Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-07-08
the present restrictive ordinance was


passed.
The petition which the Savannah Loan
Association has formulated Will be SUD
mitted 70 the other associations al thelr
July meetings, and Will be forwarded as
soon as possible 10 the Council with the
signatures Of citizens and property own
ers, meeting being called NJ an early
day to invite their cooperatiOr.
A NEWS reporter talked with number
of leading property owners and real es-
tate men and others yesterday, and found
q general sentiment in favor OF more
liberal ordinance.
Mr.. G. H. Dorsett, who originated the
movement IN the Savannah Loan Asso-
citation, said that there was not the slight
est question ia his mind as 70 the effect the
repeal OF the ordinance would have. 1t
would not only encourage the building OF
more houses but would greatly increase
the value aud render salable property ia
localities where it is now in measure
unsuitable because the ordinances pro
hibit the erection OK houses within tle
means Of people who wish G. buy. The
question" he said, els worth careful and
close consideration. a few days sgo,' he
Went on 20 say, "a number of desirable
building lots, Just inside the fire limits,
were sold az suction. The lots We're in
an eligible locality, aud had they teeu
available for she erection Of wooden build
ings, would have sold easily FOR $500 TO
5000 more than they actually brought and
would have been bult upon &C oncc.
whereas in an likelihood. -hey Will re-
main unoceupisd for some time O. come,
unless the are ordinance is modified
The fire risk be aid not believe 20 De
much greater in localities built UP under
reasonable restrictions with wooden
houses than in localities built up Ofbrick.
Experienced tiremen say they are better
able to control and subdue a ire ia frame
than in brick buildings. Mr. Dorsett Is
firmly convinced that a repeal or m0dlfl-
cation of the ordinance Will stimulate
building, enhance the value Of property,
and will advance the interests OF the city.
Other real estate men are Of the same
opinion. Mr.. NJ. }. SolOmOns, President
of the Southern Mutual Loan Associa-
ton and of the new Chatham Real Estate
and Improvement Company, is pronounced
in his views. He believes the repeal OF
the ordinance, or its modification, would
increase the value OF property and en-
courage building In a great degree.
The city would receive higher tax upon
the increased valuation, and decided
benefits would accrue.
Maj. a. l.. Hartridge, who, az a real es-
tate broker, represents large invest
ment in buildings, said that personally he
had no doubt but that the Improvement of
real estate south Of BrOughtOu street
would have been more rapid were it not
for the ordinance which f0rbid5 the cree
ton Of wooden buildings.
The most of the buildings for which he
is agent, he said, are brick, and in the
northern section Of the city. He referred
10 the sanitary advantages of wooden
residence over a brick one as a point in
favor OF the former, but suggested that a
thick coat of paint will make a brick wall
waterproof
Mr.. John Sullivan, who represents
number OF leading insurance companies,
holds rather a neutral position on the
question. The unimproYed property
north OF CASTOR street and between East
Broad and West Broad is so small that he
hardly thought any appreciable danger
would ensue from tue repeal of the Ordi-
nance. While a higher rate is charged
on wooden buildings than on brick, the
property holders are the ones who pay the
insurance, and as long az the companies
get the rates, from business
point Of view, they had AS
soon write a policy for $1,000
frame house as a $4,000 brick one. Mr..
Sullivan, like many others, said that il he
wanted TO build he would rather erect a
wooden residence than lFick, both from
economical and sanitary reasons.
When asked if the proximity Of a
wooden building 10 a brick one increases
the rate on the latter he said that it does
not generally. He thought 10 probable
that the Board Of Underwriters Will dis
cuss the matter, and may probably take
some definite position.
Other leading property owners, among
them several whose Investments are en-
tirely in brick, said that there was no
doubt in their minds that more liberal
ordinance than that now in operation
would encourage building and enhance
the value Of property generally, but 40 long
as the present ordinance exists theybelieye
it should be strictly enforced. ThedanRer
from fires that would exist under the
Roberts ordinance they believed would
not be materially greater than at present
under the ordinance which requires all
buildings within certain limits to be of
brick.