquarters, 30 Church street, Manhattan, and listened to addresses on how the sale of real estate can best be pro moted. The consensus of opinion was that fair and square methods, combined with liberal advertising in the dally newspa pers, bring success. Those who made the principal ad dresses were Joseph P.

Day, William Jef- fery, Horace Rounds, hi. H. Lambert, Luis Jackson, Industrial commissioner of the Erie Railway, and Otto Kempner, president of the exchange. Mr. Jeffery, who lives at Berkeley Heights and is known as the "Bungalow Man," from his early and enthusiastic advocacy of that form ot summer dwelling, spoke on "Civic Government and Eco nomic Development," showing what could be and had been done in suburban communities by founding libraries and lyceums and forming active organizations to get adequate lighting, water sewering and paving.

On behalf of the Erie Railroad, Mr. Jackson announced that at the earliest possible date the road would be electrified' and that Its patrons could rest assured that a greatly improved service would result. This statement should have a stimulating effect on suburban realty in New Jersey, especially along the line of the Erie Railroad, and coupled with other transit improvements which are promised In New Jersey, It should inspire Long Island real estate Interests tn nrosecute a vigorous campaign to off set such inducements as New Jersey real estate promoters may be able oner. President Kempner's report showed that the. pvebancre was In a most flour ishing condition, ansr that more thau thirty brokers had applied for memoer- ship within the la3t week.

BROADWAY-FLUSHING OPENING First Opportunity of Public to Secure 460 Lots at Auction Announced. The first opportunity to the public to secure lots in the newly developed section of Queens Borough known as Broadway- Flushing, will be offered by Joseph P. Day on October 28, when he will sell in the Vesey street auction room, 460 lots by order of the Broadway-Flushing Com pany. These lots are peculiarly well situated in the midst of a largo tract of level country which has made great strides in population and improvements during the past two years, and they are close to the Broadway station of the North Shore branch of the Long Island Railroad. This gives to Broadway-Flushing great advantages from the approaching completion of tho Pennsylvania tunnel system, making this section most accessible from Herald Square, Manhattan.

Broadway is the mam automobile route from the city to the magnificent estates along the north shore of Long Island, and with the opening of the Blackwell's Island bridge will undoubtedly be the most traveled route In Long Island. The section also has the advantage of electric trolley lines, which are to connect di rectly with the Belmont tunnels, now completed, as well as over the Black well's Island bridge. The sale is the most important announced for years in the northerly part of Queens Borough. Comparative Tables. 190.8 Prom Sept 10 to Sept 18, In clusive, deeds, consideration expressed 13.1 $273,378 41 Total consideration Nominal consideration Deeds of release, etc 1907 Frm Sept.

12 to Sept 18, In clusive, deeds consideration ex-exoressed 138 J914.7S3 asm 46 419 $1,518 640 113 (435,195 598 1,863.08 177 $324,981 Total consideration Xomlnal consideration Deeds of release, etc 190ft From Sept. 10 to Sept. 16. Inclusive, total number of mortgages Total value Xumher of P. M.

mortgaKes Value of P. M. mortgages 1907 From Sept. 12 to Sept. IS.

Inclusive, total number of mortgages Total value Number nf P. M. mortgages Value of P. M. mortgages EXCELLING FORMER RECORD.

Houses in Course of Construction Sold in Advance of Formal Opening of Property. The confidence of Wood, Harmon A Co. in -the prospect of more than ordinary activity In the Brooklyn real estate market has been borne out by the very large response to their offerings of lots in several sections since last spring. One of the notable Illustrations that there Is a good market for Brooklyn properties properly exploited was given in the record sals at Wood, Harmon A "Flatbush Gardens" development, at the southerly extremity of Flatbush avenue, some weeks ago. Of that property about 1,000 lots were disposed of approximately within a week.

In Wood, Harmon present development, "Mldwood Manor," the results have, been even more encouraging from the fact that the development Is of higher grade, and the value of lots Is atw cordlngly greater than of those at Flab bush Gardens. In addition to this, Midwood Manor not strictly a lot proposition, as real de velopment is here being undertaken tn the building line by the John R. Corblq Company, acting In conjunction with Wood, Harmon Co. While no formal opening of the Mid' wood Manor property has yet been hel a large percentage of the lots has already found buyers, and this Is also true of number of the houses, although theijg have been sold prior to completion, work, having been started only three week4 ago. If one firm can demonstrate so conclusively the eagerness of homeseekers buy Brooklyn property, it is certain that with equally energetic effort on the part of other owners and real estate companies such a market would be created as would dispel completely any lingering aftermath of the recent financial stringency.

