Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-03-15


provided.
The transverse structure it was proposed to
utilize as follows: the basement, for vapor
plunge, and ordinary bathrooms. for the use of
occupants of the Home" not provided with the
same in their own apartments. for har-dressing
saioOn &c. On the first floor there were to be
two large schOOl-roOms and a dning-saloon for
children under twelve years of age. The sec
ond floor was to contain an asSembly-room 40
by 40 feet, for social entertainments and other
meetings; also, dining room for members not
taking meals in their own apartments: read
ing or stting-roOm for ladies, and reading and
smOkinG-rOom for gentlemen; these to be sup
piled with choice reading matter periodicals
and papers, in ample numbers at an expense
not to exceed 80 cents per month to each sub
scriber- The third floor was to be appropriated
to recreation, amusement, and conversation
rooms, furnished with billiard tables, chessmen,
&c Regulations for the instruction and super
vision Of children, providing for the sick, and
also in regard to furnishing meals and attending
to the laundry work of OccuDants of the Home"
who preferred not to perform such labor in their
own apartments. were given by the protector,
The rentals per year which these apartments
should yield to the members or stockholders
were stated as follows:
First story, front rooms, per square foot of
area, 25 cents.
Second story, front rooms, per square foot of
Third story, front rooms, per square foot of
area, 20 cents.
Fourth story. front rooms. per square foot of
area, Is cents.
The remainder ranging from 20 cents down TO
IL cents. Thus, front room of 1S by 16 feet,
on the third floor, would command 81 so per
month. The expense of living at such an assO-
ciated home, including board. washing, heat,
and light, as also the expenditure for jantor and
engineer, were rated as follows per month:
Single persons. Observation-Disclosures. s25
Families. per adult, according to num-
per. ron. ...............$l5 to ~
Children under IA years. 10
:, :, ~ ...-........... 8
The protector sums up by showing in tabular
statement that, for family of six persons. liv-
inc in such an associated home, apart from the
advantages it would enjoy in the way of educa-
tionai iacllties ana increased comfort in many
respects. gain of nearly $500 annually would
be the result, as compared with the present
mode of living in detached houses
1t is now upwards of ten years since this plan
was proposed in Washington, and despite the
unquestOned success of similar system orioi-
mated 10y the eminent social scientist. j. B. A.
GOdin, in GuiSe, France, as early as 1859 the
beneiicent effects of which command to this day
the admiration of every vOtary of social science,
this project of Mr. EnthOfer has SO far totally
failed of realization. Various have been the
reasons assigned therefor. The protector him
self states that most Of the subscribers declined
TO take any other apartments than those on the
first floor; Others say the scheme is aTtagonistic
to that instinct of individualism inherent i'm
every true American. which makes him ayerSe
to anything which SHALL even seemingly, ham
per his movements or lessen his indiy iduality:
whilst third emphaticaly declares 1.-The love of
dominion in man" to be at the bottom of the
Discrimination of American men to adopt such a
system OF homesteads. because it would be a
signal movement towards emancipating their
wives from the drudgery of house keeping and
render them less domestic.
Various suburban projects have, from time
to time, been started to meet the demands of
persons OF moderate means, who would not
be content within the ordinary city dwelling
"U'aOaato,rn, primarily for the employees
OF the Navy Yard, is beautifully located
on the banks of the 'AnacOsta," or Eastern
branch OF the Potomac, ON plateau of gently
rising ground backed by a fine range of hills
Along the base and on the rise of these hills a
short distance apart. a suburban negro village
called 'Hillsdale' has sprung up. as it were, of
indigenous growth, which, with its many primi-
tive and rude looking structures literally COW
cred With whtewash. gives the landscape here
from distance, rather picturesque and cheer
full appearance. tramway extends from the
city to these suburban villages. The deniZens
of neither of these settlements seem to have
been actuated by any other motive to locate here
than that the holders Of the ground offered
building and garden lots ON exceptionally low
and favorable terms.
Mount Pleasant Village and Meridian Hill
two suburban settlements situated on the high
plateau north of the city. were efforts in the d.
rectiOn Of inducing clerks in the departments
and other persons of moderate means to pur-
chase lots of half an acre or more on easy terms
and erect thereon cottages to suit Whilst both
are delightful locations. neither has attained
tnat degree of prosperity and attractiyeness
which their denizens at first pictured to them
selves. Possibly the distance from tramway
OF the one or the detrimental practice of holding
lots at a higher price than originally fixed upon
after the first sales were effected. NAV have
caused lack of the requisite participation. So,
whilst some cosy and inviting homes NAV be
found there. the majority of lots remain unp-
proved or show lamentable neglect. In regard
to Pleasant Plains and portions of University
Hill. two like suburban settlements, Con the line.
OF tramway hOweTerO similar hardness of
growth is to be noted.
1t would seem that the only approach which
has been made in the District of Columbia to
solve successfully the problem of suitable assO-
clated homes for persons of moderate incomes
Is the enterprise known as LIE Droit Park COM
prising some fifty acres of land Subdiyided into
100 building sites. adjacent to and fronting some
two thousand feet Oh the northern boundary
line OF the city. 1t is contiguous to the te,rai,i
OF two tramways. with third in prospect at an
early date. so that at all times for five cent
fare most OF the public departments may be
reached in from fifteen to thirty minutes This
enterprise indicates an intelligent effort to prac-
ticay solve the problem of Associated Homes
adapted to the taste, wants and means of the
average American.
The projectors, Messrs. A. L. Barber & Co.
constitute simply cOpartnershp Purely as
an investment the firm purchased the ground in
1877 and 1913, inclOsing the entire area with
fence in common. Enli>ting in the enterprise
the thoughtful, experienced and, in this line
peculiarly successful architect, James H. McGill.
the ground was then laid off in suitable build
ing sites, taking care to preserve what trees
there were upon the premises. (among them a
number of fine oaks and utilizing for purposes
OF landscape effect such inequalities as presented
themselves. Like NJ. GOdin at Guise Messrs
A. L.. Barber Il Co. showed their sincerity of
purpose and confidence in the advantages the
project would offer to families for among the
first dwellings erected was one for each partner
of the firm, where they continue to reside to this
day.
The architect wisely designed plans generally
uniform as to the interior arrangements, but on
the exterior of the most varied, picturesque and
tasteful designs. The projectors then organized,
mainly among themselves, what they STYLED:
1.-THE LIE Droit Park Building Company" which
association erected the dwellings as there seemed
call for them, some singly, others. for the pur-
pose OF greater economy in building. in pairs or
adjoining each other, but ever careful to pre-
serve proportions in keeping with the general