Besides profiting largely from their enterprise, Wood, Harmon Co. are doing a considerable service to real estate Interests as a whole in giving wide publicity to Brooklyn's superior residence advantages and In giving such forcible expression to the firm's own confidence. Wood, Harmon Co. submit the following as some of the causes leading up to the large sales already recorded at Midwood Manor: "To some extent growth in Brooklyn means an exodus to the southward, just as growth. In, Manhattan has invariably meant an exodus to the northward, and one of the best residential districts of Brooklyn is slowly, but surely, resolving Into the Flatbush section.

Certainly the houses of Fiatnusn ara unusually attractive as residences for, people of refinement, particularly wneru the lnn4 is restricted to houses of cer tain types, standing upon sufficient land to give proper setting to tneir arcnuec-tural effects. "And, in view of this general exodus, it would seem that Flatbush land was selline too chean. As a general rule, a move to Flatbush Is a sign of Increasing prosperity, usually people do not go thera to economize. If people find Flatbush more desirable than the more thickly populated sections of the city, land there should be worth more rather than less, in it undoubtedly will be. when the work of development, now going on so rapidly, has been completed.

'Wood. Harmon CO. ana tne jonn R. Corbln Company the one as real estate developers, the other as house builders-are doing much to promote the growth of Flatbush, and upon Wood, Harmon latest operation Midwood Manor these two large concerns have allied to form Into a harmonious whole one of the largest tracts ever opened in the Flat-bust district, with high restrictions. "According to many familiar with values In the vicinity of Midwood Manor, the prices asked by Wood, Harmon Co.

for' their lots are extremely moderate-location, desirability and Improvements considered. "Wood, Harmon Co. are Improving Midwood Manor In a thoroughly up-to-date fashion. The streets are being macadamized and artificial stone sidewalks, curbs and gutters laid throughout the property. A complete sewer system is being installed according to city specifications, as are also water and gas mains and conduitB for electric light and telephone wires.

Clearly, Midwood Manor will be one of those sections where there will be no overhead wire nuisance, nor will the paved and parked streets be disturbed later to put pipes underground. "Upon this tract of land the John R. Corbin Company has bought 100 lots, and already has eighteen houses near-Ing completion. Those will range In price around $10,000 apiece, being similar to the houses which the John R. Corbin Company has been building successfully at South Midwood." BEEWSTER HOME SOLD.

Eugene V. Brewster has sold his Flatbush home at 83 Midwood street, and bought a house at 29 Monroe street, near Classon avenue. Mr. Brewster has lived in Flatbush for seven years, having formerly resided at 366 Monroe street. The new Brewster home is now being remodelled and will be ready October 1.

Lawyer Edward R. Vollmer Is the purchaser of the Flatbush hotfse, which was sold for $18,500. DYKER HEIGHTS SALES. Frank A. Seaver and S.

A. Newman have sold two lots on the corner of Twelfth avenue" and Seventy-eighth street for M. Colemen to R. Crescl, and also five lots on the northeasterly corner ot Eleventh avenue and Eighty-fourth street for the Baldwin estate to Simons Saltta. By "Jamaica Estates." JAMAICA ESTATES, plot 100x200.

ror of Radnor Kent rds; plot 50x160. Tudor rd, of Tryon rd; plot 100x130, cor Aberdon rd Doncaster boulevard. one plan examiner, one public plan ex aminer, one chief construction Inspector, one chief sanitary inspector, one con structlon Inspector, one sanitary Inspec tor, one Iron Inspector. "There are numerous clerks, typewrit ers and bookkeepers identical in both departments. "In view of such overlapping of functions throughout the departments an es timate ot a saving of not less than twenty per cent, in cost of administration, in case the two departments are consoit dated, is a conservative one.

This, on tho basis of this year's appropriation for the two departments, would represent a saving of about 1300,000 to tho taxpayers. "We maintain that the method of making applications for permits at the Tenement House Department is cumDer-somo, needlessly complicated, and Involves an amount of unnecessary labor, which is altogether Incompatible with the due and expeditious transaction of business. On this head our society addressed -the following letter to Deputy Commissioner McKeown: As general cractlcinff architects of the Bor ough of Brooklyn we desire to lay before you the following Just complaints and grievances appertaining to the transaction of business with the Tenement House Department; and in doing so would express the arnest hope that you will lend your assistance to bring about such changes of administration In the department as will afford speedy and effectual relief. Complaints are substantially as follows: 1. Undue delay In Issuance of permits, which would indicate an Insufficient staff of em ployes or a needlessly complicated system of procedure.

2. We are of opinion that the present forms of applications are too voluminous, containing needless repetitions and requiring answers to superfluous questions, unnecessary- references to the law, and seir-evldent racls supposed lo ne known by the applicant, and shown by the plans accompanying application papers. 8. When location of property Is shown on plans and so stated once In the application, it should ba sufficient. 4.

A blue print copy of survey should be deemed sufficient ir not marked on plans. 6. One statement as to owner, archtteot, builder, address, borough, city and county should 6. Questions not appertaining to the building In application should not be required to be answered In the negative. 7.

We request that application blanks be re modeled, so that buildings for more than two families on a floor and more than four atorles In height be classified separately. 8. At present needless duplication of measurements and markings on plans Is insisted upon. Tt should suffice when horizontal and vertical measurements, with proper titles of rooms, halls and sanitary provisions for light and ventilation are Indicated. 9.

We complain of unreasonable Interpretation of the law, as we know It to be Intended, whereby we are compelled to Institute court proceedings to secure rights. 10. When an architect asks for eonv of violations, the same should be given to him as the owner's representative. We are actuated entirely by a spirit of fairness, and desire not to antagonize, but to cooperate with the department for a better understanding and a square deal. "The modus operandi of the Building Department is simplicity Itself as compared with that of the Tenement House Department.

In the former, any structural objections are noted In the papers and the required corrections or explanations are made by the applicant, upon which the papers are approved and permit Is issued usually on the following day. "In the Tenement House Department, however, a typewritten list of objections is made out, 90 per cent, of which are of the most trivial character, based for the most part not upon the law, but upon regulations of the department, which are constantly being changed or added to. This list is mailed to the applicant. He in turn is required to answer each Item in triplicate, typewritten form, and if each answer does not conform exactly to the ideas of the examiner it is returned to applicant and numbered as an additional objection. This process consumes several days and is frequently repeated several times.

i "All 'corrections' on plans are required to be made in red ink, and signed and dated in a sterotyped manner by the applicant, otherwise he will be again turned down like a mere school boy. All this of course Is 'work' for the clerical force In the department, but it is simply waste of time and money for the owner and his architect, besides Invplving friction and an expenditure of nerve force which are extremely wearing to the man who has to submit to it. "The contrast between the administration of the two departments in question appears to be due mainly to the fact that the head of the Building Bureau is required by law to be a practical builder, architect or engineer, of at least ten years experience, while no practical experience whatever is required to qualify for commissioner of tenements. It is inconceivable that such a list of grievances as that given above would be allowed to continue under a competent, practical head of any department, especially after a definite appeal and protest has been made in regard to the same. "A' further Important safeguard of the public is provided, in the case of the Building Bureau, by the establishment of a board of of examiners, to whom questions may be referred on appeal from the commissioner.

Our society has for tho past year been advocating the creation of a similar commission on appeal, to whom questions in dispute with the tenement house commissioner may be referred, but so far our efforts have proved abortive. We urge the establishment of such a com mission In the Interests of the profession and of the general public." Assistant District Attorney Boy Says Law Is Foolishly Strained. Assistant District Attorney Robert H. Roy, who, as counsel for the Society of Architects, will present evidence before the Charter Commission, said: "In having tenement department and building bureau, separate as tbey are now, the work of inspection is necessarily duplicated. So far as light and ventilation are concerned, they are Involved in the structure of the building, and the build ing bureau inspectors can inspect them without any need of sending around a tenement house Inspector.

"The only other thing that the tene ment house department is Interested in Is sanitation, that is plumbing. Now. the building bureau Inspectors inspect the plumbing as a matter of course. "In the building bureau the Inspectors are by law required to be practical men, having technical knowledge of construc tion and plumbing, whereas the tenement house inspectors are not required to have any technical knowledge at all. They may have been tailors or butchers or cigar makers before they got their appointment.

"I am as much interested in the erection of sanitary and proper tenements and In h) enforcement of the tenement house law as is Commissioner Butler, but it seems to me that the law is being foolishly strained to the hindrance of legitimate building operations." C. Whitley Mullin, secretary of the Society of Architects, said that he had already received assurances of support in the movement from the Fultjn street Board of Trade, the Grand Street Improvement Association, the Broadway Board of Trade, the Taxpayers Association of the Thirty-second Ward, the Brooklyn Chapter of the American In stitute, and the Merchants and Manufacturers Board of Trade, while many other organizations were intending to take favorable action at thefr earliest coming meetings. TO SELL CANARSIE LOTS. Auction Sale of Forty-four Parcels in Section Greatly Benefited by Williamsburg Bridge. Keen Interest has been aroused on the part of present and prospective owners of real estate in the Thirty-second Ward over the forthcoming auction sale of forty-four lots at Canarsie.

The sale, which will take place on the afternoon of next Saturday, October 3, will be conducted on the premises by Auctioneer James L. Brumley. The lots are situated on Rock-away avenue, East Ninety-eighth, Ninety-ninth and One Hundredth streets, between Flatlands avenue and Avenue J. It is anticipated that this sale will prove an index of the appreciation in the value of the property in this section due to the opening to traffic of the Williamsburg Bridge. Trains over the Wills-lamsburg Bridge afford direct elevated railroad service from Delancey street, Manhattan, to within two blocks of the properly, without change, for a B-cent fare.

There are also trolley lines on Rockaway avenue, directly in front of the property, to Manhattan. The running time from Delancey street, Manhattan, on the elevated trains, is about twenty-five I I week to confirm tbe view taken in tnis column last smurua? that the realty market of Brooklyn and Long Island Degimung to respond emphatically to the Influence of the many great transit and other improvements which have lately been obtained. Beyond this, as tbe data approaches for the opening of the Blackwell's Island Bridge, which has been placed for some time during the month of December, the significance of this Improvement in ite effect upon Queens and upon Long Island real estate In general is attaining wider realization. That Xew Jersey is also fast securing transportation betterments that will be Influential In drawing the attention of home-seekers in that direction cannot well be lost sight of. The announcement made at a meeting of the New Jersey-New York Real Estate Exchange during the week that the management of the Erie Railroad contemplates the early electrification of that road through the New Jersey suburban area which it serves affords still another Indication of the earnest effort which is to be made to draw homeseekers that state.

Against all the inducements which New Jersey may be able to offer, however, )ng Island unquestionably presents superior ones and this will be still more apparent upon the completion of the Blackwell's Island Bridge and of the Pennsylvania tunnels. There can, however, be no room for doubt that the best way to meet New Jersey competition is to thoroughly appreciate its full Import. To offset the campaign which New Jersey real estate interests are sure to prosecute, it is necessary that the real estate interests of Long Island not only show equal aggressiveness and resourcefulness but that they shall go several steps farther than their competitors. The way to accomplish this is through the largest possible publicity for the advantages of Long Island. There has been during the past year a considerable Awakening upon tbe part of Long Island real estate men as to both the necessity and wisdom of this course.

One notable effort to concentrate the attention of Manhattan residents upon the attractions of Long Island for homes was the Jamaica subway celebration held last June and it is, indeed, difficult to reach a full estimate of the benefits to Long Island which this celebration accomplished. Of similar potency was the celebration attending the operation of elevated trains over the Williamsburg Bridge last week and not only Queens real estate terests, but manufacturers, business men nd others are determined to signalize (he completion of the Blackwell's Island Bridge in manner that will be equally productive of results. From the plans which already have been formulated for this celebration and from the calibre and prominence of the men who are interested in it there now appears to be little doubt but that the Blackwell's Island Bridge celebration of December will eclipse any previous effort of the kind. The specific object of the event apart from fittingly commemorating the completion of a great improvement destined to be a powerful factor toward Long Island's growth, development and prosperity is to keep Long Island constantly in the eyes of the residents of Manhattan, the Bronx, New Jersey and, in short, of all who might be impelled to take up their residence or to transfer their business or manufacturing interests to this side of the East River. J.

W. S. Rapid Strides Toward Equalization in Queens and Bronx Values. Brokers and operators interested in Queens properties are following closely the process of enhancement in values to a level corresponding with those maintaining in equi-distant sections of the Bronx. In the last mentioned borough the average valuation put upon the 26,017 acres for taxation purposes is, Including Improvements, $16,051 an acre.

Queens, comprising 82,883 acres, is officially appraised at an average of $3,384 an acre, with all improvements. Referring to the process of equalization, William C. Demorest, president of the Realty Trust, which is marketing Malba, at White-stone, L. says: "The average follower of the real estate market in this city has a fairly accurate knowledge of the Immense increases in valuations in the Bronx during the past five years, but owing to the fact that Queens is a comparatively new home section, the great strides made toward the level of Bronx values justified by location, is a matter of less general knowledge. The statement that the increase in Bronx valuations since 1903 has been 61 per while in Queens properties have advanced in value 137 per cent, in that period, will probably be surprising to many real estate investors.

The following official figures show the increases in the two boroughs in five years. "On June 1, 1903, the assessed valuation of Bronx properties, including the real holding of corporations, was against $118,253,823 for the Borough of Queens. In the next year the Bronx figures Increased about $12,750,000 and the Queens about $7,500,000. On June 1, 1005, the increases over the preceding year were, Bronx, Queens, $8,750,000. During the next year, when the telling effect of the subway to the Bronx was apparent, there were added to the assessable valuations of private and corporate holdings in that borough about and in Queens a little more than $17,000,000.

On June 1, the official appraisers valued f.ronx properties at about $73,500,000 more than the corresponding date of 3 while Queens advanced The increase as by the figures of June 1. of the current year. wuie. Bronx, $42,500,000, and Queens about $74,650,000. "The present total assessed valuntlon nf Erc-nx holdings, including the real estate of corporations, is $417,418, and thnt of Queens $28,556,910.

In five years values ja the Bronx Increased by or about 6iy2 per cent. in Queens the in- 10 9119 tiV7 f- more than 1.17 per cent. In toe subway year the enhancement In Bronx values, exclusive of corporate holdings, was about 31 per cent, over the preceding year. The following year the Increase in the Bronx was only 8 per and i the figures show a 12 per cent, gain over those of in Queens the in crease in valuations for assessment pur poses during the year ending June 1 JJ'17, was 35 per and on June 1 1908. the values showed a furl her in crease of 37 pt cent.

"The significant enhancement in Queens values has been effected wiih no greater stimulating effect than ihe anticipation nf Ihe opening of tunnels and bridges and improvements on the North Shore and various divisions of the Long Island Railroad. It Is no I expectation to look for frequent multi- i plications in values when these improvements are actually completed and furnish I TENEMENT BUILDERS ARE HINDERED BY RED TAPE Architects and Owners Co to Charter Revision Commission for Needed Relief. DELAYS AND HARSH RULINGS. Demand for Amalgamation With Building Bureau or for Board of Appeal. Aroused by what they allege are the arbitrary, unreasonable, petty and har-rassing methods of the Tenement House Department, the Society Architects, bantted by renl estate and business men's associations, has begun a determined effort to obtain relief.

Their purpose Is to Induce the Charter Revision Commission to insert In the new charter a provision amalgamating the Tenement House Department with the Building or, failing that, to have a board of appeals created for the Tenement House Department, such as there Is tn the Building Bureau. Benjamin Drlesler, president of the Society of Architects, whose office is at 13 Willouehby street. Is. by virtue of his position, one of the leaders in the move ment to obtain He said to-day: "Brooklyn architects, builders and real estate owners are far more deeply Injured rr the absurd and unreasonable put upon provisions of the tenement house law than are similar interests in Manhattan. A law which was meant only to insure sanitary and safe construction for houses sheltering from ten to forty families, is so administered as to discourage and harass real estate owners who wish to erect three, four, six and eight family houses In Brooklyn.

"We propose to prove to the Charter Revision Committee that there is an excessive waste of public money to the extent of at least $300,000 a year, involved in the maintenance of two bureaus, the Building Bureau and the Tenement House Department, duplicating each other's' duties. We mean to press this matter to a practical issue, either by the amalgamation of the two departments under a single head, or by their separation In each of the boroughs, or by the establishment of a board of appeal, composed of practical men to pass upon the decisions of the tenement house commissioner. "The present commissioner, Elmond J. Butler, and Ms deputy in charge of the bureau for Brooklyn and Queens, have seen fit to make arbitrary and petty rulings, not warranted by the terms of the law, which have been in the highest degree harassing and annoying to builders of three and four family houses. "In many of these cases our society has gone to the courts and has proved the fallacious reasoning and erroneous interpretaton of the law by the tenement house commissoner.

Bui it takes many months and much money to go to the courts, and it is absurd that a builder should have to go to law time and time again over a window or an alcove room or a difference of half an inch in the width of a hallway. Petition to Charter Bevisers. "In our petition to the committee on tenements of the New York Charter Revision Commission, urging the amalgamation of the Tenement House Department with the Building Bureau in each of the boroughs of Greater New York, or for consideration with a view to effective government suitable to local conditions, we say: "Each of the departments in question has to do strictly and exclusively with entitling construction; the fact that building is a tenement house, i. dwelling occupied by more than two families living separately, does not constitute a sufficient ground for placing Its planning and erection under the control of two departments whose functions are largely identical, ihereby causing duplication of labor, losy of time and needless friction between the departments themselves. "Wo maintain that this would be obvi ated by making the Tenement House De partment a part of the Building Bureau In each of the boroughs; or else by mak- Inff each entirely independent of th" other, a single Dermit for the erection of each individual building being sufficient.

the said building being subject, to the inspection of one department only. "Each borough, knowing its environment and needs best, should be able to preserve Its autonomv and jurisdiction unfettered by the Manhattan department, and subject to the control of its own president. At present the deputy's hands in each of the boroughs are tied, and his action even to the minutest detail con trolled by the central office. "Under the present bicephalous arrangement it renuires seldom less than five weeks and sometimes two months to ohtain the necessary permits for the erection of a tenement house, a week to ten days being the time required for the Issuance of an ordinary buiiuing permtr. It frequently happens that month or more elan3es before a permit for small alterations or repairs to a tenement is issued.

'As respects needless duplication of expense, we have under the present arrangement the following officials employed to secure the enforcement of tho law in the planning ano erection ot a tenement house: "The Tenement House Department force includes one tenement house commissioner or deputy, one plan clerk, one filing clock, one pirn examiner, one public plan examiner, one chief inspector, one light and vent inspector, one sanitary inspector, one special inspector. "The Building Bureau Staff Includes one commissioner or superintendent and various professions and callings have to serve an apprenticeship, pass examinations and earn diplomas before being allowed to practice, the above letter is worthy of thought on the part of men of the real estate profession. While proper latitude should be allowed to the development of every legitimate businesss and professional interest, and while this can best be attained in the real estate line without the placing of any undue restrictions upon those who wish to engage in the profession, the other side of the question deserves consideration. While the standards of character and ability in the (real estate profession were never so high as at the present time, and professional ethics never on a higher plane in the practice of the leading men, yet mere have come in many men who know nothing about the real estate business, and who are utterly unfitted for it. They have no very high Idea of professional ethics, and have not fairly represented the great body of brokers.

It might be wise to take some measures to prevent unscrupulous persons and those having no knowledge of the business from entering it. Such restriction would inure to the benefit of those now in the business, and would Indirectly be of public bsnelit. The real estate exchanges and boards of brokers might mako sueh proper restrictions as to make new legislation unnecessary. Of course, there are two sides to this, as to every question, and the Eagle will be glad to receive the views of real estate men on the subject. 700MJCJQCM50f500000000aOOOOOO r.

8 3 flh KhPllK I Ml uuniL unuu iili uiiilu coooooooooooocoooooooooooo Brokers and othern are invited tn send reportd of aales effected for publication In this column, together with other items of real estate news. These should be addressed to the Real Estate Plena Department. By Somerville Realty Company. ARVERNE Plot 40x100 on Clarence av to William plot GOxlaO on RemlnB-ton av and another on Clarence av to Mary fc Bowie; plot 40x100 on Clarence av to W. G.

F. Price; plot 40x100 on Clarence av to H. D. Adrlance; plot 40x100 on Clarence av to Edward Mulry; plot 40x100 on Clarence av to A. R.

Larkin; plot 40x100 on Clarence av to M. T. Tarbell; plot 40x100 on Clarence av to Henry Warner; plot 40x100 on Remington av to H. J. O'Donnell; plot 40x 100 ou Germaine av to George Lamb: plot 50x100 on Remington av to Sarah C.

Ferris; plot 50x100 on Remington av to Gertrude C. Becker; plot 30x100 on Kate av to W. K. Belcher; plot 40x100 on Germaine av to K. C.

Dudley; plot 40x100 on corner of Clarence and Morris ava to William Leavy; plot 40x 100 on Germaine av to David Schulz; plot 40x100 on Clarence av to Dennis T. O'Keefe; pr.tt 40x100 on Elizabeth av and another 40x 100 on Clarence av to Louis Nussbaum; plot 40x100 on Remington av and another 40xloo on Clarence av to Annie O'Brien: plot 80x100 on Clarence av to W. I. IHegeruan; plot 40x loo on Clarence av to John J. MCMahon; plot 40x100 on Clarence av to John Mulhollana.

By Kruse-Abramson Realty Co. GREENE AV, No. llffi, 3 story slnele frame flat; for Walter S. Powlev to a client. LEXINGTON AV, No.

715. 3 story brick single flat; for A. Bettfreund to a client. EI.DRRT ST, No. 22.

3 story and basement brick house; for A. Kedziesen to a client. MACON ST, No. 737 2 story and basement brown stone house; for F. Jennlng9 to a client.

OAKLAND PLACE. No. IB. 2 story brick house: for George F. Schmid to a client.

GATES AV, No. 975, 3 story double brick flat; for M. Rosen to a client. PUTNAM AV, No. 1171.

2 story and hasement frame house; for M. Maurer to a client. CORNELIA ST. No. 14.

3 story frame single flat: for William Rang to a client. GREENE AV. No. 1519. 3 story brick single flat: for William Gramintch to a client.

DRESDEN ST. No. 130, 3 story frame single flat; for II. Kraft to a client. GATES AV.

No. 975. 3 story double brick flat; for I. Welnbach to a client. CENTRE MORICHES.

L. 10 acres; M. F. Carroll to a client. BLEECKER ST.

near Rushwlck av, lot 20x 100; for A Scholl to a client. BLEECKER ST. near Bushwlck av, lot 33x100; for Jacob Murr to a client. HAMBURG AV. near Gates av, lot 60x100; for T.

Wefnbach to a client. MERRICK VILLAGE. Nassau County, house anil lot, 100 x300; for F. J. N.

Tallman to a client. By Louis Cowan. THIRD AV. No. FW3.

4 stnry briHc double flnt on lot 20xino; for JaniPR H. Dolan. BATH TIEACH, Xo. 1L'4 Hay 14tft i. 2- stnry and basement brick 2 funilly house on lot 20x108 By John C.

Giles, Jr. AV cor 31st st: 2 story and attic, frame, detached 2 family house: John G. Thegod to Mrs. A. Hosch.

consideration $9,2.0. By Charles E. Bickerson. FARM PLACE. 301, three story and hasement rea stone dwelling.

ror Andrew N. Nielsen lo Edwnrd Meyer. By A. J. Dooher.

DOCOLAS PT. No 16(1. two story and basement brick dwelling: from in. Carr to John Gibbons; resold to M. Rottenbertf and M.

Hoffman. 60TH ST, No 731, two family brick dwelling; to H. J. Iloutjhertw NELSON HT. No US, two story and hasement brick dwelling; for the estate of Ellen Gahli to M.

Plus. WITH s'T. No 615. two family apartment; for H. H.

Lucke to -Mrs. 10. Ruune. PRESIDENT ST. No two story and basement brown stone dwellliiK; for B.

D. Riirehardl to J. Grattan McMalnm. 2D PLACtf. No three atory and basement stone dwelling: for L.

M. Khrat. 1ST ST. No 2:1. two story and basement brick dwelling; for Thonuts Jones.

nCNTON. corner plot at liroadway and LonufeHow av; for P. F. Brennan to-. D.

Shea. By McCorniack Heal Estate Company. FLORA 1, PARK. L. I.

To H. Green. -10x100, on Aspen street: to J. J. Lyon.

-10x100, on Locust street; to J. Lyon. 40x100, on Floral Parhway; to L. Stoll, soxloo. on Locust street: to F.

Mann. 00.1M. at Carnation avrniio anrl Poplar street; to Frank c. Erlor. 4oxl'j.

on P.eech street; to John Tniehalt. 4.lxf. on Asien street; to J. A. Metlulre.

4oxp, on Aspen to M. O'Malley. 40x100, on Spruce street; to Mary Arvlll, lilo. on Sonne stivet. VALLEY STItF.A.M To Chirl3s E.

Tarrfll, 40x100. on Merrick R-uilevard; to P. A. Coo-nev, 40x100. on V.

S. Houlevard and Madison to H. McKeon. on avenue; to Giotono iJOxlon. Merrick Houlevard; to Aujtust limli.

fioxioo, on Merrick Itoulevnrd; to tL, Presbrey, 40x100, on Melrose street. By Eickert-Finlay Realty Company. WESTMORELAND, to Nelson, plot 40xp.i. on fl Itayvlew av. 100 ft -n of Summit av; to Renedict, plot ooxioo.

of Cutler Glenwood ays; to 10 (Upson A Sandlier. plot. 4oxtoo. of Nassau id. to Kmiiiii.

plot 20x100, of lane; to lyaco.k. plot -lexloo. it of 20th St. DOI'GLAS MANOR, to Cohn. plot loo cor of Arleiirh rd Centre av.

EAST RIVKR HEIGHTS', to Stenlus, plot 20x100, i of Davidson pi. Brooklyn and Queens boroughs who wish to erect, not huge hive-like tenements for thirty or forty families, but three family houses and apartments accommo dating four and five families. From any arbitrary ruling of the tenement commissioner or his deputy, based on the report of his Inexpert inspectors, there is at present no appeal, except to the courts, and litigation is both tedious and costly. While the intending builder of an apartment house Is going to law over a difference of half an inch in the width of a hallway, caused by the added thickness of the plaster, his building operation waits, workmen lie idle and capital is unemployed. To add to the absurdity of the situation.

a large force of inspectors is employed by the building bureau, at a cost of hundreds of thousands a year, to do the very same work of seeing that all legal provisions as to sanitation, sound construction, plumbing, air and light supply, are observed, and the builder must satisfy the building bureau on these points before he gets his permit, after which he must get the tenement house department to make a liar Inspection and get a similar permit. While the Inspectors of the building Bureau are necessarily practical men, having technical knowledge building construction, plumbing, the inspectors of the tenement house department are required to have no such knowledge. "Wherefore," say the architects and builders, "let the charter revisers combine the building and tenement house departments, saving thereby at least a year, or else provide a board of appeal In the tenement house department, composed of practical men. to whom we can go and get a prompt decision, based on tbe law as it stauds. and so release us from the tyranny which now hampers us." Real Estatft Men In Auto Tour of Queens Borough Find Ocular Proof of Rapid Development of Many Properties.

As the time approaches for the opening of the Blackwell's Island Bridge, evidences multiply as to the quickening influence it will have upon all the many-sided Interests of Queen's Borough. Coming at the right time, the auto inspection tour held this week under the auspices of the Queens Borough Real Estate Exchange, opened the eyes of many experienced men to present opportunities for conservative investment in that borough, and gave ocular demonstration of the great strides that have been made within the past year In the development of the section. In and about Jamaica, St. Albans, Hol-lis, Richmond Hill, Morris Park, Wood-haven, Elmhurst, Corona, Kissena Park, Flushing, Douglas Manor, and other localities which will be brought immeasurably nearer to the business centers by the new bridge, much was seen to indicate tempting opportunities for investors. In his address at the luncheon at the Garden City Hotel, following the tour, Public Service Commissioner Bassett, after Indulging in optimistic prophecy as to future rapid transit developments, brought forth hearty applause by his statement that the Long Island Railroad was under moral obligation to provide a schedule of lower fares and more frequent trains, and that it could well afford to do so.

President Lewis H. Pounds of the Heal Estate Exchange of Long Island apparently voiced the general sentiment when he protested against the policy of the tax assessors in doubling the assessments on property as soon as improvements had been installed and before the developer had had a fair chance to get a reasonable return uipon the money invested. Continued Realty and Building Activity in Southerly Wards. There is considerable building going on in the Thirtieth Ward. Many apartment houses have been planned and several four story brick houses are in course of construction in the Homewood part of the wnrd.

The east corner of Bath and Twenty-first avenues, consisting of four lots and large house was sold for E. S. Desvereins to Edson McCord of Ossining, and a house on Eighty-fourth street, near Twelfth avenue, was sold for the same owner. A large house owned by Thos. J.

Nolan on Nineteenth avenue, near Benson, was sold to A. J. Conney, the block between Seventy-eighth and Seventy-ninth streets, on Bay parkway, changed hands. There were a number of houses and lots sold in Borough Park and Martense. Eight lots on West Twentieth street, near Neptune avenue, were sold during the week.

Brokers throughout the Thirtieth and Thirty-first Wards report an increased demand for property but there is still much complaining because of the Increased assessments. A Suggestion Worth Consideration. More than passing attention Is due to the following letter which has been addressed to the Eagle and which mav strike a responsive chord In some quarters: Tn the Editor nf the Hrooklyn Eagle: Dear sir Thl in but a suggestion, but 1 think It will be well received by the best element In tbe fraternity uf real estate brokers. It is a fact there are many br okei-R 1 of- real estate and nut enough business fori all of thrill. Would ft not bo welt If the business Here restricted? How can that bo done? limiting through law.

and the proper legislation, the number of brokers to those bo are responsible and strictly honest in their relations with clients. To do this laws should be passe requiring brokers to tie registered and to pay a license fee to the state or ciuinfy, large enough to insure that only the best men be privileged to do business as brokers. They aft in a fbluclnry capacity hence only those who are worthy should be admitted to license. There should be a central authority to Issue licenses, and to have supervising powers. Itrokers who Indulge In sharp practices or grafting would amenable tn such a tribunal end could be punished efficaciously and quickly hy such a court or overhodv as ubtalns In the New Vork I'rodu'-e Exchange, the Cotton Exchange and other exehaneys.

Membership tn sueh ft body would bp worth hiving and the tone of the real estate brokerage business would eventually be elevated to th dignity that now rns In the legal and other reslrieted pretensions. A KHIKND TO HEAL ESTATE INTERESTS. Hearing in mind that lawyers, physicians, dentins, pharmacists and men of NEW FISKE TERRACE APARTMENTS. rrr-- II I I PR 1 1 1 III -a StElEI ilfertlduur New Apartments to Be Erected by the Pohl-Abbott Construction Company, Dodge Morrison, Architects, on the Southwest Corner of Avenue and East Pourteenth Streets, Fiske Terrace..